Section V cross country runners to watch at McQuaid Invitational

There are sporting events that attract athletes and coaches, and then there is the McQuaid Invitational, a high school cross country meet that is a certified magnet.

At least 5,579 runners, boys and girls, are expected to take part Saturday in one of the 23 varsity, junior varsity, freshman/sophomore or junior high races inside Genesee Valley Park. The meet's organizers have a legitimate case that the invitational held since 1965 is one of the largest meets in the eastern United States.

Athletes from 244 schools are expected to compete. Not only are they from New York Public High School Athletic Association sections around the state, including here in Section V, but also New York City, the Canadian province of Ontario, plus the states of Ohio,

Pennsylvania and Washington, District of Columbia. Teams, coaches and their families have traveled from California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, West Virginia and Maryland for past McQuaid Invitationals.

Hundreds of runners race towards the first turn off the starting line sprint at the start of the Girls Varsity AA Medium Schools race during the 60th McQuaid Invitational cross country meet at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Here in Section V, the McQuaid Invitational marks a point when the intensity in the high school girls and boys cross country seasons increases.

There are teams at the meet who want to see potential competitors at the state championships and what happens when they race them. There are runners building confidence by running side-by-side with familiar or unfamiliar names, including during the Bob Bradley Premier Races. Coaches tinker with lineups, while keeping the near future in the back of their minds.

R-H's Mickey Burke pushes to the finish in the Boys Seeded Varsity Large schools race during the 2012 McQuaid Invitational.

Just about every race is a measurement, and that goes for the best, established and emerging runners from schools in Section V.

Here are lists of runners in Section V who have won a varsity race at an invitational or during their school's league schedule so far this fall. Most, along with established performers also listed below, are runners to watch the remainder of the season.

Girls - First-place finishers through Sept. 2026

Pittsford Sutherland’s Mallory Howe flashes the victory sign as she hits the finish line ahead of teammate Merrick Bathgate winning the Girls Varsity AA Medium Schools race during the 60th McQuaid Invitational cross country meet at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Morgan Ball (Dansville): Senior with the Mustangs in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Pavilion High (Sept. 29, 23:12). Mount Morris High (Sept. 22, 23:26).

Merrick Bathgate (Pittsford Sutherland): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Junior with the Knights in the Monroe County league. 2025 Section V Class B champion.

Anna Blodgett (Fairport): Sophomore with the Red Raiders in the Monroe County league. Northampton Park (Sept. 15, 20:49, 3.1 miles).

Mallory Boyce (Batavia): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Blue Devils in the Monroe County league. Kota-Reis Invitational at Byron-Bergen (Sept. 19, 19:44.9, 3.1 miles). Basil A. Marella Park (Sept. 22, 19:44, 3.1 miles). Parma Park (Sept. 15, 21:23, 3.1 miles).

Olivia Burry (Wayne): Junior with the Eagles in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Wayne Cross Country Invitational at Ginegaw Park (Sept. 12, 20:19, 3.1 miles). Wayne-Finger Lakes Invitational (Sept. 8, 20:08, 3.1 miles). Marcus Whitman High (Sept. 29, 20:26, 3.1 miles). Honeoye High (Sept. 22, 21:48.5, 3.1 miles).

Maya Churchman (Arkport/Canaseraga): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Freshman. John Izzo Classic small schools race at Letchworth State Park (Sept. 26, 18:37.8, 3.1 miles). 2025 Section V Class D champion. Became the first girls race winner at the McQuaid Invitational in Arkport history in 2025.

Chloe Costa (Caledonia-Mumford/LeRoy): Junior with the Rivals in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Wayland-Cohocton (Sept. 22, 21:06).

Bridget Courtney (Spencerport): Junior with the Rangers in the Monroe County league. Finger Lakes Community College (Sept. 22, 21:27, 3.1 miles).

Reilly Davis (Oakfield-Alabama): Sixth-grader with the Hornets in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Oakfield-Alabama (Sept. 15, 22:04).

Claire Fernaays, (Alexander): Eighth-grader with the Trojans in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Genesee County Park 1 (Sept. 15, 21:55).

Emma Geary (Avon): Freshman with the River Hawks in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Avon High (Sept. 15, 20:37).

Claire Givens (Midlakes): Senior with the Screaming Eagles in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Waterloo (Sept. 29, 21:29.8, 3.1 miles).

Audrey Gleghorn (Rush-Henrietta): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Royal Comets in the Monroe County league. 2025 Section V Class A champion.

