While the Redskins are a dominant team again this year, they should get a mighty battle from Bainbridge-Guilford-Afton at Saturday’s 18th annual Invitational, Howard said.

``B-G-A is very strong, and they’ll take a lot of first place finishes,’’ Howard said. ``They key for us will be scoring points in every event. We’ve been able to do that so far in our meets this year, but we don’t know if we can do that in the big meets. We’ll find out.’’

Cooperstown’s distance crew, headed by senior Stephen Scrafford, should also help offset some of B-G-A’s power.

The Redskins, who have won 11 of the 17 previous Cooperstown Invitational titles, are also strong in the field events. Triple jump specialist Trevor Huntsman; pole vaulters Josh White and Lucas Niedzialkowski; and shot and discus thrower Kyle Bronson should all score points on Saturday.

Cooperstown has also won five straight league titles.

Howard said Sidney and Oneonta will both compete on Saturday, and both have a history of strong track programs.

``Cobleskill is always an unknown,’’ Howard added. ``And many of the small schools will bring strong individual competitors.’’

Howard said he started the Cooperstown Invitational 18 years ago for the purpose of bringing all the area schools together to compete.

``They could read about each other in the paper, but they never went head to head because they were in different leagues,’’ Howard said. ``That was my original purpose, and I think it still serves that purpose.’’

{"CC Byline"/}Coop girls hope for top three finish

{"CC Body Text"/}Last year, the Cooperstown girls track and field team surprised head coach Connie Herzig with a second place finish in the Cooperstown Invitational.

They will need a similar effort this year to take home top three trophy.

``B-G-A has a very talented group of girls, and Cobleskill and Sidney are also strong,’’ said CCS girls track coach Connie Herzig. ``It’s going to be tough for us to pick up the big points. We’re going to need to accumulate all the points and places we can. B-G-A is definitely the favorite.’’

The race of the day from a fan’s perspective could come in the 100 meter hurdles, where Cooperstown’s Becky Fisher and Sidney’s Ashley Mahlemeister will square off. Mahlmesiter, just a sophomore, placed 10th in the indoor states in the fall, while Fisher, a senior, is one of the top hurdlers in the Center State Conference.

Fisher will square off against another good Sidney hurdler, Kim Young, in the 400 hurdle event.

Herzig said Laura Resnick has been performing well in the long and triple jump events in the early season.

``We have 19 freshmen on the roster, and with the bad weather it’s been tough to practice,’’ Herzig said. ``I’m really not sure what we’re capable of at this point. This is a great meet because because it gives all the area athletes a chance to showcase their talent.’’