CHSAA's Top Runners
Four of the top five runners from last year's CHSAA championship at Van Cortlandt Park were seniors -- repeat champion Brigid McCabe of Notre Dame (Manhattan), Giavanna Comerford (Notre Dame Academy), Sabrina Spezia (St. John the Baptist), and Margaret McLoughlin (Kellenberg). That only leaves 2nd-place finisher Lola Dinneen of Notre Dame Academy returning from the top five. There is still a promising group of runners on the way up, and many have two or more years remaining.
Lola Dinneen (Notre Dame Academy). The Gator junior appears ready to follow in the footsteps of older sister Sierra who never got the CHSAA XC title though she captured two States indoor championships. Dinneen was very consistent last year and has by far the best speed ratings for any returning CHSAA runners. She should be leading a Gators team that will need a lot more fresh faces to join in this year.
Mary Kat Hartigan (Nardin Academy). The Gator senior won last year's Monsignor Martin race but her team had its four-year winning streak broken in a tight battle with Sacred Heart (Buffalo) and Nichols Academy. Hartigan will be the big favorite for a repeat title this year for a team that has its top 5 back and should be in the thick of it again.
Caelan Schretzmayer (St. Anthony's). The Friar senior led the team's sweep of the three season's CHSAA titles and placed 6th in last year's XC championship. She may have a strong group of teammates including Kiera Udell with her to help defend the title in 2021.
Alyssia Brown (Notre Dame Academy). The Gator senior was the third runner in for the team in the CHSAA championship last year, and she will be teaming with Dinneen and senior Meghan Leonard as part of this year's top trio on a team that again needs a big dollop of depth.
Grace Murphy (Archbishop Molloy). The Stanner junior was 7th in the CHSAA last year for a 6th-place Molloy team that was really crunched by graduation losses.
Ava Gumb (St. Joseph Hill). The Hilltopper sophomore won a slew of 3K frosh races in Staten Island last fall and then took first 6th in the boro championship and 21st in the CHSAA championship at the VCP 2.5 mile distance. The longer distances appear to suit her well as she won the New York Relays 5K in the spring and then lowered her time a bit while winning as the solo runner at the East Coast championship in late June. Sky's the limit in XC this year.