Warwick NY - With the first weekend under the belt, and the state rankings out here, this weekend was a test of who could defend what they had earned. We took to the road, to head up to the windy Warwick Wave Invite, and here is how we called the races.
Bronco's Gallop Towards Greatness
It was a big showing for NY #4 Bronxville. Junior Mary Cain took out early, and maintained a lead above the pack, only pulling one runner with her. However, behind her, the wave of blue was unmistakable. Bronxville managed to put their top 7 all within the first 16 finishers, winning with a combined team score of 30. Cain managed to extend her lead, to win in a coure record of 17.59.7. Emilie Hoffer and Kristin Ryan were next for the Broncos, taking 4th and 5th.
"We have a very solid group out there," Bronxville Girls Coach Jim Mitchell said. "I can see a couple of girls really breaking out this season. We ran well today, and we should hopefully return (Meredith) Rizzo sometime before November."
Rizzo, who has been sidelined while recovering from a foot ailment, was Bronxville's #2 girls last November, on their states' winning squad. With Rizzo back on the team, Bronxville may be able to accomplish something rarely seen in the Northeast. Should Cain choose to pursue Foot Locker, Bronxville would be in contention for qualifying in both National Meets this November, a feat not acheived since Saratoga achieved it in 2004.
Cavalluzzo's Presence Felt in the Past, and the Present
Holly Cavalluzzo, of Valley Central, came ready to race. When Cain went out, Cavalluzzo stayed with her stride for stride. The pair would work off each other in the early half of the race, using each other to break the heavy winds that were gusting during race time. But as Cavalluzzo crossed the line in second, in a quick 18:23 that was just a tad slower than she had run on the course last week, it wasn't the first time her name met the announcers lips that day. Cavalluzzo had established herself on the course, exactly 5 years ago, setting the freshmen course record as a 7th grader, before she was brought up to varsity. Her course record would remain to stay for another year.
Hometown Hero
For the Girls Varsity II, it was a showcase of the talent held by the youth of the sport. Two freshmen battled for the top spot, led by Warwick athlete Megan Reilly. Reilly managed to push the pace from the gun, running step for step with senior teammate Katie Fitzgerald, through the first mile of the course. Behind them were the Gerland sisters, Stephanie and Jen, of Garden City. Freshmen Stephanie Gerland would eventually surpass Fitzgerald to make it a freshmen shoot out for the finish line. In the end, it would be Reilly who would hit the home straight away first, charging in to a 18:15.0 finish. The time is an #2 all-time course record for a freshmen, trailing only behind North Shore's Brianna Welch.
Carmel Cruises After Last Minute 'Upgrade'
Section 1's Carmel was actually scheduled to run in the Varsity II race this year. However, after checking out the competition in the I race, which included New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep, they choose to take the road with more resistance. And the move paid off for Carmel's top 2, Eric Holt and Ben Muniz, who controlled the race pace the first mile and a half. Seperated only by Bosco's top runner, Kyle Levermore, Holt would take first in 15:26.6, with Muniz in 3rd at 15:57.7 .
"Mount"ing an Attack
Very rarely do teams pop up out of obscurity, to threaten team titles at major invitationals. Even more rare are schools that pop up, and do it their first year of participation. But that is exactly what Section 9's Mount Academy has done this season so far. They have their own unique storyline to throw into the fray. In their first race at a local league meet, Mount Academy placed 3 in the top 5, surprising most. But where did they come from? The Mount's comes from a local amish community, incidently. Previously, as the students reached 9th grade, they would transfer into Warwick Valley high school, and assimilate into the school for four year. But this summer, a high school was built, allowing the athletes to stay within their community. And that new high school has taken quite well to the sport of cross country, with frontrunner Rufus Wareham placing fourth in the Boys II race. Where will this newfound success take them? That is still to be seen, but they have definetly been put on our radar.
Cooking up Competition
The Pearl River boys found themselves amongst some tough competition, between Pope John XXIII of NJ, as well as New York standouts Pawling and the Mount Academy. However, junior Brian Cook took to the back hills regardless, trading the first position between himself Chris Hatler of Pope John. With about 1100 meters to go, Cook was leading, but was overcome on the backstretch. It was a good overall performance by the junior, who found himself to finish second overall, and the first NY finisher.