From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

We’re now in the 9th year of DREAM Park being used as the primary invitational XC course in South Jersey and Saturday will be the 9th year the Logan Township course will be used for sectionals, which had previously been held at Delsea since 2002. Before that, they were at Williamstown in 2000 and 2001, Egg Harbor in 1999, Kingsway 1993 through 1999, Westampton Tech 1989 through 1992, Mill Creek Park in Willingboro in 1988, Cherokee in 1987, Clearview 1984 through 1986, Camden County College in 1982 and 1983 and Pennsauken from 1965 through 1981.

When DREAM Park is dry and puddle-free and mud-free it’s probably the fastest of all the sectional courses, although Delsea was certainly a speedway. Unfortunately, the course hasn’t been in good shape this year and only three South Jersey boys have run sub-16 so far this year at DREAM – Trevor Szilier ran 15:37 at the South Jersey Shootout, Cian Sherlock 15:55 at the South Jersey Open and Joe Saicic 15:57 at the Tri-County Showcase.

Haddonfield’s George Andrus remains the only boy to run sub-15 at DREAM Park. He set the course record 14:58.79 at the 2022 Group 2 Sectional race. If the course is in good shape this weekend, we should see at least dozen runners under 16 minutes.

Group 1 boys start the day Saturday at 10 a.m. and Group 3 girls finish at 1:30 p.m.

Over the next few days leading up to Saturday we’ll have all-time top single-race team times as well as fastest composite teams. Girls all-time performance list coming tomorrow!

As always errors and omissions let me know and I will fix it ASAP!

