Auburn’s Ryan Maher and Owen Gasper met in pre-school, playing tag in an elementary school courtyard while waiting for their parents to pick up their older siblings.

Thirteen years later, the seniors are still chasing each other — now as the two fastest cross country runners in Section III.

Maher and Gasper placed fifth and ninth, respectively, at the New York State Federation Championships in Wappingers Falls, Saturday afternoon.

With a time of 15:53.6, Maher secured the fourth spot in the Cross Country Nationals in Portland, Oregon.

“Owen’s been my best friend since before kindergarten, so to have this journey together with him, it’s such a blessing,” Maher said. “I couldn’t be more proud to call him my friend and my teammate. We’re practically brothers, and to see the success th

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