These Section V runners keep beating everyone to the finish line

There are fewer than two weeks of high school invitational and league cross country meets remaining in Section V.

Then comes the postseason, with races beginning on Halloween, including the Monroe County league championships at Parma Park.

Nov. 7 is the date circled on just about all calendars. That is the day of the Section V championships at Letchworth State Park.

Here are the runners in Section V who have beaten everyone to the finish line in races so far this fall. They are the runners to watch:

Girls first-place finishers through Oct. 13

Pittsford Sutherland’s Mallory Howe charges up a hill at the one mile marker in the Bob Bradley Premier for Girls 3 mile race during the 61st McQuaid Invitational cross country meet at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Georgie Alexander (Williamson/Marion): Junior in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Red Jacket High (Oct. 6, 19:12.39, 3.1 miles).

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

Mount Morris (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 (Oct. 13, 20:50, 3.1 miles) and (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). North Rose-Wolcott High (Oct. 6, 18:59.2, 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. Genesee County Village and Museum (Oct. 13, 19:44). Wayland-Cohocton (Sept. 22, 21:06).

Bridget Courtney (Spencerport): Junior with the Rangers in the Monroe County league. Parma Park (Oct. 6, 20:41, 3.1 miles). 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. Caledonia-Mumford High (Oct. 6, 21:01). 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. Bob Goodell Memorial Invitational at Red Jacket (Oct. 10, 15:10, 2.48 miles).

Riley Goodwin (Wayland-Cohocton): Sophomore with the Eagles in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Geneseo High (Oct. 6, 19:19). Byron-Bergen High (Sept. 29, 21:58).

Maura Grimes (Alexander): Freshman with the Trojans in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Alexander High (Oct. 13, 22:19). Livonia High (Oct. 6, 20:26). 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. Genesee County Park 1 (Oct. 6, 22:45). 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. Center Park (Oct. 6, 18:48, 3.1 miles). Barker Road Middle School (Sept. 22, 18:05, 3.05 miles). Basil A. Marella Park (Sept. 15, 18:25, 3.1 miles).

Ava Ingraham (Brockport): Junior with the Blue Devils in the Monroe County league. Northampton Park (Oct. 6, 20:36, 3.1 miles).

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

Kaeva Johnston (Mynderse): Sophomore with the Blue Devils in the Wayne-Finger Lakes league. Clyde-Savannah High (Oct. 6, 21:45, 3.1 miles).

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).

Anastasia Kuszlyk (Byron-Bergen): Freshman with the Bees in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Oatka Creek Park (Oct. 13, 17:41).

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).

Charlotte Painter (Addison): Freshman at Addison. Rally at the Valley - Marcus Whitman (Oct. 10, 18:17.4, 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).

Irene Sesnie (Honeoye Falls-Lima): 2025 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Team. Senior with the Cougars in the Monroe County league. McQuaid Invitational (Oct. 3, 18:00.4, 3 miles). John Izzo Classic large schools race at Letchworth State Park (Sept. 26, 18:42.5, 3.1 miles). Barker Road Middle School (Oct. 6, 19:11, 3.08 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 (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).

Sarah Webster (Avon): Sophomore with the River Hawks in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Kendall High (Oct. 6, 23:22).

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

Nicole Wilcox (Wayland-Cohocton): Junior with the Eagles in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Genesee County Village and Museum (Oct. 13, 16:12).

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 Oct. 13

Penfield’s Sean Metzler sprints to the finish line, taking 22nd place in the Bob Bradley Premier for Boys 3 mile race during the 61st McQuaid Invitational cross country meet at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester Saturday, October 3, 2026.

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. Barker Road (Oct. 6, 16:59, 3.08 miles).

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. Alexander High (Oct. 13, 18:37). Geneseo High (Oct. 6, 15:47). 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. Clyde-Savannah High (Oct. 6, 17:28, 3.1 miles). Geneva High (Sept. 22, 17:14, 3.1 miles).

E'Nhazje Carter (Batavia): Senior with the Blue Devils in the Monroe County league. Basil A. Marella Park (Oct. 13, 17:18, 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 (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. Genesee County Park 1 (Oct. 6, 17:53). 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. Webster Park (Oct. 6, 16:41, 2.95 miles). 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. Rally at the Valley - Marcus Whitman (Oct. 10, 16:03.2, 3.1 miles). McQuaid Invitational Oct. 3, 15:20.3, 3 miles). 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). Red Jacket High (Oct. 6, 15:32.46). Mynderse Academy (Sept. 22, 15:20.3, 3.1 miles). Marcus Whitman (Sept. 29, 16:49.6, 3.1 miles).

Owen Hitchcock (Avon): Sophomore with the River Hawks in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Kendall High (Oct. 6, 18:31).

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

Zine Kantari (Pittsford Sutherland): Junior with the Knights in the Monroe County league. Finger Lakes Community College (Oct. 13, 18:20, 3.1 miles). Center Park (Oct. 6, 16:37, 3.1 miles).

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).

Aaron Lubberts (Livonia): Senior with the Bulldogs in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Livonia High (Oct. 6, 17:39).

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). Black Creek Park (Oct. 6, 16:50, 3.1 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).

Jackson Penna (Spencerport): Senior with the Rangers in the Monroe County league. Parma Park (Oct. 6, 17:48, 3.1 miles).

Evan Phillips (Byron-Bergen): Junior with the Bees in the Genesee Region/Livingston County league. Oatka Creek Park (Oct. 13, 17:41). Caledonia-Mumford High (Oct. 6, 17:02). 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).

Andrew Smith (Rush-Henrietta): Senior with the Royal Comets in the Monroe County league. Bob Goodell Memorial Invitational at Red Jacket (Oct. 10, 13:04, 2.48 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. North Rose-Wolcott (Oct. 6, 16:48.3, 3.1 miles). Waterloo High (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. Northampton Park (Oct. 6, 17:47, 3.1 miles). 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: These Section V runners keep beating everyone to the finish line