New York State Girls XC Preview

NY XC Previews 2012

Aug 09, 2012

Edited by Kyle Brazeil. Be sure to like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter this season, as this will get you the updates you want the fastest way possible.

Season Intro

Another NY cross country season is about to strike, and all indications suggest that it will be another classic fall beglittered with crushing records, extended and broken streaks, challengingly tough race-day conditions, and rancorous controversies. Few fans will be disappointed in the action unless they are hoping for a state and national title for their local team, a payoff that can only potentially happen for 8 and 2 teams respectively out of the hundreds of guys and girls teams scattered across New York. But the fun is mainly in the sweet, sweaty, painful effort, which all the shirts paraded around the Manhattan Invitational and other big meets weeks down the road will bear testimony to.

Working as always off the speed ratings compiled on the Tully Runners site and individual and team profiles, the New York State XC Season Guide loads up with an overabundance of team historical data and gives another glimpse of how everything could be shaking out in the section and class battles that will be waged across the state. Many longtime stars will be closing out their stellar careers, and many other runners will be making a breakaway to the top. Every year brings hordes of new runners and emerging stars to the forefront, and this year the lineup of suspected infiltrators of the XC upper ranks is large and promising. But the majority of runners will be fighting for the simpler goals of just setting a personal best or pushing their teams a little higher in the standings.

Covering New York XC not only means projecting which squads are likely to be the best teams in the state, but also which teams will earn spots at the State Championship meet. In the other 49 states, those two groupings are pretty much identical, but in New York an average of 40% of the top 10 teams in a class are shut out from States. Sometimes the teams missing from action are ranked #2 or #3 or #4, and twice they have gone on to win a spot at NXN Nationals during the last 8 years even though they couldn't earn a ticket to States. NY teams have even been ranked #1 in the nation and not been accepted for a States berth. The reasons for this state of affairs are buried in the annals of committee meetings from back in the mid-1900s, and today we are left with a strange mix of State, Federation, and national qualifier meets to end off the year in New York. Sorting out a straight path for top NY teams is never easy.

Inside is a tour of the state of NY XC in 2012 with excursions into the burning questions, useless trivia and historical factoids, season previews, featured team capsules, section-class projections, and lots of pics of agonized faces, muddy legs, and wild antics that might best be forgotten. Bill Meylan's Tully Runners team profile has set up the regression-tested scenarios and Dan Doherty has lined up the rankings going into the season, so this guide builds on those keystones of NYS XC info. Any information actually retained in memory should be immediately expunged, hopefully by the first week in September and certainly long before teams meet up at Elma Meadows on November 10th.

All images are credited to Section 1 NYS Running and are the usual grainy screen captures from videos of races at States, plus the Manhattan Invitational, Federations, NXN-NY and a few other races. Along with the featured runners in the States images I have tried to also name the other runners vying for attention, generally identified from left to right. The Red Dragon t-shirt pic was from the back of a guy, but it seemed more fitting to use it with the Maple Grove's girls section.

The early stampede at the Federation Meet at Bowdoin Park

2011 Season Summary

Last year seemed in some ways a reenactment film. All four of the girls state champion teams also won state titles in 2010. NYS-A champ Fayetteville-Manlius picked up its 6th straight national title championship at NXN in Portland, and Saratoga was the runner-up and NYS-B champ North Shore was 9th, just like in 2010. In the top three classes, 24 of the 30 teams at States were repeaters, and in Class C the order of the top 6 teams was the same as in 2010, and the victory margin by NYS-C champion Bronxville was again 3 points. Double-digit streaks for consecutive appearances at States continued, as Pearl River sailed to 33, Bronxville bucked it up to 15, Seton Catholic-Plattsburgh rode to 14, Saratoga streaked to 12, and East Aurora and Cornwall fired up for number 11. During the invitational period stretching into late October, many of the big meets saw repeat winners, with Fayetteville-Manlius taking the Manhattan Invitational's Eastern States championship, Saratoga won the Great American Race of Champions down in NC, and Burnt Hills won the McQuaid AA race.

But there were some large changes, too. The number of classes was squeezed from five to four, and there were 10 fewer teams and around 120 less runners earning trips to States. The old A and B classes were primarily affected, and East Aurora's string of 6 straight States B championships came to an end. Mary Cain of Bronxville was the only runner to repeat as States champ, as two of 2010's winners were felled by injuries, and Aisling Cuffe and Christine Driscoll ran off to Stanford and Cornell. At least one big meet was doomed by a pre-Halloween snowstorm. And the runners on the Maple Grove's NYS-D champs all aged one more year, jacking their average grade status from a middle-school level 8.6 to a high school freshman mark of 9.6

In the end, for many of the top runners it all ended in the mud at Vernon-Verona-Sherril, though some went on to run at the Federation meet and NXN or Footlocker regionals and nationals. The VVS muck played havoc with the results of many individual runners who had a La Brea tarpit experience, and its oozy grasp may have factored into the team results in deciding one of the races. The final lessons learned from States was to always be prepared for the worst, be on the extreme right or left rather than being a centrist, and sometimes it's just better to be built like a truck.

The playground snake section at the Federation Meet with Laura Leff (West Genesee) in the lead, Newburgh's Gianna Frontera a few steps behind, and Mary Cain (Bronxville) leading a group just behind that includes Tiana and Talia Guevara (Miller Place), Alexis Panisse (Benjamin Cardozo - NYC), and Lauren Mullins (Johnson City)

2012 Season Overview

Like last year, 2012 projects to have a mixture of the old and the new. Fayetteville-Manlius's streak at States and Nationals shows no signs of going off track, and Bronxville appears to have firm control of Class C no matter who is running at the top of the lineup. Class B could see a few major changes however following the formation of a powerhouse Holy Names squad, and Greenwich is determined to get back on the States winning track following its move to Class D.

The top three runners from last year are all expected back, and FM's Jillian Fanning, Bronxville's Mary Cain, and West Genesee's Laura Leff are looking to shake the world after a few mildly impressive feats in the post XC States period that included some state and national individual records and titles, some very high placements at NXN and Footlocker championships and wins at major track meets, and a few national team titles. Leff, however, had to sit out of action following January to recover from a stress fracture injury, and her recovery from the foot problems along with another trio of top runners from 2010 who missed all or part of last season -- Cicero-North Syracuse's Maria Lamontagne, Saratoga's Madison Carr, and Hamilton's Sage Hurta -- wil be closely watched

There are a lot of questions for 2012, some revolving around runners who have switched teams, potential changes in the power rankings for NYS classes, and the uncertain status of a number of teams and runners. A muddy dozen are collected below.

Jillian Fanning of Fayetteville-Manlius makes turn uphill at NXN-NY ahead of Samantha Nadel of North Shore and Mary Cain of Bronxville in Bowdoin Park as the state champions from A, B and C classes set themselves up for Nationals, where all three would place in the top 10.

12 Questions for 2012

12-- How many NY teams will Nike select for NXN Nationals? Without getting too deeply into hard core language, recently Nike has done an inadequate job of bringing NY schools to Portland Meadows in November. The NY teams have dominated during all eight years of NXN, but for the last two years they have received just one at-large bid, while Nike's underperforming and overrated darlings from CA have gotten four tickets to NXN. NY's teams always do their job. Just do the right thing, Nike.

11-- Will a pair of Bronxville runners match Caitlin Lane's NY States team titles record? During her years running for Argyle, Saratoga, and Greenwich earlier in this millenium, Caitlin Lane ran for 5 state champions, giving up a chance for a 6th title when she spent her sophomore year training with Nicole Blood for Footlocker's. Now Meredith Rizzo and Amelia Phillips of Bronxville are seeking to equal Lane's record in their senior season with their team heavily favored to win a 5th straight Class C States title.

10-- Can Valley Central climb up for a sectional crown? For the last 11 years, Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick Valley have taken all the titles in Section 9's largest class. Now with Holly Cavalluzzo and Kristen Borriello running at the top of the lineup, the Vikings may have just enough depth to win their first ever sectional championship in another close three-way scrap.

9-- Who gets left out in the Section 2-A musical chair game for at-large States tickets? Tensions may flare up early in Section 2's Class A, where Saratoga again seems to have control of the throne, but Shaker, Guilderland, Colonie, and Shenendehowa circle around among the top teams in the state, and Bethlehem and Niskayuna stand in the shadows. With only five seats available when the music stops, some top runners are likely not boarding the bus for Elma Meadows.

8-- Can Garden City finally get the jump on North Shore in Section 8? Garden City's young and emerging team has had North Shore running far ahead of it in the battle for the sectional crown, but with Samantha Nadel and Brianna Nerud graduated from North Shore's team, the Vikings will have a tough battle for their 5th straight S8 title. Both teams have good strength at the top with North Shore's Jessica Donohue and Elizabeth Caldwell facing off against Garden City's Jennifer and Stephanie Gerland and Emma Gallagher, but who can find the most depth by November?

7-- How will Saratoga respond to its naysayers in 2012? Following a second straight year as the runner-up at NXN Nationals, Saratoga now seems to be getting pretty faint praise in at least one national ratings service following the transfer of Estela Smith and graduation of three other highly ranked runners. The top trio of Taylor Driscoll, Keelin Hollowood, and Olivia Morrow and the rest of the Blue Streak squad may need another 2011 Race-of-Champions style knockdown of so-called higher-ranked opponents to get back in the groove.

6-- Is the longest-running States streak in jeopardy? Back in 1979 when gas cost 80 cents and Apocalypse Now was in the theaters, Pearl River started making an annual voyage to the state championship meet. Seeking their 34th straight sectional title over the course of five different decades, the graduation-depleted Pirates look to be maybe a little undermanned in the battle with Nanuet for the Section 1-B crown. Can enough new young legs be enlisted to keep the streak alive?

5-- Who will be profiled as new York's top runner at the end of the season? Jillian Fanning returns as the top state runner of 2011 to help lead Fayetteville-Manlius to another state and national championship. 2011 Federation champ Mary Cain is coming off a record-crushing track season as she tries to capture a third straight Class C crown and maybe lead Bronxville to its 5th straight state title. Cross-country is mainly a team sport, but there is still room for a lot of individualism in the battle to own NY's fastest pair of running spikes.

4-- How will the Witches enjoy their new home? Two-time consecutive Class D champ Maple Grove may feel like a house fell on it after learning that Greenwich lost 10 students from last year's BEDS tally and got to drop back down to its old haunts. Now the two winners of the last four D titles are set for an epic battle between the green-complexioned Witches and the crunchy-stuff loving Red Dragons. Guessing that a pair of ruby slipper-spikes will decide this one.

3-- How does Bronxville focus for 2012? After winning its 10th state title in 2011, Bronxville again enters the season as one of NY's top 5 teams but missing its frequent sparring partner Greenwich from action at States. Is this the year the Broncos make a run for NXN behind Mary Cain, or is an 11th state crown enough, maybe coupled with an attempt at taking the NXN or Footlocker individual title?

2-- Is Holy Names the new power in Class B? Last year Burnt Hills defeated Holy Names by 8 points for the Section 2-B title. Now with the graduation of Alyssa Drapeau from the Burnt Hills squad and the transfer of Estela Smith from Saratoga to Holy Names, a changing of the guard may be underway not only in S2-B but also at States, where Holy Names won a championship 7 years ago.

1-- Is Fayetteville-Manlius rolling to back-to-back 7's? Scoring the minimum 15 points for the last 3 years, the Hornets have piled up 6 straight state titles to tie Saratoga's record streak in the largest class division. Each time, FM has followed up three weeks later with a triumph of national significance at NXN. 2011 top NY XC runner Jillian Fanning returns for a senior season to lead a team that seems a little less ferocious than those of the last three years, but with some development from an expansive cast of rising stars, the 2012 squad should earn a spot as part of a truly fearsome foursome of recent Hornet champions and get to 7th heaven.

Jillian Fanning churning toward the top finish in the Eastern States race at the Manhattan Invitational.

Fantastifastical Factoids

Twin Terrors Of the 18 sets of sisters running in the NY State Championship meet last year, 7 were that twin-killing combos that coaches so love to see filling their rosters and that continue a long NY tradition of success for twin combos and more generally for family prowess. During the last ten years, the Queensbury Winslows, Argyle Fungs, and Bronxville Mullens have all notched a double dose of top 10 finishes in a States meet, and in 2011 Miller Place's Talia and Tiana Guevara just missed that feat but like Canandaigua's Meghan and Kate McCormick still bagged States medals. Other twins at States included Lauren and Kendall D'Amore of Canandaigua, Brittany and Courtney Williams of Ward Melville, Camryn and Sidney Johnson of Monticello, Gemma and Rebecca DelRossi of Canton, and Cassie and Courtney Dooley of Bayport-Blue Point. Among the standard sister contingents, the largest showing were by the Clucks of Johnson City who included an 11th-10th-8th grade group of Amanda, Morgan and Emily.

Perfect Records Shenendehowa and Colonie have made two trips to States and both times they came away with a State title. The reward for being in the same section as Saratoga Springs is that if you did manage to overcome the Blue Streaks during the 1980s and 1990s, you could count on taking the States titles. Even recently during the 12-year-streak of Saratoga titles in Section 2, being second best can put you in great position for an NXN berth, as happened for Bethlehem in 2004 and Shenendehowa in 2009. The last States champion not from Section 2 or FM's Section 3 for NY's largest class was Washingtonville, who beat out Saratoga 48-49 in 1992 to deny the Blue Streaks their 4th straight crown.

A Tradition at the Top Courtney Chapman, Christy Rutledge, and Jillian Fanning have combined to give Fayetteville-Manlius four individual States crowns since 2008 and fifth was won 13 years ago by Laurel Burdick. But traveling all the way back to the first girls States meet in 1975, the Hornets established a claim to the top spot with Kathy Mills' victory.

Killer B's The top 5 teams in the Class B race at States last year have piled up 26 crowns between them, and 19 were won in the last 14 championship meets. When Pearl River (8), Honeoye Falls-Lima (7), East Aurora (6), Burnt Hills (3), and North Shore (2) get together for a run, they all feel pretty entitled.

First Time for Everything The winner for the boys' races at States generally runs about 90 to 130 seconds than his girls' counterpart in the big class races, and about 150 to 210 seconds in the smaller sized classes. Of course if you're the Class A guys' winner up against Aisling Cuffe, your margin is lowered to 76 or 81 seconds. Only one guy has failed to run a faster time than his girls' counterpart, and that was way back at the first States meet for the girls in 1975 when FM's Kathy Mills celebrated the inaugural race by winning it in a time of 14:38 that was 48 seconds faster than the next runner. The time was also 63 seconds faster than the winner of the guys' Class A race. Some may say that the half-mile shortcut that was set up for that first girls race had something to do with Mills' huge margin over all the guys, but I'm guessing that the boys had to run second that year after a heavy storm and the girls chewed up the course and left them floundering in deep mud.

Teams Living High on the Hog Although many teams might think that Fayetteville-Manlius and Saratoga Springs have been too possessive of the States titles in NY's biggest class the last 12 years, both teams have been happy to pig-out on 6-year runs at the top, with the Hornets taking the last 6 to follow the Blue Streaks' run from 2000 to 2005. From 1998 to 2010, Honeoye Falls-Lima and East Aurora combined to spend 13 years wallowing in Class B titles as HFL first had a string of 7 straight titles followed by the Blue Devils' streak of 6.

Going for 3 Bronxville junior Mary Cain of will be shooting for her third straight States championship in 2012, a tough feat in a state that is loaded with fast feet. The last runner to get 3 straight was Mary Kate Champagne of Seton Catholic-Plattsburgh, who captured her last title in Class D as a senior in 2007.

High flying action early in States Class C race.

