For the second straight year, Cherry Valley-Springfield's Kristen Karhio took home a state medal in the pentathlon, finishing third in the State Meet at Uniondale, Long Island last Friday and Saturday.

As a sophomore last year, Karhio won a gold medal, and last Saturday brought home a bronze. Karhio complied 2,633 points competing in the five events of the pentathlon-High and long jump, hurdles, shot put and 800-meter race.

"Kristen was happy to take third in the state, but a little disappointed that she didn't have the kind of day she was capable of," said CV-S track coach Jordan Jaquay. "She just had an off day. We don't know why, but everyone's entitled to an off day now and then."

A second gold medal was within Karhio's grasp, as she compiled more points in the open qualifier the week before than the first place finisher at states had.

"She was less than 100 points away from first place," Jaquay said. "It gives her something to shoot for next year."

Cooperstown sophomore Stephanie Smith finished sixth in the pole vault, clearing 8 feet. She had cleared 9'6" in the state qualifier a week earlier and had a goal of 10 feet for the state meet.

Milford's Ben Cotter finished fourth in the long jump, the highest state finish in school history, despite aggravating a knee injury during his first attempt in the long jump on Friday. Cotter jumped 20 feet, 10 inches in that first jump, but his distance consistently declined in his next two attempts.

"On his fourth jump in the final round he really felt some pain and since he has a full schedule this summer we didn't want to push it," Milford head coach Dave Prouty said. "He was the only Class D competitor in the long jump, and to finish fourth overall is an accomplishment we're proud of."

Cotter will head to the Empire State Games this weekend, where he will compete in the long jump and the 100 and 200-meter runs. The good news for Cotter, a junior, is he has another year of high school left.

"Next year, we'll try and improve it a notch or two," Prouty said. "He still wants to break the league record of 21-7."