Reilly's The Real Deal; Team Competition Back To ForM
Individual
Megan Reilly (Warwick Valley) was hardly an unknown coming into the season. She had won sectional titles in the longer distances in her track career as an eighth grader. But no one had seen her in XC, save for some freshmen races at Manhattan. Eyes began to shift Reilly's way when she posted a very fast time at her home invitational. The national attention came as she returned to Manhattan, this time running the second fastest time of the day overall. And at Elma, the small blonde freshmen who reminds some of the name Hasay, Megan Reilly powered to the line to win in the fastest time, and new course record of 17:34.3. Behind her were some of NY's fastest, including Bella Burda (Arlington), another newcomer who was toe-to-toe with Reilly 100m out. In third, Marissa Saeneger (Clarence) was right on their heels. Fast times by all, course records all around, and a great showing from the girls of the Empire State.
Team
The world never cedes to make it easy for the girls of Fayetteville-Manlius. Last year, two national champion seniors were missing through Murphy's Law. This year, senior Jillian Fanning has had similar luck, as a head cold has been hampering her championship season. But the Hornets have learned to attack the unexpected like they attack their races: together. Led by junior Alana Pearl, FM packed their top 5 in the top 20. And the Hornet's weren't without challenge. National level competition in the form of Saratoga Springs was right on their heels, hitting low numbers in a race filled with tough competition. Saratoga's efforts were spearheaded by Taylor Driscoll, whose 4th place finish in 17:46 would also be the 4th fastest of the day. Both teams look strong, finishing 1-2, as post season thoughts now come into mind. How strong? One must only look at the merge to understand . Adding in all the other teams of the day, FM only added on 3 more points, a poignant statement in itself.
1. 32 Fayetteville-Manlius (18:16.5 91:22.5 0:18.3) 2. 56 Saratoga Springs (18:37.3 93:06.4 1:21.4) 3. 106 Rush-Henrietta (19:17.0 96:24.8 1:50.6) 4. 124 Warwick Valley (19:26.2 97:10.8 2:54.9) 5. 145 Suffern (19:42.7 98:33.1 1:43.8)
4 Year and 7 Inches Ago... ; Some 'Names' To Remember
Individual
Sometimes growing up is hard to do. Megan Young (Nanuet) had won the state title as a freshmen, but the position eluded her the following two seasons. Back this year as a senior, early season sickness was not making the roads to sectionals easy. But Young recovered, and improved, so much so that she had made huge strides by the time that sectional race came around. And she attacked the race, winning in the second fastest time run in Bowdoin Park this year. At States, again, she attacked the course, albeit being crowded by a pair of twins from Miller Place (Talia and Tiana Guevera). After creating a separation, Young stormed the finish in 18:22 to win the title yet again.
Team
Academy of the Holy Names has been running well all season. Their lead runner, Catherine Maloy, has fast times running in her family. Sister Liz Maloy was a finalist for the 5000m at this years Olympic Trials. The team as a whole held their own at the Eastern States' Championship, and raced well at their Sectional Meet. At States, they lived up to their true potential. Taking the race out together, they finished with all 5 runners in the top 25, to give them their low score. Even more impressive, they edged out Saratoga by one point in the merge. New York is well represented by the girls again this year, and Holy Names is one of those representatives of true pack running.
1. 38 Academy Of Holy Names (18:44.1 93:40.2 0:33.2) 2. 66 East Aurora (18:55.7 94:38.1 0:34.4) 3. 124 Nanuet (19:33.2 97:45.6 1:57.5) 4. 130 Garden City (19:34.1 97:50.2 1:33.2) 5. 131 Cornwall (19:40.9 98:24.5 2:02.9)
Tanner Takes The Title ; Who Hasn't Herd of the Broncos?
Individual
As two athletes rose to the final straightaway, it was clear the finish would be decided by sure will. Natalie Tanner (Rye Neck) and Abby Gugel (Jordan-Elbridge) were shoulder to shoulder within 50m of the finish line. Tanner, with a reserve running on empty, surged in the final steps to secure her win in 18:47.8, with Gugel right behind. In the second race of the day, we had one of our most exciting finishes, that would set the mood for the rest of the competition.
Team
If there is one thing Bronxville has, its depth. They may not be the fastest on the line, but they have the numbers. As the girls say, they are all on even playing ground, its just that their playing ground is a very fast pace. In fact, by the 32nd runner, all 7 of their runners had crossed the line. What does that mean? Even if their top two runners hadn't run, the Bronco's would have still scored 55 points to win. In fact, that actually did happen, as the Bronco's top two girls from last year were not on their championship team. You'd be hard pressed to find a more consistent squad out there.
1. 36 Bronxville (19:42.7 98:33.5 0:46.2) 2. 78 Tully (20:16.8 101:23.8 1:32.9) 3. 110 Newark Valley (20:33.5 102:47.3 2:21.1) 4. 136 Mattituck (20:53.8 104:28.7 1:02.5) 5. 147 Fredonia (21:03.6 105:17.8 1:16.3)
Which Witch Won; Maple Grove Finds Their Groove
Individual
One mile in, the race was playing out as expected. The top four runners were out front. But in the back woods, the green girls began to pull ahead. Madeline Montague (Greenwich) powered down the straightaway to clinch the individual title in 18:24.5. Exhausted, she began to walk to the benches. But Montague had a change in expression fast, as she turned around and began to cheer on her teammate Tori Spezio, who was powering away towards the finish much like she did not 20 seconds ago. The senior-freshmen pair would take the top spots, well earned.
Team
The first thing Maple Grove did when the season started, was to buy a pair of Ruby Red's, a signature red spike made by Nike in the 70's. That's because they knew their road to repeating state champion was made difficult by the Greenwich Witches dropping down in class. But the Red Dragons knew how to respond, by packing in their runners as close to the front as they could. To that end, their run was a total success. Led by Hope Pietrocarlo, who came in 3rd overall, Maple Grove secured their win with a strong pack. They kept the streak alive for another year.
1. 42 Maple Grove (19:49.0 99:04.6 1:33.1) 2. 63 Greenwich (20:00.7 100:03.5 2:58.3) 3. 81 South Lewis (20:33.1 102:45.4 2:31.7) 4. 114 Notre Dame-Batavia (21:19.7 106:38.5 4:50.9) 5. 126 Candor (21:34.3 107:51.3 2:24.6)