BOYS [all times 16:00 and under]
14:58.79 … George Andrus [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:09.35 … Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
15:09.97 … Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 2023 Group 3 Sectionals
15:12.65 … Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
15:15.64 … Kyle Rakitis [Kingsway], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:19.24 … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:20.92 … ***Jack Tindall [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
15:22.72 … *Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:22.80 … Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:27.94 … *Erik Preisner [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:28.83 … Colin Hermack [Lenape], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:30.14 … Fabian Ramales [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:30.18 … Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:31.40 … *Cian Sherlock [Cherry Hill East], 2025 Olympic Conference
15:33.27 … Elijah Whitaker [Glassboro], 2023 Group 1 Sectionals
15:33.51 … Ethan Buck [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:34.16 … Tobias Janssen [Haddonfield], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:36.30 … Andrew Bowker [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:33.27 … Elijah Whitaker [Glassboro], 2023 Group 1 Sectionals
15:34.16 … Tobias Janssen [Haddonfield], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:35.01 … **Keenan Neuman [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:36.30 … Andrew Bowker [Southern Regional], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:36.44 … Brandon Lyons [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:36.61 … Billy Clewell [Camden Catholic], 2021 Bob Kiessling Invite
15:37.50 … *Trevor Szilier [Washington Twp.], 2026 S.J. Shootout
15:37.58 … Santino D’Amelio [Southern Reg.], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:38.17 … *Ryan Gibson [Haddonfield], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
15:38.18 … Andrew Littlehales [Delsea], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
15:38.92 … *Liam Tindall [Cherokee], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:39.82 … Taysaun Wilson [Toms River North], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:40.34 … *Nicholas Loffredo [Manchester Twp.], 2021 South Jersey Open
15:40.79 … **Benjamin Realley [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
15:41.71 … Conor Jacob [Cherokee], 2022 Olympic Conference
15:43.37 … *Kyle Robert Skiendzielewski [So. Reg.], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:43.96 … Enzo Corona [Cherokee], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:43.99 … Alex Boyko [Cinnaminson], 2022 S.J. Open
15:45.23 … Jack Bolling [Haddon Heights ], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:46.21 … ***Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:46.46 … Jacob Cobb [West Deptford], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:46.62 … *Aziz Muhammad-Kane [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
15:46.93 … Noah Stapleton [Shawnee], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:47.16 … Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
15:47.44 … Nicholas Krol [Williamstown], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:47.85 … Ryan Mccom [Toms River East], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:48.20 … Robert DiMedio [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.21 … Matt McCarron [Cinnaminson], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.57 … Rex Takakjy [Cherry Hill West], 2025 South Jersey Open
15:48.20 … Robert DiMedeo [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.21 … Matt McCarron [Cinnaminson], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.68 … *Dylan Saber [Williamstown], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:48.82 … Nick Scarangelli [Ocean City], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
15:48.97 … Arjun Patel [Millville], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:49.66 … Ryan Taylor [Egg Harbor Twp. ], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:50.54 … *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:51.71 … Daniel Brake [Sanford School], 2024 South Jersey Shootout
15:51.80 … Mason Wassell [Highland], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:51.98 … *Alvin Lin [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:52.10 … *Logan Bromley  [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
15:52.44 … Connor Melko [Bishop Eustace], 2018 Olympic Conference
15:53.21 … Colin Patterson [Haddon Heights], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:53.43 … *Brady Shute [Woodbury], 2019 South Jersey Shootout
15:54.07 … Chris Colavita [Washington Twp.], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:54.21 … **Sean Sooy [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
15:54.68 … Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East], 2019 Olympic Conference
15:55.10 … Cole Wassell [Highland], 2020 South Jersey Open
15:55.66 … Cian Sherlock [Cherry Hill East], 2026 S.J. Open
15:55.57 … Will Mrozinski [Paul VI], 2023 Bob Kiessling
15:55.86 … Andre Faigal [Rancocas Valley], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:56.73 … **Levi Tofino Miller [Southern Reg.], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:57.35 … Raine Guidarelli [Cherry Hill East], 2023 Olympic Conference
15:57.58 … Santino Anthony D’Amelio [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:57.80 … *Maximo Harada [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
15:57.83 … *Joe Saicic [Glassboro], 2026 Tri-County Showcase
15:58.13 … Simon Bernhardt [Shawnee], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:58.40 … Benjamin Weiner [Cherokee], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:58.56 … Zeb Hinker [Lower Cape May Reg.], 2021 S.J. Open
15:59.01 … Ethan Worst [Clearview], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:59.06 … Nathan Aschmann [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:59.09 … *Elijah Forrest [Collingswood], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:59.24 … Colin Keane [Washington Twp.], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:00.57 … **Noah Manwaring Lenape], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:00.73 … *Matt Hoffman [Ocean City], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:01.03 … Sean Alemi [Paul VI], 2024 Bob Kiessling
16:01.06 … Jeremy Sallade [The Wilberforce School], 2022 Bob Kiessling
16:01.07 … Cavan Agatone [Clearview], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:01.20 … *Nico Grilli [Cherokee], 2020 Olympic Conference Batch Meet
16:01.84 … Jake Buniva [Lenape], 2021 Olympic Conference
16:01.91 … *Dominic Burgio [Williamstown], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:01.93 … Chris Spisak [Cherokee], 2018 Olympic Conference
16:02.53 … *Zacchaeus Harrigan [Glassboro], 2026 Tri-County Showcase
16:02.57 … *Ryan Smith [Rancocas Valley], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:03.0 … Jackson Braddock [Southern Regional], 2020 Group 4 Sectionals
16:03.15 … Andrew Tatesure [Lacey Twp.], 2023 Group 3 Sectionals
