It comes as no surprise entering Nike Cross Nationals that Manlius (NY) is once again considered the favorite to win the national title. For the past three years Manlius has simply dominated their
competition, racking up three consecutive national titles, while scoring 128 points in 2006, 83 points in 2007 and 66 points in 2008. The questions now are can Manlius win their fourth consecutive national title and can they lower their point total even more?
The answers will come in Saturday’s race, but all signs are pointing to yes. Seniors Molly Malone, Mackenzie Carter and Hannah Luber have never lost at Portland Meadows, while young front runners Jillian Fanning and Katie Sischo look to carry on the Manlius tradition of bringing home the national title. Despite their strength, Manlius will have challengers, including a boatload of talent from their home state of New York.
The New York girls teams have come up big every year since the meets inception in 2004. Kinetic (NY), Clifton Park (NY) and Adirondack (NY) are all eyeing top three finishes this weekend. Kinetic is a five-time qualifier, finishing top four each year at NXN, and have a strong pack of competitors this season.
Strong competition to challenge Manlius once again comes from Newhall (CA). After finishing second in 2008, the California squad looks to move up one more spot on the podium. Led by junior Kaylin Mahoney, the team travels to Portland after an impressive state championship win last weekend.
Another trio of teams find themselves in the mix to earn a top three finish, with Portland (OR), Rocky River (OH) and Fort Collins (CO) all having NXN experience, impressive NXN regional wins and strong front runners. Pikes Peak (CO) should contend, as well.
Individually, leading the charge is Texas standout Sarah Andrews (Sr., The Woodlands, TX). Andrews finished second at NXN in 2008, and enters this year’s competition on a wave of momentum after crushing the competition at the NXN South Regional, winning by 32 seconds.
Andrews will find competition from a variety of runners, including 2008 third place finisher Eleanor Fulton (Jr., Highlands Ranch, CO), fourth place finisher Danielle Winslow (Jr., Adirondack, NY) and sixth place finisher Lizzie Predmore (So., Clifton Park, CO). Fulton and Predmore won their respective NXN regional races, while Winslow will be scraping for every point, as she hopes to guide her Adirondack team to a top three finish.
Other notable runners vying for top three are: 2007 runner-up Katie Flood (Sr., Des Moines, IA), NXN NW winner Emily Nist (So., Treasure Valley, ID), Shaylyn Tuite (Jr., Pittsford, NY), Brittany Winslow (Jr., Adirondack, NY), Ashlie Decker (Sr., Des Moines, IA) and Kaitlin Hanenburg (Sr., Pikes Peak, CO).
