Something happened early this week that had not taken place since 2006.
The Fayetteville-Manlius girls cross country team found itself outside the no. 1 spot in the state rankings, something it had held for eight years through its continual reign that included state and national championships.
Elmira displaced the Hornets, entirely on the basis of the Express defeating F-M in the Sept. 27 AAA Seeded Race at the McQuaid Invitational in Rochester.
Of course, F-M still had the no. 2 spot and could change those results should it get back to the state meet early in November. In the meantime, it had plenty of tune-ups, starting with last Wednesday’s sweep over Central Square and Syracuse West by equal 15-50 margins.
With top runners Jenna Farrell, Olivia Ryan and Samantha Levy, who each finished in 20 minutes, 38 seconds, settling into a pack, it gave other Hornets a chance to shine.
Palmer Madsen won the race among them, crossing the line in 19 minutes, 19 seconds, five seconds clear of Mackenzie Pierie, who was second in 19:24.
Megan Menz, in a clocking of 19:52, made her way to third place, with Grace Hausladen getting to fourth place in 20:25. Keita Peden edged out Alexis Villalba for fifth place, though both finished in 20:28, with Chloe Bullough sixth in 20:30.
As for the F-M boys team, still atop the state rankings, it cruised past Central Square and Syracuse West by those same 15-50 margins and had the same approach, with the stars pulling back.
Thus, Bryan Geehrer got his shot at the front and took it, winning in 16:46.9, while Joe Walters grabbed second place in 16:57 and Ben Otis was third, in 17:01. Bryce Millar, Adam Hunt (17:32 each), Kyle Barber, Jon Abbott, Riley Hughes (17:33 each), Peter Ryan and Chad Dunham (17:35 each) got to the line as a pack.
