Goliath Falls In The Bronx

Where does one begin to tell the story of the Reebok Manhattan College Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday?

Was the top story the return of Edward Cheserek, whose comeback run made it look like he never left?

Was it the dominance of the nation's top team — Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft, N.J. — which had six runners finish before any other team welcomed its fourth?

Or was it Reagan Anderson, who led Tatnall of Delaware to a shocking win over the girls from Fayetteville-Manlius?

While all three are big news, Tatnall's 81-90 victory over FM will be the biggest news across the cross country scene this weekend. That's because in Manlius, they had forgotten how to lose.

Anderson was the first runner to finish, completing the 2.5-mile trek in 14:21.2 with teammate Julie Williams coming in seventh, 22 seconds later. Right behind Williams were two F-M runners — Alana Pearl and Katie Brislin — followed by a third Tatnall finisher, Kieran Hanrahan.

By the time the fifth F-M Hornet came across in 29th, it stopped the clock with 90 team points. At that point, Tatnall had four in with just 32 points, but each passing runner was adding to the total. If 58 runners finished before their fifth, F-M would have escaped with another win.

But eighth-grader Caroline Foley pulled in at 15:56.8 — with about 14 seconds to spare in 49th place — to give Tatnall the team victory. Not far behind FM were Pennsbury (114) and Holy Names (123). It must be noted that Fayetteville-Manlius star Jillian Fanning did not run.

On the boys' side, the return of Cheserek was all the buzz. And he didn't disappoint, breaking Joe Rosa's Manhattan College Invite 2.5-mile record in 11:58.7, seven seconds clear of Fayetteville-Manlius senior Nick Ryan and five ticks faster than Rosa's 2008 victory.

While CBA crushed the course average record (12:44.6) and finished with 94 points, the battle for second was epic with four teams separated by 20 points. West Chester Henderson was second (200) followed by Don Bosco Prep (207), FM (218) and Tatnall (220). St. Anthony's of the CHSAA was sixth with 253 points.

The fastest girl of the day did not come from the Eastern States Championship, but rather from Bronxville's Mary Cain in the Varsity A race. She finished in 14:03.9 as her team won a close one over Warwick Valley.

GIRLS' EASTERN STATES CHAMPIONSHIP

Individuals — 1. Reagan Anderson (Tatnall), 14:21.2; 2. Kennedy Weisner (Elk County Catholic), 14:22.9; 3. Holly Cavalluzzo (Valley Central), 14:37.2; 4. Sara Sargent (Pennsbury), 14:38.6; 5. Kara Dickerson (Midlothian), 14:40.1; 6. Taylor Spillane (Champlain Valley), 14:42.7; 7. Julie Williams (Tatnall), 14:43.4; 8. Alana Pearl (Fayetteville-Manlius), 14:46.2; 9. Katie Brislin (Fayetteville-Manlius), 14:48.3; 10. Kieran Hanrahan (Tatnall), 14:49.0.

Teams — 1. Tatnall, 81 (1-7-10 -14-49); 2. Fayetteville-Manlius, 90 (8-9-20-24-29); 3. Pennsbury, 114 (4-19-26-31-34); 4. Holy Names, 123 (11-12-25-36-39); 5. Champlain Valley, 189 (6-13-32-60-78); 6. La Salle (R.I.), 202 (16-27-44-48-67); 7. Midlothian, 227 (5-22-50-69-81); 8. Northport, 231 (21-37-52-58-63); 9. Laguna Hills, 237 (23-38-42-51-83); 10. Londonderry, 253 (41-43-53-54-62).

Click here for full results.

BOYS' EASTERN STATES CHAMPIONSHIP

Individuals — 1. Edward Cheserek (St. Benedict's Prep), 11:58.7; 2. Nick Ryan (Fayetteville-Manlius), 12:05.7; 3. T.J. Hornberger (Lake Shore), 12:20.2; 4. Tony Russell (West Chester Henderson), 12:24.7; 5. Jack Boyle (Christian Brothers, N.J.), 12:25.7; 6. Vincent Ciattei (Perry Hall), 12:26.4; 7. Bryce Millar (Fayetteville-Manlius), 12:27.2; 8. Will Bragg (Christian Brothers, N.J.), 12:27.8; 9. Kris Moran (North Babylon), 12:28.8; 10. Eric Holt (Carmel), 12:35.1.

Teams — 1. Christian Brothers (N.J.), 94 (5-8-20-28-33); 2. West Chester Henderson, 200 (4-31-50-57-58); 3. Don Bosco Prep, 207 (11-17-42-48-89); 4. Fayetteville-Manlius, 218 (2-7-54-70-85); 5. Tatnall, 220 (15-18-22-79-86); 6. St. Anthony's, 253 (35-43-49-61-65); 7. Walt Whitman (N.Y.), 282 (16-19-27-104-116); 8. Midlothian, 282 (29-44-45-72-92); 9. Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, 299 (26-39-59-60-115); 10. La Salle (R.I.), 316 (32-41-53-94-96).

Click here for full results.