Class A Preview

Top 5 Teams at 2011 States

Fayetteville-Manlius 15

Saratoga 70

Canandaigua 102

Ward Melville 102

North Rockland 135

Projected Top 5 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

1. Fayetteville-Manlius 138.8	2. Saratoga 128.8	3. Shaker 106.8	4. Valley Central 105.8	5. Guilderland 105.2

Projected Next 10 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

6t. Colonie 104.0	6t. Shenendehowa 104.0	8. Suffern 103.4	9. Rush-Henrietta 103.0	10. Northport 102.8
11. Cicero-NS 101.0	10t. Canandaigua 101.0	13. Penfield 99.8	14. West Genesee 98.8	15. Bethlehem 98.6

Jillian Fanning leads Laura Leff and pursuers midway through States

Top 2012 Returning Runners by Last Year's TR Rating

Name	Team	Grade	Section	States Place	Season TR
Jillian Fanning	FM	12	3	1	156
Laura Leff	West Genesee	11	3	2	151
Taylor Driscoll	Saratoga	12	2	26	138
Gianna Fronterra	Newburgh	11	9	5	138
Hannah Smith	FM	12	3	6	137
Keelin Hollowood	Saratoga	12	2	11	135
Annika Avery	FM	10	3	4	134
Holly Cavalluzzo	Valley Central	12	9	8	134
Katie Brislin	FM	12	3	12	134
Katie Lembo	Penfield	11	5	14	133
Alana Pearl	FM	11	3	7	133
Jenna Farrell	FM	9	3	13	132
Kennedy Jensen	Canandaigua	11	5	20	131
Ariana Bottalico	Brewster	12	1	7 (B)	131
Olivia Morrow	Saratoga	9	2	36	129
Maryanna Lansing	Shaker	9	2	32	128
Brigid Brennan	Northport	11	11	23	127
Kate Zendell	Suffern	10	1	31	127
Autumn Albrecht	Brockport	10	5	21	126
Victoria D'Amato	Northport	10	11	41	124
Next:	Courtney Williams - Ward Melville 123, Valerie Palermo - Webster Schroeder 123, Amanda Paratore - Webster Schroeder 122, Karli O'Neil - Churchville 122, Bailey Kowalczyk - Shenendehowa 119

2011 Season Summary for Class A

After the usual dominating regular season highlighted by a 5th straight Manhattan Invitational Eastern States championship, Fayetteville-Manlius rolled to its third straight 15 score at States against the toughest opposition of any conference in the US. FM's 6th straight States title win was inevitably followed by wins at both NXN regionals and nationals with a squad that included NY top runner Jillian Fanning, Katie Sischo, Hannah Smith, Annika Avery, Alana Pearl, and Jenna Farrell, with 2010 state champ Christie Rutledge inactive for most of the season. Saratoga was again running a little ways behind with Taylor Driscoll, Estela Smith, Keelin Hollowood, Olivia Morrow, and Maggie Szpak leading the team, but it piled up the second best credentials in the US with a big win at the Great American Race of Champions, a 2nd at States, a win at Federations, and then 2nd places at NXN-NY and Nationals.

Besides the big two, other A teams excelled and expanded their trophy cases. Propelled by top seniors Meghan and Kate McCormick, Canandaigua packed in a bunch of 1sts in big invitational races, a 6th at the preeminent Manhattan Eastern States race, and a 3rd at States, but the Braves then got badly spiked by Nike. Behind an odd mixture of seniors and 8th graders, Ward Melville rode to a 4th place at States. And Shenendehowa behind senior Lizzie Predmore represented all of the teams who didn't get a chance to run at States by taking a 4th place States ranking and a 6th at Federations. Many other teams racked up great feats in America's #1 XC group, and their accomplishments are detailed in the team capsules.

Runners from other Class A teams who made big marks included most prominently West Genesee's Laura Leff, who topped the Vernon-Verona-Sherril-2 race, took 2nd at States and Feds, and ran to a 3rd at Footlocker Nationals. Newburgh's Gianna Frontera racked up 9 straight 1st places before taking a 5th at States and 7th at Feds. Rachel Paul of Sachem East came on especially strong after her 9th place finish at States with 5ths at Feds and NY-NXN and a 26th at Nationals. Valley Central's Holly Cavalluzzo was another strong finisher with an 8th at States and a 9th at NXN-NY to qualify for Nationals.

2012 Season Overview for Class A

For the last five years, Fayetteville-Manlius and Saratoga have finished 1-2 at States and then gone on to both finish the season at NXN, three times repeating the 1-2 finish. So projecting that the Hornets and Blue Streaks will likely be up to the same-old same-old again is not a big stretch. Both teams will be rebuilding from key losses, as FM has graduated three key contributors from past seasons including Katie Sischo, Christie Rutledge, and Heather Martin, while Saratoga loses Estela Smith to transfer and Maggie Szpak, Tara Peck, and Katie Treichel to graduation. But the two teams always have big pools of up-and-coming runners, and both should line up at Portland Meadows with good potential for another 1-2 finish. 2011 NY top runner Jillian Fanning will be leading five other FM veterans of NXN who had TRs over 130 last year, including Hannah Smith, Annika Avery, Katie Brislin, Alana Pearl, and Jenna Farrell. For Saratoga, Taylor Driscoll, Keelin Hollowood, and Olivia Morrow should be back at the top for the rest of the prospects forming the pack of Blue Streaks. Both teams prepare for their extended seasons with light schedules centered around one elite invitational and heavy development prior to States.

Many of the rest of the Class A teams at the top of the rankings will likely be from Section 2, which should have 5 teams in the top 10 early in the season. A young Shaker squad led by freshmen Maryanna Lansing and Audrey Martino and 8th-grader Payton Czupil could be seeing the biggest jump of any team. Guilderland and Colonie both have strong packs from which top frontrunners could emerge, and Shenedehowa has seniors Bailey Kowalczyk and Caroline Hampton as a top duo. A number of other Section 2 teams want to make noise in Class A, so Sectionals could be fiercely competitive and most of the teams will again be relegated to making their mark at Federations and NXN-NY.

Teams from other sections with high TR averages and prospects include a Valley Central trying to make its debut at States behind Holly Cavalluzzo and Kristen Boriello and a Suffern hoping for its first Sectional win in 7 years led by Kate Zendell and hoping that Ursula Svoboda can return to form and that 8th-grade track standout Kameron Mcintosh will have a big impact. Cicero-North Syracuse with Jacqlynn Halstead and Nicole Waterud could also be explosive, especially if Maria Lamontagne can make even a partial recovery in the wake of last year's lost season. Alana McDonald and her Rush-Henrietta team hope to replace Canandaigua's Kennedy Jensen-led squad at the top of Section 5 while also keeping Katie Lembo's Penfield team at bay. Northport is another team that could have a big impact if more strength can be built up behind frontrunners Brigid Brennan and Victoria D'Amato.

Impact runners not from teams in the top 10 include most obviously Laura Leff of West Genesee, but the injuries that cost her most of the track seasons force a cautious outlook for the fall. Newburgh's Gianna Frontera will be building off more strong results since last year's 5th at States to reach higher in her junior season. Brewster's Ariana Bottalico has moved to Class A for her senior year, and she will be seeing how her 7th in States B and 12th at Feds stacks up.

Section by Section Class A Overview

Section	Top Teams	Notes
1	Suffern, Arlington, Brewster, North Rockland	Suffern and TR-select Kate Zendell are favored to win the team's first title since 2005, but the Mounties must stay healthy through November to hold off an emerging Arlington, a newly moved and fast-developing Brewster behind TR-select Ariana Bottalico, and the rebuilding champions at North Rockland.
2	Saratoga, Shaker, Guilderland, Colonie, Shenendehowa, Bethlehem	Saratoga again leads an incredibly tough field of teams that includes 5 of the top 7 rated powers in Class A entering the 2012 season. Despite some big losses at the top of the lineup, the Blue Streaks should have enough leg room to hold off Shaker, Guilderland, Colonie, and Shenendehowa for their 13th straight title and then battle for an NXN berth.
3	Fayetteville-Manlius, Cicero-North Syracuse, West Genesee	No static at all for Fayetteville-Manlius as it looks to roll to its 8th straight sectional crown and 7th straight state and national championships with yet another team that will be vying for the title of the greatest team ever. A strong Cicero-North Syracuse squad and developing West Genesee crew wait in the wings behind FM.
4	Elmira District, Ithaca	Elmira may have the depth to help its top trio of Khiere Ashley, Brianna Lentkowski, and Imari Johnson hold off three-time reigning champ Ithaca, which is in rebuilding phase.
5	Rush-Henrietta, Canandaigua, Penfield, Webster Schroeder, Hilton, Webster Thomas	Rush-Henrietta, Canandaigua, and Penfield enter the season very close in the TR standings, but Rush has the most balanced core group. Webster Schroeder, Hilton, and Webster Thomas could all make their footsteps heard if they can find a little more depth behind their top runners.
6	Clarence, Lockport	Three-time reigning champ Clarence may have enough left in the coffers to win another crown.
7	No representatives
8	East Meadow, Syosset, Massapequa, Port Washington	East Meadow seems to be a little deeper than Syosset in the contest to replace graduation-depleted Massapequa at the top of Section 8-A. Port Washington sits a little further back.
9	Valley Central, Warwick Valley, Monroe-Woodbury	Valley Central and TR-select Holly Cavalluzzo at last have a chance to break the stranglehold on Section 9 titles won by Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick over the last 11 years, but the Vikings will need strong development from its junior quintet to win its first title. Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick will also be looking for upward climbers to help offset key losses from last year's squads.
10	No representatives
11	Northport, Connetquot, Ward-Melville	Northport has most of its runners back including TR-select Brigid Brennan and should replace Ward-Melville as the Section 11-A champion. Connetquot is also returning its top group and could challenge for the crown.

Previews of Top Teams

Among the Fayetteville-Manlius runners in the white shirts here, all of whom finished in
the top 10 in the States Class A race, are Katie Sischo, Hannah Smith, Annika Avery,
and Alana Pearl. Also: Gianna Frontera (Newburgh), Keelin Hollowood (Saratoga), Holly Cavalluzzo (Valley Central)

	Fayetteville-Manlius	Hornets

Section: 3		Class: A		Colors: Green and white

XC History

States Teams: 1995 (A-2nd), 1996 (A-2nd), 1998 (A-5th), 1999 (A-4th), 2000 (A-4th), 2005 (AA-6th), 2006 (AA-1st), 2007 (AA-1st), 2008 (AA-1st), 2009 (AA-1st), 2010 (AA-1st), 2011 (A-1st). NXN Nationals: 2006-2011 (1st)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Kathy Mills (1975, A-1st), Allison Mann (1994, A-4th) (1995, A-6th), Cory Roos (1996, A-3rd), Karen Hannum (1996, A-4th), Laurel Burdick (1999, A-1st) (2000, A-4th), Kathryn Buchan (2006, AA-8th), Courtney Chapman (2007, AA-3rd) (2008, AA-1st) (2009, AA-1st) 2010 (AA-6th), Hannah Luber (2007, AA-5th) (2008, AA-3rd), Molly Malone (2007 AA-6th) (2008, AA-6th) (2009, AA-2nd), Meaghan Anklin (2008, AA-7th), Jillian Fanning (2009, AA-3rd) (2010, AA-2nd) (2011, A-1st), Katie Sischo (2009, AA-5th) (2010, AA-5th) (2011, A-3rd), Christie Rutledge (2010, AA-1st), Heather Martin (2010, AA-8th), Katie Brislin (2010, AA-9th), Annika Avery (2011, A-4th), Hannah Smith (2011, A-6th), Alana Pearl (2011, A-7th)

Last Year's Summary: 1st at NXN Nationals, 1st in States A, 1st in Sectionals A
1st in CNYCL American, 1st in Manhattan Eastern States, 1st in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Jillian Fanning	12	1	1st in Manhattan ES, 4th at NXN	18:53.8 (1)	156
Hannah Smith	12	6	44th at NXN	19:46.9 (6)	137
Annika Avery	10	8	81st at NXN	19:35.5 (4)	134
Katie Brislin	12	5	25th at NXN	20:09.6 (12)	134
Alana Pearl	11	7	34th at NXN	19:58.3 (7)	133
Jenna Farrell	9	4	1st in Manhattan JV-A, 45th at NXN	20:10.8 (13)	132
Maggie Malone	11	10	2nd in Manhattan JV-A		114
Mary Barger	10		1st in CNYCL JV		114
Michelle Duffy	12		6th at Tully		106
Colleen Englert	12		2nd in CNYCL JV		106
Jessica Howe	10		13th in VVS-1		103
Mackenzie Pierce	10		15th in VVS-1		101

This Year's Outlook

Six runners on last year's national champion squad are back, and Fayetteville-Manlius is well set up to run to its 7th straight title at NXN. A trio of seniors led by NXN individual title contender Jillian Fanning and including Hannah Smith and Katie Brislin will pace the Hornets in their final season, and the future standard bearers have formed behind Annika Avery, Alana Pearl, and Jenna Farrell. Michelle Duffy, Maggie Malone, Mary Barger and others will be working to give FM a solid corps of runners above the 130 TR level.

Saratoga's Keelin Hollowood, Taylor Driscoll, and Olivia Morrow in the Class A race at States

	Saratoga Springs	Blue Streaks

Section: 2		Class: A		Colors: Blue, white and red

XC History

States Teams: 1987 (A-1st), 1988 (A-2nd), 1989 (A-1st), 1990 (A-1st), 1991 (A-1st), 1992 (A-2nd), 1993 (A-1st), 1996 (A-1st), 1997 (A-1st), 1998 (A-1st), 2000 (A-1st), 2001 (A-1st), 2002 (A-1st), 2003 (A-1st), 2004 (A-1st), 2005 (A-1st), 2006 (A-3rd), 2007 (A-2nd), 2008 (A-2nd), 2009 (A-2nd), 2010 (A-2nd), 2011 (A-2nd) NXN Nationals: 2004 (1st), 2005 (2nd), 2007 (3rd), 2008 (4th), 2009 (2nd), 2010 (2nd), 2011 (2nd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Cheri Godard (1987, A-2nd) (1988, A-1st), Stacy Pearce (1988, A-8th) (1989, A-4th), Annie Burtman (1989, A-3rd), Jen Norton (1990, A-1st), Jessica Milosch (1991, A-1st), Marissa Mathiesen (1991, A-4th), Tobey Kearns (1991, A-8th) (1992, A-4th) (1993, A-2nd), Suzy Clark (1991, A-9th), Erin Davis (1992, A-1st) (1993, A-1st) (1994, A-1st) (1995, A-3rd) (1996, A-1st), Erin Karl (1993, A-3rd), Laura Kearns (1995, A-5th) (1996, A-2nd) (1997, A-2nd), Jocelyn Heighton (1995, A-8th) (1996, A-7th), Danielle Coon (1996, A-8th) (1997, A-2nd) (1998, A-2nd) (1999, A-3rd) (2000, A-3rd), Kate Markopoulos (1988, A-3rd), Melissa Glotzbecker (1988, A-9th), Amanda Meyer (2000, A-5th) (2001, A-10th), Margie Boltzer (2000, A-6th), Allison Rowe (2000, A-8th) (2001, A-5th), Melissa Sue Trauchst (2000, A-9th), Tess Auwarter (2000, A-10th), Nicole Blood (2001, A-1st) (2003, A-1st) (2004, AA-1st), Lindsey Ferguson (2003, A-5th) (2004, AA-3rd) (2005, AA-3rd), Ruby Solomon (2003, A-10th), Karyn Delay (2004, AA-6th), Hannah Davidson (2004, AA-5th) (2005, AA-2nd) (2006, AA-2nd) (2007, AA-1st), Caitlin Lane (2004, AA-8th), Cassie Goutos (2007, AA-7th) (2008, AA-5th), Keelin Hollowood (2009, AA-7th) (2010, AA-10th), Estela Smith (2011, A-10th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd at NXN Nationals, 1st at Federations, 2nd in States A, 1st in Sectionals A
1st in Suburban Council, 1st in Great American Race of Champions, 1st in Queensbury-1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Taylor Driscoll	12	1	1st in Queensbury-1, 22nd at NXN	20:49.7 (26)	138
Keelin Hollowood	12	2	13th at Federation, 28th at NXN	20:04.6 (11)	135
Olivia Morrow	9	7	2nd in Great American-Red, 52nd at NXN	21:06.0 (36)	129
Sarah Morin	11	28	7th in Queensbury-1		117
Spencer Hayes	10	15	1st in Great American-Red		115
Meredith Hungerford	12		6th in Great American-Red		103
Maddie Samuel	12		9th in Great American-Red		102
Ellen Dinon	12		6th in Suburban Council-JV		93
Shania Hayward	11		9th in Great American Council-JV		91

This Year's Outlook

Saratoga has major losses from last year's squad, but the 2011 national runner-up still has arguably the second-best group of runners in the country. Seniors Taylor Driscoll and Keelin Hollowood return after top-30 places at last year's NXN and Hollowood's national track title in the 2000m steeplechase. Freshman Olivia Morrow is also back from last year's varsity to hang with the seniors and give Saratoga a powerful top 3. Other Blue Streaks on the rise include Sarah Morin and Spencer Hayes, and generally there are new faces that tend to pop up in the Saratoga crowd

Shaker's Maryanna Lansing finishes up at States. Also: Meaghan Ventarola (Monroe-Woodbury)

	Shaker	Bison

Section: 2		Class: A		Colors: Royal blue and white

XC History

States Teams:

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Laura Lamena (1982, A-7th) (1983, A-10th), Krissy Haacke (1989, A-5th) (1990, A-6th) (1991, A-3rd) (1992, A-7th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals A
8th in Suburban Council, 2nd in Manhattan-D, 2nd in Grout-1, 2nd in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-6

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Maryanna Lansing	9	5	1st in Grout-1, 17th in Federation	20:56.8 (32)	128
Payton Czupil	8	20	5th in Grout-1		108
Audrey Martino	9	21	7th in VVS-6		105
Kayleigh Lavender	12	34	15th in Manhattan-D		97
Laura Libruk	11	39	10th in Albany County		96
Shannon Fitzpatrick	9	44	11th in Suburban Council-Frosh		90
Jessica Dzialo	12	54	22nd in Suburban Council-JV		84
Hannah Madison	12	64	19th in Grout-1		79
Shannon Lavender	9	66	20th in Suburban Council-Frosh		77

This Year's Outlook

No team has as young a cast as Shaker at the top. State finalist Maryanna Lansing and fellow freshman Audrey Martino join 8th grader Payton Czupil in leading a Bison team that will be among the pack of Section 2-A teams chasing Saratoga.

