Class C Preview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 Season Overview for Class C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Replay No other way to say it. Reviewing the numbers for Class C has been a gigantic "Yikes!" situation. Seven of the top 10 and ten of the top 15 finishers at States have been lost to graduation or reclassification. The TR speed ratings of the top teams and runners are dipping a big 5 points behind where they were at comparative positions in last year's preview. The annual listing of the Top 20 teams for Class C for the preview has been sliced to 16, because that is the number that have ratings at the baseline 55.0 mark. Teams However, in every dark cloudy
down-cycle there are always some great opportunities to find gold and
silver linings, and Class C in 2017 is no exception. Reigning champ
Newfane has its top 6 back from a close win at States, and the
Panthers well be shedding no tears for any of the teams that can't keep
up with the fast pace they are setting. Last year's runner-up Canton
lost some key runners but is still expected to be very competitive, and
the 4th place States team CBA-Syracuse is still so young and intact that
it likely has no clue that there could any ceiling above it. And yes,
there's often a bit of mystery surrounding last year's 3rd- place
and 12-time state champion team Bronxville, but there are a lot of reasons to
believe the Broncos will be bucking very hard this year for a
thirteenth title. (See Bronxville team profile for latest info on roster addition.) Few of the sectional contests will likely stir up much attention this year. But with the top 6 rated teams representing six different sections and two others being represented by teams in the top 10, the Class C state championship should be the most broadly inclusive of all of NY's class warfare clashes. Individuals Reigning States champ Hayleigh Palotti may feel a little lonely on the starting line this year with just seven of last year's top 20 finishers from the state championship still blazing the trails in 2017. The Livonia senior star will be a big favorite, and Clinton junior Eva Barton appears to be the closest challenger. In the reclassifications, Class C did get Vernon-Verona-Sherrill added to the mix, but it also lost Addison, Chatham, and Lansing. -------------------- Note: This article has been updated to
reflect notification that Harley-Allendale-Columbia girls are assigned
to Class C while boys stay in D. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The early action in the States Class C race was still pretty tight in stark contrast to most of the other races there. Wheatley's Brianna O'Brien, Cinton's Eva Barton, Bronxville's Kaitlin Ryan, and Livonia's Haleigh Palotti were on the lead. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 5 Teams at 2017 States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Projected Top 5 Teams for 2017 from Returners' 2016 TR Ratings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Projected Next 15 Teams for 2016 from Returners' 2015 TR Ratings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kimberly Goerss (no. 668) finished 18th as the top runner for champ Newfane. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
