McQuaid Invite Looks To Settle State Rankings

Teams: Ithaca (NY-1), Auburn (NY-2), Saratoga (NY-5), Churchville-Chili (NY-7), Baldwinsville (NY-10)

Breakdown: The returning champion Charlie Butler will look to defend the crown, after winning the McQuaid Invitational last year. He'll have some more competition, however, as his debut will be alongside the top ranked runner in New York, McGinn. Two unknowns will be here as well, as Passalugo did not debut with his team last weekend in East Aurora, but could show here, and Canadian Jarosz has a 6:20 steeple mark to his name, but no known XC marks so far.

Behind that pack, there is a density in the race not seen in many renditions prior. It will be a strong battle, that includes the State's top two ranked teams, one week after their battle at BVille, that came down to only three points. Saratoga beat both of those teams at VVS, by slim margins, but were given a scare by Monroe-Woodbury at Queensbury. This weekend should settle the rankings for the coming weeks.