New_yorker7 wrote:
Any New Yorkers out there with any thoughts on the upcoming season? All of tully's preaseason stuff is out and I find this season rather interesting. On the girls side after FM, the rest is wide open. Boys is likewise with Burnt Hills. Should be interesting to see which individuals develop on both sides. This year seems to have more question marks than any season in awhile
Burnt Hills is clear favorite for sure, with the Tully Ratings not showing their true top 5 avg. after an injury which dragged down a low 170 to low 160 and a freshman who ran a 173 being dragged down to mid 160s. That being said, they didn't have it at the end of the year last November, but with a young team and new goals they could time their peak better.
Look for Saratoga Boys and Girls to not reach/pass expectations, other than Chmiel and Wielbaker as individuals. Rumor Mill: One of Saratoga's top male freshmen transferred to FM AKA Golden State Warriors.
I like Nisky (both genders, but mainly the guys) based on improvements in the past few years, but they need to stay healthy and not fall apart like they did last year.
Shenendehowa Girls should be good, but need some backend depth, and their Guys team still has very good depth, they just haven't been able to make necessary jumps in times as they've developed.
I think Fairport will be a good, but not great team for the bulk of the season, but not challenge for a state title or NXN bid. They just can't put together the pieces between strength and speed-oriented guys with their training that it would be tough.
FM Girls obviously.
FM Boys less obviously, but will still be there to take an auto-bid to NXN if other people falter in the past few meets (as usually happens).
St. Anthony's is ranked highly, but rumor is they lost one of their top three, so I would slot them a few lower in the preseason.
Northport has the track times, but that is hard to predict XC success. They were quite good a few years back with Brannigan, and the McGowan Twins, so they could have it in them, but I would expect them to be more similar to the team Arlington as out together, where the track success leads to decent XC results, but nothing special.
Bethlehem Boys could be a surprise to some people, I think they could move up as the season progresses, and their coach is good at keeping them fresh (they don't race much). They have one potential breakout (1:55, 4:20 neg. split 2:06 I think, and 8:59 3k at start of season as a soph), along with a Sr with a 4:22, a Sr with 4:26&9:37, and another Sr at 9:42. If they get a good fifth they could challenge the top squads I think.
Overall: On both sides, Sec. 2 looks to be re-surging to their former status as most competitive section on both sides in the State, and up there in the nation Depth-Wise.