2022 NY Girls XC Preview: Class A

Saratoga (Blue Streaks)

Outlook: The Blue Streaks lose longtime leader Ella Kurto and Mackenzie Hart from last year's nationally top-rated squad, but they still have the biggest numbers in the country with Emily Bush, Sheridan Wheeler, Alycia Hart, Anya Belisle, and McKinley Wheeler combining for a US #1 135.2 TR in the preseason. The number is expected to head into the 140s during the season, but before Saratoga heads west for a battle with the top teams in CA and CO, it will have some stiff challenges from the S2-A teams in the toughest conference in the nation along with a few more at States in the hunt for a record 17th title. It helps to have McKinley Wheeler back in top form, as she was their top runner in the 3k at Outdoor States.

Cicero-North Syracuse (Northstars)

Outlook: At the end of last year, the Northstars were looking at the return of their top 6 led by rising senior Kate Putman and sophomore sister Gabby Putman. But the landscape has changed hugely since then as outdoor track 1500m state champ Hannah Boyle has moved from field hockey to XC in the fall, and last year's 7th-grade wunderkind of the indoor track season Sophia Graham will also be joining the squad. CNS has an interesting mix of seniors and younger runners, and it will be fun to watch what develops as the team battles FM for its first sectional title in 18 years.

Outlook: State champ Izzie Sullivan is back as a sophomore and Hannah Kaercher and Isabella Adrian are aiming at more big results in their senior seasons, but suddenly FM's 16-year hold on the S3-A title is in tight competition as a Cicero-North Syracuse squad tries to ride a sophomore-senior wave of talent to the top this year. Another streak on the line is the Hornets' string of visits to NXN which started in 2006 and continued through to the last one held in 2019, a period that included 11 national titles. The Hornets will be looking to develop some younger talent for the big battles ahead, something they have done before in the past.

Outlook: The Eagles had their best showing in S2-A sectionals as they ran far ahead of Shenendehowa to grab the 2nd spot behind Saratoga. The national leader will still be blocking the way on local grounds, but with States finalists Rylee Davis and Katherine Bannigan at the front along with senior Annie Bolke and high-flying 8th grader Anna Chrapowitzky showing huge potential, the tight pack of the Eagles could be picking up a lot of wins this year like the Manhattan - Eastern States title they won in 2021.

Outlook: With the exception of 2017, Shen has run behind Saratoga for the last few decades, but last year the team fell also behind Bethlehem and sent no runners to States and graduated top runner Luccabella Hotaling, 17th in S2-A. The Blue Streaks and Eagles look to be even stronger this year, so a senior group led by Brenna McLoughlin, Charlotte Gable, and Cate Donaldson will need to push higher and get a lot of help from younger runners.

Shaker (Bison)

Roster

Outlook: The Bison were 1 point in back of Shen in 4th place at sectionals and graduated lead runner and sole States finalist Ciara Bullington. With vets Leoni Griffin and Kaleigh Higgins leading the squad, Shaker should have enough talent to remain in the top 5 of the always mean and nasty S2-A.

Corning (Hawks)

Outlook: After losing five of their top 8 to graduation, the Hawks are in rebuilding mode behind a group of juniors led by States medalist Sarah Lawson who led the Hawks to win in the McQuaid AAA race last year. They should have S4-A safely in hand, but they will need some big development to be insured of a top 5 place at States again even though only two of the six teams rated ahead of them can be running at VVS on November 12.

Orchard Park (Quakers)

Outlook: The Quakers hope to regain the S6-A crown they lost by a narrow margin to Clarence last year, and with most of the varsity back, OP will have the edge over a Red Devil squad that lost three of its top 4. States medalist junior Noel Barlette leads a veteran squad that will need an influx of youth.

Northport (Tigers)

Outlook: The Tigers lost just one runner from last year's States 3rd-place squad, but that runner was frontrunner Allison Reid. Now the team will be led by a pair of veteran 8th graders, Mia and Finnley Wickard, and their older sister Emily. Senior Katie Hayes fills out the top 4 along with the Wickard family, but Northport will need to find some help at the back to hold down a top three place at States again.

Ballston Spa (Scotties)

Outlook: The Scotties have a lot of potential with States finalist junior Harriet Healy on the lead, but we will need to see who will be coming out for the team to get a clearer picture about where they stand.

Churchville-Chili (Saints)

Outlook: The Saints' top runner from last year's S5-A champs McKenna Arguien is gone, so there is a big spot to fill on the lead for CC. Most of the rest of the teams in the division also suffered some key losses, so the Saints may be able to get a repeat with Alexa Briggs, Lindsay Donner, and Madelyn Brooks back after top 12 places in S5-A last year.

Outlook: It is rare that a team finishes 7th in sectionals and loses its top runner from there and still gets featured as one of the state's top 12 teams in Class A. But it is just one of those years and testament to the strength of S2-A that Colonie has enough of the squad coming back to challenge for a top 10 spot in the rankings early this year. Emma Gepfert has graduated, and co-leader Payton McGeough-Gamache takes over as the frontrunner of a very big team. Colonie's shot at States is probably small, but they are the only team to compile a perfect winning record while there.