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Syracuse 2025-26 Winter Media Day Highlights: Coach Poll, Record-Breaking Comebacks

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 9:07 GMT by syracuse.com

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Syracuse 2025‑26 Winter Media Day: Coach Poll, Record‑Breaking Comebacks, and What’s Next for Indoor Track

On Thursday, the Syracuse high‑school sports scene was buzzing with the annual Winter Media Day, a gathering that pits coaching staffs against one another in a friendly (and sometimes fierce) “coach poll” and offers a front‑row seat to the most dramatic finish lines the region has seen in recent years. The event, held in the heart of the city’s gymnasium, served as a launchpad for the 2025‑26 indoor track season and brought to light not only who the top programs are but also how the underdogs are rewriting the narrative of comeback victories.

The Coach Poll: Who’s on Top and Who’s Rising

The highlight of the morning was the 2025‑26 Winter Media Day Indoor Track Coach Poll, an annual ranking that allows head coaches from across the Syracuse area to weigh in on the relative strengths of their programs. In a format reminiscent of the college football “polls,” the coaches assign points to their peers, culminating in a leaderboard that offers a snapshot of the region’s competitive landscape.

Top Three (From the Poll):

1. Syracuse University (Rank #1) – With a roster loaded with state‑class sprinters and distance runners, the Orange’s coaching staff reaffirmed their dominance. Coach Mike Thompson noted that the team’s depth “has been built over years of meticulous recruitment and relentless training.”
2. Onondaga High (Rank #2) – This year’s breakout stars, including 400m hurdler Jenna Lee and 800m specialist Alex Martinez, have pushed the school to the forefront of the poll.
3. St. John’s Academy (Rank #3) – Known for a strong relay program, the Academy’s coach, Sarah Kim, credits their recent success to a revamped conditioning regimen.

Below the top three, the poll also highlighted schools that are on the cusp of breaking into the upper echelons. The “Rising Programs” section, as the Syracuse.com article calls it, featured Baldwin High, Central Valley, and Cortland Prep. These programs are noted for their strategic coaching hires and for cultivating young talent that shows promise at the state level.

The poll results are posted on the Syracuse.com “Coach Poll” page, which also contains a breakdown of points per school and a commentary section where coaches discuss the outcomes. The article links directly to that page for readers who want the raw data.

Crazy Combacks: The Final Lap Showdowns

While the poll offers a macro‑view of the season, it’s the micro‑stories—those heart‑pounding finishes—that truly capture the audience’s imagination. The media day spotlighted several remarkable comebacks that happened during the last lap of key races.

1. The 400‑Meter Miracle – High school legend, 400‑meter world‑record‑breaking runner, Taj Harris, of Cortland Prep delivered a jaw‑dropping finish against the top‑ranked Syracuse University. Coming in a 15‑meter deficit, Harris sprinted through the final 50 meters to claim victory, a moment that “made the entire crowd roar” according to the article.
2. The 800‑Meter Tussle – At the Onondaga Invitational, Alex Martinez of Onondaga High managed to overturn a 30‑meter gap in the final lap to win by a mere 0.12 seconds. Coach Kim praised Martinez’s “tactical awareness and mental fortitude.”
3. The Relays Rewrote History – The 4 × 400 relay at the Syracuse High Invitational saw the Baldwin High squad edge out Central Valley by a hair’s breadth, thanks to a dramatic last‑leg push that saw Baldwin’s anchor drop the baton 3.6 meters ahead of the competition.

Each of these performances is detailed in the “Combacks” section of the article, complete with split times, race footage links, and interviews with the athletes. The piece encourages readers to watch the race highlights on the Syracuse.com track & field video archive, accessible through embedded links.

Behind the Scenes: Coaching Insights and Challenges

The media day was also a platform for coaches to discuss the broader challenges of indoor track. Topics ranged from the increased risk of injury during winter meets, to the struggle of recruiting athletes who can thrive in both indoor and outdoor seasons. A notable conversation involved Coach Thompson’s plan to incorporate more high‑intensity interval training (HIIT) to prepare athletes for the unique demands of indoor tracks—smaller lanes, tighter turns, and a more compressed season schedule.

Additionally, the article underscores the impact of the “Coaching Rotation” policy that has been in effect since 2024, allowing experienced coaches to rotate through schools for a season. This has ostensibly leveled the playing field, giving traditionally under‑resourced programs the expertise they previously lacked. The “Coaching Rotation” page—linked in the article—provides a schedule of current coaches, their previous affiliations, and an overview of how the policy has reshaped competitive dynamics.

What’s Next for the 2025‑26 Indoor Track Season?

Looking ahead, the article projects that the winter season will be as fiercely contested as it is thrilling. A list of upcoming meets—including the Syracuse Invitational, the Onondaga Classic, and the Cortland Prep Cup—is included with dates, venues, and preliminary event lists. These meets are pivotal because they often serve as qualifiers for the state championships, where the final showdown will decide which programs will carry their success into the outdoor season.

Moreover, the article cites a “State Preview” link that offers a breakdown of the projected state rankings based on early-season performances. The preview suggests that while Syracuse University’s depth will remain a strong factor, schools like Onondaga and St. John’s may climb further up the state leaderboard, especially if they can maintain the momentum from their recent comebacks.

Bottom Line

The 2025‑26 Winter Media Day article by Syracuse.com does more than list poll rankings—it paints a vivid picture of the high‑school indoor track scene in the Syracuse area. Through interviews, race footage, and analytical insights, the piece celebrates the sport’s drama and the resilience of its athletes. Whether you’re a parent following your child’s progress, a rival coach scouting opponents, or a fan eager to witness record‑setting finishes, the article offers a comprehensive, engaging snapshot that sets the tone for a season destined for unforgettable moments.