2010 Season Previews

Girls/Boys

Young, but talented, and under the state radar—that aptly describes these 2010 Wildcats. They were cruising toward a superb team year in 2009 when senior leader Katie Bott went down in early October with an enigmatic knee injur-- plica syndrome. Katie rebounded to school records and state championships during the indoor/outdoor seasons, but her cross-country teammates were left without an important front-runner and senior leader for their championship efforts. Still, they did well. Led by the nation’s top 8^th grader, Laura Leff, they captured 3^rd at sectionals behind national champions F-M and #13 state-ranked Cicero-North Syracuse—and they finished with a state 21^st ranking in Class AA.

Nine of those top-10 sectional qualifiers from 2009 return—and there will be much competition for team top-7 spots. Add to that group several exciting modified runners from 2009, as well as a few harrier ‘converts,’ and we’ll see how long it takes this squad to become a NYS “team-to-watch.”

***Top Returning Runners***

    Laura Leff (Gr 9):  It would be hard to overstate the success Laura experienced as an 8^th grade varsity runner in 2009/10. Announcing her Section III harrier arrival quickly, she won the Central Square Invitational and then a week later the Division II race of the Chittenango Invitational. Laura went undefeated in dual meet competition, which included first place on her home course against all the girls of national championship Fayetteville-Manlius. She won the Varsity “E” race at the Manhattan Invitational, only the second WG individual winner ever on the historic Vandy 2.5 mile circuit. All that, however, was prelude to an impressive championship season. Qualifying for the ‘states,’ Laura placed 9^th in Class AA on the Plattsburg 5k course with the 10^th best overall time and a WG 5k record time of 17:43.1. That was also the fastest 8^th grade 5k in the United States for 2009. Laura ended her XC season the following week, placing 7^th at the Federation Championship. She was named Cross-Country’s 8^th-Grader-of-the-Year in New York State for her achievements. Laura’s rapid apprenticeship continued in indoor track where she qualified for the state championship in the 3000 meter and placed 2^nd in the National Scholastic 7^th/8^th Grade Mile. During outdoor track, she clocked 10:17.4 and 4:49.04 personal records in the 3000m/1500m events. She also took up the 2000m Steeplechase challenge and, demonstrating a steep learning curve, qualified for the state championship in that event with the fastest sectional time of the season. Laura’s XC goals for 2010 are to be stronger, faster and, she insists, more closely accompanied by teammates.

  Anna Leo(Gr 10): Anna’s varsity running seasons since 8^th grade have been a tale of opposites.  After qualifying for the National  7^th/8^th Grade Mile during Indoor Track in her first varsity season, she missed outdoor due to injury.  A 2009 summer of gradually increasing training mileage brought her to the fall XC season ready to race. She did just that, establishing herself as the team’s #2/3 competitor. At the Sectional Championship, Anna registered her finest performance of the season, placing 12^th, to advance to the State Championship with teammate Laura. A seasonal PR of 19:25.6 on the Plattsburgh course was a step-up performance capping a strong inaugural campaign. Then followed a difficult indoor season where Anna was forced to the sidelines in early January by injury. Rehabilitation erased her spring track season, but she is back training and preparing for another strong autumn on the trails.

 Abby Kastick(Gr 10): An 8^th grade companion of Anna’s for Varsity Indoor/Outdoor Track, Abby already brings a wealth of competitive experience to the trails this fall—and the drive to elevate this young team. The  #3 XC runner for the Wildcats in 2009, Abby garnered a top-25 sectional championship finish to earn a sectional top-30 ranking for the season. Focused on developing foot-speed during the indoor season, Abby did her best outdoor track work at the 3000m distance, where she clocked a 11:07.01. She also took up the 2000m steeplechase. Once she masters her goal of a strong summer training season, the team will be enjoying another top sectional runner this fall.

  Amy Hannahan(Gr 11): As a sophomore, Amy had a solid year going. The Cross-Country team’s #6 runner, Amy raced 36^th at the sectional championship, considerably above projections. During the indoor season, she focused on speed events and placed top-6 in the sectional championship 1000m. Outdoor was to provide an opportunity to lower her 2:29 800m time, but she injured herself in the very first meet and was lost for the season.  Amy is back training for XC and will deepen this young and talented Wildcats squad.

