2022 Cross Country
Western Athletic Conference Preview

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Western Athletic Conference Boys

Last Year's Team Champion: Fonda-Fultonville

Last Year's Individual Champion: Bennett Melita (Fonda-Fultonville)

  Team Predictions W-L   Top Individuals (Alphabetical Order)
1. Fonda-Fultonville-* 9-0   Cameron Abdella Mayfield
2. Mayfield-* 8-1   Michael Carpenter Fonda-Fultonville
3. Schoharie 7-2 Matheau Dettenreider Fonda-Fultonville
4. Berne-Knox-Westerlo/Middleburgh 6-3   Gabe Lucero Mayfield
5. Fort Plain/Canajoharie 5-4   Bennett Melita Fonda-Fultonville
6. Galway 4-5   Trevor Ruberti Mayfield
7. Duanesburg 3-6   Ty Sanges Fonda-Fultonville
8. Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 2-7   Dylan Wayman-Bender Schoharie
9. Mekeel Christian 0-9   Brice Williams Mayfield
9. OESJ 0-9   Ben Youngs Bishop Gibbons
           

*= Returning State Qualifier

Berne-Knox-Westerlo Bulldogs

2021 Sectional Place: 9th place-Class D

Top Returnees: Hunter Smith-Jr., Owen Lounsbury-So., Arlan Wright-So., Jakob Lloyd-Fr., Dean Rogers-Jr.

Key Losses: Aidan Martin

Team Outlook: Lose their number four runner to graduation but return everyone else. Junior Hunter Smith and Sophomore Owen Lounsbury return as their top two runners and they were in the high 18 and low 19 minute range last year. Sophomore Arlan Wright is their number three and was in the high 19 minute range last year. Rest of the returning team were all over 23 minutes so they will need to significally cut the gap to improve their team in the league.

Duanesburg Eagles

2021 Sectional Place: 10th Place-Class D

Top Returnees: Murphy Hyde-Sr., Jimmy Benway-Sr., Evan Williams-So., Jake Starman-So., Porter Losito-So.

Key Losses: Christopher Vogt, Max Helfrich

Team Outlook: Lose two out of their top five from last year. Senior Murphy Hyde returns as their number one runner and was in the low 20 minute range last year. Senior Jummy Benway should be their number two and was the only other runner that was under 21 minutes last year. Team will need to improve times to move up in the league. with their fourth and fifth both over 23 minutes they will also need to cut the gap from their third to fourth runners.

Fonda-Fultonville Braves

2021 Sectional Place: 1st Place-Class C, 3rd place New York State

Top Returnees: Bennett Melita-Sr., Ty Sanges-Jr., Matheay Dettenreider-Jr., Michael Carpenter-Sr., Joey Susi-Jr., Brennan Melita-Fr., Addison Hine-Jr.

Key Losses: Allen Booth

Team Outlook: Defending league and sectional champions only lose their fourth runner from last year. Senior Bennett Melita returns as the defending league and sectional champion and is more then 40 seconds ahead of the nearest time. Juniors Ty Sanges and Matheu Dettenreider return as their second and third runners and were in the high 16 to low 17 minute range which give them a solid top three. Senior Michael Carpenter is their fourth runner and was in the low 18's. Huge gap to their fifth as junior Joey Susi and freshmen Brennan Melita will be fighting out for that spot and were both right around 20 minutes. That gap probably won't hurt them in the league or sectionals but they need to cut that down for the state meet.

Fort Plain/Canajoharie

2021 Sectional Place: 8th Place-Class C

Top Returnees: Martin Kretser-Sr., Sam Robinson-Jr., Nick Barlow-So., Bryce Rumrill-So., Dustin Welch-So.

Key Losses: Kurt Sunderland, Michael Harris

Team Outlook: Lose two out their top five including their top runner from last year. Senior Martin Krestser and junior Sam Robinson should be their top two this year as they were both in the mid 19 minute range last year. Sophomore Nick Barlow should be their number three and was in the mid 20 minute range last year and sophomore Bryce Rumrill about 30 seconds behind him. Fifth runner is about two minutes behind so they will need to cut the gap in the back end if they want to move up in the league.

