Webster Distance Runners: Section V Preview

Today, we'll look over the Class B races, and the Boys race could wind up being the most exciting race of the day. But, ladies first...

Girls

There is no doubt that HF-L is the heavy favorite. Mendon has a very good team (currently ranked 9th in Class B), but HF-L is just enough ahead at each spot to be the team to beat. Here's the likely top 5 teams:

HF-L 26
Mendon 44
Sutherland 91
Brighton 104
Livonia 125

The individual race should be exciting, with the top 3 from HF-L and the top 2 from Mendon likely separating themselves from the rest of the field. Let's call this list the 21 most likely to make the top 15. Since this specific course has never been run before, I am totally making up the likely winning time - I think that the course will be much faster than this, with the bulk of the hill that defined the course having been removed, and with conditions expected to be ideal for racing on Saturday (let's hope those weathermen are correct) - possibly 15-30 seconds faster.

Cole, Hannah Honeoye Falls Lima 18:58
Hallock, Allison Mendon 18:59
Engel, Katie Honeoye Falls Lima 19:02
Roncone, Krista Mendon 19:04
Steinke, Ruth Honeoye Falls Lima 19:11
Wagner, Robin Brighton 19:31
Williams, Jenna Honeoye Falls Lima 19:44
Ryan, Kylie Mendon 19:53
Douglas, Riley Honeoye Falls Lima 19:55
Yancey, Colleen Mendon 20:04
Collins, Michelle Geneva 20:07
Mizes, Alicia Sutherland 20:13
Visca, Mary Sutherland 20:14
Swertfeger, Sarah Olympia 20:20
Pinker, Talia Brighton 20:25
Wojnowski, Stephanie East Irondequoit 20:25
Wojnowski, Veronica East Irondequoit 20:25
Steensma, Erika Wayne 20:26
Olson, Tricia Brighton 20:26
Mineti, Melissa Livonia 20:27
Cole, Ari Honeoye Falls Lima 20:31

Boys

This is likely to be one of the two most hotly contested team titles on the day. HF-L sat out the preview last weekend at Counties (with the decline of Wayne this year, the top of this race will be all Monroe County). I'm not sure if that will help or hurt HF-L, but one should never second-guess Bernie, based on his incredible success at Sectionals over the years. HF-L won the division, thanks to a 26-29 win over Mendon in the last meet of the season (and did it without their 4th man). Early in the season, it didn't look like they would be strong through the 5th runner, but they certainly are. Interestingly, the computer still does not think HF-L will pull it off, placing them third. I still consider them the favorite, so I've slid them ahead of Brighton, as a compromise. Expect this one to be decided by seconds, and any of the top three teams could win.

Mendon 49
HF-L 51
Brighton 60
Sutherland 88

The individual title will be a two-man race. Mike Anvelt beat everyone not from R-H last weekend, but I expect that Cooper Roach is likely to edge him out. The computer disagrees; here are the top runners in the race: