Get to Know Your Orange Runner: Spillane and Molino

Syracuse Orange fans, it’s time for this year’s “Get to Know Your Orange Runner” series. This year, former XC runners Sydney Leiher and Joel Hubbard have contributed their thoughts as we look at some of the anticipated top runners from the men’s and women’s squads. Both teams are looking to make it to the NCAA Championships in Louisville this November.

Today we look at graduate transfer Taylor Spillane and redshirt sophomore Griffin Molino.

Name: Taylor Spillane

Year: Graduate Student

Hometown: Shelburne, VT

College: Cornell

2016 Performances

Harry Groves: 3rd 21:22.9

Ivy League Championships: 26th 21:15.3

NCAA East Regional: 55th 21:48

Sydney Says: “5th year grad student from Cornell, and an important transfer for us.”

Kevin’s Take:

Taylor brings some needed experience to the Syracuse squad. The Cornell transfer was 10th at the 2015 Ivy League Championships and last year she was ahead of Paige Stoner at the Penn State meet. If Taylor can match that form in 2017, she’ll make an impact for the Orange women.

Name: Griffin Molino

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Williamsport, PA

High School: South Williamsport

2016 Performances

Harry Lang: 1st 20:08.8

Harry Groves: 14th 26:55.5

Panorama Farms: 28th 24:56.5

Wisconsin Invite: 8th 25:10.8* (*Open Race)

John Reif: Did Not Race

ACC Championships: 41st 24:21.4

NCAA East Regional: 31st 31:30.3

NCAA Championships: Did Not Race

Joel Says: ”When Griff puts down his coloring book and starts rolling up sweet road, he's actually a really good runner. I think Griff has the potential to be a critical member of this Orange squad come ACC's, Regionals, and Nationals.”

Kevin’s Take:

Like I talked about yesterday in regards to Kevin James, Griff is in his 3rd year in the Syracuse program and he’s got an opportunity in front of him to step into a more important role. There will be a lot of competition for spots in the Orange top 7 at the end of the season, but Griff has shown that he should be in the mix for one of those spots.

Syracuse heads to Penn State this Friday to take part in the Harry Groves . Stay tuned to Nunes Magician all season as we follow the Orange as they look to go “Back to Bat” in Louisville in November.