McBrien leads strong Massapequa team
North Shore's Samantha Nadel won the Millrose invitational mile in 4 minutes, 46.11 seconds, the fastest time in the nation this season. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
CLASS A
Massapequa could be the team to beat with All-County performer Shannon McBrien, Rebecca Baldinger, Jillian Brown, Kara McKenna and Catherine Young back. Lauren Lavoro will add depth.
East Meadow has youth on its side, and also has senior leadership with Rachel Levy and Nilam Patel.
Herricks has two all-division runners in junior Kate Snider and senior Kristi Leicht back, as well as senior Ilana Lipowicz.
CLASS B
North Shore, the defending Class A state champion, returns all five of its top runners in Samantha Nadel, Brianna Nerud, Jessica Donohue, Molly Reilly and Elizabeth Caldwell.
Sister act Jennifer and Stephanie Gerland lead a deep Garden City team. Emma Gallagher and Katie O'Neill will also contribute.
CLASS C
Friends Academy, with Kelsey Margey and Katrina Garry, could be the team to beat. Oyster Bay will challenge Friends with Nicole Giannetti and Lauren Burke, while sophomore Carly Howard leads East Rockaway.
CLASS A
Brigid Brennan, Victoria D'Amato, Anna Corrigan, Sarah Zieve, Kelly Flanagan and Corrie Kavanaugh have the talent to make it a special season for Northport, a big favorite to emerge as Suffolk large school champion.
Smithtown will challenge with senior Paige Koenig and sophomore Deirdre Connor, while Ward Melville returns veteran standout Caroline O'Hea.
Sachem East will be in the mix with seniors Rachel Paul, Melanie Notarstefano and Danielle Vazquez and sophomore Shannon O'Hehir.
Sachem North will find itself in the race, with Kelly Lavan, Marysa Mullen and Kristina Michta.
CLASS B
With twin sisters Tiana and Talia Guevara leading the way, Miller Place will be among the most talked about teams.
Harborfields has four solid runners in Kelly Mahoney, Julia Mackey, Chelsea Farinacci and newcomer Amanda Conklin.
Katie Saroka, Courtney Dooley and Taylor Darby return to lead a solid Bayport-Blue Point squad, while senior Audrey Kelly and junior Laura Lee lead a young Shoreham-Wading River team.
CLASS C
Center Moriches has an abundance of talent back, including Ryleigh Donegan, Georgie Nicholes, Molly Schaefer and Sarah Powell.
Southampton has a talented team, led by sophomore Erika Gulija, Hannah Connolly-Sporing, Hannah Immerman and newcomer Carley Guida. Keely Corton, who qualified for the state meet in 2009, also returns after a year off.
CHSAA
Reigning Intersectional champ Kellenberg has several talented runners returning in Ashlin Conroy, Mia Imbesi, Lis Magno and sophomores Erica Croutier and Daniella Joyce.
Senior Victoria Ciotti and junior Alexandra Russo lead a St. Anthony's team looking for another Nassau/Suffolk League title.
St. John the Baptist is in rebuilding mode, but returns three quality juniors in Katie Stroble, Kauren Rivera and Allison Hand. Seniors Nicole Cunningham and Gabby Simpson are also expected to contribute.
RUNNERS TO WATCH
Ashlin Conroy
Kellenberg, Sr.
Katrina Garry
Friends Academy, Soph.
Jennifer Gerland
Garden City, Fr.
Kelsey Margey
Friends Academy, Sr.
Shannon McBrien
Massapequa, Sr.
Samantha Nadel
North Shore, Sr.
Brianna Nerud
North Shore, Sr.
Alana Richardson
Uniondale, Jr.
Henna Rustanmi
Syosset, Jr.
Mary Welsh
Manhasset, Jr.
Brigid Brennan
Northport, Soph.
Victoria Ciotti
St. Anthony's, Sr.
Anna Corrigan
Northport, Sr.
Tiana Guevara
Miller Place, Soph.
Talia Guevara
Miller Place, Soph.
Paige Koenig
Smithtown, Sr.
Melanie Notarstefano
Sachem East, Sr.
Caroline O'Hea
Ward Melville, Sr.
Rachel Paul
Sachem East, Sr.
Katie Saroka
Bayport-Blue Point, Jr.
