The Bronxville girls’ cross country team after winning the Class C Sectional Championship. Mia Horgan, fourth from the left, holding her state championship trophy. Photo submitted by Carina Winiecki. 

By J. Murrer and S. Quinn DeJoy

Nov. 10, 2026: The Bronxville cross country teams had an outstanding weekend at the Section 1 Championships, with sophomore Mia Horgan and senior Nate Deutsch winning their respective Class C individual titles, and the girls' team capturing its fourth consecutive Class C Sectional Championship.

Deutsch and Horgan, along with her teammates, will compete at the New York State Championships this coming weekend.

Also competing in the sectional playoffs this past weekend was the Bronxville football team. They defeated Dobbs Ferry 40-21 in the sectional semifinals and will compete in the sectional championship against Pleasantville on Saturday at North Rockland High School at noon. 

Girls’ Cross Country

The Bronxville girls' cross country team delivered an impressive performance at Bowdoin Park on Saturday, winning its fourth consecutive Class C Sectional Championship. Led by sophomore Mia Horgan, who repeated as the individual Class C sectional champion, the Broncos finished with 28 points, well ahead of Irvington with 55 and Pleasantville with 107.

The Broncos entered the race confident in their ability to win, although some of the younger runners were feeling the pressure of competing at sectionals.

"Looking at the results from Pleasantville and Irvington, we knew that as long as we ran our race, we would win based on the times," said senior Carina Winiecki.

"A lot of the girls were still a little nervous," said Winiecki. "Once you get to the race, you realize that it is sectionals, with a lot of fans and people and interviewers. Our coach saw we were nervous and brought us together and told us that as long as we ran our race, stayed confident and had fun out there, we would do fine.” 

The Broncos placed all five scoring runners among the top 13 finishers.

Horgan led the way, finishing first in 18:45.3, followed by Winiecki in fourth (20:26.40), senior Emerson Dennis in ninth (21:33.20), senior Ella McCalla in 11th (21:41.40), and freshman Odessa Dennis in 13th (21:55.90).

Horgan, the defending Class C State Champion, took the lead early and remained in front throughout the 5000m race.

"We went into this race knowing there were not a lot of people similar to Mia's speed," said Winiecki. "She had the lead the whole time. It was not a lot of competition for her, but she still put down an amazing time."

Horgan, who began running in eighth grade, will be making her third trip to the New York State Championships, where she will attempt to defend the individual Class C title she won in 2025.

The Broncos will return five runners from last year's state championship team: Mia Horgan, seniors Carina Winiecki, Ella McCalla, and Emerson Dennis, and freshman Odessa Dennis. Freshmen Zadie Doria and Grace Hein will also compete at states.

Boys’ Cross Country

Nate Deutsch and coaches after winning the sectional title. Photo submitted by Nate Deustch. 

Senior Nate Deutsch capped an impressive comeback season by winning the Class C Sectional Championship at Bowdoin Park on Saturday, finishing the 5000m race in 16:54.2.

Deutsch, who missed last year's cross country postseason and the winter and spring track seasons because of an injury, returned to competition this fall and steadily improved as the season progressed.

Competing against 100 other runners, Deutsch approached the sectional championship with a strategy that paid off in the final stretch.

"We see all the rankings before the race, so I knew it would be close between me and some of the Pleasantville kids, but I thought I should win," said Deutsch. "I was in second place most of the race and did not take the lead until the last hundred meters."

Deutsch crossed the finish line in 16:54.2, just ahead of Pleasantville's Sean Dooley, who finished second in 16:59.70. Pleasantville's Julian Giebelhaus placed third in 17:15.90.

“Winning the sectional title means a lot,” said Deutsch.  “I had a lot of great support from my co-captain Matthew and from Coach Hall and Coach Barraco.”

Coach Brian Halling, Coach Alex Barraco, and injured co-captain Matthew Jensen were on the sidelines supporting Deutsch throughout the race.

Deutsch is no stranger to the state championships. He traveled with the team as an alternate in eighth grade when the Broncos won the Class C State Championship and competed at states in 2023 and 2024, when Bronxville finished as the state runner-up both years.

After missing the 2025 postseason because of his injury, Deutsch is especially appreciative of the opportunity to return to the state championships.

"It has been a long process to get here and I'm happy to be getting good results," said Deutsch. "The first season back from an injury is a little rough. The latter half of the season I felt a lot better. I'm really excited for states."

The Bronxville boys’ team placed third at sectionals with 72 points, behind Pleasantville with 29 and Irvington 58. 

In addition to Deutsch's first-place finish, sophomore Max Ficazzola placed 12th in 18:14.90, junior James Conlon finished 15th in 18:26.90, and Sam Greenfield placed 19th in 18:38.80.

The boys’ cross country team at sectionals. Photo submitted by Nate Deutsch. 

Bronxville in the sectional semifinal win over Dobbs Ferry. Photo by S. Quinn DeJoy.

The No. 1-seeded Broncos had homefield advantage in the Class C sectional semifinals on Saturday when they faced No. 4 Dobbs Ferry.  The Broncos scored their first touchdown on their opening drive just 20 seconds into the game when Theo McMurray connected with Grant Patterson on a 69-yard touchdown pass.

Bronxville scored three more times in the first quarter with touchdowns by Liam Marcus, Patterson, and McMurray. In the second quarter McMurray passed to Charlie Atkinson for the Broncos fifth touchdown, and Will Waterstone scored the final Bronco touchdown late in the second quarter.

Bronxville’s defense held the Eagles scoreless in the first half. The halftime score, 40-0, gave the Bronco’s second string an opportunity to play. The final score of the game was 40-21.

The defending Class C Sectional and State Champion, Bronxville, will face No. 2 Pleasantville in the Section 1 Class C Championship game on November 14^th at North Rockland High School. During the regular season, the Broncos defeated the Panthers 35-7. 

Go Broncos.