2023 NY Boys XC Preview: Class A

Boys Class A Preview

Individual Snapshots - Section by Section - Top Team Breakdowns

2022 was one of the most competitive years for Class A in recent memory, where there were favorites and dark horses, but a close enough battle for the title that it could have gone four different ways. In the end, experience won out, and Corning took home the win on the back of a very seasonally-consistent performance. Individually, Solomon Holden-Betts (Baldwinsville) played the race out tactfully, waiting until it turned into a sprint over the last 800m to utilize his track speed. Not stringing out the race meant the finishing order may not be reflective of the top returners heading into this year, but the influx of speed shut the door on the competition when it mattered.

All Top 5 Teams at States had 2, or in some cases many more, Seniors in their Top 5's, which is sure to shake up the State Rankings heading into 2023. Fairport weathered the storm as the best of the bunch, only losing their 3rd and 4th of 7 to graduation. That sets them up as the tentative top returners, but it does not solidify them in that territory. They still have work to do in shoring up their backend, and without it, it leaves the race wide open to a number of teams. Auburn brings back everyone from last year, motivated by their first Sectional win in decades.

Individually, Ethan Green (Arlington) was only three seconds off the win in 2022, and enters the Season as the top returner. The fastest time at VVS as a venue in 2022, actually came from Nolan McGinn (FM) at the Pre-State Invite, where he was 25-seconds faster than the winning time at States. It goes to show the tactics of the race prior. Jake Passalugo (Fairport) will have the team points to consider, and could provide the motivation for a big summer of training.

Top 5 Teams at 2022 States

Projected Top 5 Teams from Returners' Last Year's TR Ratings (Compression in Parentheses)

Projected Next 20 Teams from Returners' Last Year's TR Ratings