Riley Goodwin (Wayland-Cohocton): Sophomore with the Eagles in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Byron-Bergen High (Sept. 29, 21:58).

Maura Grimes (Alexander): Freshman with the Trojans in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Alexander High (Sept. 29, 21:44). Wayland-Cohocton High (Sept. 22, 19:50).

Della Harper (Clyde-Savannah): Junior with the Golden Eagles in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Geneva High (Sept. 22, 23:01).

Elena Hartz (Pembroke): Eighth-grader with the Dragons in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Geneseo High (Sept. 29, 20:23).

Rebecca Hosek (Batavia Notre Dame): Junior at Batavia Notre Dame, a member of the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Genesee County Park 2 (Sept. 22, 23:26).

Mallory Howe (Pittsford Sutherland): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Runner of the Year. Senior with the Knights in the Monroe County league. Barker Road Middle School (Sept. 22, 18:05, 3.05 miles). Basil A. Marella Park (Sept. 15, 18:25, 3.1 miles).

Lucy Johnson (Victor): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Sophomore with the Blue Devils in the Monroe County league.

Hannah Khuns (Churchville-Chili): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Saints in the Monroe County league. Shadow Pines (Sept. 15, 21:49, 3.1 miles).

Kira LaVeck (Irondequoit): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Eagles in the Monroe County league.

Kaitlyn Melos (Hilton): Sophomore with the Cadets in the Monroe County league. Black Creek Park (Sept. 22, 21:18, 3.1 miles).

Ave Parulski (East Palmyra Christian): Junior at East Palmyra Christian, a member of the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Mynderse Academy (Sept. 22, 19:05.0, 3.1 miles).

Kate Rautenstrauch (Keshequa): Junior with the Wildcats in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Oatka Creek Park (Sept. 15, 24:23).

Honeoye Falls-Lima’s Irene Sesnie charges up a hill just past the one mile marker on her way to a fifth place finish in the Girls Varsity AA Medium Schools race during the 60th McQuaid Invitational cross country meet at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Irene Sesnie (Honeoye Falls-Lima): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team member. Senior with the Cougars in the Monroe County league. John Izzo Classic large schools race at Letchworth State Park (Sept. 26, 18:42.5, 3.1 miles). Mendon Ponds Park West (Sept. 22, 18:14, 2.85 miles). Mendon Ponds East (Sept. 15, 19:29, 3 miles).

Elissa Sturm (Mount Morris): Junior with the Blue Devils in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Mount Morris High (Sept. 29, 24:13).

Josephine Suppo (Victor): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team member. Junior with the Blue Devils in the Monroe County league. Mendon Ponds Park West (Sept. 15, 18:47, 2.85 miles).

Ellie Ward (Geneseo): Sophomore with the Blue Devils in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Livonia High (Sept. 22, 22:43). Bath Country Club (Sept. 15, 23:21).

Abigail Wells (Newark): Senior with the Reds in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Ginegaw Park (Sept. 29, 23:40, 3.1 miles).

Morgan Zimmet (Penfield): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team member. Senior with the Patriots in the Monroe County league. Shadow Pines (Sept. 22, 19:52, 3.1 miles).

Boys - first-place finishers through Sept. 2026

Webster Thomas Parker Heaphy and far right, Kai Rock of Gonzaga College High School pull away from the pack at the finish line during the Bob Bradley Premier Race for Boys at the 59th Annual McQuaid Invitational at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester on Sept. 28, 2024. Rock placed 39, while Heaphy placed 40.

Omer Ahmed (Pittsford Mendon): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Junior with the Vikings in the Monroe County league. 2025 was his first cross country season.

George Alessandria (Brighton): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Bruins in the Monroe County league.

Bennett Antonucci (Geneseo): Senior with the Blue Devils in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Geneseo High (Sept. 29, 15:25). Livonia High (Sept. 22, 17:08).

Trey Brock (South Seneca/Romulus): Sophomore with South Seneca/Romulus, a member of the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Honeoye (Sept. 22, 19:23.6, 3.1 miles).

Jayden Carnevale (Clyde-Savannah): Sophomore with the Golden Eagles in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Geneva High (Sept. 22, 17:14, 3.1 miles).

Alexander Fernaays (Alexander): Junior with the Trojans in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Genesee County Park 1 (Sept. 15, 19:05).

Harrison Flanagan (Holley): Senior with the Hawks in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Mount Morris High (Sept. 29, 19:39).

