Boys' XC: Previewing NY State

Tim Fulton Armory Track

Boys' XC: Previewing NY State

by Tim Fulton — posted on 8/6/2011

Shaker
Section: 2A
Final 2010: NYS AA #2	2010 Notes: NY Class AA, Fed and NXN Regional Champ
Top returners: Christian Delago, Mike Lubrik, Jon Vallecorsa, Ryan Recchia, Adam Schwenfeier, Jackson Ciavardoni, Brian Hickey, Ethan Hausamann, Max Morgan
2011 Outlook: Shaker is the defending state and Fed champions and the Blue Bison very well could repeat both titles. They have great up front strength in Christian Delago, who could make a run at breaking 16:00 at Bowdoin. They also return a capable fifth man, who could run under 17:00 at Bowdoin. Shaker also has a few new guys that look very good. Ethan Hausamann ran 9:48 for 3200m and Max Morgan ran 4:29 for 1600m, which should give them at least seven top runners.
Rush-Henrietta
Section: 5A
Final 2010: NYS AA #3	2010 Notes: Third at NXN Regionals
Top returners: Nate Kozyra, Mickey Burke, Andrew Sweeney, Alex Raymond, Colby Burke, Pat Aiken, Michael Schantz, Brennen Root
2011 Outlook: Rush Henrietta — which brings back five of its top seven — probably has the best chance to take down Shaker. The Royal Comets' top three coming back ran between 16:41 and 16:50 at Bowdoin and Mickey Burke was just a freshman. With a year behind him, he should be ready to make a jump up. Rush was close to making NXN last year and should have a slightly better chance in 2011.
Fayetteville-Manlius
Section: 3A
Final 2010: NYS AA #1	2010 Notes: Second at NXN Nationals
Top returners: Nick Ryan, Ben Thomas, Eric Billinson, Jules Wellner, Connor Farrell, Cole Fitzgibbons, Bryce Millar (8th grade-4:32 1600)
2011 Outlook: FM had a great close to 2010 with a second-place showing at NXN, but the Hornets did lose four runners to graduation. Yet the return of Nick Ryan to lead the way will help them once again be a team in the top tier. After Ryan they have a pack of three back that ran 17:04-17:15 at Bowdoin, and you can bet they will move that pack up. With a strong history of success, great coaching and some very talented younger runners coming up, do not count this team out.
Arlington
Section: 1A
Final 2010: NYS AA #5	2010 Notes: Fifth at States
Top returners: Eddie Merenda, Chris Wise, Sebastian Hanson, Manjander Singh, Steve Morrison, Krystopher Lotocky, Nick Netto, Aaron Ryley, Corey Chiavelli
2011 Outlook: Arlington was a strong fifth at the State Championships before top runner Eddie Merenda went down with a season-halting injury. With Merenda back and joined up front by Chris Wise and Sebastian Hanson, look for the Admirals to return to the front of the pack. With a young, talented group behind them ready to move up, Arlington could be in the mix for that final NXN spot.
St. Anthony's
Section: CHSAA
Final 2010: NYS AA #9	2010 Notes: Ninth at Feds, CHSAA Champs
Top returners: Thomas Diliberto, Kevin Kreider, Patrick Ginty, Brian Smith, Jake Hensler, Frank Segreto, Matt Taddeo, Brian Gallagher, Austin Bitzas, Sean Fitzgerald, Rob Ferrara, Will Isenberg, Tyler Wolfe
2011 Outlook: St. Anthony's had another very nice year, but this season could be the Friars' best in a while. With the top three back and a large, talented group returning behind them, it will be interesting to see just how good this team can be. Thomas Diliberto is a strong No. 1 who ran 4:21 this spring. As if St. Anthony's wasn't deep enough, two high-profile transfers — Patrick Ginty from Smithtown and Tyler Wolfe from Huntington — are now there. Ginty ran 17:00 at Feds and FLNE last year and Wolfe ran 16:46 for three miles as a freshman at Sunken Meadow.
Warwick Valley
Section: 9A
Final 2010: NYS AA #4	2010 Notes: Second at States; Fourth at NXN Regionals
Top returners: Paddy Grandanali, Aaron Peterson, Grant Parrelli, Ray Farinella, Jared Olson, Joe Delaunay
2011 Outlook: Warwick loses its top three from last year, but returns four very good, experienced runners. Coach Potter's teams always find a way to be in the top five at some point and this team promises to be another good one. Can they make the jump and have a chance at Portland? Maybe, but they'll need Paddy Grandinali to make a jump and Aaron Peterson to go with him. Look for them to come on late and maybe surprise some people.