Holly Cavalluzzo runs to an 8th place at States. Also: Alana Pearl (Fayetteville-Manlius)

	Valley Central	Vikings

Section: 9		Class: A		Colors: Blue and white

XC History

States Teams:

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Holly Cavalluzzo (2008, A-8th) (2011, A-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals A

4th in OCIAA Championship, 1st in OCIAA Div. 2, 3rd in Warwick-1, 1st at Red Raider

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Holly Cavalluzzo	12	2	1st in OCIAA Div II, 47th at NXN	20:01.6 (8)	134
Kristen Borriello	11	7	2nd in Red Raider, 2nd in OCIAA Div II		118
Christina Schneider	10	13	5th in OCIAA Div II		108
Kelly Weiskittel	11	16	29th in OCIAA		95
Ashley Conklin	11	31	2nd in OCIAA-JV		74
Becky Keinz	11	33	12th in OCIAA Div II		72
Claudia Weiskittel	11	32	17th in Red Raider		69

This Year's Outlook

Valley Central has never won a Section 9 title, and until Holly Cavalluzzo finished 8th back in 2008, the Vikings had never had a top-10 finisher at States. Four years later Cavalluzzo is seeking her fourth States medal after placing high in both the 1500m and 3000m at States in June, and with Kristen Borriello and Christina Schneider behind her is hoping that Valley Central can find enough depth to hold off Monroe-Woodbury and Warwick Valley and get to States as a team.

Jenna Robinson of Guilderland rounds final turn at States

	Guilderland	Flying Dutchmen

Section: 2		Class: A		Colors: Red and white

XC History

States Teams: 1980 (A-9th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Chrissy Smith (1986, A-9th)

Last Year's Summary: 4th in Sectionals A

5th in Suburban Council, 2nd at Albany County, 4th in Manhattan-A, 3rd at Bowdoin, 2nd in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-7

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Jenna Robinson	11	6	2nd in Albany County	22:21.5 (81)	116
Michelle Fish	12	25	28th in Suburban Council		104
Taylor Tommell	12	26	29th in Suburban Council		102
Chrissy Herkenham	12	29	6th in VVS-7		100
Alyssa Jourdin	9	---	44th in Suburban Council		94
Shannon Mackesey	11	63	15th in Suburban Council-JV		80
Christine Bolognino	12	72	2nd in Albany County JV		80
Sara Bone	12	73	7th in Albany County-JV		72

This Year's Outlook

Though running among that tough Section 2-A crowd, Guilderland has a solid group that includes 2011 state finalist Jenna Robinson. Seniors Michell Fish, Taylor Trommell, and Chrissy Herkenham provide a 100+ TR support unit, and freshman Alyssa Jourdin looks to be on the way up.

Katie Schillaci, Carolyn Pellegrini, and Kirsten Kaminski are among Colonie runners sprinting home in in Manhattan Invitational's A race, in which the Raiders finished 2nd

	Colonie	Raiders

Section: 2		Class: A		Colors: Garnet and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1985 (A-1st), 1999 (A-1st)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Rachel Simone (1985, A-9th), Katie Twarog (1997, A-7th) (1998, A-1st) (1999, A-4th) Jen Kramer (1998, A-10th) (1999, A-6th), Eryka Perrault (2001, A-4th), Anna Jankowski (2002, A-7th)

Last Year's Summary: 5th in Sectionals A

6th in Suburban Council, 2nd in Manhattan-A, 1st in Grout-2, 2nd in Queensbury-1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Kaitie Schillaci	10	22	6th at Albany County		108
Jackie Malecki	11	24	4th at Shaker		108
Shannon Kerin	11	23	26th at Suburban Council		103
Carolyn Pellegrini	9	27	11th at Albany County		103
Bellame Bower	10	37	8th in Suburban Council-Frosh		98
Kirsten Kaminski	10	49	25th in Manhattan-A		93
Alicia Bousa	12	67	25th at Shaker		78

This Year's Outlook

Colonie has a fairly young team that is packed so close together that the top four finished within 3 seconds of each other at the Section 2 State Qualifier last year. Katie Schillaci, Jackie Malecki, Shannon Kerin and Carolyn Pellegrini will again look to form a Raider pack with freshmen Bellame Bower and Kirsten Kaminski in support.

Shenendehowa's Lizzie Predmore, Caroline Hampton, and Bailey Kowalczyk
kind of enjoying the heat in the Manhattan Invitational's Eastern States race,
in which Predmore finished 5th

	Shenendehowa	Plainsmen

Section: 2		Class: A		Colors: Green and white

XC History

States Teams: 1994 (A-1st), 1995 (A-1st) NXN Nationals: 2009 (8th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Michelle Lauritzen (1987, A-4th) (1988, A-2nd), Dana Ostrander (1993, A-6th) (1994, A-2nd) (1995, A-1st), Julie Shapiro (1994, A-8th) (1995, A-10th), Cara Janeczko (2007, AA-10th), Lizzie Predmore (2008, AA-4th) (2009, AA-8th), Nicole Irving (2009, AA-6th)

Last Year's Summary: 6th at Federations, 2nd in Sectionals A

3rd in Suburban Council, 8th in Manhattan Eastern States, 1st in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-6, 2nd in Guilderland -1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Bailey Kowalczyk	12	14	12th in Suburban Council, 44th in Federation		119
Caroline Hampton	12	12	17th in Suburban Council		115
Emily Crounse	9	35	118th in Federation		98
Kristen Jordan	12	40	38th in Suburban Council		97
Rachel Shine	12	---	16th in VVS-6		91
Erin Hulbert	10	50	146th at Federation		88
Dominica Bleichert	11	58	4th in Manhattan-Soph-B		81

This Year's Outlook

Lizzie Predmore departs after one last great blast with the track 3000m title, and now it is up to seniors Bailey Kowalczyk and Caroline Hampton to lead the team through the Section 2-A thicket of contenders. Freshman Emily Crounse is the top rated runner among the rest of the pack

Suffern's Kate Zendell winning at Sectionals and Ursula Svoboda digging to a 24th at States

	Suffern	Mounties

Section: 1		Class: A		Colors: Blue and white

XC History

States Teams: 2003 (A-6th), 2004 (AA-5th), 2005 (AA-4th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Diane Dougan (1985, A-8th), Meghan Howell (1998, A-6th), Shelby Greany (2004, AA-9th) (2005, AA-4th) (2006, AA-4th) (2007, AA-2nd) (2008, AA-2nd), Kara McKenna (2005, AA-5th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals A

2nd in Section 1 Coaches-2, 2nd in Manhattan-E, 2nd in Wild Safari-B, 1st in Suffern-A

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Kate Zendell	10	1	1st in Rockland County, 20th in Federation	20:55.7 (31)	127
Ursula Svoboda	12	2	1st in Suffern A, 3rd in Manhattan-E	20:43.2 (24)	117
Angelica Matwiejczuk	11	16	21st in Rockland County		92
Rachel Ludwikowski	8	48	117th in Federation		91
Taryn Colon	11	---	8th in Wild Safari-B		90
Casie Morgan	11	23	17th in Rockland County		90
Cassandra Duitz	10	33	33rd in Rockland County		80
Kameron Mcintosh	10	--	Track: 800m: 2:14.9, 1600m: 4:46.7

This Year's Outlook

Suffern just missed sending a team to States last year, and this year state finalists Kate Zendell and a recuperating Ursula Svoboda will be looking to carry the Mounties to their first sectional title in seven years. Sophomore Kameron Mcintosh may be ready for a breakout season after a very nice track campaign along with Taryn Colon, and Angelica Matwiejczuk and Rachel Ludwikowski should also be pretty big names for Suffern.

Rush-Henrietta's Alana McDonald and Alexandra Cooper at right in green above competing at Federations in Bowdoin Park for the Royal Comets

	Rush-Henrietta Sperry	Royal Comets

Section: 5		Class: A		Colors: Black, green and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1978 (A-7th), 1979 (A-6th), 2008 (A-7th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Anita Kelly (1978, A-6th) (1979, A-2nd) (1980, A-3rd)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals A
2nd in Monroe County, 4th in Burnt Hills-3, 5th in McQuaid-AAA, 1st in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-7

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Alana McDonald	12	11	56th in Federation		114
Alexandra Cooper	10	15	81st in Federation		104
Siobhan Quinn	10	13	22nd in Burnt Hills-3		103
Tishae Griffin	10	25	19th in Monroe County		101
Emma Jones	12	38	16th in VVS-7		93
Kristina Glitch	11	---	24th in VVS-7		81

This Year's Outlook

The team is always in a rush, and the Royal Comets have four 100+ TR runners to help them in their bid to unseat Canandaigua from the top of Section 5. Senior Alana McDonald leads the team and is backed by three sophomores who include Alexandra Cooper, Tishae Griffin, and Siobhan Quinn, who along with McDonald had a huge race at Sectionals last year.

Northport's Brigid Brennan (1178) and Victoria D'Amato (1179) at States. Also:
Shannon O'Hehir (Sachem East)

	Northport	Tigers

Section: 11		Class: A		Colors: Navy and gold

XC History

States Teams: 2009 (AA-5th), 2010 (AA-4th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Lindsay Sundell (2002, A-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals A

2nd in Brown-Championship, 4th in Manhattan-F, 1st in St. Anthony's-A2, 1st in Suffolk A

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Brigid Brennan	11	2	1st in Suffolk Coaches-A, 14th in Federation	20:37.6 (23)	127
Victoria D'Amato	10	4	4th in Section 11-Divisions	21:14.2 (41)	124
Jackie Thorne	9	16	24th in Brown Champs		93
Cara Jozefowski	11	36	44th in Brown Champs		85
Sarah Zieve	12	40	6th in Jim Smith-Jr		85
Kelly Flanagan	12	47	11th in St. Anthony's-A2		77
Meghan McDonough	10	---	2nd in Manhattan-JV-B		77
Mary Gibbons	10	---	6th in Manhattan-JV-B		77
Jessica Faltings	12	---	10th in Manhattan-JV-B		75

This Year's Outlook

Northport has two state finalist runners leading the way with Brigid Brennan and Victoria D'Amato both going 120+ TR. Strong track seasons from Jackie Thorne, Sarah Zieve, and Meghan McDonough portend that the Tigers may be ready to take their 3rd Sectional title in 4 years and unseat Ward Melville from the Section 11-A top spot.

Cicero-North Syracuse's trio of Jacqlynn Halstead, Nicole Waterud, and Taylor Parry competing at States

	Cicero-North Syracuse	Northstars

Section: 3		Class: A		Colors: Royal blue, green and white

XC History

States Teams: 2001 (A-3rd), 2003 (A-5th), 2004 (AA-4th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Kim Sharpe (1975, A-4th) (1976, A-1st) (1977, A-1st), Connie Riegelman (1979, A-3rd), Maria Lamontagne (2010, A-3rd)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals A

1st in Chittenango-3, 2nd in Manhattan-F, 2nd in EJ Herrmann-2, 3rd in VVS-3

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Jacqlynn Halstead	11	11	1st at Tully, 39th at Federation	21:19.6 (43)	118
Nicole Watterud	12	12	2nd in CNYCL-National	21:34.3 (54)	111
Taylor Parry	10	13	3rd in CNYCL-National	21:38.6 (60)	104
Marissa Colburn	12	20	38th in Manhattan-F		86
Maria Lamontagne	10	---	19th at Tully		85
Madison Kolakowski	11	23	10th at Central Square		76

This Year's Outlook

The Northstars had three runners at States last year, and Jacqlynn Halstead, Nicole Watterud, and Taylor Parry all return to lead the team rated 2nd in Section 3-A behind FM. The question for CNS is the depth, and if sophomore Maria Lamontagne can continue a promising recovery from injuries that cost her the 2011 XC season, the Northstars will get a big boost.

Canandaigua seniors Meghan and Kate McCormick at left led Canandaigua to 3rd place
at States along with a third Brave's medalist, Kennedy Jensen at right

	Canandaigua	Braves

Section: 5		Class: A		Colors: Cherry and gray

XC History

States Teams: 1994 (A-6th), 1995 (A-5th), 1996 (A-8th), 1997 (A-7th), 2010 (A-2nd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Jeannie Sauter (2005, A-5th) (2006, A-9th), Meghan McCormick (2010, A-5th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in States A, 1st in Sectionals A
1st at Monroe County, 6th in Manhattan Eastern States, 1st in McQuaid-AAA, 1st in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-3

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Kennedy Jensen	11	3	12th at NXN-NY	20:22.5 (20)	131
Kendall D'Amore	12	17	26th at McQuaid-AAA	21:37.0 (55)	102
Lauren D'Amore	12	16	24th at McQuaid-AAA	22:19.2 (79)	101
Dana Garbinski	11	27	74th in NXN-NY	22:07.9 (76)	96
Hayley Miller	12	46	20th in VVS-3	24:14.7 (103)	75

This Year's Outlook

Canandaigua's stellar 2011 season came up a bit short of Nationals in the infinite wisdom of Nike, and Meghan and Kate McCormick are off to college, so state medalist junior Kennedy Jensen will be called on to lead the way into the Braves' new world with senior veterans Kendall and Lauren D'Amore and junior Dana Garbinski on the varsity.

Katie Lembo (front) and Leila Mantilla captured medals at States for Penfield

	Penfield	Patriots

Section: 5		Class: A		Colors: Red and white

XC History

States Teams: 1998 (A-9th), 1999 (A-7th), 2000 (A-3rd), 2001 (A-2nd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Deresa Walters (1985, A-3rd) (1986, A-2nd) (1987, A-1st) (1988, A-3rd), (1989, A-2nd), Rachel Korn (1985, A-6th), Vanessa Love-McCarthy (2000, A-7th) (2001, A-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals A
3rd at Monroe County, 1st in Seneca A, 3rd in McQuiad AAA, 4th in in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-5

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Katie Lembo	11	2	1st in Clarence-Lg, 15th at Federation	20:12.3 (14)	131
Lindsay Heyer	12	28	8th in Clarence-Lg		97
Sarah Cok	10	29	17th in Clarence-Lg		91
Ilana Schaufer	12	35	5th in Seneca-A		90
Tory Fahrenholz	9	37	46th in Monroe County		88
Megan Sedita	9	---	1st in Penfield-Irondequoit-JV		88
Abby Bourcy	10	70	57th in McQuaid-AAA		75
Melis Schildkraut	12	---	1st in Clarence-JV		74

This Year's Outlook

State medalist Leila Mantilla is gone from last year's squad, but junior Katie Lembo is back off of her 14th at States. Senior Lindsay Heyer and sophomore Sarah Cok provide the next line of defense for the Patriots.

West Genesee's Laura Leff ran to a 2nd place at States and later took a 3rd at Footlocker Nationals

	West Genesee	Wildcats

Section: 3		Class: A		Colors: Blue and gold

XC History

States Teams:

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Elizabeth McMahon (2005, AA-9th), Laura Leff (2009, AA-9th) (2010, AA-4th) (2011, A-2nd)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals A
12th in Manhattan Eastern States, 13th in McQuaid-AAA, 3rd in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-2

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Laura Leff	11	2	1st in VVS-2, 2nd in Federation, 3rd in Footlocker Nationals	19:37.6 (2)	151
Lindsay Weaver	10	15	11th at Marathon		104
Abby Kastick	12	18	11th in CNYCL-American		90
Alycia Andolina	12	26	7th in CNYCL-American-JV		76
Mary McGlynn	11	32	77th in Manhattan-ES		74

This Year's Outlook

Although West Genesee does not have the depth to threaten Fayetteville-Manlius in their annual Section 3 battles, the Wildcats do have Laura Leff, who when healthy is a threat to win any race after her 3rd at Footlocker Nationals last year. Leff is still in recovery phase after missing the spring track season with a stress fracture, so right now the wish is just for a gradual return to the XC trails. Sophomore Lindsay Weaver has the next fastest feet on the Wildcats.

