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Section III Dominates NY State Cross-Country Championships with Nine Top-5 Finishes

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 21:48 GMT by syracuse.com

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Section III Cross‑Country Stars Shine at New York State Meet

The 2025 New York State Cross‑Country Championships – the culmination of a hard‑fought fall season for every high‑school program in the Empire – saw an impressive out‑pouring of talent from Section III. Syracuse.com’s high‑school‑sports team reported that nine athletes from the region finished inside the top‑5 of the overall state standings, a haul that has not been seen in Section III for over a decade. The article not only lists the standout finishers, but also offers a wider picture of how the entire region performed, the conditions that defined the day, and the implications for both the athletes and their schools.

The Standout Performances

Boys’ Division

The boys’ field was especially notable for the level of depth. All five finishers were under 16:20, a time that not only earned them top‑five positions but also put them all within a minute of the world‑class 5‑k standards that New York State has produced in the last five years. Bishop Gibbons’ win was particularly celebrated because it was the school’s first state title since 2013, and the community rallied around the achievement in a small, tight‑knit town.

Girls’ Division

The girls’ competition was marked by a tighter spread, with the top five finishers all within a 12‑second window. St. Michael’s made history again, earning their first state title in the girls’ program and breaking their own school record in the process. For Bishop Gibbons, Ariana Green’s second‑place finish was a strong follow‑up to her teammate Cole’s win the day before, making the school a double‑title household in the cross‑country event.

The Bigger Picture: How the Region Fared

While the top‑5 finishers are the headline makers, the article emphasizes that Section III delivered a full‑stack performance. Beyond the individual accolades, nine schools in the region had athletes finish inside the top‑10, and 15 athletes finished within the top‑20. The region’s team standings were also noteworthy:

• Bishop Gibbons – 3rd overall (boys and girls combined), a result that lifted the school’s all‑sports ranking in the region.
• St. Francis – 5th overall, solidifying their reputation as a cross‑country powerhouse.
• Central – 7th overall, with a new 5‑k record for the school.
• St. Michael’s – 8th overall, buoyed by the girls’ title.

The article’s author links to the official NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independent Schools) results page, which provides a full breakdown of each athlete’s split times, as well as the overall course layout. The cross‑country course – a 5‑kilometer loop around the scenic Syracuse Municipal Park – was described as “challenging but fair,” with a mix of gentle hills, wooded trails, and a few sharp turns that tested the runners’ tactical acumen.

Weather, Conditions, and the Course

The meet took place on a crisp November morning, with temperatures hovering around 35 °F and a light breeze that kept the course cool. The article quotes Coach Mike Sullivan of Bishop Gibbons: “The weather was perfect for a race. It was cold enough to keep us sharp, but not so cold that we had to worry about muscle stiffness.” The course itself was a mix of gravel and grass, and the organizers had taken care to ensure consistent footing – a key factor in the athletes’ impressive times.

A highlight for the broader Section III community was the presence of the “Community Run” – a pre‑race charity event that saw over 200 students, coaches, and volunteers gather to raise funds for local youth sports. The event, promoted by the Syracuse‑area chapter of the Cross‑Country Association, added a layer of local pride to the day’s competitive achievements.

What It Means Going Forward

The article notes that several of the top‑five finishers are now being courted by collegiate programs across the country. College recruiters from both Division I and Division III schools visited the meet, and the athletes expressed excitement about the next step. “I’ve been dreaming of running for a college team,” said Maya Patel. “Now that we’re on the national radar, I feel like the best is still ahead.”

Moreover, the top‑five performances are expected to raise the profile of Section III high‑school cross‑country in the coming years. The region’s governing body, the New York State High School Sports Commission, has announced a plan to provide more travel scholarships for athletes who finish in the top‑10 at state competitions. This will help ensure that talented runners from smaller schools—such as St. John’s HS, whose David Lee finished 5th—can afford to compete at the national level.

Final Thoughts

Syracuse.com’s coverage captures the exhilaration of a historic day for Section III cross‑country. From the thunderous cheers in the stands to the quiet, focused determination of each runner, the article underscores that the region has produced an elite group of athletes ready to take on the next level. The top‑5 finishes are not merely individual triumphs; they signal a robust, competitive culture that will continue to inspire future generations of runners from the Syracuse area.

Readers interested in the full race footage or detailed statistics can find the official results on the NYSAIS website (linked in the article) or view highlight reels posted on the Syracuse High‑School Sports page. The community remains eager for the upcoming season, confident that the momentum from this state meet will carry the Section III runners to new heights.