East Aurora
Section: 6B
Final 2010: NYS B #1	2010 Notes: Fifth at NXN Regional; State Champs
Top returners: Sean Phillips, Gene Barriott, Brendan Keany, Elliot Martynkiewicz, Nicolas Zee, Corey Hensen
2011 Outlook: East Aurora should be ready to make a nice jump in the rankings as the team's top three are all juniors. And the Blue Devils' fourth guy back, Elliot Martynkiewicz, ran 17:24 at Pawling last year. East Aurora has a large team with a lot of talent, but it'll just need to find that fifth man. When the Devils do, watch out, as this team could shock people late and make another run at NXN.
Smithtown
Section: 11A
Final 2010: NYS AA #11	2010 Notes: 13th at Feds
Top returners: Rob Calamia, Michael Catalano, Michael Lynch, Gavin Shulock, Tim McVeety, Patrick McGuire, Matt Basile
2011 Outlook: Smithtown has consistently been among the top teams in the state and 2011 promises to be more of the same. The Bulls are bringing back five of the seven from last year's team that finished 13th at Feds. Top man Rob Calamia leads the way and typically teams with this many guys back make a jump up, especially such talented and well-coached squads. But Patrick Ginty has transferred to St. Anthony's, which obviously hurts.
Walt Whitman
Section: 11A
Final 2010: Not ranked	2010 Notes: Seventh at Section Champs
Top returners: Zach Cammer, Mike Damato, Pat Cummings, Nick Denuzzo, Brian Windisch, Chris Laucella, Corey Blumberg
2011 Outlook: Good up-front strength will keep Whitman in a lof of meets. Last year the Wildcats did not finish the season well, but appear to have key pieces in place. In fact, the entire team is back. If the Cats can move the backend up, they'll threaten some of the top teams. Mike Damato and Zach Cammer both ran under 9:30 last spring.
Maine-Endwell
Section: 4B
Final 2010: NYS B #3	2010 Notes: Third at States
Top returners: Ryan Brizzolara, Nick Miller, Andres Rodriquez, Jesse Brenon, Bryant Hatala
2011 Outlook: While Maine-Endwell brings five of its top eight back, the Spartans will need to tap into their depth, develop a pack mentality and try to move everyone up. Ryan Brizzolara and Nick Miller will lead the charge in a very deep Class B field this year. Andres Rodriquez did not race at States last year or the Spartans could have finished closer to East Aurora.
Saratoga Springs
Section: 2A
Final 2010: NYS AA #14	2010 Notes: Third at Section Champs
Top returners: Jonah Williams, Jonathan Moore, Travis Briggs, Jay Navin (4:33 frosh), Andrew Maguire, Matt Slein
2011 Outlook: Last year was something of a quiet year for Saratoga. Sam Place did win the NXN New York Regional, but the team ended its season at the Section 2 Championships. Saratoga brings back just three of its top seven, but garners support from its up and comers. Jonathan Moore and Jonah Williams appear to be the Blue Streaks' top guys, so look for this team to make some noise at some point.
Monsignor Farrell
Section: CHSAA
Final 2010: NYS AA #15	2010 Notes: 15th at Feds; Fourth at CHSAA
Top returners: Dan Galford, Alex LoPreseti, Steve Arnone, John Bentivegna, John Lucchesi, Dan Lewandowski, Matt Tymon, Brian Tress
2011 Outlook: With Farrell bringing back six of its top seven, the Lions should be in the top 10 all year long. Dan Galford has really become a great runner, posting a 4:21 this spring. Following Galford could be a very nice pack, which could make things very interesting in a race with St. Anthony's for the CHSAA crown.
Brewster
Section: 1B
Final 2010: NYS A #5	2010 Notes: Fifth at States
Top returners: Charlie Carr, Justin Maguire, Adam McIe, Winfield Greene, Nick Cortina, Alex Budd, Eric De Los Rios, Nick Barbara
2011 Outlook: While Brewster showed flashes of brilliance last year with a top three that will be formidable, the Bears need to move up their backend to "run with the big boys." Back are six of seven, including three who have — or can — run under 16:30. If Brewster can just work the fourth and fifth runners under 17:30, it will be hard to keep the Bears out of the conversation. One advantage come the end of the year could be how familiar — as a Section 1 Northern Counties team — Brewster is with the Bowdoin course.