	Bethlehem	Eagles

Section: 2		Class: A		Colors: Orange and black

XC History

States Teams: 1982 (A-9th), 1986 (A-6th) NXN Nationals: 2004 (13th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Judy Parker (1979, A-5th), Leslie Warren (1979, A-9th), Emily Malinowski (2004, A-10th)

Last Year's Summary: 6th in Sectionals A
7th in Suburban Council, 13th in Burnt Hills-3, 5th in Manhattan-D, 3rd in Grout-2

Roster

Name

Grade

Sect. Place

Top Notes

States Results

Season TR

Lindsay Cheu

18th in Suburban Council

112

Danika Jensen

4th in Grout-2

107

Megan Davitt

---

13th at Shaker

Natalie Muller

47th in Suburban Council

Holly Machabee

4th in Manhattan-JV-A

Julia Champagne

50th in Suburban Council

Mary DeVries

4th in Manhattan-Soph-A

This Year's Outlook

Like so many other strong Class A teams, Bethlehem resides in the midst of nasty Section 2 competition. Whether the Eagles can move up from their 6th place last year in S2-A will depend how high Lindsay Cheu, Danika Jensen and a group of juniors and seniors can take them.

Monroe-Woodbury's Meaghan Ventarola and Christina Zelenoy were two of the Crusaders' 6th place squad at States. Also left: Caroline O'Hea (Ward Melville)

	Monroe-Woodbury	Crusaders

Section: 9		Class: A		Colors: Purple and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1976 (A-4th), 1977 (A-3rd), 1978 (A-6th), 1980 (A-5th), 1981 (A-4th), 1984 (A-7th), 1985 (A-5th), 1986 (A-2nd), 1996 (A-4th), 1999 (A-9th), 2002 (A-4th), 2004 (AA-7th), 2008 (AA-5th), 2009 (AA-3rd), 2010 (AA-5th), 2011 (A-6th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Donna Halpin (1975, A-7th) (1976, A-7th), Stacey Boyce (1982, A-6th) (1984 (A-3rd), Julianne Littman (1991, A-5th) (1992, A-3rd) (1994, A-9th), Meaghan Ventarola (2008, AA-10th), Meaghan Patrignelli (2009, AA-10th)

Last Year's Summary: 6th in States A, 1st in Sectionals A
2nd in OCIAA Championship, 2nd in Section Coaches-3, 1st in OCIAA Division 1, 2nd at Red Raider

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Christina Zelenoy	12	11	19th in OCIAA Champ	21:26.9 (46)	104
Dana O'Donnell	12	10	12th in OCIAA Champ	22:08.4 (76)	101
Kelsey Esselman	12	14	23rd in OCIAA Champ	22:35.6 (85)	95
Elizabeth Wasserman	12	15	26th in OCIAA Champ	22:36.8 (86)	91
Noelle Ladue	10		1st in OCIAA Champ-JV		80
Kate Donnellan	10		6th in Manhattan-JV-A		77
Kaylin Bourke	11		15th in OCIAA-Div1		74

This Year's Outlook

Monroe-Woodbury seeks to keep its four-year run of Sectional titles going, and a Cruader top senior quartet of Christina Zelenoy, Dana O'Donnell, Kelsey Esselman, and Elizabeth Wasserman all have States experience.

	Warwick Valley	Wildcats

Section: 9		Class: A		Colors: Purple and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1988 (B-9th), 1989 (B-3rd), 1990 (B-3rd), 1991 (B-2nd), 1992 (B-2nd), 1993 (B-5th), 1994 (B-7th), 1995 (B-9th), 1996 (B-4th), 1997 (A-6th), 1999 (B-4th), 2000 (B-4th), 2001 (A-6th), 2003 (A-3rd), 2005 (AA-3rd), 2006 (AA-5th), 2007 (AA-3rd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Aislinn Ryan (2002, A-9th) (2003, A-4th) (2004, AA-2nd) (2005, AA-1st), Lillian Griebesland (2007, AA-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals A
3rd in OCIAA Championship, 5th in Manhattan-A, 1st In Warwick-2, 2nd in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-2

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Katie Fitzgerald	12	4	4th in OCIAA Div2		117
Darby Ginley	11	8	21st at McQuaid-AAA		110
Morgan Mendrzycki	11	19	36th in OCIAA Champ		87
Hanna Cavanagh	12		47th in Manhattan-A		78
Tessa Richards	10	29	6th in OCIAA Champ-JV		74
Malley DeSanto	12		11th in OCIAA Champ-JV		68

This Year's Outlook

Warwick Valley is seeking its first Sectional title in 5 years, and behind Katie Fitzgerald and Darby Ginley, the Wildcats are are looking for the depth to challenge Valley Central and Monroe-Woodbury.

Olivia Beltrani and Delphi Cleaveland (far right) running for the Arlington Admirals at NXN-NY.

	Arlington	Admirals

Section: 1		Class: A		Colors: Maroon and Vegas gold

XC History

States Teams: 1986 (A-4th), 1987 (A-8th), 1989 (A-9th), 1991 (A-11th), 1995 (A-3rd), 1996 (A-6th), 1998 (A-8th), 2001 (A-7th), 2007 (AA-5th), 2008 (AA-3rd), 2009 (AA-4th).

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Crystal Elmendorf (1994, A-5th), Elizabeth McGarvey (1994, A-10th), Kaylin Kemink (2002, A- 3rd).

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals A
1st in Northern County, 3rd in Section 1 Coaches-1, 5th in Queensbury-1, 4th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-6

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Delphi Cleaveland	12	8	3rd at Northern County		109
Marina Eberhart	11	27	57th in Burnt Hills-3		90
Bella Burda	10		24th in VVS-6		80
Kayla Sullivan	11	39	38th in Queensbury-1		80
Julie DeMonterey	12	56	28th at Northern County		72

This Year's Outlook

Arlington had some impressive results during track season from senior Delphi Cleaveland and sophomore Bella Burda, and now the Admirals are just one development wave away from challenging Suffern, North Rockland and Brewster for the Sectional title.

Class B Preview

Top 5 Teams at 2011 States

North Shore 33

Burnt Hills 82

Honeoye Falls-Lima 99

East Aurora 104

Pearl River 122

Projected Top 5 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

1. Holy Names 121.4	2. Burnt Hills 113.8	3. North Shore 109.6	4. Garden City 107.6	5. East Aurora 105.0

Projected Next 10 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

6. Nanuet 103.0	7. Queensbury 101.0	8. Honeoye Falls-Lima 100.6	9. Miller Place 100.0	10. Canton 98.2
11. Pearl River 93.4	12. Cornwall 92.0	13. Bayport-Blue Point 91.6	14. Starpoint 90.2	15. Pittsford-Mendon 88.6

Brianna Nerud and Samantha Nadel lead the Class B contingent at States

Top 2012 Returning Runners by Last Year's TR Rating

Name	Team	Grade	Section	States Place	Season TR
Estela Smith	Holy Names	10	2	10 (A)	137
Jessica Donohue	North Shore	12	8	3	134
Tiana Guevara	Miller Place	11	11	11	130
Elizabeth Caldwell	North Shore	12	8	10	128
Leah Triller	Holy Names	11	2	31	128
Stephanie Gerland	Garden City	9	8	30	128
Talia Guevara	Miller Place	11	11	6	127
Hannah Cole	HFL	12	5	5	125
Catherine Maloy	Holy Names	12	2	32	123
Marta McLaughlin	East Aurora	11	6	9	122
Jennifer Gerland	Garden City	10	8	21	122
Laura Pierce	Canton	11	10	18	121
Megan Young	Nanuet	12	1	55	121
Rachel Garn	Marcellus	11	3	17	120
Dani Martino	Burnt Hills	11	2	60	120
Jenny Delsignore	Sweet Home	12	6	33	120
Mary Welsh	Manhasset	12	8	12	119
Kelly Hayes	Pearl River	11	1	8	119
Katie Saroka	Bayport BP	12	11	13	119
Livia Chase	Starpoint	11	6	23	119
MaryKate O'Meara	Nanuet	11	1	16	119
Next:	Meagan Roecker - Burnt Hills 116, Jacqueline Willsey - Holy Names 114, Jordan Casey - Burnt Hills 113, Allison Fernandez - Burnt Hills 113

2011 Season Summary for Class B

From early last season, North Shore seemed to be set up for a second straight States title. With Samantha Nadel and Brianna Nerud far ahead at the top of the ratings and Jessica Donohue and Elizabeth Caldwell hanging in the top 5, the only real question for the Vikings was whether they would develop a fifth runner to nail down another NXN bid and a high place at Nationals. In the end, North Shore's 2011 partially mirrored its 2010 as it again swept up a States title behind a 1-2-3 finish from Nadel and Nerud and Donohue, though this time it was the Class B title following the 5-to-4 reclassification. And once again the season ended with a 9th place finish at NXN.

A deep Burnt Hills was the #2 team in Class B for the whole season and seemed likely to be the big challenger to North Shore after a number of top showings at invitationals including McQuaid behind Alyssa Drapeau and Dani Martino, but the Spartans had a second straight down performance at States to finish a distant 2nd, though a 3rd at Feds provided a measure of redemption. Another Section 2 team Holy Names also notched some top wins in the invitational season with Leah Triller, Catherine Maloy and Jackie Willsey leading, but the States mud was clearly not a favorite with them, and the team had much more fun taking a 5th at NXN-NY. One runner who did enjoy the mud at States was Honeoye Fall-Lima's Hannah Cole, who picked up a 5th while leading her team to an unexpected 3rd place finish. HFL's longtime nemesis East Aurora had its record 6-year streak of States titles snapped while finishing 4th behind big efforts from Marta McLaughlin, Madeline Murray and Paige Anderson. Pearl River was another team in the mix at the top of Class B, and the Pirates extended their States visitation string to 33 and took 5th there as Kelly Hayes, Ceili McMorrow and Molly Shine all had stints at the top for the team during 2011.

Of the other runners who made their marks in Class B action, Lauren Mullins of Johnson City led the way at States with a 4th after a 3rd in 2010. Twins Talia and Tiana Guevara of Miller Place took 6th and 11th at States, and Tiana followed up with a 10th at Feds. And before heading off to Class A for 2012, Brewster's Ariana Bottalico captured a 7th at States and a 12th at Feds.

2012 Season Overview for Class B

Two Section 2 teams appear to be at the top of Class B starting off 2012, but neither has had remarkable records at States the last two years. With the transfer of Estela Smith from Saratoga and the full varsity group back that includes States finalists Leah Triller, Catherine Maloy and Jackie Willsey, Holy Names has a squad that could power through the S2 championship and earn the spot at States. But Burnt Hills has a deep team with nine returning runners at the 100+ TR level headed by Dani Martino and Meagan Roecker. As in Class A, the State Qualifier action in Section 2's Class B should be ferocious.

Reigning Class B champ North Shore will have its hands full hanging on to the Section 8-B title following the graduation of Samantha Nadel and Brianna Nerud. Jessica Donohue and Elizabeth Caldwell will be asked to carry the Viking standard for the returning varsity that includes the next wave of Nadels and Neruds along with veterans Monica Morra and Alexandra Osman. A young Garden City team would prefer that North Shore step aside, as a Trojan team with distance stars Stephanie and Jennifer Gerland and middle-distance track star Emma Gallagher are looking ahead to at least three promising years.

East Aurora sits pretty comfortably out in Section 6, but behind frontrunner Marta McLaughlin, the Blue Devils are looking to pull together a run for their 7th States title in 8 years. Nanuet behind Megan Young and Mary-Kate O'Meara would like to put an end to Pearl River's 33-year streak of Section 1 titles. Kelly Hayes leads a Pirates crew that is seeking to repel all boarders and continue the smooth sailing on their ship of States. Freshmen Tara Wynn and Sherri Metcalfe will lead Queensbury's 300 or so Spartans into the nasty battle in Section 2 with hopes of repeating 2009's States title.

Of the other runners who are expected to make their marks in Class B action, four are State medalists from Long Island. Talia and Tiana Guevara of Miller Place should be having big years, and Mary Welsh of Manhasset and Katie Saroka of Baypoint-Blue Point are also back after cashing in for 12th and 13th place medals last year. Rachel Garn of Marcellus and Laura Pierce of Canton are two other States medalists who are returning for their junior seasons.

Section by Section Class B Overview

Section	Top Teams	Notes
1	Nanuet, Pearl River, Somers	An epic battle looms between the 33-straight reigning champion Pearl River team and a Nanuet squad that is seeking its first title in 18 years. Nanuet enters the season with a seemingly comfortable edge over the graduation-depleted Pirates, who will be looking for new legs from their traditionally well-stocked storehold. Somers has a full squad back and should be a strong third party.
2	Academy of the Holy Names, Burnt Hills, Queensbury, Scotia-Glenville	Holy Names and Burnt Hills are rated as the top two teams in States Class B, so the battle for the Section 2-B title could also be effectively the contest for the States crown. Both teams are also strongly in the hunt for NXN tickets, assuming NY teams will get some at-large berths. Queensbury continues to rebuild and is the number 3 S2-A team.
3	Marcellus, East Syracuse-Minoa, Westhill-Ludden	Marcellus looks to return to States for the 3rd time in 4 years following big losses to graduation for last year's champ, Westhill-Ludden.
4	Johnson City, Owego, Maine-Endwell, Vestal	In the ever-continuing battle to pull in enough recruits to win the Section 4-B title, reigning champ Johnson City will be trying to hold off a deeper Owego team along with Maine-Endwell and Vestal.
5	Honeoye Falls-Lima, Pittsford-Mendon	Honeoye Falls-Lima seeks its 16th title in 18 years behind a solid group led by TR-select Hannah Cole, and it has a solid advantage over Pittsford-Mendon.
6	East Aurora, Starpoint	East Aurora has reigned in Section 6 for 11 years, and behind a strong group led by TR-select Marta McLaughlin, the Blue Devils should outdistance Starpoint for another title.
7	Peru	Peru will represent Section 7 in Class B for the 4th straight year.
8	North Shore, Garden City, Wantagh	A tough battle between 4-time champ North Shore and Garden City is looming with the key factor possibly being the strength at the back of the lineup for two teams that appear pretty evenly matched going into the season.
9	Cornwall, Monticello	Cornwall appears to be well set to win a 12th-straight sectional title over a Monticello team looking to begin a youth movement
10	Canton, Malone	Canton has its top 5 runners back and should be able to again outpace Malone for the title behind top runner Laura Pierce.
11	Miller Place, Bayport-Blue Point	Reigning champ Bayport-Blue Point looks to capture its 3rd straight title, while Miller Place behind top twins Tiana and Talia Guevara could win its 17th overall title if it can find a little more strength at the back.

Previews of Top Teams

Leah Triller and Jackie Willsey plow though the cornfields at States on left.
Catherine Maloy (#282) at the halfway point in the Class B race at States at center on right. Also right: Laura Nolan (Miller Place), Tristynn Mercedes (Clarke)

	Academy of the Holy Names	-----

Section: 2		Class: B		Colors: Blue and gold

XC History

States Teams: 2000 (B-2nd), 2001 (B-2nd), 2002 (B-8th), 2005 (A-1st)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Elizabeth Maloy (1999, B-10th) (2000, B-5th) (2001, B-2nd) (2002, B-1st), Annie Hayden (2000, B-8th), Claire Hardwick (2005, A-8th), Leah Triller (2010, A-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals A
3rd in Burnt Hills-3, 1st in Manhattan-A, 1st in EJ Herrmann-2, 1st in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-4

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Estela Smith	9	4 (A)	2nd in Queensbury-1, 9th at Federation, 19th at NXN Nationals	20:04.2 (10-A)	137
Leah Triller	11	1	1st in Albany County, 24th at Federation	21:10.6 (31)	128
Catherine Maloy	12	4	1st in Colonial Council, 27th at Federation	21:17.4 (32)	123
Jacqueline Willsey	12	5	3rd in Colonial Council	21:32.0 (42)	114
Kaylee Scott	10	18	7th in Manhattan-A		105
Kaitlin Close	10	19	12th in Albany County		94
Emily Reid	12	39	18th at Colonial Council		88
Mackenzie Kennedy	11	29	9th in Colonial Council		84

This Year's Outlook

With state finalists Leah Triller, Catherine Maloy, and Jackie Willsey back for 2012, Holy Names was already in good shape. After the transfer of NY's top 2011 freshman Estela Smith to Holy Names, the team is in most excellent shape and becomes the favorite to beat out reigning Section 2-B champ Burnt Hills for the section and then likely States title. Sophomores Kaylee Scott and Kaitlin Close provide strong depth behind the top 4 and help fuel a run at an NXN berth, though the 2011 schedule of 9 meets before States might need to be lightened a bit.