16:04.45 … **Michael Romano [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:04.55 … Gavin Gallo [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:04.83 … Chase Miller [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:05.30 … Aidan Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:05.59 … Vincent Perri [Winslow Twp.], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:05.69 … Sean Martino [Cedar Creek], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:05.85 … Cole Knoedler [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:06.27 … Jacob Marino [Woodstown], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:06.56 … Shaun Maloney [Haddon Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:06.73 … Matt Sabo [Toms River North], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:06.75 … Cesar Pedro [Kingsway], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:07.13 … *Matthew Sullivan [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:07.21 … Aiden Williams [Audubon], 2023 Group 1 Sectionals
16:07.47 … *Scott Hubbard [Audubon], 2021 S.J. Open
16:07.89 … Colin Shand [Moorestown], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:07.93 … Jack Gaffin [Cherry Hill East], 2021 S.J. Open
16:07.51 … **Matthew Littlehales [Delsea], 2023 Group 3 Sectionals
16:07.88 … Tyler Jackson [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:07.89 … Colin Shand [Moorestown], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:07.93 … Jack Gaffin [Cherry Hill East], 2021 South Jersey Open
16:08.24 … Aaron David Wyrsch [Southern Regional], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:08.67 … Owen Ritti [Ocean City], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:08.59 … Ian Romea [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:08.67 … Ian Ritti [Ocean City], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:08.71 … Zach Hutchinson [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:09.00 … Tahj Wilson [Toms River North], 2026 S.J. Shootout
16:09.69 … Colin Moore [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:09.70 … *Nikihl Raman [Cherry Hill East], 2023 South Jersey Open
16:10.02 … ***Peter Simpson [Moorestown], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:10.15 … *Timothy Shack [Eastern], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:10.41 … Reggie Hernandez [Haddon Heights], 2024 Group 1 Sectionals
16:10.61 … Liam Dougherty [Haddonfield], 2023 Group 2 Sectionals
16:10.86 … Jake Aylmer [Haddon Township], 2019 S.J. Shootout
16:10.86 … Julian Rich [Camden County Tech], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:11.3h … Julian Lawson [Washington Twp.], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:11.9h … Josh Forrest [Collingswood], 2020 Group 2 Sectionals
16:12.72 … **Hunter Bostwick [Washington Twp.], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:13.00 … James Clauson [Haddon Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:13.47 … Case Hurly [Haddonfield], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
16:14.1h … John Ruona [Shawnee], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:14.74 … Trevor Szilier [Washington Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Shootout
16:15.56 … *Gavin Danielewicz [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:16.06 … Aneesh Rajagopal [Cherry Hill East], 2026 S.J. Open
16:17.05 … Ryan Allen [Kingsway], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:17.80 … Jamar Mack [Middle Twp.], S.J. Open
16:18.26 … Dan Wyshinski [Pennsville], 2019 S.J. Shootout
16:18.29 … Melvin Lewis [Pleasantville], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
16:18.34 … Aaron Kolosowsky [Washington Twp.], 2023 South Jersey Open
16:18.38 … Christian Schiattarella [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:18.64 … Cole Mylan [Timber Creek], 2022 South Jersey Open
16:18.67 …  Linden Wineland [Mainland Reg. ], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:18.82 … *Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East], 2023 South Jersey Open
16:19.27 … Jamar Mack [Middle Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:19.33 … Giovanni Fuchs [Sterling], 2026 S.J. Open
16:19.78 … *Christian Rouzard [Rancocas Valley], 2023 Olympic Conference
16:20.40 … Gabe Rodriguez [C.H. East], 2020 Olympic Conference Batch
16:20.46 … *Aidan Eyre [Cherry Hill East], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:20.79 … Donald Jellig [Haddonfield], 2024 South Jersey Sectionals
16:21.09 … *Bennett Wright [Haddonfield], 2023 Group 2 Sectionals
16:21.34 … Mike Liberty [Oakcrest], 2019 S.J. Shootout
16:21.41 … Richard Castaneda [Camden Catholic], 2018 S.J. Shootout
16:21.78 … Bradley Popler [Cherokee], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:22.05 …. *Benjamin Dodulik [Cherry Hill East], 2026 S.J. Open
16:22.09 … *Max Long [Paul VI], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:22.19 … Garren Koovits [T.R. North], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:22.33 … Jake Smith [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:22.55 … Gavin Danielewicz [Cherokee], 2026 Olympic Conference
16:23.17 … Austin Milou [Washington Twp.], 2018 Olympic Conference
16:23.50 … Anthony DiBattista [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
16:23.56 … Derek Coceano [Cinnaminson], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:23.85 … **Caden Briggs [Paul VI], 2024 Bob Kiessling
16:24.0h … Eric Scully [Hun School], 2022 Fall Crush Open
16:24.05 … Dominic Pileri [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:24.14 … Logan Pavelik [Williamstown], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:24.20 … J.C. McLean [Toms River North], 2026 South Jersey Shootout
16:24.22 … Joseph Natoli [Cherokee], 2021 Olympic Conference
16:24.32 … Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], 2026 Tri-County Showcase
16:24.34 … Calleb Brox [The Wilberforce School], 2023 Bob Kiessling
16:24.40… Anas Bensaoud [Clearview], 2020 Group 4 Sectionals
16:24.42 … Brady Kay [Sterling], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:24.50 … Brett Shea [Cherokee], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:24.76 … Sean Haggerty [Barnegat], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:24.93 … **Shepard Byrne [Gloucester County Tech], 2026 South Jersey Open
16:24.94 … Forrest Miller [Triton], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:25.12 … Will Ashton [Manchester Twp.], 2023 Group 2 Sectionals
16:25.13 … Ethan Anderer, 2021 South Jersey Group 4
16:25.37 … Connor Auge [Gloucester Tech], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:25.47 … Maximelio Giardino [Vineland], 2026 S.J. Open
16:25.50 … Joel Oquendo [Pennsauken], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:26.76 … *Ryan Haefele [Eastern], 2023 Olympic Conference
16:26.95 … Leonardus Kittles [Haddon Heights], 2021 S.J. Open
16:27.18 … Justin Newman [Toms River South], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:27.32 … Michael Gavio [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:28.32 … Grant Yoon [Cherry Hill East], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:28.59 … Isaac Linden [Moorestown Friends], 2024 Bob Kiessling Invite
16:28.62 … Teddy Wilson [Toms River North], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:28.81 … **Jim Rotaeche [Camden Catholic], 2026 S.J. Open
16:28.92 … Payton Veilleux [Kingsway], 2026 Tri-County Showcase
16:28.9h … Cole Kolodziej [Washington Twp.], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:29.04 … Tate Midora [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
16:29.20 … Timothy Sincavage [Southern Regional], 2020 Group 4 Sectionals
16:29.25 … *Tyler Schill [Cinnaminson], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
16:29.29 … Justin Penny [Lenape], 2021 Olympic Conference
16:29.31 … Dylan Benitez Gonzalez [Bridgeton], 2026 S.J. Open
16:29.49 … Leo Vyvyan [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:29.74 … Elliot Post [Mainland Reg.], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:29.89 … Dan White [Robbinsville], 2018 South Jersey Shootout