Galway Golden Eagles

2021 Sectional Place: 11th Place-Class D

Top Returnees: Simon Evens-Sr., Cody Schneider-Jr., Kyle Schneider-Jr., Clark Anuszreski-Sr

Key Losses: Dylan Moules, Will Comensky (transferred to C.B.A.)

Team Outlook: Return three from last year but hoping to get a full team. Senior Simon Evens joins the team from soccer and should be their top runner this year. Junior Cody Schneider is their number two runner and was in the low 19 minute range last year. Rest of the returning team were all over 21 minutes last year and will need to cut the gap to their top two runners.

Mayfield Panthers  

2021 Sectional Place:1st place-Class D, 6th place-New York State

Top Returnees: Cameron Abdella-Sr., Trevor Ruberti-Sr., Gabe Lucero-Sr., Brice Williams-Sr., Gabe Lucero-Sr., Jackson Levine-Grace-Sr., Jacob Johnson-So.

Key Losses: Braydon Jourden, Dawson Leach, Hunter Jones

Team Outlook: Defending Class D sectional champions lose three out of their top five from last year but has enough to still have a full team. Senior Cameron Abdella returns as their top runner. He was in the mid 16 minute range last year and the defending sectional Class D champion. Senior Trevor Ruberti should step into the number two spot and was in the mid 17 minute range last year. Seniors Gabe Ruberti and Brice Williams come in next and were in the mid 18 minute range last year. Other two runners were both over 22 minutes last year so they will need to find someone to step in and cut the gap from their fourth and fifth runners if they want any chance to dethorne Fonda-Fultonville.

Mekeel Christian Academy Lions 

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: none

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: No team last year and it doesn't look like they'll have one this year.

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Golden Knights

2021 Sectional Place: 13th place-Class B

Top Returnees: Ben Youngs-Sr., Tim Kienzle-Jr., Braeden Waters-Fr., Anthony Cella-So., Donovan Smith-Sr., Jaden Leverett-So., Pietro Panaccia-Sr.

Key Losses: Anthony Knapick, Noah Wley

Team Outlook: Lose two out of their top five but return everyone else. Senior Ben Youngs returns as their top runner. He was in the mid 18 minute range and is a league preseason top 10 runner. Junior Tim Kienzle should be their number two runner this year and was in the mid 21 minute range last year. Rest of the team was all over 22 minutes so they will need to see some big improvements in times if they want to move up in the league.

OESJ-Wolves  

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: Michael Greene-Sr.

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: Return their only runner from last year. Senior Michael Greene was in the mid 20 minute range last year. Team will need to focus on getting their numbers up this year.

Schoharie Indians  

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: Dylan Wayman-Bender-Sr., Keenan Repicky-Sr., Jacob Ringuette-Jr.

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: Return all three runners from last year. Seniors Dylan Wayman-Bender and Keenan Repicky we both in the mid to high 18 minute range last year which will give them a good 1-2 punch but they will need to work on getting new blood to fill up their roster.

 

 Western Athletic Conference Girls

Last Year's Team Champion: Schoharie

Last Year's Individual Champion: Olivia Schaffer (Fort Plain/Canajoharie)

  Team Predictions W-L   Top Individuals (Alphabetical Order)
1. Mayfield 9-0   Katarina Agerter Mayfield
2. Fonda-Fultonville 8-1   Lily Ballard Schoharie
3. Schoharie 7-2 Emma Charboneau Fonda-Fultonville
4. Fort Plain/Canajoharie 6-3   Natalie Elbie Berne-Knox-Westerlo/Middleburgh
5. Berne-Knox-Westerlo/Middleburgh 0-9   Fianna Halloran Mayfield
5. Duanesburg 0-9   Emma Jordan Galway
5. Galway 0-9   Isabella Miller Fonda-Fultonville
5. Mekeel Christian 0-9   Liliana Powers Mayfield
5. Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 0-9   Oliva Schaffer-* Foer Plain/Canajoharie
5. OESJ 0-9   Sophia Verbicky Bishop Gibbons
           

*= Returning State Qualifier

Berne-Knox-Westerlo Bulldogs

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: Natalie Elbie-So., Katelyn Burtt-Jr., Emily Sherman-So.

