From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

It’s been 54 years since the first Meet of Champions was held in 1972 at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, and it was a good day for South Jersey, with five finishers in the top 20.

Lenape’s Mark Roddy placed 7th in 12:34 over a 2 1/2-mile course, finishing just 12 seconds out of 1st place and earning the distinction of the first South Jersey runner ever to finish a Meet of Champions XC race. Williamstown’s Willie Marino was eight seconds back in 11th place, Cherry Hill West’s Jay Vickery crossed the line 11 seconds later in 14th, followed one second later by teammate Marty Ludwikowski, then only a sophomore. Collingswood’s Ed Donahue also dipped under 13 minutes, taking 20th in 12:59.

It would be 12 more years before South Jersey packed five finishers in the top 20, but it happens fairly often these days – 2014, 2018 and last year are the most recent examples.

The 55th annual Meet of Champions (there was no race in 2020, although there was an exhibition race at Holmdel that we include) is scheduled for Saturday, with the boys race at 11 a.m. and the girls race at noon. After one year each at Ocean County Park, Bridgewater-Raritan West, Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick and Pennsauken, the meet has been at Holmdel County Park since 1976.

Here’s a look at every top-25 finisher in race history from South Jersey. Did we forget anybody???

2025
5. Luke Andresen [Haddonfield], 15:42
6. Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield], 15:43
11. *Benjamin Realley [Cherokee], 15:53
16. Ryan Gibson [Haddonfield], 16:02
20. Milo Poerner [Cherry Hill East], 16:10

2024
11. Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East], 16:07
15. ***Jack Tindall [Cherokee], 16:11
19. *Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield], 16:12
21. Bennett Wright [Haddonfield], 16:13
25. Peter Simpson [Haddonfield], 16:24

2023
2. Peyton Shute [Woodbury] 15:33
6. Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee] 15:56
14. Elijah Forrest [Collingswood] 16:12
19. Will Mrozinski [Paul VI] 16:16

2022
2. Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee] 15:39
3. George Andrus [Haddonfield] 15:40
4. Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee] 15:41
11. *Peyton Shute [Woodbury] 16:05
21. Conor Jacob [Cherokee] 16:25
24. Ryan Smith [Rancocas Valley] 16:30

2021
6. Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 15:36
8.Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 15:46
16.George Andrus [Haddonfield], 15:58
17. Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 16:08
18. Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee], 16:08

2020 [Holmdel Invitational Exhibition]
10. Brady Shute [Woodbury] 16:18.4
19. Cole Wassell [Highland] 16:44.2
22. Josh Forrest [Collingswood] 16:46.2

2019
4. Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee] 15:41
5. Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East] 15:48
8. Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 15:58
13. *Anas Bensaoud [Clearview] 16:12
21. Chase Miller [Cherokee] 16:18
22. Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 16:18

2018
4. *Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee] 15:56
8. *Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg.] 16:01
13. *Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 16:10
14. *Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 16:10
15. Greg Eisenhower [Haddonfield] 16:10
16. Connor Melko [Bishop Eustace] 16:11
19. Colin Kane [Delsea] 16:23
20. Richard Castaneda [Camden Catholic] 16:23
21. Kieran Burns [Kingsway] 16:24

2017
13. **Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 16:15
17. Joe Grandizio [Kingsway] 16:17
21. *Kieran Burns [Kingsway 16:20
22. Jonathan Connor [Kingsway] 16:22

2016
6. Jack Shea [Cherokee] 15:58
15. Robert Abrams [Cherry Hill West] 16:17
23. *Justin Kelly [Cherokee] 16:28

2015
1. Joshua Clark [Highland] 15:33
3. Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East] 15:39
6. *Jack Shea [Cherokee] 15:46
22. Owen Long [Haddon Twp.] 16:17

2014
1. Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.] 15:40
3. Shawn Hutchinson [Bishop Eustace] 15:43
6. Dominick Munson [Timber Creek] 15:56
7. Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East] 16:00
11. Sean Macpherson [Sterling] 16:02
14. Josh Clark [Highland] 16:12
23. *Justin Branco [Delsea] 16:19
24. Noah Culbreath [Kingsway] 16:20

