Records in jeopardy at Manhattan Invitational

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

One or both of the 2.5-mile Manhattan Invitational course records at Van Cortlandt Park could be under assault on Saturday in the Bronx.

One of the largest cross country meets in the country, the Manhattan Invitational and specifically the Eastern States Championship races, are big indicators of how the season is playing out in the Northeast. 

Carlisle PA senior Noah Affolder ran the 11th fastest time in meet history at Manhattan last year (12:14.3). The record, held by Edward Cheserek, is 11:55.4 (2011). Only Cheserek and Alex Ostberg (2014) have broken 12 minutes on the course. 

Jessica Lawson of Corning is the meet record holder at VCP (13:53.9). However, the two-time Foot Locker national finalist is not entered in Saturday's meet.

Lawson's absence leaves the door open for someone such as North Rockland freshman Katelyn Tuohy, who had a strong performance at the Grout Invitational last week. She ran the 25th fastest time in meet history last year as an eighth grader. Haddonfield senior Briana Gess is also capable as she ran the 12th fastest time in meet history last year.

Aside from the individual achievements, the Manhattan Invitational is often the spot where national championship teams congeal and begin their march to a national title. Fayetteville-Manlius NY, which has built a high school dynasty around its girls team, often uses Manhattan as a springboard for late season racing success. 

Likewise, Christian Brothers Academy of New Jersey has won the boys team championship four times in the past seven years. In 2011, victory at Manhattan was a prelude to an NXN championship in Portland, Ore.

The Fayetteville-Manlius boys broke the team average record (12:32.8 for five scorers) on the way to the 2014 NXN title.

Manhattan Invitational Web site