Key Losses: Zoey Loundbury

Team Outlook: Incomplete last year and return three from last year. Sophomore Natalie Elbie returns as their number one runner and was in the high 22 minute range last year. Junior Katelyn Burtt comes in as their number two and was in the mid 24 minute range last year. Team will need to pick up at least a couple of new runners to better compete in the league.

Duanesburg Eagles

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: none

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: Had no runners last year so they will have to focus on getting some new blood so they can compete.

Fonda-Fultonville Braves

2021 Sectional Place: 12th Place-Class C

Top Returnees: Isabella Miller-Jr., Emma Charboneau-Sr., Caroline Young-Jr., Kassandra Holloway-So., Kaitlyn Stearns-Sr., Allison Gillis-So.

Key Losses: Kaylee Freeman

Team Outlook: Return top five from last year. Junior Isabella Miller returns as their number one runner. She was in mid 21 minute range and is a league preseason top five runner. Senior Emma Charboneau is their number two and about a minute behind Miller. Rest of the returning team were all over 25 minutes so they will need to see them cut the gap to the second runner if they want to challenge for the league title this year.

 Fort Plain/Canajoharie

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: Olivia Schaffer-Sr., Natalie Thibadeau-Sr., Samantha Barlow-Sr., Chloee St.Louis-So.

Key Losses: Emma Karker

Team Outlook: Ran incomplete last year but return four from last year. Senior Olivia Schaffer returns as their number one. She ran in the mid 19 minute range last year and is the defending league champion. Senior Natalie Thibodeau should be their number two runner and was in the low 23 minute range last year. Rest of the returning team were over 27 minutes so they will need to fill up the team and hopefully close the gap to their top two runners.

Galway Golden Eagles

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: Emma Jordan-Sr., Emma Mariani-Jr.

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: Only had two runners and return both of them but will still be incomplete this year. Senior Emma Jordan returns as their number one. She was in the mid 22 minute range last year and is a league preseason top 10 runner. With only two runners they will need to focus on getting their numbers up for next year.

Mayfield Panthers  

2021 Sectional Place:7th place-Class D

Top Returnees: Fianna Halloran-Sr., Lilliana Powers-Sr., Katarina-Agerter-Jr., Arianna Ruberti-Jr., Olivia Michalski-Sr., Allison Scunziano-So.

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: Return everyone from last year. Seniors Fianna Halloran and Lilliana Powers return as their top two runners. They were both in the mid 22 minute range and give the team a solid top two as they are both league preseason top 10 runners. Junior Katarina Agerter returns as their number three runner and was in the low 23 minute range last year. Rest of the returning team weer over 25 minutes and will want to cut the gap to their top three. Have a good shot at taking the league this year but will want to see a tighter 1-5 spread.

Mekeel Christian Academy Lions 

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: none

Key Losses: 

Team Outlook: No team last year and it doesn't look like they'll have one this year.

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Golden Knights

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class B

Top Returnees: Sophia Verbicky-Sr., Cora Jusino-Jr.

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: Only had two runners last year but should return both of them. Senior Sophia Verbicky returns as their number one. She was in the high 20 minute range and is a league preseason top 3 runner. Team will need to focus on getting their numbers up to compete in the league.

OESJ  

2021 Sectional Place: incomplete-Class D

Top Returnees: none

Key Losses: none

Team Outlook: No runners last year so they will need to work on getting runners out for the team this season.

Schoharie Indians  

2021 Sectional Place: 5th place-Class D

Top Returnees: Lily Ballard-So., Molly Repicky-Jr., Zoey Lints-Sr., Jacqualine Sullivan-Sr,

Key Losses: Scarlett Rose

Team Outlook: Defending league champions lose their top runner from last year and return four. Sophomore Lily Ballard steps in as their top runner. She was in the mid 21 minute range last year and is a league preseason top 3 runner. Junior Molly Repicky should be their number two and is more than two minutes behind in the mid 23's. Other two returning runners were over 25 minutes. To repeat as champions they will need to improve their depth and cut those gaps down inbetween their runners.