2013
3. Louis Corgliano [Hammonton] 15:35
5. Steve Maine [Highland] 15:42

2012
6. Kyle Kirk [Camden Catholic] 15:56
11. Steve Maine [Highland] 15:59
16. Greg Halla [Haddonfield] 16:06
17. *Louis Corgliano [Hammonton] 16:07
21. Ryan Magnus [Kingsway] 16:15

2011
5. Shawn Wilson [Cherokee] 15:45
17. Connor Herr [Shawnee] 16:07

2010
6, Ben Potts [Haddonfield] 15:43
8. Paul Szulewski [Williamstown] 15:55
10. *Connor Herr [Shawnee] 15:58
13. Matt Nussbaum [Haddonfield] 16:01
21. Miles Schoedler [Ocean City] 16:09
24. *Peter Murray [Shawnee] 16:14
25. Greg Malloy [Cherokee] 16:14

2009
5. Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield] 15:42
10. *Paul Szulewski [Williamstown] 15:57
25. David Forward [Shawnee] 16:19

2008
4. Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 15:56
8. *David Forward [Shawnee] 16:02
14. Michael Rankin [Paul VI] 16:17

2007
5. *Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 16:03
9. Mike Sheehan [Holy Cross] 16:09
12. **Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield] 16:12
21. Mickey Borsellino [Haddon Heights] 16:23
25. Ryan Birchmeier [Ocean City] 16:28

2006
8. John Fennekohl [Ocean City] 16:02
14. Matt Poskus [Cinnaminson] 16:12
20. **Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 16:21
21. Kevin Cronin [Mainland Reg.] 16:23
22. *Alex Yersak [Cherokee] 16:23
25. Michael Keebler [Holy Spirit] 16:29

2005
13. Steve Grabowski [Cinnaminson] 16:07
21. Greg Bredeck [Cherokee] 16:18

2004
10. Tom Yersak [Cherokee] 16:13
12. Anthony Kelhower [Lenape] 16:15
22. *Greg Bredeck [Cherokee] 16:26

2003
2. Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 15:39
4. Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 15:51
10. James Wyner [Mainland Reg.] 16:06
15. Carmen Cavella [Washington Twp.] 16:19
17. Brian Goldberg [Haddonfield] 16:20
18. Joseph Masters [Mainland Reg.] 16:22
24. Spenser Popeson [Mainland Reg.] 16:29

2002
2. Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 15:48
5. Robert Edwards [Bridgeton] 15:59
7. *Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 16:10
8. *Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 16:10
11. *James Wyner [Mainland Reg. ]16:20
12. John Richardson [Ocean City] 16:21
13. Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:21
16. Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 16:24
22. Andrew Riviello [Eastern] 16:35
24. *Brian Goldberg [Haddonfield] 16:39

2001
1. Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 15:43
2. *Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 15:48
5. Skip Stiles [Haddonfield] 15:54
6. Breton Bonnette [Haddonfield] 15:55
7. *Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:04
11. Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 16:20
14. Robert Lacovara [Highland] 16:27
16. **Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 16:29
17. *John Richardson [Ocean City] 16:29
21. *Andrew Riviello [Eastern] 16:33
23. **Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 16:34
24. Matt Mueller [Cherokee] 16:34

2000
1. Mike Myers [Eastern] 15:50
2. *Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 16:01
6. Adam Ambrus [Shawnee] 16:13
7. **Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:15
9. Chad Lyons [Overbrook] 16:16
14. Matt Mueller [Cherokee] 16:26
17. **Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 16:30
18. **Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 16:33

1999
3. Brian Skelly [Washington Twp.] 16:13
6. *Adam Ambrus [Shawnee] 16:25
11. Mark Weems [Washington Twp.] 16:36
13. Joe Halin [Cherokee] 16:39
18. Adam Driscoll [Washington Twp.] 16:46]
20. *Mike Ritchie [Paul VI] 16:50
|21. **Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 16:51

1998
1. Nate Miller [Highland] 15:57
7. Bill Mason [Cinnaminson] 16:18
8. *Bryan Skelly [Washington Twp.] 16:19
11. Joe Halin [Cherokee] 16:34
14. Dan Christensen [Shawnee] 16:36
15. Aaron Boucher [Cherokee] 16:37
22. Randy Wetzel [Oakcrest] 16:47
25. Robert Hewitt [Washington Twp.] 16:48