   Kelly Powell (Gr 11): If there is a dark-horse candidate among the team’s best runners, that would be Kelly.  Statistically, she finished as the team’s #8 runner last season, but she was a WG top-5 in five different meets and finished only a step behind teammate Amy at sectionals. Kelly’s basic foot-speed was evidenced this spring with a 1:02.2 400m early in the track season. Staying healthy and getting stronger are her primary goals this coming year. Combine those with a strong summer training season, and this dark-horse could race into the sectional limelight come fall.

 Kaitlyn Richards (Gr 12): A senior leader for the Wildcats this year, all signs point toward Kaitlyn’s final XC season being her strongest. The team’s #5 finisher in 2008, Kaitlyn was dogged by injuries last fall, but she came back with a solid outdoor track season this spring that even included the 2000m steeplechase.  Runners will again be able to follow her scholastic harrier campaign through columns on the Syracuse Fleet Feet web site. Judging from her team run efforts so far this summer, she’ll have a lot to write about.

***Runners To Watch***

 Delaney Nolan(Gr 9): As an 8^th grader, Delaney led her 2009 Modified XC team to a 5-1 season. She won 3 of 4 modified dual meet races and garnered first place individually at the Baldwinsville, Weedsport and Marathon Invitationals. Following basketball, Delaney ran varsity Outdoor Track, focusing on form development and running mechanics. Her modified success and love of cross-country strongly suggest she will be an important team factor this fall.

  Alyssa Zeman(Gr 11): A steadily improving performer, “Z” is expected to move up in the team ranks this fall. In 2009, she had several races as a WG top-10 and could significantly improve on that this season. Alyssa possesses solid foot speed and power. Summer training and will-power could make her a Sectional top-30 runner this fall.

 Jessica Emanuelli(Gr 12): Another team dark-horse candidate, Jessica has been lurking on the fringes of a break-out running season. 2010 XC might be her season.  Last year’s #10 team runner, Jessica finished higher than that for the ‘cats seven times. A dependable and very consistent performer for last year’s squad, she can be expected to vie for a top spot this fall.

   Lauren Briant(Gr 10):  Lauren was #11 on the team’s depth chart in 2009, a deceptive stat because in her last six races, she ran top-10 for the team each time and finished as high as #8 during the season. Potential is the operative word, and this could be the season she makes her mark.

Season Surprises??

Judging from past performances as varsity or modified athletes, none of these athletes would probably surprise anyone should they charge hard for a team top-spot and a place in the ranks of Section III’s best. Sophomore Alycia Andolina enjoyed an eye-opening race at Marathon last October, demonstrating she’s capable of more big races this fall. Another sophomore, Morgan Farmer, likewise has the capability to become a top team runner. Sophomore Emily Iles and her freshman sister, Allison Iles, are competing in their first XC seasons and could make valuable team contributions with solid summer training. Another freshman, Rachel Gdula, was a steady modified top-5 runner and might just provide some excitement once she absorbs varsity training.  As always, summer miles and mental mindsets will determine how far potential moves toward reality.

Coming off two top-15 state ranked competitive seasons and consecutive NY Federation Championship qualifications, the loss of top-5 runners Steve Houghmaster and Sam Reedy might suggest this to be a re-building year for the Wildcats. That would be a risky assumption. For the 2010 season, this team will have the good fortune to re-load rather than re-build. Seven of the team’s top-10 from 2009 return, a group that includes two indoor track All-American 4x1mile relay members. A strong contingent of junior varsity runners coming off successful indoor and outdoor track seasons are also waiting to move up. The 2010 ‘cats will be contenders.

***Top Returning Runners***

   Billy Gabriel(Gr 12): Billy was the team’s #2 runner in 2009, though his average finish place on the team put him at  #1. Expect his 16:32.0 5k PR to drop into the 15’s this season. An explosive track middle-distance runner, during the 09/10 indoor season, he ran a school-record 9:45.13 for the 32000m, 4:24.9 in the 1600m and 2:01.0 for the 800m. He became a two-time All-American at season’s end on 4x1mile and 4x800 relays that finished 3^rd and 6^th respectively at National Scholastics. During the outdoor season, Billy dropped his 800m PR to 1:58 and opened the New Balance Nationals 4x1mile Relay that place 12^th in Greensboro, N.C. Capable of being a top sectional and state harrier, Billy will be gunning for both.

