New York Boys XC Class D Preview

Class D's Top Runners

Again, with last year's action being greatly curtailed and split across both fall and spring for different sections, a clear picture for the upcoming XC season is hard to assemble. We'll just offer up a listing of some top runners who merit special watching.

An XC 7 of runners are listed here, and not coincidentally they are all the leaders of teams that are expected to be vying at the top of the Class D rankings this year. Only the first guy was a medalist at 2019 States, and in fact he was the only one among the top 14 finishers who was not a junior or senior.

Colton Kempney (Beaver River). Kempney was the heir-apparent to Kal Lewis for the States D title going into 2020 before the meet got cancelled. After some injuries last year, he is looking to return to form and lead the quest for the Beavers' 19th States title. Kempney was runner-up at States in 2018 and 2019 after placing 4th in 2017 as an 8th grader.

Adam Furman (Tri-Valley). The Bears junior was 35th in the States C race as a freshman in 2019, and TV's switch down to Class D leaves him in good position after finishing 2nd in a Northeast XC championship unseeded race last fall.

Pierce Young (Arkport-Canaseraga). The Wolves junior was 2nd in S5-D last year and will be the heavy favorite for the win this year on a team that will be looking to defend its 2019 sectional title if it can find more depth.

Lukas Baer (Maple Grove). The Red Dragon senior will be looking to defend his sectional title on a team that has been the S6-D champ since 2015.

Cameron Abdella (Mayfield). The Panthers junior finished 2nd in the WAC conference last fall and is the favorite for the S2-D title on a Mayfield team that is looking to make its first States visit in 11 years.

Logan Houck (Sauquoit Valley). Houck was the CSC league champ last year as a junior and he will be seeking to lead top-rated Sauquoit Valley in its bid to end Beaver River's three-year reign as S3-D champ.

Ian Rauber (Tully). The Black Knights junior leads the the second-ranked team in the state in a tough S3-D battle that could again pretty much decide what team will win the state championship.