Honestly, I would be shocked if any other team was anywhere CLOSE to them this fall. They were totally dominant this year, and only lose two runners from their top 7. Their young talent has developed well, and while Gregorski will be a big loss at the national level, Bange looks ready to step up and be a similar low stick. I expect they are looking to be pretty competitive at NXN, and will likely improve on their 12th-place finish in 2017.
Wow this all aged so well
St A finished where they expected. It’s crazy to think that not only that, but the 2 teams that will likely make it out next year are those that finished 6th and 7th at NXR
Honestly, I would be shocked if any other team was anywhere CLOSE to them this fall. They were totally dominant this year, and only lose two runners from their top 7. Their young talent has developed well, and while Gregorski will be a big loss at the national level, Bange looks ready to step up and be a similar low stick. I expect they are looking to be pretty competitive at NXN, and will likely improve on their 12th-place finish in 2017.
Wow this all aged so well
St A finished where they expected. It’s crazy to think that not only that, but the 2 teams that will likely make it out next year are those that finished 6th and 7th at NXR
Saratoga's and Auburn's returners best speed ratings
Toga:170,169,162,160,159
Auburn:173,165,162,160,156
What about Fairport?
I also see posts on this thread that Saratoga boys team peaks too early. That does not bode well for their chances of ever taking a stab at NXN
Fairport is the same way. They peak at their league meet. Honestly I think Corning might be headed out there again next year. They return 172, 161, a few 150s guys, and a 140s freshman. It’ll all depend on development, they don’t have a ready-made team like they did this year but they developed in 2014, 2016, and 2021 so there’s a good chance they do it again. They used to have problems running Bowdoin but they seem to have sorted that out now. They probably won’t be top 10 next year though so hopefully somebody else can step up as a true top team from the region.
I also see posts on this thread that Saratoga boys team peaks too early. That does not bode well for their chances of ever taking a stab at NXN
Fairport is the same way. They peak at their league meet. Honestly I think Corning might be headed out there again next year. They return 172, 161, a few 150s guys, and a 140s freshman. It’ll all depend on development, they don’t have a ready-made team like they did this year but they developed in 2014, 2016, and 2021 so there’s a good chance they do it again. They used to have problems running Bowdoin but they seem to have sorted that out now. They probably won’t be top 10 next year though so hopefully somebody else can step up as a true top team from the region.
I’d also watch out for Arlington and Burnt Hills. St A returns 3 guys, Melloy (who started on varsity then ended season early), and some more talent from the JV team. Wouldn’t be surprised if St A gets back there again. I think all these teams will be better than Corning
Hopefully North Rockland’s top 7 adds some more guys in Ryan Tuohy’s grade or lower next year. So that they go to NXN when he is a senior or even a junior
I think 6th at NXR was actually good for Fairport. And 5th was very good for Saratoga. all of the teams that finished in the top 6 were in discussions of teams that could make NXN
I also see posts on this thread that Saratoga boys team peaks too early. That does not bode well for their chances of ever taking a stab at NXN
Fairport is the same way. They peak at their league meet. Honestly I think Corning might be headed out there again next year. They return 172, 161, a few 150s guys, and a 140s freshman. It’ll all depend on development, they don’t have a ready-made team like they did this year but they developed in 2014, 2016, and 2021 so there’s a good chance they do it again. They used to have problems running Bowdoin but they seem to have sorted that out now. They probably won’t be top 10 next year though so hopefully somebody else can step up as a true top team from the region.
Fairport beat Corning at McQuaid head to head. 2 Corning seniors were in a different race but all Corning underclassmen were in the race against Fairport
If St Anthony’s has a good team next year (or even snags an NXN spot) it shouldn’t be surprising. They do lose 4 seniors, but they return: - 3 guys from the NXN squad (all of them scored at NXN) - A 17:00 5K junior who started the season in the top 7 but ended his season early (also ran a 10:03 in the 3200) - A junior who didn’t race XC much this year but ran a 10:06 in the 3200 - A freshman who was at the top of JV So that’s a lot of depth
I think that for Corning it will be a down year after losing their 1,2,3,4 and 6. But from a weak region they can have enough guys step up to make NXN
Saratoga's and Auburn's returners best speed ratings
Toga:170,169,162,160,159
Auburn:173,165,162,160,156
Look a bit deeper at Auburn's returners.
In their returning scoring group (top 6), they return two freshman who figure to improve a lot just by being a year older and stronger. They also return a soph; the same applies to a lesser degree.
Plus, they benefit from being in the same conference as FM. While FM might not be any good next year, Auburn's coaches and upperclassmen have seen them a lot in the past... so they know what a good team looks like, etc.