Moravia's Jason Phillips is one of the most experienced cross country runners in the area, and will be competing in the NYSPHSAA cross country meet at Sunken Meadows State Park, Saturday.
The Citizen file photo
Leading the pack of the girls race in the OHSL Championships in October, Tully junior Kelseigh Groth, left, and Skaneateles senior Rachel Hosie finish third and second respectively. Hosie will be one of six local runners competing in states this weekend.
Leading the pack of the girls race in the OHSL Championships in October, Tully junior Kelseigh Groth, left, and Skaneateles senior Rachel Hosie finish third and second respectively. Hosie will be one of six local runners competing in states this weekend.
In what is his fourth state appearance this year, Phillips' involvement in states isn't anything new for the Blue Devils.
“I figured he would make it this year,” Moravia coach Jan Hunsinger said. “He had tough competition in the sectional race though.”
Last year brought Phillips his best time in states with a sixth place finish, and this year his goal is to be in the top five. He will be joined by a member of the Blue Devils' girls team Aimee Glenister. She earned her first appearance in the meet with a seventh place finish in the state qualifier.
“She's been keeping sharp lately,” Hunsinger said. “Her injuries affected her earlier in the year, but she started to put it together. I'm very happy for her.”
Glenister's goal is to finish in the top 50 in Long Island. In the Section IV race with just 150 yards to go, she was able to break away from a runner coming up on her as she cruised into the final spot to qualify for the state meet.
“I'm just trying to push the two of them harder,” Hunsinger said.
“Get them to run harder and tolerate the most pain. Cross country is about who can tolerate the most pain.”
Phillips' natural ability will come in handy.
He defended his crown in the Auburn Invitational for the third straight year earlier in the season, while also taking second in the McQuaid Invitational.
“He has had some strong races this year,” Hunsinger said. “He puts in a lot of work. Probably puts in about 60 miles a week and just loves to run. He has such a strong work ethic, but we will just have to see what happens.”
Like Phillips, Jordan-Elbridge's junior Cody Stanton has experience in a state race. He qualified for the second consecutive year (16:32.1), this time by earning a Section III, Class C title.
“He is the third ranked runner in the section,” Eagles coach Roger Roman said. “He has dominated in many races this year.”
Though the Eagles barely missed out on a team sectional title due to a tiebreaker scoring decision, Stanton will be joined by teammate Mike Marrero. It will be Marrero's first appearance.
“Mike is our captain,” Roman said. “He exemplifies a true student athlete. He is mind strong and puts so much time into good things.”
Last year, Stanton finished in 41st (17:30), but this year he would like to have the Eagles best ever finish in a state meet.
The top finish in school history came in 1998, the team won a state title when Jeremy Cornue took fifth overall. He went onto an All-American career in college.
“Cody is the smarter racer,” Roman said. “He goes out strong and always waits until a mile before he makes his move. Jeremy took right off at the sound of the gun.”
Roman is trying to get his two runners to be mentally strong for the meet. That starts with making sure they know they deserve to be where they are.
“Mike is a very smart runner,” Roman said. “He knows everyone that he goes up against and their times.”
Unlike Marrero, Stanton uses his speed to his advantage.
“We could be reading about him in years to come,” Roman said. “He is just scary fast.”
Stanton could use his sectional title as momentum to carry him past the finish line.
For the Eagles sending two juniors to states truly shows the potential they have and where they are as a team.
“We want to get here as a team next year,” Roman said. “Hopefully then we can repeat the team outcome of 1998 and win it all.”
If Marrero and Stanton repeat their training regimen from last year, it's possible.
During the summer the two of them ran everyday. Jordan-Elbridge started practice, July 1 and they ran everyday, while giving 90 percent each practice.
“It's so nice to know everyone is back next year,” Roman said. “The two of them will become monsters during the off-season.”
Skaneateles' Rachel Hosie earned a third place finish in the Section III, Class C meet (19:41.2) and helped her team take fourth in the Section III, Class C competition.
Port Byron's Christian Cobb took seventh (17:45.4), which will also allow him to take part in the run on Saturday.
It is the first time making states for both runners - Hosie missed last year's meet by one spot and will likely make a splash this season as one of Section III's fastest runners.
“I figured he would make it this year,” Moravia coach Jan Hunsinger said. “He had tough competition in the sectional race though.”
Last year brought Phillips his best time in states with a sixth place finish, and this year his goal is to be in the top five. He will be joined by a member of the Blue Devils' girls team Aimee Glenister. She earned her first appearance in the meet with a seventh place finish in the state qualifier.
“She's been keeping sharp lately,” Hunsinger said. “Her injuries affected her earlier in the year, but she started to put it together. I'm very happy for her.”
Glenister's goal is to finish in the top 50 in Long Island. In the Section IV race with just 150 yards to go, she was able to break away from a runner coming up on her as she cruised into the final spot to qualify for the state meet.
“I'm just trying to push the two of them harder,” Hunsinger said.
“Get them to run harder and tolerate the most pain. Cross country is about who can tolerate the most pain.”
Phillips' natural ability will come in handy.
He defended his crown in the Auburn Invitational for the third straight year earlier in the season, while also taking second in the McQuaid Invitational.
“He has had some strong races this year,” Hunsinger said. “He puts in a lot of work. Probably puts in about 60 miles a week and just loves to run. He has such a strong work ethic, but we will just have to see what happens.”
Like Phillips, Jordan-Elbridge's junior Cody Stanton has experience in a state race. He qualified for the second consecutive year (16:32.1), this time by earning a Section III, Class C title.
“He is the third ranked runner in the section,” Eagles coach Roger Roman said. “He has dominated in many races this year.”
Though the Eagles barely missed out on a team sectional title due to a tiebreaker scoring decision, Stanton will be joined by teammate Mike Marrero. It will be Marrero's first appearance.
“Mike is our captain,” Roman said. “He exemplifies a true student athlete. He is mind strong and puts so much time into good things.”
Last year, Stanton finished in 41st (17:30), but this year he would like to have the Eagles best ever finish in a state meet.
The top finish in school history came in 1998, the team won a state title when Jeremy Cornue took fifth overall. He went onto an All-American career in college.
“Cody is the smarter racer,” Roman said. “He goes out strong and always waits until a mile before he makes his move. Jeremy took right off at the sound of the gun.”
Roman is trying to get his two runners to be mentally strong for the meet. That starts with making sure they know they deserve to be where they are.
“Mike is a very smart runner,” Roman said. “He knows everyone that he goes up against and their times.”
Unlike Marrero, Stanton uses his speed to his advantage.
“We could be reading about him in years to come,” Roman said. “He is just scary fast.”
Stanton could use his sectional title as momentum to carry him past the finish line.
For the Eagles sending two juniors to states truly shows the potential they have and where they are as a team.
“We want to get here as a team next year,” Roman said. “Hopefully then we can repeat the team outcome of 1998 and win it all.”
If Marrero and Stanton repeat their training regimen from last year, it's possible.
During the summer the two of them ran everyday. Jordan-Elbridge started practice, July 1 and they ran everyday, while giving 90 percent each practice.
“It's so nice to know everyone is back next year,” Roman said. “The two of them will become monsters during the off-season.”
Skaneateles' Rachel Hosie earned a third place finish in the Section III, Class C meet (19:41.2) and helped her team take fourth in the Section III, Class C competition.
Port Byron's Christian Cobb took seventh (17:45.4), which will also allow him to take part in the run on Saturday.
It is the first time making states for both runners - Hosie missed last year's meet by one spot and will likely make a splash this season as one of Section III's fastest runners.
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