Meagan Roecker and Schuyler Pruyn midway through States race for Burnt Hills

	Burnt Hills	Spartans

Section: 2		Class: B		Colors: Maroon and white

XC History

States Teams: 2003 (B-7th), 2006 (A-1st), 2007 (A-1st), 2008 (A-1st), 2010 (A-3rd), 2011 (B-2nd) NXN Nationals: 2007 (5th), 2008 (8th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Tina Reynolds (1989, A-8th), Ansku Jalohen (1988, A-4th), Leah Folmsbee (1999, B-9th) (2000, B-9th), Meaghan Gregory (2006, A-2nd) (2008, A-8th), Sam Roecker (2006, A-4th) (2007, A-2nd) (2008, A-4th), Molly Pezzulo (2008, A-5th) (2009, A-6th), Kiersten Anderson (2009, A-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd at Federations, 2nd in States A, 1st in Sectionals A
2nd in Suburban Council, 1st in Burnt Hills-3, 1st in McQuaid-AA, 1st in Manchester(NH)-Elite

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Dani Martino	11	11	1st in McQuaid-AA	21:50.1 (60)	120
Meagan Roecker	12	6	9th in Suburban Council	20:53.3 (19)	116
Jordan Casey	10	9	7th in McQuaid-AA	21:05.7 (26)	113
Allison Fernandez	10	8	12th in McQuaid-AA		113
Schuyler Pruyn	12	27	3rd in McQuaid-AA	21:36.3 (44)	107
Emily Digman	9	14	19th in Suburban Council	22:09.7 (71)	107
Lindsay Bachus	9	16	8th in NXN-NY-Open		104
Josette Messere	11	15	2nd in Suburban Council-JV		104
Anastasia Monsen	11	10	2nd in Burnt Hills-JV	21:42.5 (49)	101
Maya Schank	12		17th in Manchester(NH)		94
Mary McGuiness	9		6th in McQuaid-Soph		93
Erika Frees	11		5th in McQuaid-Soph		93
Mary Schneider	10		11th in McQuaid-Soph		87
Natalie Cremeans	11		13th in McQuaid-Soph		85
Sheila Bashant	12		7th in Burnt Hills-JV		85
Alexis Scott	9		19th in McQuaid-Soph		83
Klara Widrig	12		4th in McQuaid -JV		82

This Year's Outlook

Following on two straight sectional crowns and stocked with 9 runners at the 100+ TR level, Burnt Hills seemed to be poised to continue its strong run unopposed until Holy Names stacked up to become a powerhouse. Dani Martino, Meagan Roecker, Jordan Casey, and Allison Fernandez all provide a good base for another title at Sectionals, but many the competition for the States berth is as tough as ever.

Jessica Donohue at center begins a charge that would take her from 14th to 3rd at States, while Elizabeth Caldwell in background prepares to move from 18th to 10th. Also: Allie Hallock (Pittsford-Mendon), Mary Welsh (Manhasset, behind Donohue), Marta McLaughlin (East Aurora, back), Ceili McMorrow (Pearl River)

	North Shore	Vikings

Section: 8		Class: B		Colors: Maroon and white

XC History

States Teams: 2008 (B-3rd), 2009 (B-3rd), 2010 (A-1st), 2011 (B-1st) NXN Nationals: 2010 (9th), 2011 (9th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Michelle Loschert (1989, B-6th), Brianna Welch (2005, B-3rd) (2006, B-5th) (2007, B-2nd) (2008, B-8th), Samantha Nadel (2008, B-3rd) (2009, B-3rd) (2010, A-7th) (2011, B-1st), Jessica Donohue (2010, A-9th) (2011, B-3rd), Brianna Nerud (2011, B-2nd)

Last Year's Summary: 9th at NXN Nationals, 1st in States B, 1st in Sectionals B
1st in Section 8 Conference, 3rd in Manhattan Eastern States, 1st in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-2

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Jessica Donohue	12	4	8th in NXN-NY	20:01.7 (3)	134
Elizabeth Caldwell	12	5	16th in Manhattan-ES	20:31.1 (10)	128
Alexandra Osman	11	22	2nd in Section-8-Forsh-Soph	21:27.0 (38)	101
Monica Morra	9	---	3rd in Section-8-Frosh-Soph	---	100
Stacie Nadel	10	55	5th in Section-8-Frosh-Soph (Fr)	22:52.0 (86)	82
Olivia Statile	11	35	5th at Section-8-Frosh-Soph(Soph)	23:07.8 (94)	80
Morgan Nerud	9	---	87th at NXN-NY		59

This Year's Outlook

Samantha Nadel and Brianna Nerud totally dominated NY Class B last year, and their graduation leaves a sizable hole in the Viking ship during the quest for a 5th straight sectional title and 2nd straight state crown. Having the 3rd-place States finisher back to lead the team this year is a good start though, and running a close distance behind Jessica Donohue is Elizabeth Caldwell, who was 10th at States. Four other returning runners including some with NXN Nationals experience or fear-inducing last names include Alexandra Osman, Monica Morra, Stacie Nadel and Olivia Statile, who along with Morgan Nerud should give North Shore a solid shot at holding off Garden City for the Section 8-B championship.

Jen Gerland at left and Stephanie Gerland at right in front fight through conditions at States.
Also left: Megan Roecker (Burnt Hills), Megan Young (Nanuet). Right: Betsy Black
(Westhill-Ludden), Maria Ricalton (Canton)

	Garden City	Trojans

Section: 8		Class: B		Colors: Maroon and gray

XC History

States Teams: 1998 (B-9th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Jenny Weekes (1982, A-3rd) (1983, A-9th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals B
4th in Section 8 Conferences, 2nd in Section 1 Coaches-1, 1st in Suffolk Officials-A, 1st in St. Anthony's-A1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Stephanie Gerland	9	6	1st in Section 1 Coaches-1	21:08.5 (30)	128
Jennifer Gerland	10	7	3rd in Section 1 Coaches-1	20:57.5 (21)	122
Emma Gallagher	10	6	4th at Suffolk Official-A		103
Laurel Fisher	10	17	10th at Suffolk Official-A		93
Sarah Rubino	11	44	17th at Saint Anthony's-A1		92

This Year's Outlook

The young Garden City team is seeking the second Sectional crown in school history, and after following in North Shore's footsteps in recent years, the Trojans are ready to make a strong run at a Section 8-B title. Freshman Stephanie Gerland and sophomore Jennifer Gerland give Garden City a top duo to challenge North Shore's Jessica Donohue and Elizabeth Caldwell, and Emma Gallagher, Laurel Fisher, and Sarah Rubino provide maybe enough depth to win at Sectionals.

Marta McLaughlin leads East Aurora at States. Also: Elizabeth Caldwell
(North Shore), Alyssa Drapeau (Burnt Hills)

	East Aurora	Blue Devils

Section: 6		Class: B		Colors: Blue and white

XC History

States Teams: 1983 (B-3rd), 1986 (B-10th), 2001 (C-3rd), 2002 (B-6th), 2003 (B-3rd), 2004 (B-2nd), 2005 (B-1st), 2006 (B-1st), 2007 (B-1st), 2008 (B-1st), 2009 (B-1st), 2010 (B-1st), 2011 (B-4th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Peg Melonic (1996, B-8th) (1997, B-3rd) (1998, B-2nd), Molly Claus (2002, B-9th), Jamie Rzepecki (2004, B-8th), Sarah Mosser (2005, B-10th), Catherine Lussardi (2006, B-3rd) (2007, B-1st), Jenna Hulton (2006, B-4th) (2007, B-3rd), Catherine Phillips (2007, B-7th) (2008, B-10th) (2009, B-6th), Kirsten Weberg (2008, B-7th), Marta McLaughlin (2009, B-7th) (2010, B-2nd) (2011, B-9th), Megan Hulton (2009, B-8th) (2010, B-4th), Sarah Anstett (2010, B-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 5th at Federations. 4th in States B, 1st in Sectionals B
1st in ECIC, 1st in Alden Bulldog, 1st in Knox C, 2nd in McQuaid-AA

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Marta McLaughlin	11	3	1st in Knox-C	20:30.9 (9)	122
Madeline Murray	12	5	77th at Federation	21:02.3 (24)	104
Megan Baritot	12	8	6th in Knox-C	21:58.2 (65)	103
Alexis Mucci	11		5th in Alden Bulldog-Lg		103
Gwyn Frederick	11	10	76th in NXN-NY	22:23.6 (77)	93
Rebekah Zee	11	12	7th in Alden Bulldog-Lg	21:58.8 (67)	90
Hannah Rice	12		10th at JFK		86
Sidney Spaschak	11		18th in ECIC Champs		86
Mackenzie Donahue	12		8th in Knox-C		83

This Year's Outlook

After winning 6 straight state titles from 2005 to 2010, East Aurora finally had the streak stopped in a brutal top 5 group of teams in Class B that together have earned 26 States crowns. Junior Marta McLaughlin will be seeking her fourth top-10 finish at States as she leads a veteran team that includes seniors Madeline Murray and Megan Baritot and which should hand the Blue Devils their 12th straight trip to States.

Megan Young and MaryKate O'Meara at States for Nanuet. Also left:
Molly Shine (Pearl River), Marta McLaughlin (East Aurora)

	Nanuet	Golden Knights

Section: 1		Class: B		Colors: Black and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1990 (C-1st), 1991 (C-4th), 1994 (C-3rd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Janet Pietropaolo (1978, B-4th), Sheri Felenstein (1990, C-9th), Erin Haugh (1994, C-1st), Megan Young (2009, B-1st)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals B
2nd in Rockland County, 1st in Section 1 Coaches-1, 3rd in Manhattan-E, 1st in Wild Safari-D, 1st in Suffern-B

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Megan Young	12	9	1st in Suffern-B, 1st in Wild Safari-D	21:47.2 (55)	121
MaryKate O'Meara	11	5	5th at Rockland County	20:43.2 (16)	119
Lauren Fernandez	11	12	11th at Rockland County		105
Kristen Carbone	9	33	31st at Rockland County		86
Ellie Collinson	12	32	30th at Rockland County		84
Regina Sullivan	12		8th in Rockland County-JV		74

This Year's Outlook
Nanuet has its best chance in a long time to win a sectional title, as the Golden Knights have their most potent and balanced team in the same year that Pearl River is weakened by graduation losses. 2009 state champ Megan Young will try to stay running strong until the end of her senior season, and junior MaryKate O'Meara will use two state final trips and last's medal to help springboard the Knights' charge. Lauren Fernandez, Kristen Carbone, and Ellie Collinson will be trying to push a little higher, and if track standout Brooke Madry is available, the table could be set for Nanuet's first Section 1 title in 18 years.

Queensbury gets set for Eastern States run in the Manhattan Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park

	Queensbury	Spartans

Section: 2		Class: B		Colors: Blue and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1977 (B-1st), 1978 (B-2nd), 1979 (B-2nd), 1981 (B-10th), 1982 (B-5th), 1983 (B-5th), 1984 (B-9th), 1985 (B-8th), 1986 (B-6th), 1987 (B-5th), 1988 (B-5th), 1997 (B-1st), 1998 B-3rd), 1999 (B-2nd), 2004 (A-1st), 2009 (A-1st) NXN Nationals: 2008 (5th), 2009 (7th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Chris Nicholson (1987, B-6th), Caitlin Hickin (1996, B-7th) (1997, B-5th) (1998, B-9th) (1999, B-2nd), Cara Sprague (2003, B-5th) (2004, A-7th) (2005, A-10th) (2006, A-6th), Danielle Winslow (2007, A-4th) (2008, A-2nd) (2009, A-2nd), Carly Wynne (2007, A-5th) (2008, A-10th), Brittany Winslow (2007, A-7th) (2009, A-3rd) (2010, A-4th), Morgan Mueller (2009, A-10th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals B
10th in Burnt Hills-3. 10th in Manhattan-Eastern States, 3rd in Queensbury-1, 3rd in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-5

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Tyra Wynn	9	13	3rd in Foothills Council		109
Sherri Metcalfe	9	12	17th in VVS-5		108
Taylor Mueller	12	20	5th in Foothills Council		97
Keara Byrne	12	30	11th at Shaker		96
Megan Kellogg	11	23	37th in Manhattan-ES		95
Emily Guinther	10	26	40th in VVS-5		87
Rachel Guinther	10	34	2nd in Foothills Council-JV		82
Celine Dreitlein	12		24th at Shaker		76

This Year's Outlook

Although the Spartans are now marching in the third spot in Section 2-B, they should have a strong showing in 2012 with freshmen Tara Wynn and Sherri Metcalfe as the frontrunners. Taylor Mueller and Keara Byrne are back for their senior seasons, and Megan Kellogg and Emily and Rachel Guinther round out a top 7 that should be very competitive.

Hannah Cole smartly attacks the grassy margin on way to a 5th at States

	Honeoye Falls-Lima	Cougars

Section: 5		Class: B		Colors: Black and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1995 (B-6th), 1997 (B-5th), 1998 (B-1st), 1999 (B-1st), 2000 (B-1st), 2001 (B-1st), 2002 (B-1st), 2003 (B-1st), 2004 (B-1st), 2005 (B-2nd), 2006 (B-2nd), 2007 (B-2nd), 2008 (B-4th), 2009 (B-2nd), 2011 (B-3rd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Wendy Bensley (1990, B-10th), Amber Dodzweit (1998, B-10th) (1999, B-8th), Lynn Kubeja (2002, B-2nd) (2003, B-4th), Liz Deir (2003, B-4th) (2004, B-2nd) (2005, B-1st) (2006, B-1st), Audrey Mangan (2004, B-6th) (2005, B-4th), Meg Van Houton (2006, B-6th) (2007, B-6th), Amanda Moreland (2009, B-4th), Hannah Cole (2011, B-5th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in States B, 1st in Sectionals B
1st in Clarence-Large, 2nd in McQuaid-AAA, 2nd in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-5

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Hannah Cole	12	1	30th at Federation	20:13.7 (5)	125
Riley Douglas	10	9	9th in Clarence-Lg	21:40.3 (48)	103
Jenna Williams	11	11	10th at Clarence-Lg	21:29.1 (39)	102
Emmy Held	12		25 in GCC Cougar		87
Ari Cole	10	21	30th in McQuaid-AAA	22:55.4 (88)	86
Jenna Hanson	12		64th in McQuaid-AAA		77
Martha Mevorach	11	25	71st in McQuaid-AAA	23.22.7 (97)	77

This Year's Outlook

HFL is working on acquiring its 15th sectional title in 16 years, and senior Hannah Cole is the second-fastest returning runner from last year's Class B race. The Cougars should be comfortably placed for another sectional crown, but to get one of the top places at States, they will need some further development from sophomore Riley Douglas, junior Jenna Williams and the rest of the States finalists from 2011.

Talia and Tiana Guevara run to 6th and 11th at States

	Miller Place	Panthers

Section: 11		Class: B		Colors: Red, blue and white

XC History

States Teams: 1977 (B-9th), 1978 (B-7th), 1980 (B-8th), 1981 (B-7th), 1982 (B-7th), 1984 (B-5th), 1994 (B-9th), 1996 (B-6th), 1997 (B-7th), 1998 (B-6th), 1999 (B-3rd), 2000 (B-3rd), 2001 (B-4th), 2002 (B-4th), 2003 (B-6th), 2009 (A-7th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Heather Zimmerman (1980, B-6th) (1982 B-4th), Lora Prestandea (1987, B-9th), Megan O'Shea (1998, B-7th) (1999, B-7th) (2000, B-7th), Kim Caramanica (2001, B-7th), Kathryn Allard (2002, B-8th) (2003, B-8th) (2004, A-9th), Talia Guevara (2011, B-6th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals A
9th in Section 11 Divisionals, 3rd in Brown-1, 5th in Manhattan-C

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Tiana Guevara	11	2	10th at Federation	20:33.3 (11)	130
Talia Guevara	11	1	1st in Manhattan-C, 1st in Brown-1	20:15.3 (6)	127
Laura Nolan	9	6	8th in Manhattan-C	21:26.3 (37)	111
Domonique Betterbed	10	22	48th in Brown-1		76
Kelli McCarthy	12	44	105th in Brown-1		56

This Year's Outlook

Miller Place has gone to the States meet 16 times but just once in the last 8 years. With the dauntless junior twins Tiana and Talia Guevara running near the top of Class B and freshman Laura Nolan on the way up, the Panthers have a great top 3. The team does need to add a lot of depth though if it is to beat out reigning champ Bayport-Blue-Point for the Section 11-B title.

Laura Pierce at center leads way for Canton at States. Also: MaryKate O'Meara (Nanuet, behind hat), Ariana Bottalico (Brewster), Rachel Garn (Marcellus), Molly Shine (Pearl River), Marta McLaughlin (East Aurora), Megan Young (Nanuet)

	Canton	Golden Bears

Section: 10		Class: B		Colors: Gold and brown

XC History

States Teams: 1990 (C-11th), 1995 (B-12th), 1997 (B-11th), 1998 (B-10th), 2000 (C-6th), 2004 (B-8th), 2006 (B-10th), 2008 (B-7th), 2010 (A-7th), 2011 (B-6th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Elizabeth Van de Water (1977, B-8th), Aimee Beaudette (2009, C-2nd)

Last Year's Summary: 6th in States B, 1st in Sectionals B
1st in Adirondack-1, 1st in Chittenango-1, 3rd in McQuaid-A, 6th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-7

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Laura Pierce	11	1	1st in Chittenango-1	20:45.9 (18)	121
Maria Ricalton	10	3	5th in Adirondack-1	21:25.8 (36)	104
Gemma DelRossi	10	4	10th in Chittenango-1	21:48.9 (58)	93
Rebecca DelRossi	10	5	14th in Adirondack-1	21:49.3 (59)	93
Lauren Orosz	12	6	14th in Chittenango-1	23:07.8 (93)	80
Chelsea Huyck	12	7	23rd in Adirondack-1	23:47.6 (101)	70

This Year's Outlook

The Golden Bears should win their third straight Section 10 title, but the question is whether the developing young team can keep moving up at States after a 6th place finish last year. Junior state medalist Laura Pierce leads Canton with a sophomore pack of Maria Ricalton, Gemma DelRossi and Rebecca DelRossi providing good depth.

Kelly Hayes (158) leads line of Pearl River runners at States. Also: Laura Pierce (Canton, far left), MaryKate O'Meara (Nanuet), Katie Saroka (Bayport-Blue Point, behind Hayes), Rachel Garn (Marcellus)

	Pearl River	Pirates

Section: 1		Class: B		Colors: Royal blue and white (plus red)

XC History

States Teams: 1979 (A-3rd), 1980 (B-1st), 1981 (B-1st), 1982 (B-1st), 1983 (B-1st), 1984 (B-2nd), 1985 (B-2nd), 1986 (B-3rd), 1987 (B-2nd), 1988 (B-1st), 1989 (B-1st), 1990 (B-2nd), 1991 (B-7th), 1992 (C-2nd), 1993 (C-2nd), 1994 (B-1st), 1995 (B-3rd), 1996 (B-2nd), 1997 (B-2nd), 1998 (B-2nd), 1999 (C-1st), 2000 (C-2nd), 2001 (C-2nd), 2002 (C-3rd), 2003 (B-4th), 2004 (B-3rd), 2005 (B-4th), 2006 (B-3rd), 2007 (B-3rd), 2008 (B-2nd), 2009 (B-4th), 2010 (B-2nd), 2011 (B-5th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Joann Truilli (1982, B-8th), Erika Duthiers (1986, B-4th) 1988 (B-9th), Methalie Marquis (1987, B-4th), Jen Barber (1992, C-7th), Courtney O’Keefe (1999, C-1st), Vanessa McKay (1999-C-2nd) (2001, C-6th), Jocelyn Gaines (2002, C-3rd), Samantha Stadt (2004, B-7th), (2005, B-2nd), Chelsea Kushner (2008, B-9th), Ceili McMorrow (2010, B-9th), Kelly Hayes (2011, B-8th)

Last Year's Summary: 4th at Federations, 4th in States B, 1st in Sectionals B
1st at Rockland County, 1st in Section 1 Coaches-3, 1st in Manhattan-D, 1st in Wild Safari-B, 1st in Briarwood(PA)-2

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Kelly Hayes	11	4th	2nd at Rockland County	20:30.0 (8)	119
Brianne Garvey	11	16	26th at Rockland County	22:45.9 (82)	90
Emma Haley	11	24	18th at Rockland County		89
Laura Cooper	11	15	23rd at Rockland County	22:16.4 (74)	88
Katherine Gilbride	10		3rd in Rockland County-JV		81
Kaitlin O'Riordan	11		1st in Section 1 Coaches-JV		75
Meghan Keetley	11		7th in Rockland County-JV		75
Claire Brennan	9		6th in Rockland County-JV		75

This Year's Outlook
A 33-year streak of sectional titles is on the line at Pearl River, where the graduation of three of the top four Pirates from last year's squad leaves the team open to a Nanuet attack. States 8th place finisher Kelly Hayes pilots the team's quest for another crown and is one of 5 juniors among the top 6 returning runners on a squad that has no seniors. Brianne Garvey, Emma Haley and Laura Cooper all have States experience, and the Pirates will be hoping that their traditionally deep team can produce some runners that can climb high with Hayes.

Michelle Lujan and Ashley Wallace doing Dragon dance in States mud

	Cornwall	Dragons

Section: 9		Class: B		Colors: Green and white

XC History

States Teams: 1997 (B-9th), 1998 (B-4th), 2001 (B-5th), 2002 (B-5th), 2003 (B-5th), 2004 (A-2nd), 2005 (A-3rd), 2006 (A-4th), 2007 (A-4th), 2008 (A-2nd), 2009 (A-4th), 2010 (A-4th), 2011 (B-9th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Suzanne Gold (1991, B-8th), Lynne Mundy (2003, B-6th) (2004, A-3rd) (2005, A-3rd), Aisling Cuffe (2008, A-2nd) (2009, A-1st) (2010, A-1st)

Last Year's Summary: 9th in States B, 1st in Sectionals B
1st at OCIAA Championship, 3rd in Manhattan-C, 1st in Paul Short-White, 4th at Red Raider

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Ashley Wallace	10	1	10th in OCIAA	21:51.4 (61)	110
Beatrice Boylan	10	6	17th in OCIAA	22:11.2 (72)	101
Michelle Lujan	12	5	21st in OCIAA	22:33.3 (80)	97
Dara Cuffe	10	12	7th in OCIAA	23:59.2 (105)	82
Jillian Decker	10	13	95th in Paul Short-White	24:06.3 (106)	70

This Year's Outlook

The Dragons are likely a lock for their 12th straight Sectional crown with a promising quartet of four sophomores back to support senior Michelle Lujan. The team did have its issues in the States mud last year with no one finishing in the top 60, but development from Ashley Wallace, Beatrice Boylan, Dara Cuffe, and Jillian Decker should provide enough power to improve on last year's 9th place finish.

Class C Preview

Top 5 Teams at 2011 States

Bronxville 43

Greenwich 46

Tully 110

Wayland Cohocton 110

Newark Valley 131

Projected Top 5 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

1. Bronxville 116.8	2. Skaneateles 88.6	3. Fredonia 87.4	4. Fonda-Fultonville 87.2	5. Newark Valley 85.4

Projected Next 10 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

6. Byron-Bergen 81.2	7. Sullivan West 81.0	8. Pawling 80.2	9.. Tully 79.6	10. Cazenovia 76.6
11. Livonia 76.2	12. Mechanicville 74.8	13. Holland-Patent 74.4	14. Newfane 74.2	15. Tri-Valley 73.6

Mary Cain sets the pace for Class C race at States. Also in 2-3-4:
Kelsey Margey (Friends), Victoria Houser (Greenwich), Meredith Rizzo
(Bronxville)

Top 2012 Returning Runners by Last Year's TR Rating

Name	Team	Grade	Section	States Place	Season TR
Mary Cain	Bronxville	11	1	1	151
Maddie Zeitz	Windsor	12	4	9	126
Meredith Rizzo	Bronxville	12	1	5	125
Lauren Reyda	Fredonia	10	6	7	124
Natalie Tanner	Rye Neck	12	1	15	123
Jenna Cupp	Newark Valley	12	4	10	122
Emily Waligurski	Onteora	12	9	8	120
Megan Pierce	CBA-Syracuse	11	3	13	111
Samantha Sauer	TA Edison	12	4	5 (D)	110
Christina Firl	Potsdam	12	10	---	110
Nicole Gianetti	Oyster Bay	11	8	38	110
Sarah Ziemba	Newfane	11	6	45	108
Courtney Campbell	Bronxville	11	1	22	108
Kirsten Holmburg	Falconer	11	6	26	107
Kimberly Geniti	Fonda-Fultonville	11	2	16	106
Victoria Hathaway	Stillwater	12	2	31	106
Madeline Adams	Skaneateles	11	3	46	104
Meghan Curtin	Wayland-Cohocton	9	5	28	104
Julia Rubin-Armstrong	Onteora	11	9	---	103
Jamie Kasza	Fonda-Fultonville	9	2	19	102
Ellen Jaworski	Tully	9	3	21	102
Autumn Bender	Tri-Valley	9	9	48	102
Next:	Meghann Tanner - Adirondack 101, Jeanette Cudney - Cazenovia 1001, Amelia Phillips - Bronxville 101, Michaela Tramuta- Fredonia 99, Emelie Hoffer - Bronxville 99, Kaylea Rustay - JFK Buffalo 99

2011 Season Summary for Class C

After a season in which Bronxville and Greenwich ran head-to-head in the rankings and team TR averages, it was no surprise that they would once again crash together for a fifth close encounter at States and the rubber match of a Class C rivalry that dates back to 2004. The end results was the same 3-point victory that the Broncos achieved in 2010, though this time a mud bath course seemed to have an effect on the outcome.

The Broncos' Mary Cain won her second State title during a series of races that would include a Federation crown and a 6th at NXN Nationals for her. Bronxville teammate Meredith Rizzo took a 5th at States to couple with her 4th team title, and Bronco squad without seniors but with a strong cast that also included Emelie Hoffer, Courtney Campbell, and Amelia Phillips in the top 5 showed that it wasn't going anywhere but back to States in the short and long term. Greenwich could also take pride in the 2nd and 4th place finishes at States of Victoria Houser and Madeline Montague along with medals for Sarah Lapham and Tori Spezio and the knowledge that all four runners are back for a campaign down in Class D in 2012.

The rest of the action in Class C also played out much like it did in 2010 with the order of the top eight teams nearly identical. Tully again was 3rd, but this time with 8th-grader Ellen Jaworski leading the team, and Wayland-Cohocton lost the tie-breaker for 3rd but also had an 8th grader in the the lead with Meghan Curtin. Newark Valley behind Jenna Cupp's second straight 10th place finish at States was 5th, and 7th-place medalist Lauren Reyda of Fredonia led her team to 6th.

Of the other Class C runners, seniors Kelsey Margey of Friends Academy and Alicia Clark of Granville had the biggest impact. Margey finished the season rated among the top 10 runners in the state and took 3rd at States. Clark took 6th at States and then followed up with a strong set of races that earned her a spot at NXN Nationals. Three other runners who finished among the top 55 rated runners in NY were Windsor's Maddie Zeitz who took 9th at States, South Lewis's Victoria Campanian who was 12th at States and 19th at Feds, and Rye Neck's Natalie Tanner who took a 25th at Feds.

2012 Season Overview for Class C

With the departure of Greenwich to Class D, Bronxville's run to a 5th straight States C title seems to be free of any huge obstacles. A number of fast-developing teams will take a shot at unseating the Broncos, but with a lineup of two-times State champ Mary Cain, four-time States team champion members Meredith Rizzo and Amelia Phillips, States track medalists Courtney Campbell and Emelie Hoffer, and a big wave of talented young runners clamoring for varsity spots, Bronxville has a giant head start on the competition during its quest for an 11th state title.

Skaneateles is one of the top contenders in Class C for 2012, and the Lakers are no slouches at States themselves having chocked up 16 visits and 4 crowns, though it has been 6 years since their last win in the Section 3 qualifiers. Junior Madeline Adams finished 46th at States last year, and with the transfer of Maggie Dunn to Skaneateles, the team appears to have a small edge for the second spot in the state C rankings. But 5-time reigning Section 3 champ Tully is not planning any move out of the top spot, and a strong trio of freshmen led by Ellen Jaworski should keep the Black Knights riding high.

Two other States veterans who are preparing to extend their streaks are Fredonia and Newark Valley, both of whom return a States medalist. Lauren Reyda leads a fairly young Fredonia squad that also includes Michaela Tramuta among the top 25 returning runners in NYS-C for 2012. Newark Valley has two-time medalist Jenna Cupp in front, and the Cardinals expect another golden result for their 8th-straight Section 4 title. Fonda-Fultonville is seeking its first sectional crown in 13 years, but behind States finalists Kimberly Geniti and Jamie Kasza, the Braves are the favorites to replace Greenwich as the Section 2-C champs.

Six of last year's States medalists in Class C have moved to Class D, but four returning medal-winners from other teams include seniors Maddie Zeitz of Windsor, Natalie Tanner of Rye Neck, Emily Waligurski of Onteora, and junior Megan Pierce of Christian Brothers Academy-Syracuse. Samantha Sauer of Thomas A Edison moves up to Class C after taking a 5th in the States Class D race.

Section by Section Class C Overview

Section	Top Teams	Notes
1	Bronxville, Pawling	Bronxville goes for its 16th straight sectional crown enroute to a 5th consecutive States Class C championship.
2	Fonda-Fultonville, Mechanicville	Fonda-Fultonville replaces the D-departed Greenwich at the top of 2-C, and the Braves should have enough strength to hold off last-year's 3rd-place team, Mechanicville.
3	Skaneateles, Tully, Cazenovia, Holland Patent, CBA-Syracuse	In a class struggle that could be just as competitive as the notoriously fratricidal boys Section 3-C group, a newly empowered perennial stalwart Skaneateles will vie for its 17th sectional title, though first in 6 years. Standing in the way is a Tully team seeking its 6th straight 3-C crown and a trio of teams in Cazenovia, Holland Patent, and CBA-Syracuse that could be dangerous if they can fill out the back of the squads
4	Newark Valley, Watkins Glen, Chenango Valley	Newark Valley is a very strong favorite to win its 8th straight title behind TR-select Jenna Cupp.
5	Byron-Bergen, Livonia, LeRoy, Wayland-Cohocton	Two-time reigning champ Wayland-Cohocton needs to fill out a depleted squad to stay in the running, and Byron-Bergen has emerged as the favorite for its first ever title. Livonia moves down from B and seeks its second title in 3 years, while LeRoy is trying to get a first crown.
6	Fredonia, Newfane	Four-time reigning champ Fredonia and TR-select Lauren Reyda appear fairly far ahead of the rest of the pack in 6-C.
7	Saranac, Saranac Lake	Saranac may be the only team with enough legs.
8	Friends Academy, Oyster Bay	Friends Academy will again beat out Oyster Bay for the 8-C title.
9	Sullivan West, Tri-Valley, Rhinebec	A young and developing Sullivan West team appears to have the edge in 9-C, but defending champ Tri-Valley could repeat if it can find some depth. Rhinebeck could also contend if it can fill out its chronically undermanned squad
10	Ogdensburg, Gouverneur, Potsdam	Ogdensburg, Gouverneur, and Potsdam will try to field enough runners to win the 10-C title.
11	Center Moriches, Mattituck	Three-time reigning champ Center Moriches and Ryleigh Donegan will go tooth and nail against a Mattituck team led by Kaylee Bergen in a battle that looks dead even going into the season.

Previews of Top Teams

Broncos and rest of Section 1 runners break out at States

	Bronxville	Broncos

Section: 1		Class: C		Colors: Blue and gray

XC History

States Teams: 1981 (C-3rd), 1982 (C-3rd), 1983 (C-1st), 1984 (C-2nd), 1985 (C-2nd), 1986 (C-4th), 1987 (C-5th), 1988 (C-3rd), 1989 (C-4th), 1995 (C-11th), 1997 (C-9th), 1998 (C-5th), 1999 (D-1st), 2000 (D-1st), 2001 (D-1st), 2002 (D-3rd), 2003 (D-3rd), 2004 (C-1st), 2005 (C-1st), 2006 (C-2nd), 2007 (C-2nd), 2008 (C-1st), 2009 (C-1st), 2010 (C-1st), 2011 (C-1st)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Maria Sachs (1983, C-4th) (1984, C-3rd), Maggie Silver (1987, C-4th) (1989, C-10th), Catha Mullen (1999, D-2nd) (2000, D-3rd) 2001 (D-4th) 2002 (D-3rd), Caroline Mullen (1999, D-7th) (2000, D-6th), (2001, D-7th) (2002, D-4th), Michelle Rorke (2000, D-8th) (2001, D-2nd) Amanda Hudson (2004, C-6th) (2005, C-3rd), Emma Clarke (2004, C-7th) (2006, C-9th), Virginia Connor (2005, C-4th), Henrietta Miers (2005, C-10th) (2009, C-8th), Tori Flannery (2005, C-6th), (2006, C-4th) (2007, C-10th), Caitlin Hudson (2008, C-9th), Meredith Rizzo (2009, C-4th) (2010, C-2nd), (2011, C-5th), Mary Cain (2010, C-1st), (2011, C-1st)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd at Federations, 1st in States C, 1st in Sectionals C
1st in Section1 Coaches-2, 1st in Manhattan-E, 1st in St. Anthony's-Small, 1st in Warwick Wave-1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Mary Cain	11	1	1st in Manhattan-E,1st in Section Coaches-3, 1st at Federation, 6th at NXN Nationals	19:29.5 (1)	151
Meredith Rizzo	12	2	3rd in Section Coaches-3, 32nd at Federation,	20:33.4 (5)	125
Courtney Campbell	11	5	7th at Villa Bears	21:39.0 (22)	108
Amelia Phillips	12	12	4th at Randolph(NJ)	22:12.3 (30)	100
Emelie Hoffer	11	6	6th at Randolph	21:34.2 (20)	99
Hilary Rizzo	9	7	1st in Section Coaches-JV	23:08.1 (61)	97
Argentina Chrappa	11	8	16th in Manhattan-E	23:12.9 (63)	92
Morgan Nobles	11		1st in Manhattan-JV-B		92
Delia Hayes	10		2nd in Section 1 Coaches-JV		89
Kaitlin Ryan	8	29 (A)	33rd in Section 1 Coaches-1		82
Nicola Phillips	9		1st in St. Anthony's-JV		74
Sage Sunier	9		12th in Manhattan-JV-B		72

This Year's Outlook

The Broncos should have a pretty smooth ride to a 5th straight state title behind States champ Mary Cain, 2011 medalists Meredith Rizzo and Emelie Hoffer, and veterans Courtney Campbell and Amelia Phillips. The battle for spots on the varsity will be worth watching as a group of young runners are on the verge of breaking into the big time. The Broncos enter the season rated among the top four teams in NY, so the final destination could be NXN.

