2019 NY Boys XC Preview: Class A

Fayetteville-Manlius (Hornets)

Section 3

Warwick Valley (Wildcats)

Section 9

Outlook: The Wildcats have much of last year's 3rd-place States squad back and will be the favorites in S9-A again this year. Senior Behailu Bekele-Arcuri returns after another big year that saw him earn a spot to NXN. Warwick Valley's speed ratings are hugely boosted by their top guy and the team won't be ranked in the top 5 of the early Class A rankings unless there are some big developments at the back, but junior Adam Stanton could join with a group of seniors to build a strong pack behind Bekele-Arcuri.

Shenendehowa (Plainsmen)

Section 2

Outlook: Shen was a bit of surprise as the S2-A winner last year but caught Saratoga by getting a big boost of an average 5 TR points at Sectionals from a top 5 that all finished in the top 20. Alex Hislop and Greg Langone are gone from the top group, but Bryan Spence, Nathan Brimhall, Jakob Quail, and Ryan Shanahan return from the 2018 varsity 7 to form what looks to be the strongest and deepest squad in S2-A and a top contender for a spot at NXN.

Ithaca (Little Red)

Section 4

Outlook:  Ithaca returns the top 7 from last year's 2nd-place Sectionals squad, so the Little Red is well set to catch a Corning team that lost three of its top 5. Marco Van Wijk, Ben Supron, and Sasha Coyote are back along with seniors Cade Eells and Alex Simpson to form a deep team that should be one of the most improved of 2019 and very capable of ending Ithaca's five-year title drought in S4-A.

Guilderland (Flying Dutchmen)

Section 2

Outlook:  Guilderland finished 3rd in S2-A last year and also their top 2 of Nicholas Soldevere and Noah Tindale to graduation. The rest of last year's top 8 are back though, so the Flying Dutchmen will have a team with decent depth and the best compressed pack among the top Class A contenders. Seniors Sean O'Brien and Jack Persons are back from last year's S2-A top 25 to lead Guilderland's campaign for its first Sectionals title in 29 years.

Saratoga (Blue Streaks)

Section 2

Outlook: Saratoga got edged last year at Sectionals by 60-63 on a day that the favored Blue Streaks didn't run badly, but Shen just packed it in better. With the top duo of States champ Shea Weilbaker and Ezra Ruggles gone along with Peter Moller and Anthony Verro from the top 7, Saratoga has a big rebuilding job to do in 2019. With senior Aidan Waite on the lead junior Tooker twins Brady and Dawson bringing sophomore Ryan Bush along, Saratoga has a good core to begin boosting the speed ratings.

Corning (Hawks)

Section 4

Outlook: The Hawks had their two-year streak of States titles broken in 2018 and lost three of their top 5 to graduation. States medalist Torrey Jacobson-Evans is back with fellow senior Steven Segal to lead Corning's quest for a seventh straight Sectionals title, but the Hawks will need to be beefed up to hold off an Ithaca team that has everyone back.

Shaker (Bison)

Section 2

Outlook:  Shaker finished 4th in last year's S2-A, but the Bison could be the big surprise at Sectionals this year with all ten runners returning from the 2018 race. Senior TJ Randall was 10th at Sectionals last year and leads a Shaker team that will be seeking its first title in eight years.

Frontier (Falcons)

Section 6

Outlook: Frontier has everyone back except #2 guy Joey Groth from last year's Sectionals champ, so it is decently set for its title defense versus Orchard Park. Junior Joshua Peron and seniors Brian Gleason and Connor O'Brien will lead the Falcon effort to pick up their third Sectional win in four years.

Orchard Park (Quakers)

Section 6

Outlook:  Orchard Park finished 3rd in S6-A last year, but it has its top six back and may be able to close the gap on reigning champ Frontier. Seniors Noah Sayoc and Jack Heraty and junior Christopher Bartola are back from last year's States to lead the Quakers' quest for their first Sectionals win in 22 years.

Smithtown (Bulls)

Section 11

Outlook:  In 2018 Smithtown won its third straight Sectionals title and then climbed up another spot to 3rd at States. Only seniors Michael Danzi and Brayden Vassilas are back from last year's States group though, so the Bulls have a lot of rebuilding to do. The top teams in S11-A were all hit hard by graduation though, so Smithtown will enter the season as a small favorite over Northport

Penfield (Patriots)

Section 5

Outlook:  Penfield captured its second S5-A title in three years in 2018. Among the trio of seniors lost was one of its top two with the departure of Zach Gauronski. Senior Garrett Hall is back to lead the Patriots after a 34th at States last year, and the team should be one of the top contenders in S5-A if it can fill out the back.

Liverpool (Warriors)

Section 3