2016 NY Girls XC Preview: Class C

After winning a nail-biter over Bronxville in 2014, East Aurora had a much easier time last year as Sophia Tasselmyer repeated as champion and was followed in by teammate Fiona Danieu. But now the Blue Devils have moved back up to Class B, where they once won 6 straight state championships.so where does that leave the situation at the top of Class C?

After two straight 2nd places following six straight state championships, Bronxville definitely appears to be a big part of the picture, maybe even the favorite for a 13th title. But back in that Section 6 Class C that East Aurora just left, a young Newfane team looks set to take over, and these Panthers could also be the favorites for the state crown. Beyond the top two, there are teams like Canton, Newark Valley, and Dobbs Ferry that may need one more top runner to emerge to make a run for a title, and a half dozen other teams are waiting in the wings. So keep checking back every week to see what's going in NY's Class C, because this is going to be one very exciting race to the finish.

With the States top two of Tasselmyer and Danieu now graduated, the way is clear for a new States C individual champion, and Livonia's Hayleigh Palotti, Dobbs Ferry's Mika Andrews and Cazenovia's Clara Rowles who took 3rd, 4th and 5th in 2015 will be back for the title quest. Others back from last year's top 10 include Pawling's Katelyn Huggard, Bronxville's Kaitlin Ryan and Mattituck's Melanie Pfennig.

The second group of Class C runners at States with East Aurora's Maisy Webster at the head and Livonia's Hayleigh Palotti out at right head up a tough hill.