Madeline Adams at left was a States finalist for Skaneateles in 2011.
Also: Tori Spezio (Greenwich), Zoe Nagasing (Pawling)

	Skaneateles	Lakers

Section: 3		Class: C		Colors: Blue and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1979 (B-3rd), 1980 (B-9th), 1982 (B-4th), 1988 (C-6th), 1991 (C-6th), 1994 (C-4th), 1995 (C-1st), 1996 (B-3rd), 1997 B-3rd), 1998 (B-5th), 1999 (C-2nd), 2000 (C-1st), 2001 (C-1st), 2002 (C-4th), 2003 (C-1st), 2006 (C-3rd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Emily Wood (1977, B-3rd) (1978, B-2nd), Mary Stoner (1977, B-10th) (1978, B-7th) (1979, B-3rd) (1980, B-2nd), Christina Rolleri (1987, C-3rd) (1988, C-3rd) (1989, C-3rd) (1990, C-2nd) (1991, C-6th), Taylor Lind (1995, C-5th), Liz Bevier (1997, B-8th), Lia Cross (1999, C-5th) (2000, C-2nd) (2001, C-5th), Vanessa Everding (1999, C-8th) (2000, C-8th), Cadie Cargile (1999, C-10th), Julie Lynch (2000, C-10th) (2003, C-7th), Simone Bras (2001, C-10th), Jessica O'Neill (2003, C-5th) (2004, C-5th), Rachel Hosie (2008, C-6th)

Last Year's Summary: 4th in Sectionals C
3rd in OHSL Liberty, 3rd in Conwicke-Stock, 4th at Tully, 1st at Maine-Endwell

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Madeline Adams	11	5	1st at Maine-Endwell	22:39.1 (46)	104
Maggie Dunn	12	20 (B)	4th in Baldwinsville-Sm		99
Morel Malcolm	11	21	3rd at Maine-Endwell		86
Virginia Hamlin	11	32	23rd at Tully		82
Jennifer DiRosa	10	38	20th at OHSL Liberty		72
Kaitlin Neal	9	43	26th at OHSL Liberty		60
Ellis Van Slyke	12	44	1st in Maine-Endwell-JV		54
Liz Dwyer	10	46	28th at OHSL Liberty		56
Maria Schillace	11	55	31st at OHSL Liberty		51

This Year's Outlook

The Lakers may have a small edge in a tough Section 3-C contest after the transfer of senior Maggie Dunn to Skaneateles to give state finalist Madeline Adams support. The team is looking for its 6th Sectional win in the 2000s but first since 2006, and Morel Malcolm, Virginia Hamlin and Jennifer DiRosa could provide the depth to get the edge for the ticket to States.

Fredonia's Lauren Reyda made a big charge up to 7th at States. Also:
Jamie Kasza (Fonda-Fultonville), Emilie Hoffer (Bronxville), Sarah King
(Dobbs Ferry)

	Fredonia	Hillbillies

Section: 6		Class: C		Colors: Orange and black

XC History

States Teams: 2008 (C-5th), 2009 (C-4th), 2010 (C-6th), 2011 (C-6th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Beth Reed (1991, B-5th) (1992, B-5th), Lauren Reyda (2011, C-6th)

Last Year's Summary: 6th in States C, 1st in Sectionals C
2nd in CCAA Championship, 6th in McQuaid -A, 3rd in East Aurora-Small, 4th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-1

Roster
10	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Lauren Reyda	10	1	1st in Eden Red Raider	20:42.4 (7)	124
Michaela Tramuta	11	5	2nd at Dunkirk	22:27.3 (39)	99
Meredith Zebracki	10	19	5th at Eden Red Raider	23:22.5 (67)	78
Brittany Campaign	12	21	15th at CCAA Champs	23:49.2 (75)	72
Maitland Langworthy	9	24	22nd at CCAA Champs	24:11.9 (54)	69
Jillian Kowalski	10	28	53rd in McQuaid-A	26:19.7 (117)	60

This Year's Outlook

The Hillbillies got their first Sectional crown in 2008 and haven't given the title back since. Sophomore state medalist Lauren Reyda is running up among the top NY runners in Class C, and Michaela Tramuta gives Fredonia a strong top duo and a fair chance to move up from last year's 6th place States finish.

Kimberly Geniti (287) and Jamie Kasza (in maroon at center) won medals for
Fonda-Fultonville at States. Also: Sarah Latham (Greenwich, far left), Lauren Reyda (Fredonia)

	Fonda-Fultonville	Braves

Section: 2		Class: C		Colors: Maroon and gold

XC History

States Teams: 1986 (C-9th), 1999 (C-5th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers):

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals C
2nd in Colonial Council, 2nd in Burnt Hills-2, 1st in Grout C, 7th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-7

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Kimberly Geniti	11	6	3rd at Greenwich	21:19.0 (16)	106
Jamie Kasza	9	8	5th in Colonial Council	21:27.9 (19)	102
Samantha Phelps	11	9	10th at Greenwich		88
Carly Littlejohn	11	22	18th in Burnt Hills-2		73
Katie Wisniewski	11	32	29th at Colonial Council		67

This Year's Outlook

Fonda-Fultonville is one of two teams in NY Class C that have multiple state medalists returning for 2011. Kimberly Geniti and Jamie Kasza give the Braves a great start in the race to replace Greenwich as Section 2's States representative.

Cardinals strike gold after a short run for 5th at States at left.
Jenna Cupp digs the mud at States on right.

	Newark Valley	Cardinals

Section: 4		Class: C		Colors: Red and white

XC History

States Teams: 2005 (C-5th), 2006 (C-5th), 2007 (C-4th), 2008 (C-3rd), 2009 (C-3rd), 2010 (C-5th), 2011 (C-5th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Erin Cawley (2005, C-2nd) (2006, C-3rd) (2007, C-2nd) (2008, C-1st), Jenna Cupp (2010, C-10th) (2011, C-10th)

Last Year's Summary: 5th in States C, 1st in Sectionals C
1st in IAC Championship, 1st at Newark Valley, 10th in McQuaid-A, 5th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-5

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Jenna Cupp	12	2	1st in IAC Champs	20:53.3 (10)	122
Leanne Riegel	11	6	5th in IAC Champs	22:17.5 (33)	90
Rebekah Meyers	12	9	24th at Hickories	23:04.9 (59)	80
Taylor Cupp	10	15	16th in IAC Champs	23:56.6 (79)	68
Megan Diego	9	17	12th in IAC Champs	24:21.3 (90)	67
Moriah Teed	11	20	22nd at Newark valley	24:19.6 (88)	59
Sommer Tobey	12	20	24th at Newark Valley	24:59.1 (100)	47

This Year's Outlook

With two-time state medalist Jenna Cupp running at the front for Newark Valley and a solid supporting group that includes Leanne Riegel, Rebekah Meyers, Taylor Cupp, and Megan Diego, the Cardinals' chances for an 8th straight Sectional crown seem gold-plated.

	Byron-Bergen	Bees

Section: 5		Class: C		Colors: Maroon and gray

XC History

States Teams:

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers):

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals C
2nd at LeRoy, 1st in McQuaid-A

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Sarah Donovan	12	12	5th in GRAA-LCAA Champs		90
Kim Lovett	11	11	8th at LeRoy		85
Kara Hall	12	17	17th in GRAA-LCAA Champs		82
Samantha Walker	10	18	27th in GRA-LCAA Champs		78
Charlene Clay	11	19	37th in McQuaid A-2		70

This Year's Outlook

The Bees have never won a Sectional title but after a second place finish in Section 5-C last year and reigning champ Wayland-Cohocton's loss of four runners from last year's varsity, Byron Bergen may have enough depth behind Sarah Donovan and Kim Lovett to get the elusive title.

	Sullivan West	Bulldogs

Section: 9		Class: C		Colors: Columbia blue and gray

XC History

States Teams: 2003 (C-5th), 2005 (C-3rd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers):

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals C
7th in OCIAA Championship, 5th at Conwicke-Stock, 6th at Tully, 6th in Warwick-1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Dani Myers	12	7	24th at OCIAA Champs		95
Courtney Meyerer	9	8	18th at Marathon		88
Kelsey Dutton	10	9	30th at OCIAA Champs		85
Corinne Vanwagner	9	19	52nd at OCIAA Champs		69
Rosa Martinez	9	20	74th at OCIAA Champs		62

This Year's Outlook

Sullivan West last won a Sectional title 7 years ago, but they return five runners who give the Bulldogs the top rating among the Section 9-C teams including three runners were among the top 10 at State Qualifiers last year, Dani Myers, Courtney Meyerer, and Kelsey Dutton.

Zoe Nagasing on left and Sarah Marvin (back) and Morgan Meaney on right were States mudders for Pawling. Also on left: Lillian Gavio (Rhinebeck), on right,back: Mackenzie Sage (Windsor)

	Pawling	Tigers

Section: 1		Class: C		Colors: Orange and black

XC History

States Teams:

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers):

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals C
5th in Section 1 Coaches-3, 1st in Green Mountain Lake, 8th in Manhattan-C, 2nd in McQuaid-A2

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Samantha McCarthy	12		28th in CIAC (CT) Champs		103 (est.)
Morgan Meaney	12	9	12th in McQuaid-A2	22:10.1 (29)	90
Sarah Marvin	10	11	11th in Northern County	22:27.3 (40)	89
Chelsea Henke	9	21	36th at Northern County		63
Megan Wesley	12	25	12th in Green Mountain Lake		56
Lauren McNamara	12	28	45th at Northern County		52

This Year's Outlook

Pawling will be running a ways behind Bronxville in Section 1-C, but the Tigers have a pack that could move the team into the top 5 in the NY rankings as the season progresses. Transfer Samantha McCarthy gives the team a boost at the top and a group that includes state finalists Morgan Meaney and Sarah Marvin will again challenge to place three Tigers at States.

Ellen Jaworski (front) and Katherine Ward (369, in center) ran to 21st and 23rd
places for Tully at States. Also: Christina Platt (South Lewis, second from left),
Courtney Campbell (Bronxville)

	Tully	Black Knights

Section: 3		Class: C		Colors: Red and black

XC History

States Teams: 1992 (C-3rd), 1993 (C-6th), 1999 (D-2nd), 2007 (C-3rd), 2008 (C-4th), 2009 (C-2nd), 2010 (C-3rd), 2011 (C-3rd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Heather Roberts (1999, D-9th), Kelly Coyne (2006, C-6th)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in States C, 1st in Sectionals C
1st at Central Square, 1st in Disney Classic-1A, 1st in Baldwinsville-Small, 5th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-6

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Ellen Jaworski	9	11	1st at Central Square	21:35.8 (21)	102
Ashleigh Crawford	9		45th at NXN-NY		80
Christine Gambel	11	42	26th at Tully	23:54.2 (78)	74
Sophia Sheldon	9		59th at NXN-NY		73
Aurelia Pelletiere	11	33	4th in Baldwinsville-JV	23:18.7 (64)	69
Katherine Graham	10	39	13th at Central Square	23:58.7 (81)	69

This Year's Outlook

The Black Knights' Ellen Jaworski was one place away from a States medal for her 3rd place team. After graduation losses of two of its top three runners, Tully will battle to continue its string of 5 straight Sectional crowns as the young team that includes Jaworski's fellow freshmen Ashleigh Crawford and Sophia Sheldon and junior Christine Gambel could develop well during the year.

Class D Preview

Top 5 Teams at 2011 States

Maple Grove 30

Beaver River 71

Geneseo 95

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 107

Seton Plattsburgh 138

Projected Top 5 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

1. Greenwich 109.6	2. Maple Grove 97.0	3. South Lewis 74.6	4. Red Creek 73.0	5. Oakfield-Alabama 73.0

Projected Next 10 Teams for 2012 from Returners' 2011 TR Ratings

6. Beaver River 60.6

7. Geneseo 68.4

8. Remsen 67.0

9. Berne-Knox-Westerlo 63.6

10. Sherman 61.4

Pavilion's Elizabeth Valento had the cameras glued to her as she captured the
Class D crown last year

Top 2012 Returning Runners by Last Year's TR Rating

Name	Team	Grade	Section	States Place	Season TR
Victoria Houser	Greenwich	12	2	2 (C)	131
Madeline Montague	Greenwich	12	2	4 (C)	128
Victoria Campanian	South Lewis	12	3	12 (C)	124
Megan Marsh	Maple Grove	9	6	2	117
Erin McConnell	Fabius-Pompey	12	3	4	117
Hope Pietrocarlo	Maple Grove	9	6	3	116
Sarah Lapham	Greenwich	11	2	14 (C)	115
Courtney Tedeschi	Berne-Knox-West.	12	2	8	111
Holly Eliason	Sherman	11	6	6	110
Tori Spezio	Greenwich	9	2	18 (C)	109
Christina Platt	South Lewis	9	3	17 (C)	107
Sage Hurta	Hamilton	9	3	---	105
Megan Erickson	North Warren	12	2	18	105
Margaret Champagne	Seton-Plattsb.	9	7	11	104
Caroline Benson	Maple Grove	11	6	12	104
Elizabeth Jewiss	Marathon	12	4	14	102
Elizabeth Dean	Manlius-PH	12	3	7	101
Marissa Jones	Sauquoit Valley	9	3	25 (C)	101
Kaycie Saucier	Norwood-Norfolk	9	10	21	97
Miranda Drummond	Harpursville	11	4	10	97

2011 Season Summary for Class D

The stripped-down Class D had neither the deeper pools of talent nor any of the occasional big drama at States enjoyed by the other classes, but it did have some great stories. Maple Grove again dominated the States action with a team led by middle-schoolers, Megan Marsh and Hope Pietrocarlo and also including medalist Caroline Benson along with Taylor Norris and Katelyn Benson. The Red Dragons crunched down 5 of the top 12 places at States while holding their score down to a meager 30. Unlike the other three classes, top individual honors did not go to someone on the champion team, though Marsh and Pietrocarlo finished 2-3. Pavilion's Elizabeth Valento returned to form after a tough junior year to earn her third top-10 States finish while cruising to 1st place.

The closest team to Maple Grove was Beaver River, which was led by senior medalist Karlee Duffer. Third place Geneseo was also led by a senior, Casey Emerson in 20th place at States. Fourth-place Berne-Knox-Westerlo had a medalist with Courtney Tedeschi, and Seton Catholic-Plattsburgh had medalist Margaret Champagne leading the way.

2012 Season Overview for Class D

Greenwich dominated Class D during its last two-year stint there in 2008 and 2009, winning the state championships by an average of more than 58 points, the last time with Maple Grove as the runner-up. The last two years Greenwich has competed up in Class C, and Maple Grove assumed the leadership role and won the state titles by an average of 54 points. Now the Witches are back in town, and the showdown between the two champion programs should be a good one. At States last year, Greenwich had an team average time that was 42 seconds better than the younger Red Dragons, and the Witches' average TR rating entering the season is more than 12 points higher, so Greenwich is a fairly strong favorite to pick up its 5th States title. Almost all of last year's team is back for Greenwich, and Victoria Houser and Madeline Montague are the top two NYS-D runners with Sarah Lapham and Tori Spezio in the top 10. The Witches won't feel comfortable riding in the top position unless they can find more depth at the 5-6-7 spots.

Maple Grove does lose its #5 Katelyn Benson from last year's title team, but Megan Marsh, Hope Pietrocarlo, Caroline Benson, and Taylor Norris are either freshmen or juniors, so the Red Dragons have some room to develop. Like Greenwich, Maple Grove needs to fill out the 5-6-7 slots if it wants to contend for a third straight States title. Possibly the only other team that can mix it up at all with the top two teams in Class D is South Lewis, which like Greenwich drops down from Class C and includes two States medalists with Victoria Campanian and Christina Platt, but the Falcons need a big amount of support to be added behind the top two.

Five other NYS-D runners to watch include Erin McConnell of Fabius-Pompey who took a 1st in last year's NXN-NY Open race, Courtney Tedeschi of Berne-Knox-Westerlo who was 8th in the 2011 States race, Holly Eliason of Sherman who was 6th at States, Sage Hurta of Hamilton who won the 2010 States title but was injured last year, and freshman Margaret Champagne of Seton Catholic-Plattsburgh who leads her team and has a storied family history.

