Evelyn Marrero of Amsterdam High School and Jeremy McAllister of Fonda-Fultonville High School are repeat winners of the Fulmont Roadrunners Club’s annual Cross-Country Runner of the Year Awards, according to an announcement by club president Joyce Poulin. The awards honor 2006’s top male and female cross-country runners in Fulton and Montgomery County high schools.

Evelyn, a junior, was number one runner on Amsterdam High’s five-time undefeated Big 10 Conference championship cross country team. During the year, she was first in all of the school’s Big 10 dual meets and also took firsts at the Big 10 and Galway Invitationals. In addition, her 2006 record included a third-place finish in the Fonda Invitational, a fourth in the Troy Invitational, and a fifth at the Grout Invitational. She was named a first team Big 10 all star for 2006.

Jeremy, a 12th grader, was first runner on Fonda-Fultonville High’s cross-country team, which was ranked sixth in the state in Class C. He placed first in the Section 2, Class C Invitational, earning an invitation to the New York State Class C championship race, where he finished ninth. His record for the year also included firsts at the Fonda, Ft. Plain, Burnt Hills, Cobleskill, and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Invitationals, and he was named a first team WAC all star.

Outstanding XC Runner Awards

In addition to the overall winners, the Fulmont Roadrunners select the top male and female cross-country runners in each of the Fulton and Montgomery County high schools that field cross-country teams.

Winners of these Outstanding Cross-Country Runner Awards for 2006 were Josh Norman and Kim Negrich of Mayfield High School, Mark Horning of Johnstown High School, Ryan Blackmon and Erin Leitt of Gloversville High School, Joe Geniti and Ashleigh Scott of Fonda-Fultonville High School, Patrick Ferrara and Kelsey Stockwell of Canajoharie-Ft. Plain High School, Andrew Goodspeed and Alex Kuhl of Broadalbin-Perth High School, and Rob Morey and Krissy Welch of Amsterdam High School.

The club initiated the high school cross-country awards program several years ago as part of its efforts to encourage and reward young runners in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. It also awards scholarships annually to outstanding high school seniors in the area who compete in varsity running programs and are going on to college.

The athletes were honored during ceremonies following the club’s annual Winter Wimp foot race, held January 13 in Hagaman, N.Y.