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Fayetteville-Manlius NY to Compete in Girls Varsity Race at Manhattan Invitational, Ending Streak of Appearances in Eastern States ChampionshipsPublished by
Nine-time Eastern States champion Hornets decide not to defend title, creating potential for first-time girls champion; Fayetteville-Manlius, Christian Brothers Academy headline elite boys fieldBy Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor One streak has already been halted before the 46th Manhattan College Cross Country Invitational even begins Saturday on the 2.5-mile course at Van Cortlandt Park in New York. Watch Live Finish Line Webcast | Race Assignments For the first time since 2004, the 11-time national champion Fayetteville-Manlius NY girls cross country team won’t be competing in the Edward J.J. Bowes Eastern States Championships, with the Hornets instead entered in a Varsity ‘B’ race. Fayetteville-Manlius won the past four Eastern States Championships and nine overall, including five straight from 2007-11. Only Saratoga Springs NY, with 10 team titles from 1993-2005, has captured more girls crowns at the annual event. The Hornets also placed sixth in 2006 and eighth in 2005 during their 13 consecutive appearances in the Eastern States Championships. In 2004, Fayetteville-Manlius competed in a Varsity ‘D’ race after a seventh-place finish in the Eastern States race the year before. The absence of Fayetteville-Manlius and Saratoga Springs in the Eastern States race creates the potential for a first-time champion, either from New York or California. In addition, without Fayetteville-Manlius junior Claire Walters and Phoebe White – who placed first and third in last year’s Eastern States girls race – scheduled to compete, the top returnee from last season is expected to be Warren Hills NJ senior Alexa Westley, who took sixth in 14:29.9. Liverpool and Niskayuna could represent in their home state by each capturing a team championship for the first time, with the toughest challenge expected from Claremont CA. Only two California girls teams in meet history – Palos Verdes in 1987 and Mt. Carmel in 1990 – have won the Eastern States Championships title. Saugus CA is also making the trip out from the west coast. The Bolles School FL and La Salle Academy RI could also win the first girls Eastern States Championship for their respective states. Fayetteville-Manlius will be competing in the Peter Aquilone Eastern States Championships boys race, renewing a rivalry with Christian Brothers Academy NJ, winner of the past two team titles. Fayetteville-Manlius last captured the Eastern States boys crown in 2014, with Christian Brothers securing six championships in the past decade. Downington West PA, the 2015 champion, is also entered. The boys field is one of the deepest in recent memory, with New York powers Smithtown West, Liverpool and Corning-Painted Post joining Fayetteville-Manlius to compete against Northeast programs Christian Brothers, La Salle Academy and Bishop Hendricken RI, in addition to The Bolles School and Claremont. No California or Florida boys team has won the most prestigious title in meet history. Bolles School FL senior Charles Hicks is the top returning athlete from last year’s Eastern States boys race, placing fifth in 12:30.2. More news |