Leading off today: Fayetteville-Manlius won its 11th straight state title at the NYSPHSAA championships on Saturday at Chenango Forks State Park.
Fayetteville-Manlius scored 35 points to hold off North Rockland (65) and Saratoga (93), which got a first-place showing -- and a course record -- from freshman Kelsey Chmiel in 17:17.5 for five kilometers. Defending champ Claire Walters led the F-M contingent with a fourth-place finish, one spot ahead of the Hornets' Phoebe White. F-M's Sophie Ryan was seventh.
Chmiel is undefeated this season and has rarely been pushed hard over the final kilometer. She broke a 28-year record at her home course at Saratoga Spa State Park in the Suburban Council Championships two weeks ago and also set course marks this fall at the Great Meadow Invitational in Virginia and the Wingfoot XC Classic in Atlanta.
Chmiel, third at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association meet in 2015, joins a list of seven Blue Streaks girls to win state titles. Cheri Goddard won in 1988, Jessica Milosch in 1991, Erin Davis snared four in 1992-94 and 1996 and Danielle Coon triumphed in 1997. This century, Nicole Blood three-peated from 2002-04 and Hannah Davidson won in 2007.
North Rockland's strong showing was highlighted by freshman Katelyn Tuohy's second-place effort in 17:36.7.
The three other girls team races were relatively nail-biters.
In Class B, Shoreham-Wading River topped John Jay-Cross River 51-68, paced by individual winner Katherine Lee in 17:53.7. Olivia Elston of Goshen was second in 18:23.6.
In Class C, Newfane (75) did not place anyone in the top 17 but still edged Canton (82) and Bronxville (84) for the team hardware. Livonia junior Hayleigh Palotti placed first in 18:29.4, comfortably ahead of Wheatley's Brianna O'Brien (18:47.7).
In Class D, Greenwich bested Maple Grove by a 51-57 tally. Eighth-grader Brooke Rauber won in 18:30.6, edging freshman Brynne Wright of Greenwich (18:39.6).
F-M and Greenwich were the only repeat girls champions team-wise or individually. The boys competition crowned eight new champions.
Corning wins boys race: Corning officially merged its East and West High sports programs in 2010, but they finally came together on the top step of the podium Saturday by winning their first combined title.
The Hawks won Class A with 59 points. Warwick Valley (80) beat Liverpool on the sixth-man tiebreaker for second, and Saratoga (86) took fourth.
"This has been a long time building, so I hope all the runners who are part of the Corning history feel part of this win," Corning coach Ray Lawson said. "As they say, we stand on the shoulders of giants. It's a building thing."
Liverpool placed two runners in the top four, led by champion Ty Brownlow in 15:27.5, another course record. Kevin Moshier led the way for Corning with a fifth-place effort.
"We definitely weren't completely confident (on winning)," Moshier admitted. "We knew we had a great chance, but we had to race amazingly. We all had to have an on day to compete with the best guys in the state."
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake ended Pittsford Mendon's three-year reign in Class B by a 53-91 margin over the Vikings, with Somers (95) taking third place.
Mendon junior Nathan Lawler dusted the field in 15:30.3, which was 30 seconds ahead of Brighton's Paul Dellinger.