1997
2. *Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 16:15
4. Mike Fulton [Maple Shade] 16:20
8. *Bill Mason [Cinnaminson] 16:35
11. Dave DeJong [Shawnee] 16:40
13. Ray Tomczuk [Delran] 16:41
24. Tom Cresong [Paul VI] 16:51

1996
6. **Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 16:22
16. Karl Savage [Eastern] 16:39
22. Michael McGowan [Bishop Eustace] 16:48
25. Matt Ruhl [Triton] 16:52

1995
2. Scott Keyser [Mainland Reg.] 16:06
6. Jay Wassell [Highland] 16:15
15. Pat Ryan [Glassboro] 16:38
16. *Karl Savage [Eastern] 16:40
18. Ryan Anderson [Paul VI] 16:41
19. Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield] 16:43
21. Nick Noguer [Highland Reg] 16:48
23. Mark Freund [Eastern] 16:51
24. Aaron Kinsley [West Deptford] 16:51

1994
2. John Williams [Paul VI] 16:21
6. Joe DiGiacomo [Paul VI] 16:32
10. Carmen Mastrando [Eastern] 16:41
11. *Jay Wassell [Highland] 16:44
14. Kurt Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:49
17. Alex Totten-Lancaster [Shawnee] 16:54
22. *Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield] 17:01
25. Brian Bach [Paul VI] 17:02

1993
5. Phil Magee [Atlantic City] 16:28
6. Geoff Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:34
10. *Joe DiGiacomo [Paul VI] 16:43
16. Pat Nocito [Vineland] 16:57
21. John Buttil [Paul VI] 17:00
24. Matt Marcini [Millville] 17:03
25. Chuck Nolte [Maple Shade] 17:04

1992
9. John Salisbury [Haddon Heights] 16:27
10. *Phil Magee [Atlantic City] 16:27
11. Aaron Totten-Lancaster [Shawnee] 16:34
12. Geoff Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:37
14. Matt Feeley [Cinnaminson] 16:41
18. David Cox [Woodrow Wilson] 16:44
21. Scott Teske [Shawnee] 16:45
23. Brian Gallagher [Sterling] 16:47

1991
3. Tom Keefer [Paul VI] 16:09
7. Keith O’Brien [Shawnee] 16:20
9. Ted Callinan [Gloucester Catholic] 16:22
11. Pete Fixler [Vineland] 16:24
21. John Keevey [Cinnaminson] 16:48
22. John Salisbury [Haddon Heights] 16:50

1990
2. Ray Beyer [Absegami] 16:09
4. Pete Dougherty [Paul VI] 16:16
7. *John Keevey [Cinnaminson] 16:26
11. Kevin Underwood [Haddonfield] 16:32
15. *Ted Callinan [Gloucester Catholic] 16:41
18. Jerry Franks [Highland] 16:43
25. Eric Bayles [Paul VI] 16:52

1989
3. Joe Cranston [Paul VI] 16:13
4. Albert Donowa [Camden] 16:15
9. *Pete Dougherty [Paul VI] 16:32
10. Matt Martin [Haddon Twp.] 16:35
11. *Jerry Franks [Highland] 16:35
14. Mark Sivieri [St.Augustine] 16:45
19. Tim Shanahan [Haddonfield] 16:52
20. Steve Stanley [Cinnaminson] 16:52
22. Vin Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:53

1988
1. Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 15:33
3. Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 15:47
6. Lance Hess [Bridgeton] 16:11
8. Jason Fiscus [Haddon Twp.] 16:17
11. Terrance Armstrong [Camden] 16:23
12. Mike Tobey [Audubon] 16:24
13. David Donohue [Haddon Twp.] 16:24
14. Matt Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:24
20. *Vin Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:32

1987
1. *Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 15:58
5. *Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:23
6. Joe Shanahan [Haddonfield] 16:24
10. Eric Lorenz [Holy Cross] 16:41
11. Chris Creighton [Holy Cross] 16:42
13. Bob Scott [Clearview] 16:44
15. *Lance Hess [Bridgeton] 16:47
19. Dave Zamiechelli [Cinnaminson] 16:50
21. Joe Margre [Paul VI] 17:00
23. *Matt Cieslik [Paul VI] 17:03
25. Tim Ackerman [Absegami] 17:06

1986
3. **Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 16:15
8. **Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:34
19. Pat Gallaher [Haddon Twp.] 16:49
22. Dan Gough [Haddonfield] 16:50
23. Evan Driscoll [Haddonfield] 16:53
25. Pat Fogerty [Collingswood] 16:55

