Individuals
Things are looking good for the New York Individuals. With the wealth of talent we have on both genders, this could be a great year.
Girls
Last year saw the bulk of the talent head to NXN. Kelsey Chmiel, Katherine Lee, and Katelyn Tuohy all return from those five potential opportunities. Of those three, only Chmiel has a potential team this year so far, as opposed to the year before, where all three teams were in contention.
Does that open up the possibility of Foot Locker? Last year was the first year ever, that NY did not send a girl to the Foot Locker National Championships. At the same time, the sixth place individual at NXN-NY, Jenna Schulz, did not run a Speed Rating that would have qualified her for Foot Locker. The pendulum could swing this year. Balboa Park is a perfect course for Katelyn Tuohy, who we still have yet to see at her full potential. Claudia Lane ran a 163 to win there last year, and Tuohy has already gone 158 this year. It would be an interesting match-up. A New Yorker hasn't won Foot Locker since Aisling Cuffe in 2010, of which Tuohy has already broken one of her course records.
Boys
While Silas Derfel established himself as the top runner in New York at this time in the season, with his win at McQuaid, the pack is very close behind him. Ian Russ and Nate Lawler were both in the undercard races, and top ranked Mason Gatewood and Geoff Howles were not in the field.
New York only had five guys average 190 or above last year for Speed Ratings, but we are looking to improve on that number in 2017. Not even halfway through the season, we already have 8 guys at 185 or higher. We could see a very fast time at the State Meet this year, as well at both of the Regionals.