Back from its successful trip to the Manhattan Invitational, the Fayetteville-Manlius cross country teams reasserted its dominance in the CNY Counties League American division with Tuesday’s sweep of West Genesee.
On the Wildcats’ home course at Camillus Middle School, the Hornets won 18-39 on the boys side and prevailed 20-43 on the girls side in cold, wet conditions very similar to what might be seen during the state and Federation meets in a month’s time.
F-M swept each of the top four spots in the boys race, starting with Brendan Farrell, who won a duel with Paul Merriman by finishing in 16 minutes, 58 seconds, just one second ahead of Merriman.
Just the same, Mark McGurrin, in a clocking of 17:14, won a close race for third over Andrew Roache (17:16) and the Wildcats’ top runner, Sam Reedy, who was sixth in 17:17. Fellow Wildcats Steve Houghmaster (17:26) and Billy Gabriel (17:43) were sixth and seventh, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the girls race, West Genesee eighth-grader Laura Leff continued her superb autumn campaign, winning the individual title in 19 minutes, 21 seconds.
F-M claimed the next eight spots, though, starting with Courtney Chapman and her second-place time of 19:45. Jillian Fanning was third, in 19:47, two seconds behind Chapman, while Molly Malone finished fourth in 19:50.
Mackenzie Carter, with her fifth-place time of 20:01, led the next charge. Hannah Luber was sixth, in 20:30, just ahead of Kathryn Fanning (20:37) and Heather Martin (20:38).
