Red Jacket girls track is six-time reigning West champ

For all the numbers that have distinguished the Red Jacket girl’s outdoor track and field team — the six-straight league trophies, the 46 division champions, the No. 1 team for the past half-dozen years — the Indians last spring accomplished a feat that placed them in conversation of all-time best.

The Indians haven’t lost a meet in six years, nine months and 27 days, their last being a defeat to Bloomfield, 76-65, in the 2004 regular season finale. Red Jacket has since won 30-straight against Finger Lakes West squads, and are 30-1 overall. Their only interruption came against Palmyra-Macedon, a non-league neighbor, losing 91-35 in 2006.

Red Jacket’s string of consecutive league titles stands as a West record, and their 30-1 overall run is also the third-best mark in girls track history in the Finger Lakes. Pal-Mac went 43-0 overall and 37-0 in the Central, and Victor made a 38-0 run overall and 35-0 in the East.

On a muggy 78-degree afternoon last May, Red Jacket “hit the ground running” at Alfred State College. For the first time in their program’s history, the Indians cradled that coveted piece of lumber; they were finally sectional champions… and won by 67 points.

"I was so happy for the girls, especially the seniors," said third-year head coach Erin Gerbasi. "To finally capture a sectional title was special. It was great to see the girls take so much pride in our program."

There’s no surprise when you battle Red Jacket.

The Indians have puréed West contestants since the White Sox last won the World Series. Winning by attrition has become a Tuesday afternoon tradition; the Indians’ dual meet formula has equated into a 100-point average. And, there’s no false bravado.

Sam Turner sizzled the straight and commanded the curve last spring. The speed merchant went uncontested in the 100m (12.81), 200m (25.92), and 100m hurdles (16.55) and won sectionals in all three. Thoroughbred Sarah Coon claimed sectional titles in the 1,500m (4:58.03) and 3,000m (11:17.02) and later competed in the New York state meet in the 800m (2:19.96). After winning sectional shot put (28-11 1/4) and discus (112-7) titles, Cristi VanCaeseele joined coon in the states in the discus.

All three return this season along with Gerbasi, who took over for Kim (Breed) Blanchet, who guided Red Jacket to its first-ever league crown and a 20-1 overall career record.

"The idea of taking over this team after Kim had stepped down was a bit daunting," said Gerbasi, who tripled jumped 36-2 at John F. Kennedy high school in her heyday. "Luckily, the transition for both me and the girls was seamless and we have been able to continue the tradition of strong track at Red Jacket."