Every time the spring postseason rolls around, the Lansing outdoor track and field teams have consistently been amongst the top of the pack. With the IAC and Section IV Class C championships in the books, it was more of the same success for the Bobcats.
The IAC championships, which took place from May 20-21 in Trumansburg, saw both the boys and girls teams win the Large School titles. Then at sectionals on May 28 in Newark Valley, the boys team once again came out on top while the girls team finished in fourth place.
The Bobcats’ two head coaches bring unique perspectives as to why their programs have prospered for so long. Matt Scheffler, the boys head coach who has been at Lansing for 22 years, pointed to the combination of talented athletes and a large coaching staff, including girls head coach Mia Cote, assistant coaches Doug Smith and Sarah Hammond and volunteer coach Laura Barré.
“We are very fortunate at Lansing,” Scheffler said. “When we go to a lot of other places, they have one, maybe two coaches a lot of times and no volunteers. We have that coaching staff that can tailor to all the individual events, so we have success in most of the events. I think that’s probably a big thing is surrounding yourself with people that are going to make your team successful.”
As for Cote, who is in her second year coaching varsity outdoor track, believes the athletes holding each other accountable has helped make everybody better.
“It’s just creating that environment that they’re motivated,” Cote said. “Not only individually but collectively as a team, they want to win. I think that’s definitely what drives our program, and that’s how we get so many people involved. The athletes create the environment, along with all the coaches and support that we have, so it’s a special program that we’re building.”
One athlete who’s been the pillar of the program over the last few years is Trent Thibault. A state champion cross country runner, the senior has continued to thrive in the long-distance runs this spring, winning the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter at both IACs and sectionals. Cote was Thibault’s coach during the fall, and she’s seen firsthand how Thibault has evolved his own performances and guidance for his younger teammates.
“He has really stepped up as a leader on the team this year,” Cote said. “He’s very invested not only in himself and making those standards and having those expectations, but he is invested in his teammates as well.”
The standout for the girls team this season has been Ava Kobylarz. The sophomore was named the IAC girls field MVP after winning the long jump, triple jump and pole vault. She also finished first in the pole vault and runner-up in the triple jump at sectionals. Scheffler has worked closely with her on vaulting and has witnessed great growth.
“Coming out this year, I think she had a really strong foundation,” Scheffler said. “After she cleared her first 11-foot [vault] at a meet, I think it kind of clicked for her. It’s like, ‘Okay, yeah, I can be really good, I’m one of the top in the state right now.’ And then when she jumped that 11-foot, six-inch, that put her at number one for [Classes] C and D right now. I’m seeing a different person right now of ‘Yeah, I’m committed to this, I want to do well.’”
The boys team has had plenty of other success stories this season. The Smith brothers continue to thrive in the jumping events. Xavier, a senior, placed second in the long jump at IACs and was runner-up in all three jumping events at sectionals, while junior Diggy was third in the long jump at IACs and placed top five in the three jumping events at sectionals. Nathaniel Ronsvalle is the Bobcats’ top hurdler, taking home the gold in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles at IACs and top-three finishes at sectionals. Junior Elijah Littlejohn is an IAC champion in the 800-meter run. He and fellow eleventh grader Thomas Hibbard are key pieces of the IAC-winning 4×800-meter relay team.
The girls team, captained by seniors Kendyll Hathorn and Gigi Clark, features plenty of up-and-coming prospects. Eighth grade jumper Alia Kobylarz and eighth grade hurdler Elyse Waters have each enjoyed strong debut seasons, while freshmen jumper Calla Brath and freshman distance runner Melody Sternberg have displayed impressive improvement. Hathorn is also one of the jumpers on the team, while junior Kacey Strang is one of their most versatile athletes, competing in the hurdles, steeplechase, and discus.
The focus shifts to state qualifiers, which take place from June 3-4 at Union-Endicott. Given how the postseason has gone so far, expect another group of Bobcats to punch their tickets to states.
“There’s nothing more we can do,” Cote said. “I think they’re ready. They put the work in the entire season. The mindset is they’re physically ready. Now it’s just, are they mentally ready?”