1985
1. Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:10
7. *Dan Gough [Haddonfield] 16:36

1984
6. *Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:07
9. Jeff Davis [Cumberland Reg.] 16:09
10. Kevin Pumphrey [Highland] 16:13
11. Chris Hageman [Paul VI] 16:18
12. George Steinhoff [Paul VI] 16:21
20. Tom Metzger [Paul VI] 16:33
25. Bill Shea [Eastern] 16:38

1983
9. Tom Farrell [Holy Cross] 16:18
11. Ken Picciano [Pennsauken] 16:21
13. *George Steinhoff [Paul VI] 16:24
20. Bill Stewart [Cherry Hill East] 16:35
21. **Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:35
25. *Jeff Davis [Cumberland Reg.] 16:39

1982
15. Jeff Boyer [Overbrook] 16:16
16. Steve Keen [Cinnaminson] 16:18
17. Bill Stewart [Cherry Hill East] 16:19

1981
17. Bruce Miller [Cherry Hill East] 16:39
19. John Hageman [Paul VI] 16:41
23. Jeff Boyer [Overbrook] 16:45

1980
4. Don Deckert [Oakcrest] 16:06
6. Dan Owens [Absegami] 16:16

1979
1. Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 16:09
10. Tom Milligan [Delsea] 16:39
13. Don Deckert [Oakcrest] 16:40

1978
3. *Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 16:09
8. Al Harden [Millville] 16:31
22. Terry Delaney [Moorestown] 16:46
23. Ken Noddin [Gateway] 16:48

1977
3. Mike Mantini [Gateway] 15:27

1976
24. Jeff Lane [Haddon Twp.] 15:42

1975
None

1974
1. Marty Ludwikowski [Cherry Hill West] 14:42|
25. Dennis Driscoll [Northern Burlington] 15:27

1973
1. Greg Stremmel [Gateway] 14:22
9. Joe Germano [Pennsauken] 14:43
19. Jay Ravel [Eastern] 15:04

1972
7. Mark Roddy [Lenape] 12:34
11. Willie Marino [Williamstown] 12:42
14. Jay Vickery [Cherry Hill West] 12:53
15. **Marty Ludwikowski [Cherry Hill West] 12:54
20. Ed Donahue [Collingswood] 12:59

Ocean City’s Nick Scarangelli, a senior at Embry-Riddle, placed 2nd Saturday in the Sunshine State Championships in South Lakeland, Fla.

Embry-Riddle, located in Daytona Beach, placed 2nd to Tampa by one point, falling 41-42 despite a 1-2 finish by Embry-Riddle.

Scarangelli ran 24:12 over 6,000 meters at Holloway Park. This is the 2nd straight year he’s placed 2nd after taking 6th as a sophomore and 17th as a freshman.

This year, Scarangelli finished seven seconds behind sophomore teammate Taye Newman, who won the race in 24:05.

Alexis Tepper, a Bloomsburg senior from Cherry Hill East, placed 8th out of over 150 runners Saturday at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships on her home course in Bloomsburg, Pa.

Tepper ran 22:35 over 6,000 meters and was Bloomsburg’s 2nd finisher. Tepper, who spent her first three years at UMBC, was the PSAC 800 champ and 1,500 runnerup last spring at the conference outdoor track meet in Shippensburg. She was 7th in the America East XC meet as a sophomore in 2024 in St. Albans, Vt.

Tepper competed in XC at UMBC in 2023, 2024 and 2025, indoors in 2024 and 2025 and outdoors in 2024 and 2025 and has competed in each season once at Bloomsburg, so she should have one year of indoor and one year of outdoor eligibility remaining.

We’ve got a strong and deep contingent of boys and girls headed back to Holmdel County Park Saturday for the Meet of Champions.

Four boys teams and three girls teams qualified along with 13 boys individuals – six auto-qualifiers and seven wild-cards – as well as 13 girls – again six auto-qualifiers and seven wild-cards.

I apologize in advance for any errors or omissions. Let me know if you see anything wonky!

The boys run at 11 a.m. and the girls at noon. It’s going to be a good one!