 John DeLallo(Gr 12): A modified XC stand-out with teammate Billy Gabriel, John spent a season away from the trails before resuming with the varsity harriers his sophomore year. He’s been gaining momentum ever since. Last year’s dependable #5 runner, John picked up speed during the indoor season. With a 1600m leg, he anchored the State Championship Intersectional Relay that included three Wildcats and won both State and Federation championships handily, running only a second off the all-time state record. John then contributed an All-American leg to West Genesee’s third-place indoor nationals 4x1mile relay squad, a 4:29.6 effort in a season that also saw him clock a 9:59.22 3200m. During outdoor track, John’s 4x1mile leg at the New Balance nationals was the team’s fastest, a 4:26.33 personal best. A 1:57.5 800m personal record further demonstrated developing foot-speed. A proto-typical middle-distance runner, John is still discovering his true running talents.

  Martin Leff(Gr 11): Martin could easily become the most improved Section III runner this season. He already has good numbers from which to launch that campaign. The fastest NY freshman at Federations two years ago, Martin was the Wildcat’s dependable #4 on the 2009 federation-qualified squad and he placed 26^th in a talent-rich 2009 Section III championship field. His 18:04.3 freshman 5k PR dropped all the way to 16:52.3 his sophomore season. Indoor track this winter saw Martin break an important barrier in the 1600m, with a 4:39.96 effort. Outdoor provided another pivotal accomplishment as he clocked an impressive 9:51.95 in the 3200m. A highly motivated summer of training is underway. Its effects will be on display this fall.

  Matt Gonnella(Gr 12): Matt will likely find himself  in a pivotal  position this fall—that all important #4-5 runner who determines the fate of team scoring for the Wildcats. The #6 runner for the team in 2009, Matt ran as high as #4 in several meets, so he’s prepared for his 2010 role. His 09/10 indoor track season was devoted to speed development, with a 2:47.08 1000m PR and an anchor leg on a league champion 4x400R. Outdoor track brought his 1600m down to 4:40. As the saying goes, there’s no time like the present. Matt will be charging for his ‘carpe diem’ moments this fall.

   Matt Serrao(Gr 12): Another runner stepping into a big role this fall, Matt has the background to fill team top-5 shoes. The #7 runner on the 2009 squad, Matt put in most of his best races late in the season—when they counted most.  He did the same during the indoor season, running a 10:36.09 fourth place 3200m in the league championship, a personal record. That was lowered to 10:29.10 during outdoor track, where he also placed 3^rd in the league championship 3000 meter steeplechase with a 10:32.58. Ready for any running challenge, Matt will face one his greatest this fall.

***Runners To Watch***

 Mark Reilly(Gr 11): In his first cross-country season as a sophomore, Mark moved right into the team top-10, capped by a 31^st place finish in the tough Sectional  championship Class AA field, where he ran #6 for the team and finished with the 7^th fastest 5k of the season for the ‘cats. A 1:36 600m during indoor hinted at developing foot-speed, which was verified during outdoor with 56.0 and 2:07.0 PR’s in the 400 and 800 meter events. He also clocked a 4:50 1600m in that all-important power-speed range. Mark’s just getting started and could be one of the section’s big surprises in 2010.

   Matt Byrnes(Gr 12):  Matt is another runner who came later to XC, as a junior. Learning the running ropes, he finished the 2009 as the team’s #15, placing 17^th in the league JV championship race. Matt continued competing, accumulating mileage and experience during indoor track. That work paid off. After a 5:30.49 1600m PR during the winter, Matt clocked 4:51.53 in the outdoor season, suggesting his time was coming. He solidified that belief with a 5^th place 10:27.63 effort in the league championship 3200m. All systems are go for an accomplished fall season.

   D.J. Campbell(Gr 12):  The big miles have been passing under D.J.’s feet this summer, and that should spell success for his senior XC campaign this fall—and the possibility of a central team role. D.J. likes the trails. The team’s #10 runner in 2009, he’s ready to shoot for a team top-7 spot.

Season Surprises??

As always, there are ‘cats lurking, ready to leap into team top-10 roles. Brett Smith closed fast in ‘09’ with a batch of #9 team finishes, running a seasonal PR at leagues and earning a spot on the sectional team; he could pick up where he left off. D.J. Klaczko had an up and down 2009 season, running as high as #6 on the team before missing championships with illness. The potential is there. Mike Schrank’s motivation for summer training is up this summer; so is his mileage and an opportunity for a team top-10 spot. Jay Paika Rawling strung together some impressive indoor/outdoor track performances and could do the same for the XC ‘cats. And what about the freshman group, all 14 of them? The 2009 Modified XC team that dominated dual meets and invitationals last year sends us top runners Cody Ward, Dan Gabriel and Nate Conroy. One of them challenging our veterans? It could happen.