ESPN RISE

Check out the top cross country runners in the New York Metro area.

PRIME-TIME PLAYERS

JOSEPH BRANCALE
Brancale placed 35th at the state Federation meet, crossing the finish line in 16:45.6. That was the second- best time among all runners from the N.Y. Metro area who return this season.

BRENDAN CONNELL
Connell finished 15th among runners from qualified teams at the state Federation meet (16:45.1). He also finished 29th at the Class AA state meet, with the best time among returning N.Y. Metro runners.

SHELBY GREANY
After placing fourth among runners from all classifications at the state meet last year (17:53.9), Greany went on to the Federation meet, where she placed fifth in 18:42.2.

EMILY LIPARI
Lipari claimed both the Class A and Federation state titles last year but was even better nationally. She placed sixth at both the Foot Locker East Regional and the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

COACH'S TAKE

AN AREA COACH ON SHELBY GREANY: "I've watched her run for a couple years now and she's just so focused out there on the track. She runs hard every race. I hear about her workouts and they're mind-boggling. When you see her on the line, you know you're in for a good race."