2015 NY Girls XC Previews -- Class C



Class C PreviewA
2015 Season Overview for Class C

The battle in Class C in 2014 lived up to all of the preseason and postseason billings. Class C newcomer East Aurora entered the season with a modest ratings advantage over six-time defending state champ Bronxville, and both teams developed their strength during the season until they entered States for an almost dead even head-to-head matchup. The undefeated Blue Devils won out in the mud at Canton by 3 points to break the Bronco winning streak at States. And what that all amounts to is that both two teams get the fun of doing it all over again this year, with preseason ratings for both teams almost exactly where they were last year.

There were of course a lot of other teams competing in Class C last year, and the States race was especially tough because two other teams besides East Aurora moved into Class C in 2014 -- Greenwich and Westhill, and they finished in 3rd and 4th at Canton. But neither of the teams apparently liked their lodgings that much, because the Witches have flown back down to Class D and the Warriors have marched back up to Class B. So this year again seems to be set for States champ Sophia Tasselmyer and her East Aurora returning teammates Fiona Danieu, Maisy Webster, Victoria Klimowicz, and Molly McLaughlin (Liz O'Brien and Hannah Weppner graduated) to be looking mainly at Bronxville as a challenger at States. The Broncos lost their top finisher Delia Hayes from last year's States team, but Kaitlin Ryan, Olivia Scotti, Hilary Rizzo, Lindsay Nobles, Carlie Hoffer, and Gigi Chrappa are back to give it another shot.

Much of Class C's strength is grouped in East Aurora's Section 6 and Bronxville's Section 1, including 7 of the the top 10 rated teams. Not to make the Blue Devils feel guilty about last year's move to Class C, but Akron, Alden, and Newfane would be in an excitingly close sectional battle in S6-C if not for presence of the EA powerhouse in their midst. Section 2 will be the section likely to have a great battle for the title, as 4th rated Schuylerville will be matched against 7th rated Chatham, and in Section 3, 9th rated Cazenovia has a small edge over a Skaneateles team that needs to bolster its back line.

On the individual front, States champ Sophia Tasselmyer is back for a title defense in her senior year, but 3rd and 4th place finishers senior Abby Gugel of Jordan-Elbridge and freshman Clara Rowles of Cazenovia will be returning to again try to kick mud on Tasselmyers' glasses at Monroe-Woodbury. Kaitlyn Neal of Skaneateles and Kaitlin Ryan of Bronxville are also expected up at the front and leaving a lot of runners in their dust.

And just a note to the publishers of the NYSPHSAA XC program: Printing the States Class C results from 2012 for 2013 is just not the way to go. Let's try to at least keep the very recent past minimally accurate for the athletes and their fans.

High tide for Class C last year at Canton as an epic state championship battle gets underway.
Top 5 Teams at 2013 States





1. East Aurora 51 2. Bronxville 54 3. Greenwich 83 4. Westhill 86 5. Canton 143
Projected Top 5 Teams for 2015 from Returners' 2014 TR Ratings





1. East Aurora 108.4 2. Bronxville 102.0 3. Akron 88.8 4. Schuylerville 86.6 5. Alden 85.8
Projected Next 10 Teams for 2015 from Returners' 2014 TR Ratings





6. Newfane

85.2

7. Chatham 84.6 8. Briarcliff 82.6

9. Cazenovia 81.2

10. Dobbs Ferry 77.2






11. Watkins Glen 74.8

12. Livonia 74.2

14. Skaneateles 71.0

14. James O'Neill 69.8

15t. Saranac 67.4






15t. Fredonia 67.4


17. Newark Valley 67.2


18. Onteora 66.6


19. Jordan-Elbridge 66.4


20. Albion 64.8


The battle at the top of the Class C race remained close for most of the way, and the winning margin for East Aurora's Sophia Tasselmyer was 1 second.
Top 2014 Returning Runners by Last Year's TR Rating
Name Team Grade Section States Place Season TR
Sophia Tasselmyer East Aurora 12 6 1 134
Kaitlyn Neal Skaneateles 12 3 7 127
Abby Gugel Jordan-Elbridge 12 3 3 124
Clara Rowles Cazenovia 9 3 4 124
Kaitlin Ryan Bronxville 11 1 13 122
Kaylee Stone Windsor 11 4 25 121
Meghan Curtin Wayland-Cohocton 12 5 8 120
Ashley Watson Schuylerville 11 2 9 118
Fiona Danieu East Aurora 12 6 19 118
Andrea Nardone Albertus Magnus 12 1 14 117
Caroline Pennacchio Briarcliff 12 1 11 117
Maisy Webster East Aurora 11 6 17 117
Julia Flower Schalmont 12 2 -- 115
Allie Bartolotta Hudson 12 2 27 114
Erin Clark Chatham 12 2 22 114
Mika Andrews Dobbs Ferry 11 1 24 112
Olivia Scotti Bronxville 10 1 23 111
Margo Henley Akron 10 6 30 111
Hallie Allen Chatham 10 2 33 110
Becky Kron Alden 10 6 35 107
The Class C gang were all there at the bridge in Canton early in the action at States.
Section by Section Class A Overview
Section Top Teams Notes
1 Bronxville, Briarcliff, Dobbs Ferry, Pawling, Albertus Magnus, Irvington Bronxville seems all set to win its 19th straight sectional title and then battle East Aurora again at States in the quest for a 13th state championship. Briarcliff and Dobbs Ferry should battle for spots in the state Top 10 rankings.
2 Schuylerville, Chatham, Fonda-Fultonville, Broadalbin-Perth The battle for S2-C between Schuylerville and Chatham should be one of the best sectional contests, and Fonda-Fultonville could jump into the fray if it can fill out its roster.
3 Cazenovia, Skaneateles, Jordan-Elbridge, Hannibal, South Jefferson Reigning S3-C champ Cazenovia's depth appears to have opened up a gap on its local rivals, but if Skaneateles and Jordan-Elbridge can get some help at the back, this race could get close.
4 Watkins Glen, Newark Valley, Waverly Reigning S4-C champ Watkins Glen and Newark Valley will engage in their customary battle in recent times.
5 Livonia, Wayland-Cohocton Livonia has the depth to repeat in S5-C, but WC could challenge if it can find more feet to help out at the back.
6 East Aurora, Akron, Alden, Newfane, Fredonia, Albion, Springville, City Honors S6-C is loaded with six of Class C's top 20 teams, but reigning state champ East Aurora is far ahead of all contenders.
7 Saranac, Plattsburgh, Saranc Lake Saranac should have enough depth to repeat in S7-C.
8 Oyster Bay Oyster Bay is the only team probably assured of having five runners for sectionals.
9 James O'Neill, Onteora, Tri-Valley O'Neill could have a tougher time in S9-C against Onteora and Tri-Valley teams that have everyone back.
10 Gouverneur, Canton Canton loses its top 2, so Gouverneur may be favored in the battle to get five runners over the line.
11 Mattituck, Mercy Should be a close battle between two teams needing some depth.



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