2019 NY Girls XC Preview: Class B

Outlook: East Aurora does not have quite as much depth as usual and is coming off its lowest States finish in a long time, but the important info is that the Blue Devils are once more favorites for a ninth state championship. The top 5 finishers are back from last year's rebuilding squad, and if States medalist Megan McLaughlin and Karis Ertel can stay on course and a healthy top 5 develops behind them, EA could be getting their first B title in nine years..

Outlook: Mary Borkoski will be missing from the helm of the Pirate ship for the first time in five years, but six of the top 8 from 2018 are back headed by States finalist Una Boylan. A decently deep Pearl River squad with Niamh and Ciara Durcan and Catie Horan sporting 90+ speed ratings will enter the preseason as favorites in S1-B, but if the Pirates hope to displace John Jay-Cross River as Sectional champs for the first time in five years, they will need to aim for a peak at Bowdoin in early November.

Outlook: States medalists Olivia Morganti and Deja Scripa-Jones give the Brothers a powerful top two, but losing Cory Knox and Bri Pucci from last year's squad leaves CBA with big holes to fill. Recruitment is the name of the game for a tiny school like CBA to operate in Class B, and though the Brothers' hold on S3-B seems secure, a run to another States title will require some new young talent.

Outlook: Mohonasen has finished 2nd to Burnt Hills in S2-B for the last two years, though in 2017 the margin was only 6 points. 2019 may be the best opportunity for the Warriors to make history, though the loss of Anna Sherman and Emily Rancana will hurt. States medlaist Kate Sherman is back, and seniors Emma Sinisgalli and Christa Bailey along with sophomore Natalia Sawyer will keep Mohonasen close enough to Burnt Hills to be dangerous if a little more depth can be found.

Outlook: Manhasset finished 3rd last year in a 42-43-48 tussle with South Side and North Shore last year, but everyone is back from a squad that placed five runners in the top 20 of S8-B including States medalist Angeline Caamano. The trick for the Indians to capture the Sectional title they last won three years ago is to push a bunch more runners up in the top 10 in S8-B's small six-team field.

Outlook: The route to Goshen's first ever Sectional title was opened up when state champion Cornwall and its 18-straight record of Sectional titles was pushed up to Class A. The timing is excellent for a young Gladiator team set to come into its own with States 9th place finisher Kayla Schramm and Ysabella Paneto at the top and six of the top 7 of last year's squad back for the next two years in S9-B.