High School XC: Section V Highlights

Katie Lembo: The Heir Apparent in Class AA

It is always exciting to see a dynasty being born. In Penfield, freshman Katie Lembo is that dynasty after placing second in sectionals last year as an eighth grader. Essentially in a league of her own, Lembo will face sectional challenges from Fairport junior Ashton Hughes and AA Class of 2011's top senior, Amanda Cocchiara of Hilton. Of course, there's no telling what middle school or freshman phenom might dart onto the scene to challenge Lembo's perch atop the cross country world.

Fastest Returning Runners?

On the boys' side, the fastest runner coming back for more XC is senior Robert Hurlbut of McQuaid. Following him, in order, are the only men to run under 17 minutes at their respective sectional meets last year: senior Kevin Hoose (HF-L), sophomore Colin Kerr (Wayne), senior Jared Rousell (Webster Thomas) and senior Scotty Smolensky (Brighton). They will all vie for the title "Fastest Man in Section V" by the end of the season.

On the girls' side, senior Christine Driscoll of Geneva is the only returning female to run in under 19 minutes (Amanda Moreland, the other, now stars for St. Lawrence University). Looking to reel her in this year, in order (and the only girls to run under 20 minutes at sectionals last year): freshman Katie Lembo (Penfield), senior Shaylyn Tuite (Pittsford-Mendon), junior Allison Hallock (Pittsford-Mendon), junior Ashton Hughes (Fairport), senior Amanda Cocchiara (Hilton), junior Katie Engle (HF-L), senior Alison Lockwood (Geneva), and a trio from Canandaigua: junior Katie McCormick, sophomore Kendall D'Amore and sophomore Kellie Mack.

Sectional Battles to Watch For

AA (Boys): Rush-Henrietta vs. Webster Thomas vs. Hilton--Can a quartet of juniors lead R-H to a repeat title? Or will returning seniors Jared Rousell and Cole DeClerck lead Webster Thomas to the crown?

AA (Girls): Fairport vs. Penfield vs. Hilton--Can Katie Lembo get some run support in Penfield? Will Ashton Hughes lead Fairport to glory? Or can Amanda Cocchiara retain Hilton's sectional crown?

A (Boys): Pittsford-Sutherland vs. McQuaid--McQuaid might be the favorites, but can the upstart boys at Sutherland pull off a much-anticipated title? It will come down to a footrace between senior duos: Robert Hurlbut and Wyatt Goldthorpe of McQuaid against Sean Fischer and Jordan Dworkin of Sutherland.

A (Girls): Pittsford-Mendon vs. Canandaigua--Last year, only 3 points separated Mendon from Canandaigua. It promises to be even closer this year. Each team returns their top four runners from sectionals one year ago.

B (Boys): Honeoye Falls-Lima vs. Wayne--HF-L lost two key seniors, but return senior Kevin Hoose is eager to keep the title with his school. Can sophomore Colin Kerr of Wayne outduel his elder rival?

B (Girls): Honeoye Falls-Lima vs. ....--Facing a dominant HF-L squad this year, the ladies' race for second place looks the most exciting, with a four-way scenario including Livonia, Penn Yan, Geneva and Wayne.

C (Boys): Greece Odyssey vs. Pembroke vs. Dansville vs. Williamson vs. Wayland-Cohocton--That's right--the most wide-open class in all of Section V. Flip a coin; or rather, roll a pair of dice.

C (Girls): Williamson vs. ....--Another race where the battle for second is more easily contested. The girls at Williamson return all their scorers from a team that won sectionals handily a year ago.

D (Boys): Geneseo vs. Pavilion--If any group of runners can unseat the Geneseo-juggernaut, it's the fiesty group at Pavilion. Tylor Richardson runs his final season of cross country for the underdogs, while reigning Class D champ Ryan Moynihan returns to lead the heavily favored Geneseo squad.

D (Girls): Byron-Bergen vs. Geneseo vs. Oakfield-Alabama vs. Red Creek--Easily the most competitive class on the girls' side; the storylines run deep: Can Geneseo retain their dominance? Will Oakfield-Alabama perform up to their state ranking? Can darkhorse Byron-Bergen use their talent to finally bring down the favorites? And can little Red Creek pull off the upset of the century to win a title?

Suspense and thrills for small schools and cross country runners in 2010 for Section V!