New York doesn't mess around. The cross country powerhouse is one of only two states in the nation, the other being California, to host its own Nike Cross Regionals qualifier. But the competition starts way before NXN and NXR, as just one team from each Section gets a locked in bid for the New York State Championship. The No. 6 ranked girls team in Shenendehowa races in Section II against perennial national contender Saratoga Springs, making it perhaps tougher to make the state meet than the national championship. The Plainsmen did not make the state meet last year, but received an at-large bid to NXN following a third place finish at the NXR-NY (thanks in part to a sick 19 second spread!) behind F-M and Saratoga Springs.
Shen returns six of their seven who took 18th place at NXN, including team leaders Danielle Jordan and Julia Zachgo. Rising senior Jordan led much of the cross season, but it was actually Zachgo who ran No. 1 at NXN 2014. The rising junior had a standout spring that saw her run PRs of 10:03.75 for 3k and 4:33.35 for 1500m. Their top five average of 18:03 for 5k makes Shen the No. 3 returning team in the nation based on 5k PRs, thanks to efforts in the low 18s last year by Hannah Reale, Emily Crounse and Hillary Halpern. Reale was just a freshman last year and should have plenty of room for improvement after a spring that saw her throw down 4:49 for 1500m.
Their top top five 3000m average is is 10:22.36, No. 2 returning in the nation behind Section II rivals Saratoga Springs, though they reverse that order for the 1500m, as they are the No. 1 returners in the nation with a top five average of 4:44.2. If track success is any indication - which, sometimes it is and sometimes is not - then the Plainsmen are ready to mix it up and challenge the Blue Streaks for a state championship and NXN bid.
Top Returnees from 2014 XC Season:| 1) Danielle Jordan | 17:34.64 | 8 | ||
| 2) Julia Zachgo | 17:36.19 | 9 | ||
| 3) Hannah Reale | 18:00.99 | 43 | ||
| 4) Emily Crounse | 18:17.54 | 96 | ||
| 5) Hillary Halpern | 18:46.46 | 236 | ||
| Average Time: 18:03.16 Total Time: 1:30:15.82 1-5 Split: 1:11.82 | ||||
| 6) Charlotte Hartman | 18:48.98 | 253 | ||
| 7) Kristina Watrobski | 19:04.46 | 360 | ||
Top Returning 3000m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season:
| 1) Julia Zachgo | 10:03.75 | 13 | ||
| 2) Danielle Jordan | 10:11.30 | 19 | ||
| 3) Caroline Hartman | 10:29.81 | 50 | ||
| 4) Hillary Halpern | 10:30.86 | 51 | ||
| 5) Charlotte Hartman | 10:36.10 | 63 | ||
| Average Time: 10:22.36 Total Time: 51:51.82 1-5 Split: 32.35 | ||||
| 6) Kristina Watrobski | 10:54.54 | 119 | ||
| 7) Hannah Reale | 10:59.63 | 142 | ||
Top Returning 1500m Times from 2015 Outdoor Season:
| 1) Julia Zachgo | 4:33.35 | 8 | ||
| 2) Danielle Jordan | 4:37.56 | 20 | ||
| 3) Hannah Reale | 4:49.21 | 85 | ||
| 4) Caroline Hartman | 4:49.88 | 91 | ||
| 5) Hillary Halpern | 4:51.01 | 98 | ||
| Average Time: 4:44.20 Total Time: 23:41.01 1-5 Split: 17.66 | ||||
| 6) Kristina Watrobski | 4:51.11 | 101 | ||
| 7) Olivia Lomascolo | 4:55.72 | 151 | ||