Bethlehem Central Enters The Season At No. 1 In New York With Six Of Top Seven Back This Fall

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Girls NXR New York Preview

The air of invincibility that the top New York girls cross country programs used to bring to Nike Cross Nationals has dissipated. 

The power resides elsewhere for the moment and New York's best remain competitive, but not dominant. 

Last year, Saratoga Springs finished sixth after its remarkable 2019 and 2022 wins that bracketed the COVID-19 pandemic cancellations. Bethlehem Central was 11th last year, up from 17th in 2022.

It's Bethlehem Central, which ran as Delmar at NXN, that is the top team in the Empire State now. Six of its top seven are back, the Eagles are ready to occupy the space so often occupied by Saratoga Springs and Fayetteville-Manlius.

With sophomore Anna Chrapowitzky leading the way, Bethlehem Central is seeking a third straight trip to Nike Cross Nationals. 

With the New York Federation meet serving double duty as the NXR New York regional, it will mean that the New York schools don't have to compete so hard three consecutive weekends (before NXN). It should also mean that fewer teams opt of the regional due to fatigue.

And it also takes it off the same weekend at Foot Locker Northeast, which is a huge development as it means the top New Yorkers and others across the Northeast are eligible to qualify for both national championships. 

Senior Sophia McInnes from Bayport Blue Point is the top returner from NXR New York regional champion. She was second last year behind Saratoga Springs' Emily Bush. Also back is third-place finisher Tsadia Bercuvitz from Ithaca, a sophomore. 

The schedule change opens to door for runners such as senior Zariel Macchia from William Floyd and Hunter College Campus senior Dylan McElhinney to compete at the NXR. Both of them recently represented the United States at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru. 

1. Bethlehem Central. After placing behind Kinetic (Saratoga Springs) the past two years ago NXR New York, Bethlehem Central enters the fall as the favorite. The team welcomes back six of its top seven and is poised to be the top team in the state. Sophomore Anna Chrapowitzky was the Eagles' top runner last season. Senior Kate Bannigan, junior Logan Kuhn and senior Charlotte O'Meara are the other returning scorers from last year's regional meet. After an 11th place finish at NXN last year, Bethlehem Central could be one of the top teams in the country outside of Colorado. 

2. East Aurora. All seven runners who competed on the second-place team at NXR New York last season are returning for the Blue Devils. Senior Emilia O'Leary has NXN experience and placed 88th at the national meet after a fifth-place finish at NXR New York. Junior Kailyn Houghton, sophomore Reiley Pierce, senior Catherine Schoenema, junior Hope Owens, senior Evelyn Hoak and sophomore Kate Maloney were all part of that team. They also won the Class C New York state title, scoring 22 points. If this team can stick together and keep improving then a trip to Nike Cross Nationals is a realistic goal.

3. Saratoga Springs. Legendary coaches Art and Linda Kranick have endured a difficult year, with Art dealing with a health scare that confined him to a wheelchair and the both of them facing public scrutiny over complaints from former athletes. The Kranicks were retained in June by the school and have a young and promising group of girls to coach this fall. At the Fonda Fultonville Invitational on Saturday, Saratoga Springs scored a perfect 15 points with the top six comprised of four freshmen and two eighth graders. Freshmen Reagan Owen and Cora Conley went 1-2 and the five scorers all fit between 19:01 and 19:56. Senior Kate Turner is also eligible to return from last year's sixth-place NXN squad.

4. Shenendehowa Central. The top six return intact for Shen, which finished fifth at NXR New York under the banner of Legacy Track Club. Junior Leyla Bhusri was 12th in that race and was also seventh in the 3,000 meters at the New York state track and field championships. This young group could be a threat to reach the top two, but it will take some racing to reveal who has improved over the summer. Freshman Anna McGaffin, junior Moira Glenn, sophomore Eva Bronzell, senior Fiona Klingbeil and junior Raquelle Landa are the other returns from the regional meet. 

5. Fayetteville-Manlius. Senior Izzie Sullivan won her season opening meet on Saturday at the Mustang Invitational by 53 seconds. Two years ago, Sullivan carried the flag for the storied F-M program to NXN and finished 19th. The Hornets have not qualified a team for nationals since the pandemic after going 14 straight years before that and usually winning the whole thing (11 national titles in 12 years). Head coach Bill Aris doesn't get the same turnout that he once did, but he has some pieces to work with. In addition to Sullivan, sophomore Jordan Giannetti finished second at Saturday's meet, junior Camille Ryan was seventh, junior Claire McDonald was 11th and freshman Evie Pinkerton was 19th. 

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