Before hosting last Saturday's Center State Conference league meet, Cooperstown girls track coach Connie Herzig thought her team's chances of winning were slim.

"We'll have to do everything up to our potential, and hope Sauquoit doesn't," she said.

But in reality, a great team effort was all Cooperstown needed to defend their league title from a year ago.

The Redskins won four events-Stephanie Smith in the pole vault and high jump, Carolyn Clarvoe in the 400 hurdles, and the 400 relay team of Mia McChesney, Smith and Suzanne and Carolyn Clarvoe. Carolyn Clarvoe also took a second in the 100 hurdles, while Suzanne Clarvoe took second in the 200 and third in the 100. Smith took second in the 400, Amy Kane second in the shot put and Elise Wilhelm second in the discus.

"The big thing for us was to finish ahead of the second Sauquoit runner, and up and down the line we were able to do that," Herzig said. "It was a powerfully wonderful victory, and this team has exceeded my expectations all season and are a great group to work with."

The Redskins finished with 148 1/2 points, 73 1/2 of which came from the six field events and 75 from the track events.

"That shows what a team effort it was," Herzig said.

Cooperstown will travel to sectionals today (Thursday) in Canastota, and Herzig said there are three reasons to run sectionals.

"One is for a team score, but Canastota is going to win sectionals so we'll concentrate more on qualifying athletes for the open state qualifier and ending the season on a high note by getting personal bests in time and distance," Herzig said. "The top three athletes in each event qualify for the open qualifier, and we have some athletes that can do that."

In fact, Stephanie Smith has already qualified in the high jump and Carolyn Clarvoe and Sarah Child in the 100 hurdles. Herzig said the 4x100 relay team and discus throwers Amy Kane and Elise Wilhelm also have a shot a the open qualifier. Smith, who qualified for the state meet as a freshman last season in the pole vault, will compete again in the pole vault and also the 400 today.

"This is a meet where the girls can get a little selfish and go for individual goals," Herzig said.

"When you do your best, and somebody beats you, how can you complain," he said. "I was very happy with our competitive zeal, but sometimes in athletic competition people are just better than you."

And Mt. Markham's Neil Case and Mike Allen were clearly head and shoulders better than anyone else. The two combined to score 76 of Mt. Markham's 156 points.

Howard said several of his athletes had season best performances. Scott Bliss threw nearly 10 feet better than his previous personal best in winning the discus with a throw of 136-5; Matt Barown ran season bests in both hurdle races, finishing second in the 110 hurdles; and Howard said Liam Murphy surprised everyone with a second place in the 200. Pat West won the high jump and Cooperstown also won both the 1,600 and 3,200 relay races. Jared Tallman and Evan Guiney also had solid performances in the 3200 finishing third and fourth, respectively.

Cooperstown travels to New Hartford Saturday for the Section Three Class C-1 meet. Howard said his team will be competing more for individual rather than team goals.

"This is the fun part of the season," he said.