2023 NY Boys XC Preview: Overall Sweep

We saw a replay of the past few years in 2022. Corning won their 3rd consecutive State Title (we note they had the highest team avg COVID year), while Burnt Hills won Class B for an even longer streak. Solomon Holden-Betts (Baldwinsville) was the fourth top returner heading into the Season, but a breakout run in September provided the runway for an excellent season that ended in the New York State Title. Monroe-Woodbury would be the surprise newcomers, winning the Federation Title, but it would be Saint Anthony's who would play spoiler at the NXN Regional, taking the second overall slot behind Corning. Names like Collin Gilstrap, Maximus Haynia, and Adam Furman all won major Invitationals, and are now on their way to the College scene.

A Look Forward

New York's Junior XC Athlete of the Year, Nolan McGinn (Manlius) heads into the season as the only athlete with a previous speed rating over 190. He hit that mark early, at the Pre-State Invitational, before a bout of COVID affected his latter half of the Season. The Pre-State Invite is back at VVS, so we'll get a preview of the big names in the State early. Ethan Green (Arlington) was the closest to that 190 barrier, hitting 189 mid-season, and showed the ability to hang with the big names at the State Meet. He's the State Meet Top Returner, and could see significant gains over the Summer. The Spring Track Season gave hints of more significant jumps in performance. Shane Murphy (Hunter College High School) broke 9mins for 2Miles Outdoors. Logan Schaeffler (Calhoun) and Roan Kelly (Randolph) took home the 1600m titles at States Indoor and Out respectively, and have shown significant improvement since their Junior XC campaigns. The race is wide open.

On the team front, Corning was hit by significant graduation losses. They've been able to rebuild before, but it opens the door for the rest of the State. Fairport brings back a strong top two, with some supporting help, but will need to build up their backend over that 160 rating mark. Saint Anthony's had similar losses, but had a solid crew of potential scorers in their tight compression team of 2022. The competition is wide open, with perennial favorites Burnt Hills, FM, and East Aurora all in rebuilding mode. Much will also be made of a North Rockland squad, who had a pair of breakout freshman on the track. Could that translate to success in their sophomore season on the trails?

How will it all play out? Stay tuned right here on MileSplit NY!