Girls' XC: Previewing NY State

Tim Fulton Armory Track

Girls' XC: Previewing NY State

by Tim Fulton — posted on 8/5/2011

Fayetteville-Manlius
Final 2010: NYS #1, US #1	2010 Notes: Five-time defending national champions
Top returners: Jillian Fanning, Katie Sischo, Christine Rutledge, Heather Martin, Katie Brislin, Emily McGurrin, Maggie Malone, Leah Monsour, Alana Pearl
2011 outlook: The Hornets graduate only one of their top seven (Courtney Chapman) from last year's NXN Championship team. This spring they won the Penn Relays DMR and ran 11:25.13 in the DMR at the at NBON, the second-fastest in U.S. history. From the outside looking in, it appears that while they prefer to race sparingly in track, they would never do anything during track that would jeopardize their chance in cross country. Christine Rutledge, last year's breakout star for FM, hasn't raced since NXN, but you can bet she'll be ready for the season. While Rutledge was the suprise last year, FM promises to have a few more surprises this year. It's hard to imagine them not winning another NXN title, but the more success they have, the more other teams want to find a way to take them down.
Saratoga Springs
Final 2010: NYS #2, US #2	2010 Notes: NYS Federation Champs, second at NXN
Top returners: Keelin Hollowood, Madison Carr, Estela Smith, Margaret McDonald, Taylor Driscoll, Katie Treichel, Tara Peck, Sarah Morin (10:35 3k), Maggi Szpak, Spencer Hayes
2011 Outlook: The Blue Streaks graduate Amanda Borroughs, Sidney King and Molly Pezzullo, which includes two of the team's top four from NXN. Keelin Hollowood did not have the best finish to her season last year, but with her, Madison Carr, Margaret McDonald and Estela Smith a year older, Saratoga has a top four to again earn consideration as one of the best teams in the country. Saratoga — with its great depth and constant emergence of stars — remains the best bet to step up if FM falters a bit.
North Shore
Final 2010: NYS #3, US #9	2010 Notes: Third at Feds, NYS Class A Champs, ninth at NXN
Top returners: Samantha Nadel, Brianna Nerud, Jessica Donohue, Elizabeth Caldwell (10:13 3K), Molly Reilly.
2011 Outlook: North Shore had a heck of a year on the track. Nadel became a national star in the 1500m and 3k and Nerud ran under 6:30 in the steeple. As for cross country, North Shore brings back their entire top five from last year's team. Along with Nadel and Nerud, Jessica Donohue, who ran 18:44 at Bowdoin, returns. North Shore has the second-best top three back, but expect the Vikings to be closer to FM's top 3 than they were last year. Elizabeth Caldwell — who ran 18:41 at Great American last year — is another dangerous runner. Depth appears to be an issue, but that can all change with a good summer of training.
Canandaigua
Final 2010: NYS #9	2010 Notes: NYS Class A second place, ninth at NXN Regionals
Top returners: Meghan McCormick, Kate McCormick, Kennedy Jenson, Hayley Miller, Kendall D'Amore, Kellie Mack, Dana Garbinski
2011 Outlook: Canandaigua is one of only two teams in our top 10 bringing back its entire top seven. While the Braves placed ninth at NXN regionals last year, it probably was not their best day. With another year of experience this team could be making a run at Portland this year. Twins Meghan and Kate McCormick should lead the way. Add Kennedy Jensen, Hayley Miller and Kendall D'Amore and this is a talented group.
Burnt Hills
Final 2010: NYS #5	2010 Notes: NYS Class A third place, fifth at NXN regionals
Top returners: Dani Martino, Meagan Roecker, Allison Fernandez, Schuyler Pruyn, Anastasia Monsen, Lauren Rabideau, Jorday Casey, Schyler Pruyn
2011 Outlook: Burnt Hills graduates two of its top seven from last year's squad, which placed fifth at the NXN regionals. With a young group back, more girls coming up and a proven history of success at NXN (eighth place in 2008), this is a team that you just can't count out. Sophomore Dani Martino ran a 9:54 3k this spring and should be a solid No. 1 girl. After that the Spartans will have to rely finding a way to move up their pack that spread only 65 seconds from 1 through 7 last year at NXN Regionals.
North Rockland
Final 2010: NYS #8	2010 Notes: NYS Class AA third place, eighth at NXN regionals
Top returners: Alexis Hatcher, Kaitlyn O'Grady, Ellie Hecker, Kristin Schnalzer, Kailey Dwyer, Amanda Eckerle, Chloe Tannhauser
2011 Outlook: North Rockland had a great year in cross country and track, running 9:27 and 12:25. Last year's XC squad finished a solid eighth at NXN regionals and the Red Raiders bring back six of their top seven. North Rockland has a nice 1-2-3 punch in Alexis Hatcher, Kaitlyn O'Grady and Ellie Hecker. If the four and five runners who emerge can also break 20 minutes, the Raiders could move up this list as they were only 16 points out of fifth place at NXN regionals last year.
East Aurora
Final 2010: NYS #4	2010 Notes: NYS Classs B Champs, fourth at Feds, fourth at NXN Regionals
Top returners: Marta McLoughlin, Sarah Anstett, Paige Anderson, Megan Baritot, Psasha Modrzynski, Maddy Murray, Quinn Roesch
2011 Outlook: East Aurora placed fourth at NXN Regionals last year and there is an argument that the Blue Devils should have earned a ticket to Portland. They did lose four of the team's top seven to graduation, but bringing back sophomore Marta McLaughlin will keep them in the game. A long history of success, a large girls team and great coaching should make them a top 10 team all year. Just how far up the list remains to be seen.
Bronxville
Final 2010: NYS #10	2010 Notes: NYS Class C Champs, sixth at Feds
Top returners: Mary Cain, Meredith Rizzo, Courtney Campbell, Emilie Hoffer, Amelia Phillips, Courtney Chrappa, Morgan Nobles
2011 Outlook: Last year was Mary Cain's first cross country season and she promply won the N.Y. State Class C title. This spring she had a breakout track season that saw her shatter the NYS 1500m record and run under 9:30 in her only attempt at 3000m. She should now be considered the girl with the best chance of breaking up or beating the top FM girls. With a No. 1 girl this strong, Bronxville should move way up this list. Often overlooked is Meredith Rizzo, who ran 19:02 at Feds last year. Courtney Campbell is clearly better now and she ran 20:11 at Pawling last year. With Emilie Hoffer running under 10:30 in the 3k and a slew of other young, talented girls, there is no reason to count this team out from earning a trip to Portland for NXN finals.
Northport
Final 2010: NYS AA #5	2010 Notes: NYS Class AA fourth place, eighth at Feds
Top returners: Brigid Brennen, Victoria D'Amato, Anna Corrigan, Sarah Zieve, Kelly Flanagan, Corrie Kavanaugh
2011 Outlook: Northport brings back its top four from Feds last year, including a top three which finished within one second of each other (19:53-19:54). If the Tigers can all move up a bit and their back end can continue to improve, they will once again be a top 10 team.
Cicero North Syracuse
Final 2010: NYS AA #7	2010 Notes: 13th at Feds
Top returners: Maria LaMontagne, Nicole Watterud, Jacqlynn Halstead, Jessica, Jelfo, Matie Laris, Marissa Colburn, Maddy Kolakowski
2011 Outlook: While Cicero finished only 13th at Feds last year, the Northstars bring back their entire top seven, which includes Maria LaMontagne, who ran 18:23 at Feds as a freshman. With that kind of up front strength, if CNS can get the fourth and fifth runners under 21:00, it will climb this list quickly. LaMontagne did not run this spring so there could be an injury issue there.