Boys ‘A’
Dan Gilford of Monsignor-Farrell (NY-AA #15), on Staten Island, took the first Varsity race, just as the day was heating up. Temperatures hit as high as 70 degrees runners felt every bit of it, with several needing medical care from heat exhaustion. Gilford came from behind in the last 1000 meters, executing a calculated strategy. He was “stalking” leaders Andrew Valenski, of Massapequa, and Connor Crowley, of Bayport Blue Point, Gilford picked off Crowley over the final bridge and drew even with Valenti in the final stretch. “I was feeling like I wanted to win. I was hungry,” he said. Gilford then satisfied his famished palette, outleaning Valenti at the line, 13:13.27 to 13:13.81.
In what might be considered a small upset, however, Bayport-Blue Point (NY-B #2) took the team title, packing two in the top five and all scorers in the top 25.
Boys ‘B’
Bethesda’s Walter Johnson High School (MD-2) took the top two spots, and three of the top five, winning a two-horse race against Connetquot (NY-AA #6), who placed its five scoring runners in the top 16. Walter Johnson was led by Alex Willet (13:04.90) and a thick-bearded Nick Regan (13:07.74), who said he grew it for team spirit, but would be cutting it soon for his school’s picture day.
Boys ‘C’
Washingtonville’s Martin Hehir was the first boy to break 13:00 minutes in what turned out to be a slow day for times across the board. Hehir took the race in 12:54.51 in route to a 30-plus second route. Hehir lead start to finish and said he was unchallenged the whole way. “I won, but the time wasn’t really wanted to be,” Hehir said. “I didn’t really feel that great.”
Somers (NY A-#6) took the team title, led by third place finisher Charles Conway (13:36.14). Somers put 4 guys in the top 21 spots but was held back by its fifth runners’ 42nd place finish.
Boys ‘D’
The Beltway continued its strong regional representation in the ‘D’ race, with Washington D.C.’s John McGowan, of Sidwell Friends running the third fastest time of the day, 12:39.83, for the win. Cicero North Syracuse’s Chris Buchannan (NY-AA #13) was second in 12:47.26, the day’s fourth fastest time.
Perennial power St. Anthony’s (NY-AA #10) won thanks to a fourth place finish from Thomas Diliberto (13:22.38). The Friars also packed in their final four in 21 seconds, finishing between 16th and 26th. Head coach Tim Deary lost four of his top five scorers from last season, but has his team poised to contend once again for the championship season. He said his team was beat up from a tough mid-week dual meet with rival Chaminade and considered pulling them from the meet. “I’m actually kind of relieved,” Deary said at the award ceremony.
Boys ‘E’
Shenendehowa (NY-AA #14) narrowly defeated Smithtown (NY-AA #19) in the closest team race of the day, 69-73. It took front running from seniors Ian Dorset (13:30.32) and Chris Shartrand (13:46.16). who finished third and eighth, respectively, for the Plainsmen. Smithtown, however, took 7th and 11-13th places and had the win through four scorers. The race came down to the fifth men and Shenedehowa’s Dan Janeczko nudged Smithtown’s Mike Lynch by five spots.
Suffern’s Tyler Friggs took the individual title, winning in 13:17.33.
Boys ‘F’
Brookyln’s Eddie Owens took the individual title, winning in 12:54.51. Owens, who attends Packer Collegiate, a private school in Brooklyn Heights, said he was happy with the win, but not the time. “I ran ten seconds faster here a week ago,” sad Owens, whose home course is Van Cortlandt Park.
Considering they didn't attract even an honorable mention in MileSplit's comprehensive preview of the Manhattan Invitational Boys Varsity races, Lowell (MA-#4) pulled off an impressive win over such state-ranked teams as North Rockland (NY-AA #8), St. Mark's (DE-#2), Ithaca (NY-AA #9), Sachem East (NY-AA #14) and Chaminade (NY-AA #17).
Boys 'G'
Phil Duncan of Boone (FL-#25) was yet another runner from outside the Northeast region to invade the winner's podium on Saturday. Running in weather that was surely to his advantage, Duncan won handily in 13:04.99. The neutralizer, he said, were the hills, something he's not accustomed to in Orlando. "I didn't expect the hills to be that bad," said Duncan, who made his first trip to New York City a successful one.
Pearl River (NY-B #7) used a pack mentality to inch out a tight victory in the team race over Rhode Island's #6 Chariho, 108-113. Pearl River's top five finished with a trim spread of just 28 seconds to overcome Chariho's top 3, which put two in front of P.R.'s one, and three in front of two.