BOYS
Team Qualifiers
Glassboro [1st, Group 1]
Haddonfield [1st, Group 2]
Cherokee [1st, Group 4]
Ocean City [wild card]

Individuals
Auto Qualifiers
Nathan Krinsley, Bordentown [4th, Group 1, 17:06]
*John Robinson, Audubon [5th, Group 1, 17:08]
***James McKeon, Cinnaminson [6th, Group 2, 16:44]
*Zander Kane, Moorestown [7th, Group 3, 16:34]
*Trevor Szilier, Washington Twp., [2nd, Group 4, 16:02]
Cian Sherlock, Cherry Hill East [4th, Group 4, 16:13]

Wild-Cards
Ryan Duffy, Kingsway [16:46]
*Jack Preissman, Mainland Regional [17:00]
*Liam Aspenberg, Egg Harbor Twp. [17:02]
Max Long, Paul VI [17:03]
**Jim Rotaeche, Camden Catholic [17:05]
Liam Murphy, Highland [17:05]
Edward Abu-Adas, Cinnaminson [17:09]

GIRLS
Team Qualifiers
Haddonfield [1st, Group 2]
Ocean City [wild card]
Paul VI [wild card]

Individuals
Auto Qualifiers
***Peyton Barger, Paul VI [8th, Parochial A, 19:30]
**Keira Epstein, Glassboro [4th, Group 1, 19:29]
Abby Marino, Woodstown [6th, Group 1, 20:17]
Hazel Straight, Collingswood [9th, Group 1, 20:47]
***Molly Cataline, Northern Burlington [5th, Group 3, 18:58]
Aubrey Bishop, Kingsway [7th, Group 4, 19:10]

Wild-Cards
Ryleigh Budsock, Cherry Hill East [19:24]
*Erin Healy, Cherokee [19:38]
**Ava Guarini, Cherokee [19:48]
Catherine Hipple, Moorestown [20:06]
Audrey McCorkle, Lenape [20:12]
*Katelyn Orazi, Kingsway [20:12]
Katelyn Gallinaro, Kingsway [20:15]

Ocean City junior Riley Tolson, Haddonfield sophomore Dylan Hosty and Northern Burlington freshman Molly Cataline led South Jersey with sub-19 performances Saturday at states.

Tolson won Group 3 in 18:05, Hosty was 2nd in Group 2 in 18:39 and Cataline took 5th in Group 3 in 18:58. Their times ranked 4th, 12th and 21st of nearly 800 runners who competed in six state championship races at Holmdel County Park.

They will lead a large group back to Holmdel for the Meet of Champions next Saturday. We’ll have the full list of qualifiers on Sunday. For now, here are the 100-fastest girls from South Jersey who ran on Saturday!