Junior Connor Brand was the overall winner and led five Haddonfield scorers in the top seven – and seven in the top 11 – at the Colonial Conference Championships in West Deptford.

Brand ran 16:07, finishing about 20 seconds ahead of 2^nd-place John Robinson of Audubon, who ran 16:28.

Senior Andrew Blum was 3^rd in 16:32, sophomore Logan Tripician was 4^th in 16:34, junior Graham Dodson 6^th in 16:52 and sophomore Nathan Bollard 7^th in 16:58 for the Bulldogs, who outscored 2^nd-place Haddon Township 21-77.

Junior Luke Lindner and sophomore Lucas Larson backed up Haddonfield’s top five in 9^th and 11^th in 17:07 and 17:12.

Haddonfield has won seven straight conference titles since team scoring resumed in 2020 but unofficially has won a lot more than that – probably 19. It looks like the last time Haddonfield wouldn’t have had the lowest team score was 2007, when Haddon Heights went 1-2 with Josh Black and Mickey Borsellino and would have won 28-36 over Haddonfield. But when there’s no team scoring, teams aren’t necessarily trying to win the meet and might not use their top lineup, so who knows? If it were up to me, every meet would have team scoring.

Haddon Township packed its top five in 14 seconds from 17:29 through 17:43. That group included a junior, three sophomores and a freshman.

Anyway, also in the top 10 were West Deptford senior Lane McClintock [5^th in 16:44], Sterling senior Brady Kay [8^th in 17:02] and Sterling senior Giovanni Fuchs [10^th in 17:09].

Others under 18 minutes over 5,000 meters at West Deptford Park: Woodbury junior Elijah Smith [12^thin 17:24], Haddon Township sophomore Kieran Adams [13^th in 17:29], Haddon Township freshman Ryan Luke [14^th in 17:31], Haddonfield junior Ian Rodriguez [15^th in 17:32], Haddon Township junior James Strimel [16^th in 17:34], Haddonfield senior Lucas Laganella [17^th in 17:35], Paulsboro senior Jeffrey Taylor [18^th in 17:37], Haddon Township sophomore Bryce Davis [19^th in 17:42], Haddon Township sophomore Simon Pierwola [20^th in 17:43], Sterling senior Brody Sinon [21^st in 17:43], Haddon Township sophomore Isaiah Williams [22^nd in 17:55] and Sterling junior Connor Zane [23^rd in 17:58].

Bucknell junior Shaelan McNally from Paul VI finished 200 meters ahead of the field and won the 4,000-meter race Friday at the Bison Open in East Buffalo Township.

McNally ran 13:13:34 over the 4K Bucknell Golf Club course, which is 16:59 pace for 5,000 meters and won by 44 seconds over teammate Anna Kylish.

