Wawaka Lake Race Raises $5,000 For Bill Sprague Scholarship Fund

HALCOTTSVILLE — A record 155 runners and walkers registered for this year’s Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk held on Saturday, Aug. 23 in Halcottsville.

Proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to establish a scholarship in memory of Bill Sprague, lifelong community member and a 25-year member of the Roxbury Highway Department. Bill had served as Superintendent of Highways since 2019 until his passing last January at age 50.

To honor this longtime public servant, race organizers decided to use funds raised at this year’s race to establish a scholarship at Roxbury Central School to be awarded to a senior graduating next year from one of the BOCES programs. Proceeds from entry fees, the post-race breakfast and general donations ($1,700) totaled about $5,000.

The Halcottsville Fire Department is pleased to announce that a check in the amount of $5,000 will be presented to Roxbury Central School for the Bill Sprague Scholarship Fund, made possible by the proceeds from the 2025 Wawaka Lake 5K. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered, and donated to help launch this scholarship in honor of our dear friend and neighbor, Bill Sprague.

Additional donations are welcome and can be sent to: Roxbury Central School, Bill Sprague Scholarship Fund 53729 State Highway 30, Roxbury, NY 12475

“Thank you again for your generosity and support!” — Halcottsville Fire Department.

“Everybody had a good time. The weather was beautiful. We had a huge pancake breakfast with pancakes, egg sausage, bacon, yogurt, and bananas. DJ Greg Passarelli added to the festivities by playing some fun tunes,” one of the organizers commented.

On the racecourse, top finishers were, first overall male - Kyle Loftus with a time of 19.37. Placing first overall among female competitors was Brooke Trotta with a time of 21.38.

The complete list of finishers included:

Male Age 8-19:

1. Javier Sputnik 23.09

2. Sebastian Bertinelli 24.06

3. Connor Noonan 25.44

Female Age 8-19:

1. Fiona Waters. 23.44

2. Akasha Finkle 30.06

3. Lyra Fields 32.22

Male Age 20-29:

1. Kyle Loftus 19.37

2. Nicholas Sprague 23.16

3. Kevin Craig 24.32

Female Age 20-29:

1. Bella Poniros 29.10

2. Sundee Kroyer 31.29

3. Erin Craig 32.15

Male Age 30-39:

1. Mark Seeley 20.39

2. Irwan Awalludin 28.37

3. Cory Johnson 54.13

Female Age 30-39:

1. Danyelle Gockel 25.48

2. Kaela Roe 25.49

3. Beryl Deutsch 28.36

Male Age 40-49:

1. Ilya Korolev 21.49

2. Carlos Santalesa 24.31

3. Todd Passcarella 25.01

Female Age 40-49:

1. Brooke Trotta 22.38

2. Evy Gonzales 25.56

3. Carla Fuquene Pena 26.37

Male Age 50-59:

1. Jim Shanahan 20.16

2. Gary Barnsley 22.02

3. Pieter Van Hatten 25.11

Female Age 50-59:

1. Christy O’Donnell 25.29

2. Karen Forte 27.55

3. Irene Newman 30.24

Male Age 60-69:

1. Eric Klann 36.15

2. Scott Carpenter 37.34

Female Age 60-69:

1. Jacque Schiffer 24.03

2. Cheryl Hinkley 34.55

3. Kris Carpenter 39.0

Male Age 70-79:

1. Thomas Skeados 27.30

2. Richard Siegel 40.40

3. Doug McLaurine 40.41

Female Age 70-79:

1. Pat Johnson 27.24

2. Polly deMille 34.25

3. Anita Reibel 54.36

Male Age 80-89:

1. Sherwin Wilk 44.39

2. Herbert Navarro 44.40

Top finishers at the Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk were first overall male Kyle Loftus with a time of 19.37. Placing first overall among female competitors was Brooke Trotta with a time of 21.38.

Nick Sprague, son of Bill Sprague whose memory is being honored with the establishment of a scholarship fund, was among the race participants. Bill’s wife, Amy, and daughter, Raven, were among those who walked the 5K route.

WMCHealth, which operates Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center, was one of the Platinum Race Sponsors.

Proceeds from this year’s Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk are being used to establish a scholarship fund in memory of Bill Sprague, a lifelong community member and 25-year employee of the Roxbury Highway Department. He was the Superintendent of Highways at the time of his passing last January. Sprague family members turning out at the race to help honor Bill’s memory were, from left: Weston Peters (grandson), Nick Sprague (son), Amy Sprague (wife) Kathy Johnson (sister), Raven Sprague (daughter) and Cole Ballard (grandson).