F-M Boys, Saratoga Girls Win New York State Titles

Tuohy rebounds from knee injury to beat Chmiel by 18 seconds

By Brian Towey of DyeStat

KINGS PARK, N.Y. -- As Fayetteville-Manlius coach Bill Aris spoke animatedly to his team's parents following the NYSPHSAA Championship Saturday, he raised his arm and balled a fist.

It spoke to the way the F-M boys bound together and their willingness to make sacrifices.

"They ran a totally selfless team race," said ris following F-M's 25-point total victory, including all five scorers in the top 10. "They're excited with finishing it together. They're really happy for each other, and not just as individuals. That's what it's (about)."

RESULTS

With Geoff Howles second (16:02.3) to Saratoga Springs' Shea Weilbaker (15:52.0), Matthew Tripp and Garrett Brennan in sixth and seventh (16:12.50 and 16:15.90), Payton Geehrer ninth (16:19.4) and Sam Otis 10th (16:19.7), Aris met them at the finish of the Class A final.

"It's reminiscent of my old team from 2004, the Stotans," Aris said. "They had that type of compression. And on the toughest course in the state (Sunken Meadow Park). It was a special day."

A diagnosis of knee tendonitis kept Katelyn Tuohy out of her team's Section 1 Championship on Nov. 3. She roared back Saturday for a 17:02.1 win.

"Going into the race I was feeling a little discouraged because I knew I hadn't gotten the proper training," Tuohy said. "I feel better and relieved knowing that I can go hard."

Tuohy pulled away from Saratoga Springs' Kelsey Chmiel (17:20.6) and Fayetteville Manlius's Claire Walters (17:42.6).

"I'm feeling a little stronger every day," Tuohy said. "When it comes to (the New York State Federation Championships) and Nationals, it will become easier."

Saratoga Springs won its first NYSPHSAA girls' championship since 2005, edging Fayetteville-Manlius 46-47. Tuohy's North Rockland team was third with 86 points. It was F-M's first loss at state in 13 years.

"I'm very pleased with how they responded," coach Linda Kranick said of one of the youngest Saratoga teams in recent memory. "They didn't panic and they didn't pack it in."

With Chmiel as its rudder, the team's leadership has trickled down.

"Kelsey is a great role model and a great leader," Kranick said. "The kids have great respect for her. She's leading by example. They want to be like her.

"She talks to every younger kid. They look up to her. We focus on team at Saratoga."

In Class B action, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake scored 22 points to win the state title as Tyler Berg led the way with a victory in 15:52.4. RESULTS

Cornwall Central won the girls title with 62 points, edging out John Jay (Cross River), which scored 68. Sarah Connelly of Mt Sinai ran 18:11.7 to win. 

In Class C, Bronxvlle's Matt Rizzo (16:22.2) and Eva Borton of Clinton Central (18:24.3) won the the individual titles. The Saranac Lake boys scored 31 points to win the team title and Greenwich Central girls dominated with 38 points. RESULTS

Brooke Rauber of Tully cruised the victory in Class D, winning 17:52.4. She led her team to the victory as well. Tully edged out Maple Grove 45-50. Beaver River Central scored 32 points to claim the boys title. Kai Lewis of Shelter Island won the race in 16:23.3. RESULTS

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