NEW YORK STATE BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: WAVERLY DUO EXCITED FOR FIRST TRIP TO STATE MEET (November 14, 2025)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Waverly junior Chase Hine and sophomore Hayden Montanye will be competing in their first New York State Cross-Country Championships Saturday at Queensbury High School.

Waverly coach Nate Culver believes both will be able to overcome any nerves associated with their first run at States.

"Despite this being their first State level appearance, Chase and Hayden have a very apt ability to keep their composure under pressure.  

"They have demonstrated it time and again, not only in cross country, but track as well," said Culver. "They have put a tremendous amount of work in together to build the confidence necessary to execute their race strategy, no matter the course layout or weather.  

"We have discussed at length the mindset needed from meet to meet, Sectional championships and now State championships," noted Culver. "The new mission is to run and beat their state ranking within Class C, as well as establish a strong performance they can build upon next year."

Both Wolverines are looking forward to get a chance to compete at States.

"I'm very excited to do my first ever state level meet," said Hine.

"I think qualifying for States is a special thing not many people get to do, and a really good chance for me to see where I’m at against other top runners," said Montanye.

Hine is battling a seasonal illness in the week leading up to States, so that could be a key to his success.

"I need to not be as sick as I have been, and get lots of rest to be able to perform my best," he said.

As for Montanye, "To be successful running you need to be determined and you need to work hard for your goals. 

"What you can’t do during a race is panic," said Montanye. "You need to keep calm and do your best."

So, what are the Waverly duo's goals for Saturday?

"I'm looking to run any time under an 18 minutes," said Hine.

"My goal for the state race is to get a new personal-best time," said Montanye.

Culver said the course shouldn't be much of a detriment for Hine and Montanye achieving their goals.

"Queensbury is a very flat fast course with wide trails easy for making gains on the competition.

"There is one slight hill approximately halfway through the course that they can use to help separate themselves from nearby packs of runners," said Culver. 

"These boys have raced a variety of 5K layouts, ranging from flat-and-fast to courses with large elevation changes," he noted.  

"Chase and Hayden have trained and raced each version extremely well, and have built the experience necessary to run with confidence and determination," Culver added.

Culver notes the Waverly duo have been training together for quite a while, and deserve their success.

"I jokingly call these boys "Starsky and Hutch" because of their close bond and friendship.

"They trained all summer together, and I firmly believe they made the mutual goal and decision that they would push to go to States together," said Culver. 

"Throughout the season, they pushed each other in practice and at meets to improve their overall conditioning and intensity," he noted. "Having each other within the race will bring that level of familiar intensity to their performance.

"Most importantly, they will be able to share a truly monumental accomplishment and memory together as friends and distance runners for the rest of their lives," Culver added.

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IN PHOTO: Chase Hine (right) and Hayden Montanye. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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