The Scoop: The Return Of Some Of The Nation's Best

Unpacking The Chittenango Invitational

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This early-season New York meet may not have been the most pressing on the calendar a year ago, but it certainly made a difference in implications this year. 

On Saturday, we got our first glimpse of some big performers and teams out of New York. 

1. Liverpool vs. FM girls vs. Shenendehowa

They raced in different divisions, but it was telling just how good Liverpool looked on Saturday. The team put down 30 points in the Girls Varsity II race and its top two in the first two places, with senior Madison Neuner and junior Jenna Schulz going back-to-back in 18:26.60 and 18:36.80, respectively. The team had its first seven in by the first 17 finishers--in a 14-team field--and its top five under 20:27.20. 

FM, meanwhile, fell to Shenendehowa in the Varsity I race 43-60, though all's not lost. As we figured, the team's top 3--Claire Walters, Grace Kaercher, and Hannah Kaercher--raced well and were in under 20 minutes. But there's room to grow for the 4-5-6, as all three also finished under 20:40. One of those three, Phoebe White, produced a 17:24.60 a year ago, so FM isn't out yet. 

Shen, meanwhile, went 3-5-10-12-13 and were led by junior Hannah Belleville, who finished in 18:57.10.

Varsity 1 Team Scores

2. The FM Boys Look Ridiculously Good

No surprise here. The Hornet boys showed out on Saturday, winning the Varsity I race with 18 points on a 16:14 average and 39-second spread. Early predictions had this being a national contender, and that thought shouldn't change after this outing. 

The team's top five came in through the first six places, and senior Garrett Brennan won the overall race in 15:53.20, while junior Geoff Howles was second in 15:54.60. 

Varsity 1 Team Scores

Related Links: 

• Meet Results