We're three weeks deep into the Season, and the preliminary State Rankings are falling into place. Many top returners have expectedly shot to the top of the ranks, but others have made their way for the very first time. We picked six athletes that have made some of the biggest jumps since our Pre-Season Rankings. Which one do you think was the biggest surprise? Vote below.

Boys

- Ethan Green (Arlington) - Took down two major wins, on a hilly Somers course before heading up to Section 2 where he clocked 15:12 for 3 Miles at the Fort Plain Invite. He was 28th at States and 28th at Feds in 2021. Top Speed Rating is 183.

- Nolan McGinn (Manlius) - Ranked 20th coming into the season with a Speed Rating best of 174, McGinn took down the course record at VVS (albeit the course is only four years old) and finished 40-seconds ahead of the top ranked runners in the Pre-Season. Top Speed Rating is 194.

- Collin Catherwood (Monroe-Woodbury) - Almost interchangeable with his teammate Colin Gilstrap, the pair have went 1-2 at both the VVS and the Queensbury Invites, proving to be a strong force in both the team and individual field of competition. Catherwood's time of 15:35 is quick for the early season, as it would have had him placed in the Top 20 when States was held at Queensbury in 2013. Top Speed Rating is 181.

Girls

- Lillie Bogdan (Frontier) - Bogdan was a consistent face within the Top 20 of major races in 2021, but now she is the second highest rated athlete in the State. She made a big breakthrough in the Steeple last year, placing fourth at States, and that extra strength is paying off early here in XC, with her highest Speed Rating to date. Top Speed Rating is 139.

- Erin Boler (Albany Academy) - Running in Class C for 2021, Boler put in good efforts, but was hovering around the 112 range for much of the Season. Putting in work over the summer paid off, as she's jumped twenty Speed Rating points to put in a strong breakout performance at the Blackbird Invite. Sure to get her into deeper competition as the Season goes on, it could be a sign of things to come. Top Speed Rating is 132.

- Tsadia Bercuvitz (Ithaca) - There's always an eighth grader that pops up on the scene, and Tsadia showed up ready to run. Her first race was the 4K version of last years' State Meet Course, and while she isn't the only eighth grader on the scene, the others at her level were already making waves last year. Top Speed Rating is 124.