Sectional Spotlight Stories

Nov 02, 2014

MIleSplit HQ - Hands down the most exciting time of the year to be a fan of the sport, Sectionals saw some of the most riveting competition in recent memory. We were on site around the state to bring you the best, up to the date info. And here are the four best stories we saw.

High Profile Tie-Breakers

The biggest story of the weekend went to Section 2 Class A girls. Saratoga and Shenendehowa, both nationally ranked teams, were fighting for a chance at the state meet. The fields at sectionals can shift scoring around in weird ways, with small fields turning big matchups into dual meets. However, here, Guilderland is also a nationally ranked level squad, throwing in displacers whenever possible. Despite Shen taking 1-2 in the race, Saratoga managed to match them on the back end, winning in a 6th man tie-breaker, maintaining their 15 year "Blue" streak. Likewise, in a heated battle in Section 11, top rated squads Ward Melville and Sachem North brought it down to a tie-breaker, with the latter getting the nod to the state meet.

National Level Matchups

Not all national-caliber matchups ended in tie-breakers, but they were close enough to create the drama. Elmira and Corning had been evenly matched all season, seeing eachother more times than you can count on one hand. At the sectional meet, Elmira was heading in without fifth girl Olivia Riley, who was out with a broken toe. Corning had been on the rise all season. But what wasn't taken into account, was the three Ithaca girls who would act as displacers, acting as almost unbiased deciders of the meet. In the end, Corning edged out Elmira, leaving one of the best girls teams in the state home. As for the boys, Fayetteville-Manlius and Liverpool had had their dual meets before. But the Section 3 Class A race, everyone was primed and ready to battle. Both teams went out hard, trying to shake the other, and at a mile into the race, the team score was virtually even, with both teams 5th men running together. As the race progressed, Manlius continued to push, while Ben Petrella maintained his place. In the end, FM would take the title, with an almost impressive stat of four guys at 190 or better in the speed ratings. For Liverpool, Petrella walks away with the third highest speed rating run this season with a 195, as well as two teammates to run with at the State Meet.

Renewed Ressurgance

It is safe to say Mikey Brannigan is back, after a season of taking the race out hard, and not being able to hold on. That won't be the case anymore, as Brannigan went #11 All-Time at Sunken Meadow, and posted almost a 30-point Speed Rating jump. Also making the jump was Sophia Tasselmyer of East Aurora, who seems to be peaking well for State Meet. Her team will face off a ressurgant Bronxville, who recovered very well after a strong graduation year in 2013. Some teams, you can never count out. And then there is Bella Burda, who has recovered nicely from an off year in XC in 2013, who will come into the state meet as a dual favorite for the individual title.

Streaks Maintain, While Streaks Begin

Some streaks have been around longer than the kids running on the team, especially in Section 9. Cornwall Girls and Warwick boys are both well on their way to 20 straight years, and Saratoga makes it 15 as well. Then there are the newbies, such as Lake Placid and James O'Neill, who will be making their programs first visit to the state meet in the 65 year history of the event. Congrats to all!