2022 NY Boys XC Preview: Class C

Outlook: After losing their top 5 from last year's 4th-place Srates B varsity, the Blue Devils have a preseason team rating of 137.0, a far cry from the 161.4 and 171.8 averages they sported back when they entered the 2014 and 2015 seasons as States C favorites. But these are very different times, and with States runners Owen Rung and Ryan Defries back this year, East Aurora will begin the year after dropping down from B as the highest rated C team and a slight favorite in a fairly competitive S6-C group.

Irvington (Bulldogs)

Outlook: The Bulldogs at last got the States title after one 2nd place and three 3rd place finishes over the years, and now they are not that badly placed to defend their crown even after the loss of 2021's top duo, Lucas Turano and Liam Lyons. Brice Pierce, Indy Minkoff, and Ryan Carron packed in to clinch the title last year with team places in the 11th - 15th area, and with a little movement upward and support from younger guys on a team that always develops well, Irvington should be strongly contending at VVS this year.

Fonda-Fultonville (Braves)

Outlook: The Braves begin the season with the strongest top 4 and States individual favorite Bennett Melita on the lead, so realistically they would be the choice for the top ranking after plugging in a moderately strong #5 guy.  They appear to have a few options there, so they could very well be claiming a third States title.

Saranac Lake (Red Storm)

Outlook: Only the pandemic kept the Red Storm from sweeping to three straight States C titles, and now the guy who was the freshman 7th guy on the last official Saranac Lake champion in 2019 will be leading the team as one of the the favorites for the team's first States individual champ. Sam Ash is the top returner from the States C race after a 3rd there last year, and the moderately strong team behind him should be a contender for a fourth overall States title if they can win out of a competitive S7-C section.

Outlook: Last year's 2nd place was the best ever at States for the Trojans, but after losing two of the top 3 with the departure of Ethan Luce and Trenton Shutters, the usual rebuilding work will be needed this year. Senior Nate Lewis has some decent support coming up from the younger guys behind him for a big contest in S6-C with East Aurora and Alden.

Outlook: States champ Kyle Urban is gone and the Bulldogs may not have the top level strength to beat out either East Aurora or Alden this year, but the team not only has a decent pack now but also some excellent future prospects as the freshman Feider triplets develop.

Outlook: The Bears lost 8th-place States finisher Giovanni Culotta plus #4 guy Josh Linnett from last year's squad, so a strong challenge to Irvington in S1-C will be tougher. But seniors Kornel Smith and Kyle Phillips provide the team with a base to build around if some depth can be developed.

Outlook: Never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep at home and deep knowledge of all the tricky parts of a States course, so the guys on the 2021 States 4th-place squad Red Devils should be flying high in November at VVS after a very very likely repeat in S3-C action.