Section by Section Class D Overview

Section	Top Teams	Notes
1	Alexander Hamilton, Haldane	Returning champ Alexander Hamilton and Haldane will battle for a title that has been decided by a total of 4 points during the last two matchups.
2	Greenwich, Berne-Knox-Westerlo	Greenwich jumps down to Class D and looks to earn its 9th straight sectional title and then take a 5th States crown after tough losses to Bronxville in Class C the last two years. Last year's champ BKW will settle in in 2nd
3	South Lewis, Beaver River, Remsen	South Lewis drops down to Class D and has the top duo leading the way for its first title in 32 years, but it will need to find more depth to beat the more balanced squads from Beaver River and Remsen.
4	Delhi, Candor	With TA Edison bumped up to Class C, reigning champ Delhi appears likely to have enough feet to beat Candor for the title
5	Red Creek, Oakfield-Alabama, Geneseo	Red Creek, Oakfield-Alabama, and 4-time reigning champ Geneseo will be sparring to fill out their teams in the battle for the 5-D crown.
6	Maple Grove, Sherman, Barker	Two-time States champ Maple Grove will again dominate S6-D and then look to battle Greenwich for another States title.
7	Seton Catholic-Plattsburgh, Lake Placid	Seton-Plattsburgh should find a fifth runner and win its 15th straight Section 7 championship.
8	No representatives
9	John Coleman, Eldred, SS Seward	After key graduation losses, the situation in 9-D between Coleman, Eldred, and Seward is a bit murky.
10	Norwood-Norfolk, Brushton-Moira	Norwood Norfolk has the numbers behind freshman Kaycie Saucier to win the 10-D title and move up at States.
11	Southold, Stony Brook	Southold and Stony Brook should wage their 4th-straight close encounter for the title, with reigning champ Southold seeming to hold a small edge.

Previews of Top Teams

Victoria Houser, Madeline Montague, Sarah Lapham, and Tori Spezio all were medalists at
States for Greenwich in 2011, and all are back for 2012.

	Greenwich	Witches

Section: 2		Class: D		Colors: Green and white

XC History

States Teams: 2004 (C-2nd), 2005 (D-3rd), 2006 (C-1st), 2007 (C-1st), 2008 (D-1st), 2009 (D-1st), 2010 (C-2nd), 2011 (C-2nd)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Emily Fung (2005, C-2nd) (2006, D-2nd) (2007, C-2nd) (2008, C-4th), Caitlin Lane (2006, C-1st) (2007, C-1st), Brittney Lane (2006, C-8th) (2009, D-3rd), Cady Kuzmich (2007, D-3rd) (2008, D-8th) (2009, D-5th), Roxanne Henningson (2007, C-5th) (2008, D-2nd), Madeline Montague (2009, D-7th) (2011, C-4th), Betsy Edinger (2010, C-4th), Victoria Houser (2011, C-2nd)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in States C, 1st in Sectionals C
1st in Wasaren Leagues, 2nd in Burnt Hills-3, 1st in Ocean State(RI) Championship, 1st in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-5

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Victoria Houser	12	2	2nd in VVS-5, 1st in Burnt Hills-3, 1st in Wasaren Champs	20:16.4 (2-C)	131
Madeline Montague	12	3	3rd in Wasaren Champs	20:29.1 (4-C)	128
Sarah Lapham	11	4	4th in Wasaren Champs	21:06.1 (14-C)	115
Tori Spezio	9	7	5th in Wasaren Champs	21:24.4 (18-C)	109
Candace Haskell	12	12	12th in Wasaren Champs	24:35.7 (95-C)	65

This Year's Outlook

Greenwich is back in Class D after two years away and the Witches look like they have everything they need to ride to a third States Class D and fifth overall title even though two-time champ Maple Grove will be a challenge. Victoria Houser and Madeline Montague will be the top two returning runners in NY-D, and Sarah Lapham and Tori Spezio also have state medals. With some development for the 5th spot, the Witches could be one of top 5 teams in the state.

Top: A caution to all teams running against Maple Grove
Bottom: Megan Marsh, Hope Pietrocarlo, and Caroline Benson head down pumpkin lane
for medals at States for the champion Red Dragons

	Maple Grove	Red Dragons

Section: 6		Class: D		Colors: Red and white

XC History

States Teams: 2007 (D-4th), 2009 (D-2nd), 2010 (D-1st), 2011 (D-1st)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Caroline Benson (2010, D-2nd), Hope Pietrocarlo (2010, D-4th) (2011, D-3rd), Megan Marsh (2010, D-5th) (2011, D-2nd)

Last Year's Summary: 1st in States C, 1st in Sectionals C
1st in CCAA Championship, 1st in Southern Tier-Large, 1st in McQuaid-A, 1st at Long Point

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Megan Marsh	9	2	4th in McQuaid-A	21:02.2 (2)	117
Hope Pietrocarlo	9	1	2nd in CCAA Champs	21:10.6 (3)	116
Caroline Benson	11	5	10th in McQuaid-A	22:05.8 (12)	104
Taylor Norris	11	7	27h in McQuaid-A	22:33.2 (23)	86
Stephanie Krempa	12	12	44h in McQuaid-A	24:28.6 (57)	62

This Year's Outlook

The Red Dragons have crunched up the opposition in Class D the last two years, but now they will again be facing the team that beat them at States back in 2009, the then dominant Greenwich Witches. Only junior Caroline Benson remains from that team, and frontrunners Megan Marsh and Hope Pietrocarlo have known nothing but championship endings for Maple Grove. With Taylor Norris adding depth, the Red Dragons will gear up for another Section 6-D title and then for what should be one of the best States contests of 2012.

South Lewis's Victoria Campanian and Christina Platt won medals in
the Class C race at States

	South Lewis	Falcons

Section: 3		Class: D		Colors: Red and white

XC History

States Teams: 1980 (C-7th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Courtney Beadore (2002, C-6th), Liz Ludovici (2002, C-8th), Victoria Campanian (2008, D-5th) (2009, D-2nd) (2010, C-3rd)

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals C
1st in Adirondack-2, 2nd in Freedom Leagues, 4th in EJ Herrmann-1, 6th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-1

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Victoria Campanian	12	1	1st in Chittanango-3, 1st in Adirondack-2	20:55.9 (12-C)	124
Christina Platt	9	2	2nd in Adirondack-2	21:21.1 (17-C)	107
Sierra Corbett	9	4	24th in Chittenango-3		76
Gaelyn Bronson	10	61	8th in Adirondack-2		46
Christine Carpenter	12	79	23rd in Frontier Champs		20

This Year's Outlook

South Lewis drops down from last year's campaign in Class C, where Victoria Campanian and Christina Platt won States medals. Now a senior, Campanian now has four medals after finishing 5th, 2nd, 3rd, and 12th from 2008 to 2011, and she will be trying to lead a team with little depth behind its top two runners to the Falcons' first Sectional title in 32 years against a little more balanced squads from Beaver River and Remsen.

Red Creek's Raylene Wade finishes up at States

	Red Creek	Rams

Section: 5		Class: D		Colors: Red and white

XC History

States Teams:

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers):

Last Year's Summary: 3rd in Sectionals D
1st at Wayne-Finger Lakes, 1st at Marion, 2nd in McQuaid-A3

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Raylene Wade	11	4	2nd at Marion	23:08.3 (36)	91
Faith McDonald	10	21	8th at Wayne-Finger Lakes		77
Dorothee Grant	9	---	18th at Wayne-Finger Lakes		71
Ali Bristol	11	25	9th at Wayne-Finger Lakes		71
Sam Stagles	11	37	5th in Wayne-Finger Lakes-JV		55

This Year's Outlook

Red Creek has never won a Sectional title, but state finalist Raylene Wade hopes to lead a fairly balanced team to its first States appearance.

	Oakfield-Alabama	Hornets

Section: 5		Class: D		Colors: Blue and gold

XC History

States Teams: 2005 (D-6th)

States Individuals (Top 10 finishers): Jennifer Rettke (1998, C-5th), Kim Mills (2007, D-5th) (2008, D-7th)

Last Year's Summary: 2nd in Sectionals D
1st in McQuaid-A3, 7th in Vernon-Verona-Sherril-7

Roster
Name	Grade	Sect. Place	Top Notes	States Results	Season TR
Jenny Crossen	12	9	23rd in GRAA-LCAA Champs		85
Paige Chatt	12	12	19th in GRAA-LCAA Champs		80
Kerry Mills	12	19	40th in GRAA-LCAA Champs		71
Emily McCracken	10	36	19th in McQuaid-A-3		67
Brittany Denton	12	26	48th in McQuaid-A-3		62
Morgan Munger	9	42	33rd in McQuaid-A-3		49

This Year's Outlook

The Hornets have a little bit of history at States with an appearance back in 2005, now they hope a senior-dominated team led by Jenny Crossen, Paige Chatt, and Kerry Mills will lead them to a second crown.

Runners at Bowdoin Park for the NXN-NY race climb a hill with the Hudson River
in the background

Edited by Kyle Brazeil. Be sure to like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter this season, as this will get you the updates you want the fastest way possible.



Season Intro
Another NY cross country season is about to strike, and all indications suggest that it will be another classic fall beglittered with crushing records, extended and broken streaks, challengingly tough race-day conditions, and rancorous controversies. Few fans will be disappointed in the action unless they are hoping for a state and national title for their local team, a payoff that can only potentially happen for 8 and 2 teams respectively out of the hundreds of guys and girls teams scattered across New York. But the fun is mainly in the sweet, sweaty, painful effort, which all the shirts paraded around the Manhattan Invitational and other big meets weeks down the road will bear testimony to. Working as always off the speed ratings compiled on the Tully Runners site and individual and team profiles, the New York State XC Season Guide loads up with an overabundance of team historical data and gives another glimpse of how everything could be shaking out in the section and class battles that will be waged across the state. Many longtime stars will be closing out their stellar careers, and many other runners will be making a breakaway to the top. Every year brings hordes of new runners and emerging stars to the forefront, and this year the lineup of suspected infiltrators of the XC upper ranks is large and promising. But the majority of runners will be fighting for the simpler goals of just setting a personal best or pushing their teams a little higher in the standings. Covering New York XC not only means projecting which squads are likely to be the best teams in the state, but also which teams will earn spots at the State Championship meet. In the other 49 states, those two groupings are pretty much identical, but in New York an average of 40% of the top 10 teams in a class are shut out from States. Sometimes the teams missing from action are ranked #2 or #3 or #4, and twice they have gone on to win a spot at NXN Nationals during the last 8 years even though they couldn't earn a ticket to States. NY teams have even been ranked #1 in the nation and not been accepted for a States berth. The reasons for this state of affairs are buried in the annals of committee meetings from back in the mid-1900s, and today we are left with a strange mix of State, Federation, and national qualifier meets to end off the year in New York. Sorting out a straight path for top NY teams is never easy. Inside is a tour of the state of NY XC in 2012 with excursions into the burning questions, useless trivia and historical factoids, season previews, featured team capsules, section-class projections, and lots of pics of agonized faces, muddy legs, and wild antics that might best be forgotten. Bill Meylan's Tully Runners team profile has set up the regression-tested scenarios and Dan Doherty has lined up the rankings going into the season, so this guide builds on those keystones of NYS XC info. Any information actually retained in memory should be immediately expunged, hopefully by the first week in September and certainly long before teams meet up at Elma Meadows on November 10th. All images are credited to Section 1 NYS Running and are the usual grainy screen captures from videos of races at States, plus the Manhattan Invitational, Federations, NXN-NY and a few other races. Along with the featured runners in the States images I have tried to also name the other runners vying for attention, generally identified from left to right. The Red Dragon t-shirt pic was from the back of a guy, but it seemed more fitting to use it with the Maple Grove's girls section.


The early stampede at the Federation Meet at Bowdoin Park
2011 Season Summary
Last year seemed in some ways a reenactment film. All four of the girls state champion teams also won state titles in 2010. NYS-A champ Fayetteville-Manlius picked up its 6th straight national title championship at NXN in Portland, and Saratoga was the runner-up and NYS-B champ North Shore was 9th, just like in 2010. In the top three classes, 24 of the 30 teams at States were repeaters, and in Class C the order of the top 6 teams was the same as in 2010, and the victory margin by NYS-C champion Bronxville was again 3 points. Double-digit streaks for consecutive appearances at States continued, as Pearl River sailed to 33, Bronxville bucked it up to 15, Seton Catholic-Plattsburgh rode to 14, Saratoga streaked to 12, and East Aurora and Cornwall fired up for number 11. During the invitational period stretching into late October, many of the big meets saw repeat winners, with Fayetteville-Manlius taking the Manhattan Invitational's Eastern States championship, Saratoga won the Great American Race of Champions down in NC, and Burnt Hills won the McQuaid AA race. But there were some large changes, too. The number of classes was squeezed from five to four, and there were 10 fewer teams and around 120 less runners earning trips to States. The old A and B classes were primarily affected, and East Aurora's string of 6 straight States B championships came to an end. Mary Cain of Bronxville was the only runner to repeat as States champ, as two of 2010's winners were felled by injuries, and Aisling Cuffe and Christine Driscoll ran off to Stanford and Cornell. At least one big meet was doomed by a pre-Halloween snowstorm. And the runners on the Maple Grove's NYS-D champs all aged one more year, jacking their average grade status from a middle-school level 8.6 to a high school freshman mark of 9.6 In the end, for many of the top runners it all ended in the mud at Vernon-Verona-Sherril, though some went on to run at the Federation meet and NXN or Footlocker regionals and nationals. The VVS muck played havoc with the results of many individual runners who had a La Brea tarpit experience, and its oozy grasp may have factored into the team results in deciding one of the races. The final lessons learned from States was to always be prepared for the worst, be on the extreme right or left rather than being a centrist, and sometimes it's just better to be built like a truck.


The playground snake section at the Federation Meet with Laura Leff (West Genesee) in the lead, Newburgh's Gianna Frontera a few steps behind, and Mary Cain (Bronxville) leading a group just behind that includes Tiana and Talia Guevara (Miller Place), Alexis Panisse (Benjamin Cardozo - NYC), and Lauren Mullins (Johnson City)
2012 Season Overview
Like last year, 2012 projects to have a mixture of the old and the new. Fayetteville-Manlius's streak at States and Nationals shows no signs of going off track, and Bronxville appears to have firm control of Class C no matter who is running at the top of the lineup. Class B could see a few major changes however following the formation of a powerhouse Holy Names squad, and Greenwich is determined to get back on the States winning track following its move to Class D. The top three runners from last year are all expected back, and FM's Jillian Fanning, Bronxville's Mary Cain, and West Genesee's Laura Leff are looking to shake the world after a few mildly impressive feats in the post XC States period that included some state and national individual records and titles, some very high placements at NXN and Footlocker championships and wins at major track meets, and a few national team titles. Leff, however, had to sit out of action following January to recover from a stress fracture injury, and her recovery from the foot problems along with another trio of top runners from 2010 who missed all or part of last season -- Cicero-North Syracuse's Maria Lamontagne, Saratoga's Madison Carr, and Hamilton's Sage Hurta -- wil be closely watched There are a lot of questions for 2012, some revolving around runners who have switched teams, potential changes in the power rankings for NYS classes, and the uncertain status of a number of teams and runners. A muddy dozen are collected below.


Jillian Fanning of Fayetteville-Manlius makes turn uphill at NXN-NY ahead of Samantha Nadel of North Shore and Mary Cain of Bronxville in Bowdoin Park as the state champions from A, B and C classes set themselves up for Nationals, where all three would place in the top 10.
12 Questions for 2012
More Articles In Series Tagged Athletes Jillian Decker Jennifer Gerland Stephanie Gerland Kate Zendell 3 more... What to Read Next New York State Boys XC Preview Aug 17, 2012 Foundation's Finest: A Chat with Jess Donohue and TJ Hornberger Aug 16, 2012 XC Boys Team Spotlight: Arlington Aug 11, 2012 XC Girls Team Spotlight: Burnt Hills-Balston Lake Aug 07, 2012 New York Outdoor Track And Field State Meet Records Jun 10, 2026 4 more... © 2026 Copyright FloSports, Inc. MileSplit New York Editor: Kyle Brazeil, Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Cookie Preferences / Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information Generated by 10.1.2.147 fresh in 166 milliseconds

Monroe-Woodbury

Warwick Valley

Arlington

Academy of the Holy Names

Burnt Hills

North Shore

Garden City

East Aurora

Nanuet

Queensbury

Honeoye Falls-Lima

Miller Place

Canton

Pearl River

Cornwall

Bronxville

Skaneateles

Fredonia

Fonda-Fultonville

Newark Valley

Byron-Bergen

Sullivan West

Pawling

Tully

Greenwich

Maple Grove

South Lewis

Red Creek

Oakfield-Alabama

Season Intro

2011 Season Summary

2012 Season Overview

12 Questions for 2012