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NXN New York Regional 2015 Preview - DyeStatPublished by
East Aurora competing with the 'bigs' in NY
By Mary Albl for DyeStat
East Aurora High head coach Walt McLaughlin knows just how rare Saturday's opportunity is for both the boys and girls cross country programs.
The two teams head into the Nike Cross New York Regional Championships at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls with a very realistic chance to qualify for nationals.
"Being in a position to qualify for Nike doesn't come around very often," McLaughlin explained. "So we really want to take advantage of it. Our kids have done a great job."
Headlined by powerhouses Fayetteville-Manlius and Saratoga Springs, small-school East Aurora has quietly etched out a name for itself this season, going beyond the confines of upstate New York.
Both teams won Class C state titles on Nov. 14 at Monroe-Woodbury, a tough, hilly course, in dominating fashion.
The girls scored 35 points, with senior Sophia Tasselmyer finishing first and three Blue Devils placing in the top 10.
"We've grown so much this season," McLaughlin said of the girls. "It's been really exciting to see."
The Blue Devil boys team finished first with 36 points. Senior Kenny Vasbinder captured first (15:52.20), while five placed in the top 25. Both teams are ranked No. 1 in Class C by Armorytrack.com.
"Experience is really important," McLaughlin said. "The more times you're in these situations you learn how to handle the pressure and hype and that business."
You'll be hard-pressed to find two programs -- Fayetteville-Manlius and Saratoga -- with more big-stage experience.
The Fayetteville-Manlius girls, No. 1 in the latest DyeStat national team rankings, have won eight of the Nike national team titles, including a seven-year streak that was snapped in 2013. Last year, the boys won their first national title, making it the first time in the event's 11-year history the same school swept the event.
The Saratoga girls have made nine career appearances at nationals.
The two girls programs have finished 1-2 at regionals the last seven years.
Add in a tough Liverpool boys squad, that took fourth at nationals a year ago, and has been a consistent force this fall, winning the Class A crown.
"The competition is great," McLaughlin said. "Fayetteville, both on the girls and boys side are great teams. Liverpool is a great team, Saratoga ... these teams with really proven cross country history, these are the teams to beat."
But McLaughlin and East Aurora are not shying away from running their race, and hopefully making program history, having both teams qualify for nationals. The girls last made the trip in 2012.
"In one respect we're chasing them, but we're in a great position," he said. "We know we can run with these teams, and perform when it counts."
The top returner in the boys race is Saratoga Springs senior Aidan Tooker, who finished fourth last year. Tooker is coming off winning the Federation title last Saturday in 15:42.80.
The top returning female is Elmira Express' Abbey Wheeler, who placed third. Corning junior Jessica Lawson, who won the Federation title last Saturday in 17:46.80, finished runner-up last year, but will be competing in the Northeast Foot Locker race instead. Newcomer Claire Walters, an eighth grader at F-M, is also a threat to win. Walters beat both Lawson and Wheeler for the Class A title two weeks ago. More news |