18:05 … *Riley Tolson [Ocean City], 1st, Group 3
18:39 … **Dylan Hosty [Haddonfield], 2nd, Group 2
18:58 … ***Molly Cataline [Northern Burlington], 5th, Group 3
19:10 … Aubrey Bishop [Kingsway], 7th, Group 4
19:29 … **Keira Epstein [Glassboro], 4th, Group 1
19:30 … ***Peyton Barger [Paul VI], 8th, Parochial A
19:35 … Ryleigh Budsock [Cherry Hill East], 12th, Group 4
19:38 … *Erin Healy [Cherokee], 14th, Group 4
19:47 … Molly Mills [Haddonfield], 11th, Group 2
19:48 … **Ava Guarini [Cherokee], 16th, Group 4
19:57 … *Morgan Kuzma [Paul VI], 11th, Parochial A
20:02 … Lillian Flora [Ocean City], 24th, Group 3
20:06 … Catherine Hipple [Moorestown], Group 3
20:07 … **Isabella Suarez [Paul VI], 12th, Parochial A
20:09 … *Lenna Driscoll [Ocean City], 28th, Group 3
20:12 … Audrey McCorkle [Lenape], 25th, Group 4
20:12 … *Katelyn Orazi [Kingsway], 26th, Group 4
20:15 … Katelyn Gallinaro [Kingsway], 29th, Group 4
20:17 … Carly Godfrey [Ocean City], 32nd, Group 3
20:17 … *Abby Marino [Woodstown], 6th, Group 1
20:26 … *Annabella Cassidy [Winslow Twp.], 35th, Group 3
20:27 … Madison Kelsey [Haddonfield], 17th, Group 2
20:28 … ***Mackenzie Jenkins [Ocean City], 36th, Group 3
20:30 … *Kamiyah Vergo [Northern Burlington], 37th, Group 3
20:36 … *Molly Rooney [Egg Harbor Twp.], 36th, Group 4
20:38 … **Tatum Russo [Haddonfield], 20th, Group 2
20:40 … Peighton Clemens [Ocean City], 40th, Group 3
20:42 … Harper Benjamin [Haddonfield], 21st, Group 2
20:45 … Makayla Zell [Moorestown], 42nd, Group 3
20:47 … *Hazel Straight [Collingswood], 9th, Group 1
20:49 … Meghan Johnson [Egg Harbor Twp.], 40th, Group 4
20:50 … *Emmie Wang [Cherry Hill East], 41st, Group 4
20:55 … Sophia DiFiore [Moorestown], 48th, Group 3
20:56 … Grace Gutowski [Paul VI], 24th, Parochial A
20:57 … **Corinne Conley [Egg Harbor Twp.], 48th, Group 4
20:59 … **Emma Camm [Audubon], 12th, Group 1
21:00 … ***Cara Jefferson [Ocean City], 50th, Group 3
21:05 … Katherine Grottini [Cherry Hill East], 51st, Group 4
21:14 … Cecilia Foreman [Mainland Reg.], 59th, Group 3
21:17 … Devon Gervasi [Haddonfield], 30th, Group 2
21:17 … Julia Burgio [Williamstown], 56th, Group 4
21:19 … **Emilia Grelli [Paul VI], 31st, Parochial A
21:21 … Lauren LaMonaca [Mainland Reg.], 61st, Group 3
21:22 … Rebecca Tibbetts [Cherry Hill East], 59th, Group 4
21:25 … MaKayla McHutchinson [Highland], 62nd, Group 3
21:26 … **Bella DeFinis [Haddonfield], 33rd, Group 2
21:27 … **Brooke Mashburn [Delsea], 63rd, Group 3
21:30 … Addison Lambert [Egg Harbor Twp.], 61st, Group 4
21:34 … Emily Lutner [Triton], 66th, Group 3
21:36 … ***Quinlan Smith [Mainland Reg.], 68th, Group 3
21:38 … *Isabella Dodd [Haddon Twp.], 16th, Group 1
