Field hockey, cross-country titles highlight Barker’s year

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s field hockey team captured league, sectional and regional honors to advance to the state semifinals. Here Brooke Bodine puts a shot on goal for the Lady Raiders during the state semi double overtime loss to Cazenovia.

The smallest of the Niagara-Orleans League schools, Barker made the biggest splash on the Empire State sports scene this past year as both the Raiders field hockey and boys cross-country teams competed at the states.

The Barker field hockey team first captured an eighth straight Niagara-Orleans League championship with an 11-1 record. The Lady Raiders then made it six straight Section VI titles with s 3-1 victory over Eden.

Keeping the momentum, Barker then won the Far West Regional by nipping East Rochester 1-0 to advance to the state Final Four for the third time in the last four years. However, the Lady Raiders big post season run then came to an end in a narrow 1-0 double overtime loss to Cazenovia in the state Class C semifinals at Cicero-North Syracuse.

The Barker boys cross-country team went 14-0 to claim the N-O championship led by the 1-2-3-4 finish of Sergio Cruz, Bryce Moeller, Hayden Hathaway and Casey Webb at the All-League meet.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – With individual champion Sergio Cruz leading the way here at the All-League meet at Lakeside Beach State Park, Barker claimed the N-O boys cross-country title.

The Raiders went on to win the Section VI Class D title and then placed third in the state Class C race held at Queensbury High.

The Barker golf team likewise captured the N-O championship for the second year in a row. Going 13-0-1 the Raiders were led by the All-League trio of Mitch Luckman, Brad Wilson and Alonzo St. Louis.

Also this fall, the Raiders versatile senior quarterback/running back, defensive back/kicker Jacob Haight earned first team All-Western New York football honors.

During the winter season, Barker emerged with two N-O All-League wrestling champions in Daniel Gardner and Brandon Alt.

In the spring, the Barker boys track team captured the N-O title with a 6-0 record. The Raiders were led at the All-League meet by double winners Jacob Haight (high jump, triple jump) and Jordan Bender (1600, 3200) as Brett Cole added a win in the 100.