Elite Girls Prep For Foot Locker Northeast Knowing That Surprises Are Possible At VCP

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

A year ago on the hallowed running grounds of New York’s Van Cortlandt Park, sophomore Sydney Masciarelli emerged from the label of a good prep school runner to national contender. In her first high school cross country season, Masciarelli surprised many by winning the Foot Locker Cross Country Northeast title in 17:12.6, the third-fastest time ever in the regional history.

She went on to win the National Championship in San Diego, outkicking Katelynne Hart down the stretch.  

“Last season was just full of surprises because we didn’t know what we were going into,” her coach, Emily Gaudet, said. 

Masciarelli,now a junior at Marianapolis Prep in Thompson, CT, won’t be sneaking up on anyone this Saturday. But perhaps the biggest wonderment heading into the girls championship regional race is just how deep and talented the field is. Seven of the top 10 girls return from a year ago and four are cross country All-Americans. There’s also at least two more who are undefeated. Add in the allure of an up-and-coming prep school national talent named Margot Appleton and Saturday’s race has all the makings to be one of the best and fastest ever. 

2018 Foot Locker Northeast Results

“I definitely think it’s going to be an exciting race,” 2017 winner and 2018 runner-up Marlee Starliper said. “I think there’s going to be a pretty big pack together leading the race, we’ll have to see how it goes, but it’s probably going to be a battle.”

Starliper, a senior from Northern, PA, has not raced since the Pennsylvania state meet on Nov. 2 when she smashed the course and all-time state meet record in 17:11. On the trails this fall, a renewed sense of self-confidence and belief has led to a more composed but dominant Starliper. She heads into the regional without a loss to her name. 

“I can just stay so much more relaxed all the time leading up to the race,” she said of her mindset. “I think I run best when I’m having fun with it.”

Since her last race nearly a month ago, Starliper said she’s been able to reset and put in some quality workouts.  

“I think it’s always interesting how it’s always Thanksgiving Weekend that we have this meet,” Starliper said. “I always joke, ‘You can’t stuff yourself too much’ but I feel like that’s another thing I’ve gotten better at, just adapting and again, staying relaxed. I’m still going to have fun with my family, I’m still going to have a little bit of pumpkin pie, because ultimately that’s what’s most important is having fun. I’ve put in all the work (and) I’ve just felt so good. I’m really, really excited to be racing again.”

Connecticut State Open champion and New England runner-up, Mari Noble of Greenwich, CT, has used a similar training philosophy. She said the long break in between racing hasn’t been an issue. Located less than an hour from Van Cortlandt, she’s been able to study the course. 

"Honestly, I kind of like it,” Noble said of the time in between races. “It's kind of like a reset afterward and like another block of training where now I’m focusing on Foot Locker. I’ve definitely been really careful about doing all the right things so I don’t get hurt and I stay nice and fresh for the race, and also do some quality training.”

Three-time Maine Class A state champion and New England winner Sofie Matson of Falmouth heads into her third straight regional race undefeated on the season. Last year, Matson finished eighth. 

“I think it’s more maintenance at this point,” Matson said. “In this week leading up to the race, it’s been mostly a couple 200 (meter) repeats to keep my turnover speed where it needs to be.” 

This season for Masciarelli has been much more steady compared to a year ago here she entered uncharted territory. Outside of her regular school schedule, she ran an extra race, the Boston Mayor’s Cup, where she finished in fourth place, and was beaten by Appleton, a junior from Portsmouth Abbey in RI, who was second. Last year at regionals, Appleton was 21st and almost two minutes slower than Masciarelli.  

“I think it was a really good experience for her,” Gaudet said. “At some point you’re going to lose to somebody, and it happened to take a really long time for that to happen. I think it was challenging but a good experience that she grew from.”

Masciarelli, who also has an invitation from Nike to run at NXN next week, will have the familiarity of the course and a year’s worth of physical and mental growth to her advantage. 

“She’s run the course several times since then (and her) race awareness is much stronger than last year,” Gaudet said. “But this year we have talked a little bit about different race strategies and how to use the course to her advantage.”

Gaudet said the ultimate goal for Saturday is to secure a Top 10 finish and qualify for nationals, a shared sentiment among the others. While Masciarelli enters the race as the favorite, none of the elites are counting themselves out.

“I think a lot of talented girls are going to be there,” Matson said. “I try not to put myself in a place where I’ve lost to someone before I’ve even run a race.”

Added Noble: “I think it’s going to take a combination of grit, a lot of mental strength.I think it also takes just having confidence and going in with the confidence that it is a possibility.” 

The course record at Van Cortlandt is a blistering 16:46 set in 1984 by Cathy (Schiro) O'Brien. Masciarelli was the first runner to come close to touching it last year. The idea of reaching it on Saturday isn’t lost on some of the runners. 

“Right now, I would have an open mind to it,” Starliper said. “I think I would be a little bit surprised (if it were to happen), but the whole season has kind of been full of surprises.”