21:39 … ***Zion Ebiske [Winslow Twp.], 70th, Group 3
21:40 … ***Austyn Semar [Cherry Hill East], 65th, Group 4
21:42 … **Casey Leisse [Cherokee], 66th, Group 4
21:42 … **Adelina Floyd [Northern Burlington], 72nd, Group 3
21:44 … **Molly Smith [Paul VI], 38th, Parochial A
21:48 … Julia Catalani [Maple Shade], 18th, Group 1
21:49 … **Abigail Leonhardt [Northern Burlington], 79th, Group 3
21:49 … **Isabella Prendergast [Highland], 80th, Group 3
21:53 … Siyana Sheth [Moorestown], 82nd, Group 3
21:53 … *Erin Callinan [Camden Catholic], 42nd, Parochial A
21:54 … ***Aubrey Scheeper [Kingsway], 75th, Group 4
21:55 … Alexis Buonanno [Holy Cross], 15th, Parochial B
21:58 … *Gillian Romig [Collingswood], 22nd, Group 1
22:00 … Lydia Gravante [Audubon], 23rd, Group 1
22:02 … Brianna Gilligan [Sterling], 49th, Group 2
22:03 … Maddy O’Neal [Camden Catholic], 46th, Parochial A
22:03 … *Sawyer Slad [Pennsville], 25th, Group 1
22:03 … Gabrielle Urban [Cherokee], 78th, Group 4
22:06 … *Katherine Simpson [Moorestown], 87th, Group 3
22:07 … *Madeline Farrell [Cinnaminson], 53rd, Group 2
22:09 … ***Burke Beyer [Camden Catholic], 49th, Parochial A
22:12 … *Marisa Mazur [Egg Harbor Twp.], 83rd, Group 4
22:12 … **Juliet Stack Maya [Moorestown], 95th, Group 3
22:13 … **Alexandria Theodore [Highland], 98th, Group 3
22:14 … Tanner Lajoie [Haddon Twp.], 28th, Group 1
22:15 … ***Mary-Kate Boyle [Northern Burlington], 99th, Group 3
22:19 … *Carlee Street [Egg Harbor Twp.], 90th, Group 4
22:21 … Toni-Loren Powell [Highland], 101st, Group 3
22:23 … ***Janice Yon [Mainland Reg.], 102nd, Group 3
22:24 … ***Alyssa Stankovich [Kingsway], 95th, Group 4
22:25 … *Riley Sharp [Sterling], 61st, Group 2
22:27 … **Johana Perez [Maple Shade], 31st, Group 1
22:30 … ***Peyton Michel [Pennsville], 32nd, Group 1
22:37 … **Ella Holloway [Cherokee], 101st, Group 4
22:44 … *Amariah Arango [Winslow Twp.], 114th, Group 3
22:47 … *Corinne Kelly [Gloucester], 68th, Group 2
22:48 … Reagan Maher [Haddon Twp.], 43rd, Group 1
22:50 … Sophia Rizzo [Audubon], 44th, Group 1
22:54 … Peyton Coyle [Pitman], 45th, Group 1
22:56 … **Avalon Pierson [Kingsway], 112th, Group 4
22:57 … **Katie Johnson [Egg Harbor Twp.], 113th, Group 4
22:59 … Romina Macko [Audubon], 48th, Group 1
23:03 … *Haylee Marakovits [Bishop Eustace], 19th, Parochial B
23:03 … *Adrian Sykes [Mainland Reg.], 120th, Group 3
23:07 … **Emma Wilbur [Schalick], 49th, Group 1
23:10 … **Mia Walby [Paul VI], 69th, Parochial A
23:19 … ***Josephine Kelly [Bishop Eustace], 23rd, Parochial B
23:20 … **Magaly Benito [Maple Shade], 53rd, Group 1
23:29 … **Teagan Emmer [Middle Twp.], 85th, Group 2
23:30 … ***Violet Gleason [Cherry Hill East], 124th, Group 4