Colten Grimm (Pittsford Sutherland): Sophomore with the Knights in the Monroe County league. Basil A. Marella Park (Sept. 15, 17:11, 3.1 miles).

Zachary Hartz (Pembroke): Senior with the Dragons in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Pembroke High (Sept. 22, 17:49). Avon High (Sept. 15, 17:52).

Parker Heaphy (Webster Thomas): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Titans in the Monroe County league. Finger Lakes Community College (Sept. 22, 18:02, 3.1 miles).

Desmond Hill (Marcus Whitman): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Junior with the Wildcats in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. John Izzo Classic small school race at Letchworth State Park (Sept. 26, 15:46.5, 3.1 miles). Wayne-Finger Lakes Invitational (Sept. 8, 17:28, 3.1 miles). Mynderse Academy (Sept. 22, 15:20.3, 3.1 miles). Marcus Whitman (Sept. 29, 16:49.6, 3.1 miles).

Marcus Whitman’s Desmond Hill and Maple Grove’s Ethan Verbosky collide as they cross the finish during the Boys Varsity A-2 Small Schools race during the 60th McQuaid Invitational cross country meet at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Verbosky took second, with Hill taking third place.

Tytus Jarzyna (Livonia): Junior with the Bulldogs in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league.

Nathaniel Kinsey (Batavia): Senior with the Blue Devils in the Monroe County league. Basil A. Marella Park (Sept. 22, 17:29, 3.1 miles).

Cameron LaSpino (Gates Chili): Sophomore with the Spartans in the Monroe County league. Black Creek Park (Sept. 22, 17:26, 3.1 miles).

Elijah Latko (Wheatland-Chili): Junior with the Wildcats in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Oatka Creek Park (Sept. 15, 19:20).

Will Luongo (Brighton): Senior with the Bruins in the Monroe County league. Parma Park (Sept. 15, 17:46, 3.1 miles).

Luigi Manning (Avon): Junior with the River Hawks in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. (Sept. 29, 18:09).

Ryan Mehan (Pittsford Mendon): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Vikings in the Monroe County league. 2025 Section V Class B champion. Shadow Pines (Sept. 15, 17:55, 3.1 miles).

Sean Metzler (Penfield): Senior with the Patriots in the Monroe County league. John Izzo Classic large schools race at Letchworth State Park (Sept. 26, 15:36.4, 3.1 miles). Saint John Fisher Rodenback Invitational (Sept. 4, 13:19.6, 2.48 miles). Shadow Pines (Sept. 22, 16:31, 3.1 miles). Mendon Ponds East (Sept. 15, 16:40).

Cooper Parker (Batavia Notre Dame): Junior at Notre Dame a member of the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Genesee County Park 2 (Sept. 22, 18:23).

Evan Phillips (Byron-Bergen): Junior with the Bees in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Byron-Bergen High (Sept. 29, 17:10). Mount Morris (Sept. 22, 18:16). Bath Country Club (Sept. 15, 17:15).

Brock Ridder (Oakfield-Alabama): Sophomore with the Hornets in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Oakfield-Alabama High (Sept. 15, 18:46).

Tobin Ruder (Fairport): Junior with the Red Raiders in the Monroe County league. Northampton Park (Sept. 15, 17:11, 3.1 miles).

Thomas Steele (McQuaid): Senior with the Knights in the Monroe County league. Newark Cross Country Invitational at Silver Hill Tech Park (Sept. 19, 16:42, 3.1 miles).

Colin Tenny (Bloomfield): Senior with the Bombers in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Ginegaw Park (Sept. 29, 19:12, 3.1 miles).

Trevor Trumble (Waterloo): Junior with the Tigers in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Waterloo (Sept. 29, 17:53.9, 3.1 miles).

Kevin Weese (Irondequoit): Sophomore with the Eagles in the Monroe County league. Mendon Ponds Park West (Sept. 15, 16:10, 2.85 miles).

Nolan Wilcox (Wayland-Cohocton): Senior with the Eagles in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Wayland-Cohocton High (Sept. 22, 16:56).

Jacob Williamson (Eastridge): Junior with the Lancers in the Monroe County league. Mendon Ponds Park West (Sept. 22, 15:40, 2.85 miles).

James Johnson, who grew up in the city of Rochester, has worked as a full-time journalist covering high school sports for the Democrat and Chronicle since 1996. Follow him @jjDandC on X (Twitter) and Instagram. Please contact him at JAMESJ@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V cross country runners to watch at McQuaid Invitational