Bucknell races in the Patriot Conference Championships next Saturday on the Bucknell Golf Club’s 6,000-meter course. McNally was 2^nd last year with a 6K all-coure best of 20:39 and is the top returning finisher.

Although most of Bucknell is in Lewisburg, Pa,, the XC course is in East Buffalo Township, Union County.

Sophomore Keira Epstein on Thursday became the Glassboro girl in meet history to win the Tri-County Conference Showcase.

Epstein, a 1^st-year runner, ran an all-course best 19:00 at DREAM Park in Logan Township to become Glassboro’s first conference winner since the meet’s inception in 1986.

Her previous 5,000-meter best was a 19:21 at West Deptford Park last Thursday. That was her first race under 20 minutes.

Epstein won by nearly half a minute over Kingsway junior Kaitlyn Orazi, who was 2^nd in 19:24. Senior Katelyn Gallinaro and senior Aubrey Bishop placed 3^rd and 4^th in 19:27 and 19:34 and Kingsway, with six in the top 11 (and top 9 in team scoring) won the team title 20-88 over Highland.

Glassboro hadn’t even had a girl in the top 10 in the conference meet in 39 years. In the 1987 meet at Kingsway, Charlette Washington placed 4^th for a 2^nd straight year in 19:57.

For Kingsway, freshman Aubrey Scheeper was 7^th in 20:25, freshman Alyssa Stankovich was 10^th in 20:47 and 6^th runner senior Ava Buchanan was 11^th in 20:48.

Also in the top 10 were Woodstown junior Abby Marino [5^th in 20:07], Williamstown senior Julia Burgio [6^th in 20:19], Delsea sophomore Brooke Mashburn [8^th in 20:40], Gloucester County Tech junior Jordan Moczydlowski [9^th in 20:44].

Also under 22 minutes: Highland sophomore Isabella Prendergast [12^th in 20:49], Clearview senior Julianne Roes [13^th in 21:04], Highland junior MaKayla McHutchison [14^th in 21:14], Williamstown sophomore Kennedy Hartwyk [15^th in 21:31], Gloucester Tech freshman Savannah Vai [16^th in 21:40], Clearview senior Leah Hagerman [17^th in 21:46], Highland senior Toni-Loren Powell [18^th in 21:49], Woodstown freshman Reese Madiraca [19^th in 21:56] and Pennsville junior Sawyer Slad [20^th in 21:58].

In a letter to parents and coaches, the president of the Cape Atlantic League has apologized for the catastrophic results breakdown at the Cape Atlantic League meet on Tuesday at Egg Harbor Township High School.

Robert Wagner, athletic director at Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing, took responsibility for hiring a timing company that was not equipped to work a major championship meet.

Results of the girls race weren’t available until more than 24 hours after the race and boys results have still not been distributed nearly 48 hours after the race.

“First, as president of the Cape Atlantic League, I take full responsibility for the failings of the race, more specifically, the finish and results collection,” Wagner wrote. “I want to apologize for this failure, and I am sorry that this negatively affected your children/athletes who raced yesterday. Everyone’s frustration with the outcome of the event yesterday is well deserved and understood. This event was not representative of the league, and moving forward, it will be corrected.

“Second, this was in no way a reflection on EHT’s staff; they did their best to help rectify the situation given the time they had to make it right. They did all they could.  I appreciate the efforts of the CAL cross-country coaches, Chair Jason Kessler, and the officials, who stepped in to help with collecting finish information from the competitors for both races to make the best of this situation on the day of the race. Awards were handed out but not in a manner consistent with our other events. Due to the lack of full results, many teams left prior to the awards ceremony.

“I have been in touch with the timing company, and results for the girls should post this evening (Wednesday). The boys are being worked on now, and the timing company is still gathering information from coaches so that the results can be completed. The FinishLynx system that the company uses has collected the times for each runner that finished. The company is now cross-referencing the names provided by the coaches with their finish line pictures. The finish picture also has the official time of finish, so they can put the name together with the placing and time to finalize the results.

“Please let me know if there are any other concerns.”

Senior Keenan Neuman led a 1-2-3-4-5 Ocean City sweep Tuesday at the Cape Atlantic Conference Championships at Egg Harbor.

