Girls' XC: Something About FM

For the first time since Fayetteville-Manlius won the first of four straight national championships, the team will be taking the starting line without Courtney Chapman. For most teams, losing probably the most recognizable name on the team to graduation changes things, sometimes drastically.

But when looking at the fall, Coach Bill Aris wanted to call this season one of possibilities. Here's a possibility for Fayetteville-Manlius:

FM could win its sixth straight national championship, further etching its name into history as the most dominant cross country team the United States has ever known. They could also score an unfathomable perfect 15 for the third straight time at the state meet. Yet, true to form though, Aris didn't dabble much in talks about potential. His teams start every season like a rookie runner with something to prove.

"The fact that we have six of seven people coming back from NXN returning doesn't mean anything to me," Aris said. "Every year we start off new."

Aris broke his rearview mirror a long time ago. He talks about past championships as if they were in another lifetime. His teams have been the same way. The coach is quick to remind folks that Saratoga Springs finished second at Nationals last year and although that were hit by graduation — losing Amanda Burroughs and Sydney King — they had the most balanced team in the country last season with a dangerous and youthful squad returning. He scoffs at the people who count out California's Saugus, a team ravaged by graduation but has been great about as long as FM has.

"People are already talking about, 'Let's see if FM can win in 2012,'" Aris said. "I only have to look down the New York State Thruway to see we have competition."

One of the reasons that there will be even more attention on FM this cross country season is that the team enjoyed the most success they've ever had on the track. FM barely competed indoors but showed up at the New Balance Indoor Nationals and broke the national record in the distance medley relay. Then the squad popped up and broke the DMR meet record at Penn Relays and later won the 4x800 at the state meet.

The only falter was a second-place finish in the DMR at the outdoor nationals, which so happened to produce the three fastest times in U.S. history. Aris picked that race as an example that FM is not unbeatable.

"How many people that that FM is FM and they're going to win the DMR at nationals? Guess what happened?" he said. "We'll have to prove our worth the same way we do every year."

Even with Chapman gone, leadership has never been a worry on any FM team. Aris runs the ship. But he explained that this group is as self-sufficient as any. They all have national championship experience. They've all seen what the promiseland looks like. If there were any questions surrounding the squad it would circle around Christie Rutledge.

The senior skyrocketed through the ranks last year. She went from barely being able to make the varsity as a sophomore to winning the Class AA state title last year. But Rutledge suffered a back injury that sidelined her through the indoor and outdoor seasons. Aris said he "went overkill in protecting her." But he said Rutledge is fine now.

She joined Jillian Fanning and Katie Sischo at the Nike Elite Camp in Portland, Oregon, a camp that invited 20 of the top distance runners from across the country. The group also includes Kelsey Margey, who recently transferred to Friends Academy in Long Island and Edward Cheserek, the Kenyan sensation that will enter his junior year at St. Benedict's in New Jersey.

FM's top five also features Heather Martin, who posted a breakout track season, which saw her run 55 seconds for 400 meters. Aris said one of his biggest challenges this summer is rebuilding Martin into a cross country runner. He will also have his second year with Katie Brislin.