Every fall, West Seneca Central School District brings their fourth, fifth and sixth grade students together to compete in the annual Gary Gaiser Cross Country Run. This year a total of 268 students participated in the race the morning of Saturday, Oct. 1 at Sunshine Park. Fourth grade students ran a half mile while the fifth and sixth grade students ran three-quarters of a mile. There were six races in total as each grade level was split between boys and girls.
This year’s individual first-place finishers were:
- Joshua Iuvino, Clinton Street Elementary, Grade 4, 3:02.57
- Brianna Warmington, Allendale Elementary, Grade 4, 3:08.08
- Ryan Vanderlip, West Elementary, Grade 5, 4:39.04
- Mya Zubek, West Elementary, Grade 5, 5:26.55
- Jack Cosgrove, East Middle, Grade 6, 4:38.70
- Sarah Gehen, West Middle, Grade 6, 5:15.72
This year’s team first-place finishers were:
- Grade 4 (Boys): Clinton Street Elementary
- Grade 4 (Girls): Allendale Elementary
- Grade 5 (Boys): Allendale Elementary
- Grade 5 (Girls): East Middle
- Grade 6 (Boys): East Middle
- Grade 6 (Girls): West Middle
The event, which began in 1993, was named in memory of Gary Gaiser, who taught physical education and coached many sports in the district from 1973 to 1992. Besides having a run named after him, Gaiser is also on the West Seneca Schools’ Wall of Fame for his outstanding achievement as a former student, educator and coach.
Submitted By: Lauren Kirchmeyer
