STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Both borough teams and individual performers capped their 2025 cross country seasons at Bowdoin Park during this past weekend’s NY Federation Championships, leaving behind plenty of fast times and gritty performances on the course.
The most impressive outing of the day came from Monsignor Farrell junior and 2025 Island individual champion Edwin Alleva, who led all borough and CHSAA competitors at Bowdoin with a superb 18th-place finish (16:27.40) against the top runners in the state.
“This was Edwin’s best performance on the Bowdoin course,” Lions head coach John Bentivegna said when talking about the third-year’s race.
“He moved up steadily throughout the race and stayed calm despite the talent and density of the field. This was a nice close to a very strong season and I am excited to see what he can do in indoors,” he continued.
Also competing as individuals from the Island were Susan Wagner’s Tristan Acevedo (56th, 16:53.80) and Andrea Gallina (126th, 17:30.30), St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Adam Vitale (63rd, 16:57.20), the St. Peter’s trio of Daoud Nejumi (112th, 17:24.80), Edward Cruz-Gomez (139th, 17:36.20) and Matthew Carrano (163rd, 17:44.80) and Farrell’s Matthew Venditti (130th, 17:33.10)
McKee/Staten Island Tech — the 2025 Island team champions and the borough’s lone boys’ team qualifier for Feds — closed out its outstanding fall with a solid 18th-place finish out of 30 teams. The Seagulls were led by junior Adam Zarrilli, whose gritty 17:12.50 effort earned him 90th place in a field of nearly 300 runners.
“I’m proud of my team for qualifying for the Federation Championships, and I feel like they ran well on a tough course in tough conditions. 18th in the state isn’t bad when you consider how strong New York cross country teams are; the future looks bright,” MSIT head coach Scott Crabbe said after the race.
Tottenville freshman Maeve Heck posted an outstanding runner-up finish at the SIHSTFA XC Championship on Oct. 18, 2025.Michael O’Brien
On the girls’ side, Tottenville freshman and Island runner-up Maeve Heck continued to show why she’s quickly emerging as the future of borough running. The speedy newcomer was the top Island girls’ finisher at Bowdoin, placing 58th out of 295 runners with an impressive 19:54.20 posting.
Susan Wagner (21st out of 31 teams) proved to be the highest-placing borough team, as junior Melisa Davila finished her breakout season by leading the Falcons with a 127th-place finish (20:59.30), also just two spots ahead of teammate Riley Tefft (21:00.40).
“The goal of our season is to always do our best at Cities and States,” SW head coach John Padula said.
“I’m extremely proud that the girls trusted the process and continually improved all year, running our fastest team average of the year at the State championship on the toughest course. We are looking forward to building on this success in the indoor season,” he continued.
Also competing as a team at States were the Notre Dame Academy Gators, who finished 28th overall. Junior Rachel Byrnes led the way with a 172nd place in 21:38.70.
Other Islanders competing as individuals included St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Giuliana Collegio (134th, 21:03.90) and Skyla MacPherson (270th, 23:57.80), capping a highly respectable season for the Vikings duo.
St. Peter’s senior Matthew Carrano poses with his winner’s medal after coming in first place at Sheriff Chad Chronister’s Ultimate Run in Tampa, Florida, on Nov. 15, 2025.Rebecca Carrano
Carrano shines away from the HS circuit
In addition to his strong showing at States, St. Peter’s senior Matthew Carrano posted an impressive victory at Sheriff Chad Chronister’s Ultimate Run in Tampa, Fla, on Nov. 15, finishing first out of 262 runners.
His time of 16:35 over 5K blew the field away, as the runner-up was well behind with a 19:26 finish.
“All his training from St Peter’s these last four years has payed off. His coaches Vinny Giles and Felix Gilroy have been amazing,” Carrano’s mom Rebecca shared.
Giles also expressed that he was pleased by Carrano’s efforts, saying that “he went down there and he ran well.”
“He originally knew nothing about the sport… he just didn’t have the confidence. So he’s been improving steadily ever since. I wish he was a junior so I could have him for one more season, but he definitely has a lot of untapped potential,” he continued.
The race also served a good cause as the non-profit behind the race serves to “focus on quality of life enhancements for disadvantaged youth and U.S. military personnel, active and retired.”