FM Trains Rolls On

The Fayetteville-Manlius girls — who will open their season at the Eastern States Championship race at the Reebook Manhattan Invitational on Saturday afternoon — are expected to once again prove what everyone is already thinking. That they are the best team in the country.

Last year FM won the meet with 45 points over the 83 scored by Tatnall (Del.), which could once again be FM's toughest challenger (along with in-state rival Holy Names). Of course, FM is so good that it could put five girls in front of Holy Names' first.

So, is it still exciting for fans to watch FM just dominate the competition? Are some just watching and waiting for the day it finally falls? FM hasn't done that since November of 2006. Or are fans so impressed by their dominance that it still amazes everyone to watch such greatness? It's probably a little of both.

Jillian Fanning of FM won the individual title in 14:03 a year ago and returns as the favorite. She'll have to contend with Kennedy Weisner of Elk County (Pa.) of who ran 16:46 at the McQuaid Invitational two weeks ago. Besides other FM teammates, the only other girl has who show the ability to run close to Fanning is Taylor Spillane of Champlain Valley (Vt.).

Only three girls have ever run under 14 minutes on the Van Cortlandt Park course. Nicole Blood of Saratoga broke the barrier for the first time in 2004 when she ran 13:59. Carly Seymour of Central Cambria (Pa.) lowered the record to 13:55 in 2007. In 2010 Aisling Cuffe ran 13:58 on what was either a slow day for racing or a slightly longer course. With temperatures predicted to be in the low 50s for the race, the record could be in jeopardy. Of course, Fanning could get the record and hang out for 15 minutes to see if Bronxville's Mary Cain — running in the Varsity 'A' — can steal it from her.

Girls Eastern States Championship @ 2:45 pm