The Ultimate NXN Girls Team And Individual Preview

Fayetteville-Manlius' Girls (NY) 

What should we expect to see from the Fayetteville-Manlius girls in 2017? Is there a chance the Hornets get upset for just the second time in 12 years? 

FM has won 10 out of the last 11 Nike Cross Nationals titles, with only Wayzata (MN) upsetting the Hornets in 2013 by 12 points. 

Well, history has told us not to bet against FM. 

While this year's squad hasn't look untouchable at times, the Hornets, ranked No. 1 in the Flo50 national rankings, still go into the championships with the best five-girl squad in the entire nation -- generally speaking, they're the best seven-girl squad, too. 

Since the Manhattan Invitational, when the program laid down a powerful win against the field with just 22 points and a 14:25.28 average for the 4K course, the team has been firing on all cylinders. 

Leaving with yet another win at the NXR New York Regional on November 25, the FM girls went 3-4-5-6 and No. 12 to pierce their competitors with 23 points. Sophomores Claire Walters and Phoebe White and senior Sophie Ryan have been trading the No. 1 position for much of the season, and all three -- not to mention senior Rebecca Walters -- have a potential to finish as the lead stick here at NXN. 

The Hornets have registered impressive wins against New York competition like Corning, Shenendehowa and Saratoga, but it will be interesting to see what the squad will do against teams like Great Oak (CA), Naperville North (IL) and Wayzata (MN). 

FM also cleared a hurdle at the New York Class A state championships, scoring a low of 24 points on an 77-second compression, doing so on an 19:32 average across difficult terrain at Bowdoin Park. 

Rain is projected for Saturday's championship, so if FM can battle through those tough conditions again, don't expect any less from the team. 

FM's intimidating pack-style, however, is the key to their win at NXN again. If the Hornets maintain their form in Portland, expect the program to take their 11th title. 

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