Canton, NY - We'll be on the scene for the first major Invitational of the season, the annual Pre-State Invitational. Rotating each year to the venue of choice for the State Meet, this year finds itself on the campus of SUNY Canton. We'll be there delivering all the results live, with full photos and videos ready to go for those watching from home. But first, check out the competition.
Full Entries and Race Assignments Found Here
Division 1
Boys
Individual Matchups - In what is the largest division of the day, according to school size, we have a pretty competitive race out front. Section 3 seems to be the most well represented. Liverpool's 1-2 punch of Ben Petrella and Connor Buck will be facing off against the athlete who broke into their top five at Sectionals last year, Zakaria Adam of Proctor. Adam is coming off a win at the VVS Invite, while Petrella was the top Liverpool finisher at a strong early season dual meet. Outside forces adding to the mix will be Jimmy Asselmyer of Arlington, who was a strong force on the track in the past year. He ran relaxed at the Somers Big Red Invite the weekend prior. On the younger side of things (all the aforementioned athletes are juniors and seniors) will be Guilerland's Noah Carey. This sophomore has already raced hard early in the season, keeping up with the likes of Saratoga's Aidan Tooker. He could challenge for the win. The dark horse will by Syosset's Tyler Italiano, who has yet to open the season.
Team Matchups - Despite some needed summer shake-off in the early season, Liverpool still enters as the team to beat. They'll be looking for their younger guys to step up in the big invitational. Challenging them could be Guilderland with two distinct pairs of athletes running together. Williamsville North of Section 6 also brings along some top talent in the team competition. Arlington boys are always strong, with the talent pool in the school one of the deepest in the state. Syosset will bring back 3 of their 4th place state squad from last year as well.
Girls
Individual Matchups - This could very well be the most exciting aspect of the day. At the front end, it will be a rematch of the outdoor state meet 3000m, as defending State Champ Jessica Lawson of Corning will take on a revitalized Bella Burda of Arlington, who took 2nd in that 3000m. Burda is coming off a new course record at the Somers Big Red Invite, while Lawson only ran in a relay meet early in the season. Another NXN-Qualifier will be their midst as well, as Garden City's Stephanie Gerland will be pushing the pace as well, along with her sister, Jen. Section 2 has two very strong girls on the rise as well. Emily Burns of Guilderland is top ranked in the state, and Courtney Breiner of Emma Willard ran very strong in 2013. Syosset girls' bring a strong top end from the Island, as Lauren Gruber and Reilly Seibert have been running well in early season duals. Rounding out the returners in Abbey Lang of Lockport, who has notched some fast times in dual meets in Section 5. But much like the boys, there is a dark horse in the field. Williamsville North's 8th grader Naomi Wistner, took home the fastest time of the day last weekend, over another past NXN-qualifier. Could she be the next big thing?
Team Matchups - Corning and Arlington are set to go at it. Both have great frontrunners, but Arlington has shown depth, winning the merge at the Big Red Invite. Syosset and Guilderland also have the individuals to challenge the top two teams.
Division 2
Boys
Individual Matchups - The biggest story of the early season has been the addition of Cathage's Noah and Sam Affolder. They look to be strong contenders for a state top 5 finish. Noah should have a healthy lead here on the field, but up towards the front will be Jacob Pronti of Starpoint. Bryce Zayachek of Holland-Patent is a top returner from the 2013 season, and looks to lead his team by example. Local Dylan Lavoie of Malone could push the pace as well. Rounding out the top names is Tyler Sutton of Whitesboro.
Team Matchups - Holland-Patent only graduated one member from its State Championship squad in 2013, but it was also their fastest. Malone (often run as Franklin Academy) are a strong class B team, and are local as well. It could be anyone's race.
Girls
Individual Matchups - Section 2 brings a strong squad of individuals to the medium-sized schools division. Fresh off a great outdoor season is Julia Flower of Schalmont. She is looking for big improvements after a solid summer of training. Kaylee Scott and Lydia Williams of Holy Names have had the experience of racing big Invitationals due to their history of strong teams, and this is no different. Home team Canton also brings some unknown to the field. Maria Ricalton was All-American last spring after winning the 4xMile at Outdoor Nationals, and could use her 2:16, 800m speed well here. Her sister, Darren, is another one to look for out there. Outside the Section, Wayland-Cohocton's Megan Curtin has opened her season well, and Margo Henley of Akron looks to be a contender as well. Top ranked Stacie Nadel of North Shore will also be in the mix for the top spot.
Team Matchups - Akron looks like a strong team to contend for the title coming in, with Canton always a perennial favorite because it is on their home turf. North Shore may be missing some legs, but could still push for a team title.
Div 3
Boys
Individual Matchups - With many Class C and Class D runners making up the smallest division, the race gets closer at the front. Local talent Kyle Fulk of Norwood-Norfolk was only a freshmen last year when he ran strongly. Now a sophomore, he has put in the summer mileage to push the leaders. Maple Grove's Ryan Hetrick will be up towards the front as well, with Western New York's Sergio Cruz of Barker right beside him. Other strong candidates for top finishes include Connor Hyrnuk of Adirondack, Daryn Hutchings of Argyle, Patrick Murhpy of Duanesburg, and Everett Geiger of Caledonia-Mumford.
Team Matchups - Both Adirondack and Barker look to be strong contenders for the individual title. Barker was third at States last year in the Class D competition.
Girls
Individual Matchups - Almost a who's-who of Class D competition, many of the top individuals will be leading the top teams. Local talent Margaret Champagne will be representing Section 7's Seton Catholic Plattsburgh, and will have the shortest trip to the state meet. Hope Pietrocarlo of Maple Grove is the defending state champion, and will be looking to start off her invitational season with a bang. Ashleigh Crawford of Tully led her newly-minted Class D team to a state title last year, and has already taken home a big win at the VVS invitational. Another name to be in the mix will be Adirondack's Megan Tanner, and local Kaycie Saucier of Norwood-Norfolk.
Team Matchups - Tully, Maple Grove, and Seton Catholic look to battle on the team front as well. The positioning of the front individuals may very well be the deciding factor in the team score.