The boys varsity race will kick things off at 3 p.m., followed by the girls at 3:30, modified boys at 4:05 and modified girls at 4:35.

Maple Grove head coach Steve Matteson has spent the better part of this week working to ensure that runners will have the best possible conditions, should rain continue today.

There were about six inches of leaves on the trails as of Monday,” said Matteson.

“We’ve got that down to about one inch. There will be some places where runners will have to go through water, and there are some places where it will be muddy and they will need spikes for traction. I’d say that three-quarters of the trails and course is maintained so well that if it rains it will still be runnable and produce fast times.”

Randolph’s Ronan McDonald, left, and Southwestern’s Eddie Scroxton run stride for stride in a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association cross country meet earlier this season. P-J file photo by Jay Young

Randolph’s Ronan McDonald will enter the day as the favorite in the boys race, fresh off of a victory at the Manhattan High School Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx two weeks ago.

“He won the Red Dragon to start the year and hasn’t looked back since,” said Matteson. “He is running very well this year, running on all cylinders right now and I hope he continues to do well for Randolph and Section VI.”

The battle for the boys team title could come down to the bitter end, as Southwestern, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley and Maple Grove each enter with one loss from the league season.

Ava Crist of Maple Grove got the better of Fredonia’s Emily Brown during league action this year, and will look to take home the girls individual title.

Also aiming to post fast times will be Acacia Barber of Frewsburg, Angelina Napoleon of Allegany-Limestone and Kylee Odell of Clymer/Sherman/Panama.

Maple Grove finished the season with an undefeated girls record, but has been tested by Clymer/Sherman/Panama at other races this season.

“It will be a very close battle,” said Matteson. “CSP has been stride-for-stride in all the invitationals. We are 50-50 there.”