Because of a timing catastrophe, there are still no official results or full results two days after the meet.

We would love to provide more information, but it simply does not exist. In an era where any timing company is able to provide live results with splits, en route team scores and a scoring grid, we can’t even find out who was in the top 10 in a championship race that was held nearly 48 hours ago.

Thanks, Cape-Atlantic athletic directors. You ruined a perfectly good cross country meet.

We don’t know a lot, but we do know that Ocean City won the boys race with a perfect 15 points. Neuman won the race in 15:29, senior Nate Aschmann was 2^nd in 15:42, junior Nevin Millstein took 3^rd in 15:46, junior Ben McCarthy ran 16:11 for 4^th and senior Michael Romano was 5^th in 16:14.

That’s a 45-second pack and a 15:52 team average for the No. 2-ranked team in the state.

Ocean City’s 6^th and 7^th runners also placed in the top 20, with junior Hayden Tarves 13^th in 16:53 and junior Ryan Jefferson 17^th in 17:04.

The sweep is only the second since the inception of the Cape Atlantic League meet in 1973. The first was just three years ago, when Ocean City’s Matt Hoffman, Ethan Buck, Erik Preisner, Kal Heyman and Zach Hutchinson swept the top five spots. Aschmann was Ocean City’s 6^th runner that day as a freshman and placed 11^th.

If anyone has any information about the rest of the race I’d love to add it. But at least we know about a terrific race by the Red Raiders heading into South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals a week from Saturday.

Senior Juliana Catalani, 2^nd to Julia Flanagan last year, won the Freedom Division race and led Maple Shade to its 3^rd straight team title at the Burlington County Scholastic League Championships Wednesday in Palmyra.

Catalani ran 19:27 and led a 1-3-4-6-11 Wildcat finish, although for team scoring purposes Shade swept the top five spots for 15 points since no other schools had five finishers.

Sophomores Johana Perez and Magaly Benito placed 3^rd and 4^th for Maple Shade in 20:11 and 20:51 and senior Alyssa Arencibia was 6^th in 22:08. Senior Yaide Robles ran 24:40 for 11^th and 6^th runner Valeria Bueno-Sosa was just behind in 13^th place in 25:39.

Also in the top 10 were Holy Cross junior Alexis Buonanno [2^nd in 20:08], Moorestown Friends junior Yuri Wallace [5^th in 21:58], Moorestown Friends junior E’Lon Rodwel-Simon [7^th in 23:37], Palmyra junior Maya Richmond-Dupont [8^th in 23:48], Riverside senior Kylee Ryan [9^thin 24:12] and Moorestown Friends senior Madelyn Lovequist [10^th in 24:17].

Eddy Farez Yunga, a Maple Shade junior, was the overall winner Wednesday and led the Wildcats to their 14^thBurlington County Scholastic League Freedom Division title since the meet was revived in 1999.

Maple Shade had won eight straight Freedom Division titles before finishing 2^nd to Moorestown Friends last year, but on Wednesday they outscored Riverside by six points to reclaim the title. The meet wasn’t held in 2020, but Maple Shade won it from 2016 through 2019 and 2021 through 2024.

The Wildcats outscored 2^nd-place Riverside 66-58, with Moorestown Friends 3^rd with 81 points.

Including two meets before the BCSL Championships were eliminated in 1991 – 1983 and 1986 – Maple Shade has now won 16 Freedom Division titles.

For Shade, junior Steve Guinansaca was 5^th in 18:02, senior Sunjid Sium 11^th in 19:25, senior Lucas Diehl 18^thin 19:59 and freshman Jonran Sanchez 30^th in 21:59.

The rest of the top 10 looked like this: Doane Academy senior Marlon Addison [2^nd in 17:38], Riverside senior Ronald McMahon [3^rd in 17:42], Palmyra senior Justin Clemons [4^th in 17:46], Riverside junior Jason Russo [6^th in 18:16], Palmyra freshman Cooper Caione [7^th in 18:32], Pemberton senior Aaron Arocho [8^th in 18:47], Westampton Tech sophomore Brayden Bodine [9^th in 18:50] and Riverside junior Zachary Plum [10^th in 19:06].

Addison’s 2^nd-place finish is the best ever by a Doane Academy runner at the BCSL meet. In 2019, Connor McHugh was 4^th.