Summary: This race is rated super-hot not because it is now expected to be close, but when you have the top runner in the nation and two more of the top 20 runners in the state going at it, the fires are stoked. The match that was earlier expected to be close between North Rockland and Arlington changed its color when the Red Raiders exploded behind Katelyn Tuohy at Rockland County and distanced themselves from the Admirals. But again, the match is closer than the speed ratings would indicate since the 2 through 5 spots on the teams are averaging about 110 for North Rockland and 107 for Arlington, plus the Admirals hang out at Bowdoin a lot. Whether Tuohy will go after her course record for Bowdoin remains to be seen, but she will be the giant favorite, with #5 rated Hennelly and #20 rated Flynn looking for top 3 places.
Top Athletes
Katelyn Tuohy
11
01-A
North Rockland
174
Mary Hennelly
11
01-A
Suffern
137
Sarah Flynn
12
01-A
Ursuline
128
Teresa Deda
11
01-A
New Rochelle
125
Haleigh Morales
11
01-A
North Rockland
123
Anna Recktenwalt
10
01-A
Arlington
112
Katie Turk
10
01-A
Carmel
112
Catherine Ruffino
11
01-A
North Rockland
110
Haley McLean
11
01-A
Ursuline
107
Raven Stanet
10
01-A
Arlington
106
Kaitlyn Murtagh
10
01-A
Arlington
105
Class B
Position
Team
TR
Top Runners
1
Pearl River
109.8
Borkoski, Boylan, C. Durcan, N. Durcan, Horan, McDermott, Gilligan
2 (projected winner)
John Jay-Cross River
105.4
K. Crawford, C. Crawford, Pollack, Johnson, Nuttall, McGroary
3
Tappan Zee
102.0
Thomas, T. Fears, Shea, J. Fears, Tomasello, Roth, Majewski
4
Hendrick Hudson
77.0
McManus, Mandelkow, Quick, Kennedy, Alvarez
Summary: The reason for breaking with the speed ratings numbers on this race is both the recent history of the S1-B clashes and the compositions of the two teams. Pearl River and Mary Borkoski had another fantastic day at Rockland County while finishing within shouting distance of North Rockland. John Jay-Cross River's pack ground out an easy win at Westchester County while resting last year's recuperating frontrunner Pippa Nuttall. JJ-CR is three-time reigning S1-B champs and in each of the last three years has won by more than expected from the TR projections. The Pirates have an advantage with Borkoski and Boylan at top, and the Indians will need to pack their top 5 into that sweet spot in front of the main clump of finishers to earn another title. Pearl River has its best team in years, and JJ-CR has no one in the top 5 of S1-B, so this should be one of the best of the Sectional showdowns. Tappan Zee also has strength at the top with Alexandra Thomas and some younger runners who might be ready to make a leap. Thomas and Borkoski finished 2nd and 3rd behind Lourdes' Caroline Timm last year, and both had similar times in strong runs at Section 1 Coaches at Bowdoin two weeks ago.
Top Athletes
Mary Borkoski
12
01-B
Pearl River
133
Alexandra Thomas
12
01-B
Tappan Zee
128
Kirsi Rajagapol
12
01-B
Harrison
119
Una Boylan
9
01-B
Pearl River
117
Tori Fears
12
01-B
Tappan Zee
115
Kelsey Crawford
10
01-B
John Jay-Cross River
114
Kyra Guercii
129
01-B
Nanuet
109
Niamh Durcan
10
01-B
Pearl River
107
Cameron Crawford
12
01-B
John Jay-Cross River
106
Lauren Pollack
12
01-B
John Jay-Cross River
106
Class C
Position
Team
TR
Top Runners
1
Bronxville
92.4
Weiner, Mandanas, Haggerty, Palma, Widen, Chrappa
2
Dobbs Ferry
66.0
Ward, Moustafa, Ducic, Laban, Baker
3
North Salem
65.2
Jolley, Intrieri, Ard, Hoffman, Litchfield
Summary: Bronxville should lock up a 22nd straight Sectional title with a senior pack that finished 2nd at Westchester County. Ava Jolley finished 3rd at the County meet and will be favored to outleg 2017 champ Natalie Weiner for the individual crown.
Top Athletes
Ava Jolley
10
01-C
North Salem
117
Natalie Weiner
12
01-C
Bronxville
106
Phoebe Ward
11
01-C
Dobbs Ferry
98
Kayla Oppenheimer
11
01-C
Hastings
87
Lily Janjigian
11
01-C
Blind Brook
96
Emma Mandanas
12
01-C
Bronxville
96
Alia Moustafa
12
01-C
Dobbs Ferry
94
Patty Haggerty
12
01-C
Bronxville
91
Charlotte Sendak
12
01-C
Briarcliff
86
Class D
Position
Team
TR
Top Runners
1
Haldane
NA
S. Ferri
Summary: No representatives except a few individual runners are expected to go to States from S1-D, which like many Sections can no longer field a team under the current class size limits.