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!

Ranking Section V

After diagnosing a very competitive D division, here are our preseason Top 5s for the rest of the Section (starting with Class C):

CLASS C

Boys
1.Greece Odyssey
2.Pembroke
3.Dansville
4.Williamson
5.Wayland-Cohocton

Girls
1.Williamson
2.Wayland-Cohocton
3.Hornell
4.Greece Odyssey
5.Attica

CLASS B

Boys
1.Honeoye Falls-Lima
2.Wayne
3.Aquinas
4.Batavia
5.Geneva

Girls
1.Honeoye Falls-Lima
2.Livonia
3.Penn Yan
4.Geneva
5.Wayne

CLASS A

Boys
1.Pittsford-Sutherland
2.McQuaid
3.Brighton
4.Pittsford-Mendon
5.Brockport

Girls
1.Pittsford-Mendon
2.Canandaigua
3.Pittsford-Sutherland
4.Irondequoit
5.Mercy

CLASS AA

Boys
1.Rush-Henrietta
2.Webster Thomas
3.Hilton
4.Penfield
5.Webster Schroeder

Girls
1.Fairport
2.Penfield
3.Hilton
4.Webster Thomas
5.Rush-Henrietta

Who Will be King/Queen in Section V Class D?

The smallest schools in Section V rarely get any attention in the sporting columns of regional newspapers; instead, players at AAA schools become household names. And where football and soccer get the most print ink every year, cross country is most likely to be confused with skiing for New Yorkers. All of this combines to make Class D runners in Section V "New York's Forgotten Athletes."

Well, no longer. Here's what to look for in a cross country season that is one of the most highly competitive in the state:

Section V Class D Boys

1. Geneseo
In class DDD, Geneseo returns an unbelievable quartet of runners from one year ago, making them the odds-on favorites to win the sectional title and serious contendors for the state crown. Senior Ryan Moynihan, reigning DDD champ, leads Gabe Rodriguez (freshman), Evan Magnussen (senior) and Devon Rodriguez (junior) in an effort to repeat as sectional champs.

2. Arkport
Sectional third-place runner Casey Wellington (junior) returns for this squad, and brings back with him seniors Alex Pollinger and Lucas Halbert. With much to run for, this may be Arkport's best shot at sectional notoriety.

3. Pavilion
Sectional runner-ups last year, Pavilion has a lot to prove in the new season. If their young runners have trained hard enough in the off-season, Pavilion has a chance to give the powerhouse Geneseo team a run for their money. Senior Tylor Richardson will lead the way, along with teammates Ethan Richardson (junior) and sophomore Arron Carlson.

4. Notre Dame-Batavia
Junior warrior Andrew Fischer will lead a Notre Dame squad that has lost considerable firepower after a third-place sectional finish last year. He will be joined by senior Nick Flumerfeldt and junior Matt Sausner.

5. Kendall
The biggest DDD wildcard this year is Kendall. A youthful squad last year earned a ninth-place finish; this year's squad has the potential to rise if their heart and training effort is committed. Senior Marty Christensen will be joined by teammates Dan Price (sophomore), Zech Deuel (junior) and Colton Bisbo (sophomore). Kendall is this year's DDD "darkhorse."



Section V Class D Girls

1. Byron-Bergen
This might shock the small-school running world: a team other than Geneseo is the sectional preseason favorite on the girls' side. Last year's youngest team--and third-place sectional finishers--will likely remain this year's most youthful squad--and return some serious firepower. Freshman Kim Lovett will lead the way, finishing third in the section last season. She will be aided by fellow freshman Charlene Clay and sophomores Kara Hall, Nicole Fore and Sarah Donovan. If everyone in Byron-Bergen knew how good these girls are capable of becoming--well, tickets to cross country meets might become a pretty hot commodity.

2. Geneseo
Sectional champs a year ago, Geneseo always turns out a solid girls squad. They return some youth--freshman Lindsay Ryan and juniors Kristen Wiezel and Casey Emerson--but will have to fill their line-up with other quality ladies to compete with a very competitive sectional field this year. Leah Moreland will lace up for her senior year, and her contribution to the team may prove pivotal if the title is to remain in Geneseo.

3. Oakfield-Alabama
Youth seems to be the rule this year in Class D, and the girls at Oakfield-Alabama look to improve on a solid sixth-place showing at last year's sectionals. Sophomores Kerry Mills and Paige Chatt are back, as well as junior Ashley Covel, freshman Eliza Pinnessa and graduating senior Nicole Woodard. If these ladies have improved since last season, they are certainly in the conversation for a sectional title.

4. Red Creek
Parity is the word this year: the Red Creek girl's cross country team has their best shot at a sectional title in school history. Led by seniors Morgan Mayo, Kim Dauphin and Stephanie Grant, Red Creek also sports a younger side with a freshman trio consisting of the speedy Raylene Wade, Ali Bristol and Rachel Lyons. The sky is the limit for a squad that finished a solid seventh-place at sectionals one year ago.

5. Arkport
After losing two key seniors from last year's squad, Arkport will look to rally behind freshman Mary Frances Aini, who placed second at sectionals last season. She will lead juniors Natalie Bossard, Rachel Bossard, Hannah Smith and sophomore Nicole Smith against a wide-open Class D field.

Keep your eyes on these runners and all of Section V Class D this year! One thing is for sure, sectionals will be a treat--especially on the ladies' side, where five schools have a legitimate shot at being crowned Sectional Champions.