Washington Township junior Trevor Szilier was the fastest South Jersey runner in the various state meets Saturday on an unusually slow Holmdel County Park 5,000-meter course.

Szilier placed 2nd in the Group 4 race in 16:01, just a couple seconds off the Washington Township Holmdel record of 15:59 set by Anthony Dentino when he placed 4th at the 2010 meet.

Szilier’s 2nd-place finish is best ever by a Miinuteman runner at states. Bryan Skelly placed 3rd at the 1998 meet behind Jon Fasulo of Hunterdon Central and Nate Miller of Highland.

Nobody under 16 minutes today but a bunch under 17, including Group 1 winner Joe Saicic who was only six seconds off the Glassboro Holmdel record of 16:07 set by Elijah Whittaker when he won the 2023 state Group 1 title.

Lots more lists to come in the next few days, including the 100-fastest girls at some point soon!

16:01 … *Trevor Szilier [Washington Twp.], 2nd, Group 4
16:13 … Cian Sherlock [Cherry Hill East], 4th, Group 4
16:13 … *Joe Saicic [Glassboro], 1st, Group 1
16:25 … Nathan Aschmann [Ocean City], 4th, Group 3
16:29 … Keenan Neuman [Ocean City], 5th, Group 3
16:32 … Benjamin Realley [Cherokee], Group 4
16:33 … Connor Brand [Haddonfield], 3rd, Group 2
16:36 … *Zander Kane [Moorestown], 7th, Group 3
16:41 … **Hamza Salahuddin [Cherokee], 13th, Group 4
16:41 … Gavin Danielewicz [Cherokee], 14th, Group 4
16:42 … Maximo Harada [Cherokee], 15th, Group 4
16:44 … ***James McKeon [Cinnaminson], 6th, Group 2
16:46 … Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], 18th, Group 4
16:47 … Andrew Blum [Haddonfield], 7th, Group 2
16:52 … **Logan Tripician [Haddonfield], 10th, Group 2
16:55 … Sean Sooy [Cherokee], 24th, Group 4
16:55 … Nevin Millstein [Ocean City], 16th, Group 3
17:00 … *Jack Preissman [Mainland Reg.], 18th, Group 3
17:02 … *Liam Aspenberg [Egg Harbor Twp.], 30th, Group 4
17:03 … Max Long [Paul VI], 21st, Parochial A
17:03 … *Graham Dodson [Haddonfield], 14th, Group 2
17:05 … Benjamin McCarthy [Ocean City], 20th, Group 3
17:05 … Jim Rotaeche [Camden Catholic], 22nd, Parochial A
17:05 … Liam Murphy [Highland], 21st, Group 3
17:06 … Nathan Krinsley [Bordentown], 4th, Group 1
17:08 … *Jack Robinson [Audubon], 5th, Group 1
17:09 … *Aaron Johnson [Glassboro], 7th, Group 1
17:09 … Edwards Abu-Adas [Cinnaminson], 15th, Group 2
17:10 … **Braden Bernardini [St. Augustine], 25th, Parochial A
17:11 … Daniel Svec [Egg Harbor Twp.], 36th, Group 4
17:13 … Jason Smith [Paul VI], 27th, Parochial A
17:13 … Dylan Benitiez Gonzalez [Bridgeton], 38th, Group 4
17:14 … ***Christian Hughes [Glassboro], 8th, Group 1
17:14 … Michael Romano [Ocean City], 28th, Group 3
17:15 … Leo Vyvyan [Cherokee], 41st, Group 4
17:18 … Jamar Mack [Middle Twp.], 17th, Group 2
17:19 … **Deven Lloyd [Shawnee], 32nd, Group 3
17:19 … Maximelio Giardino [Vineland], 44th, Group 4
17:20 … Chase Cooley [Paul VI], 30th, Parochial A
17:24 … Tyler Boice [Highland], 35th, Group 3
17:24 … *Timothy Rooney [Egg Harbor Twp.], Group 4
17:24 … *Michael Beaver [Kingsway], 48th, Group 4
17:26 … Aneesh Rajagopal [Cherry Hill East], 52nd, Group 4
17:26 … *Keith Fried [Cinnaminson], 21st, Group 2
17:26 … *Ryan Jefferson [Ocean City], 36th, Group 3
17:29 … *Declan Walsh [Camden Catholic], 32nd, Parochial A
17:29 … Ryan Scaricaciottoli [Cinnaminson], 23rd, Group 2
17:29 … *Gavin Rakitis [Glassboro], 13th, Group 1
17:30 … *Luke Lindner [Haddonfield], 24th, Group 2
17:34 … *James Strimel [Haddon Twp.], 14th, Group 1
17:35 … *Zacchaeus Harrigan [Glassboro], 16th, Group 1
17:36 … Payton Veilleuz [Kingsway], 61st, Group 4
17:38 … *Oluwanifemi Fadulu [Highland], 4th, Group 3
17:40 … *Nick Ablaza [Paul VI], 37th, Parochial A
17:40 … *Benjamin Dodulik [Cherry Hill East], 65th, Group 4
17:40 … Owen Castanheira [Cinnaminson], 31st, Group 2
17:41 … **Richard Lorenz [Highland], 51st, Group 3
17:41 … *Hayden Tarves [Ocean City], 53rd, Group 3
17:45 … **Logan McKeever [Kingsway], 70th, Group 4
17:47 … Ben Gettings [Egg Harbor Twp.], 73rd, Group 4
17:48 … *Kevin Dever [Camden Catholic], 42nd, Parochial A
17:49 … *Nicholas Park [Cherry Hill East], 76th, Group 4
17:50 … Lane McClintock [West Deptford], 37th, Group 2
17:50 … **Conan Poerner [Cherry Hill East], 80th, Group 4
17:51 … ***Jackson Grottini [Cherry Hill East], 82nd, Group 4
17:51 … Brady Kay [Sterling], 38th, Group 2
17:53 … Ethan Taylor [Moorestown], 56th, Group 3
17:54 … *Daniel Russella [Paul VI], 49th, Parochial A
17:55 … ***Ryan Luke [Haddon Twp.], 27th, Group 1
17:56 … Bruce Novoa [Cherokee], 83rd, Group 4
17:56 … ***James Perrotto [Kingsway], 85th, Group 4
17:56 … **Luke Feeley [Cinnaminson], 44th, Group 2
17:58 … ***Joseph Stapleton [Shawnee], 61st, Group 3
17:59 … **Bryce Davis [Haddon Twp.], 29th, Group 1
18:00 … Giovannia Fuchs [Sterling], 46th, Group 2
18:00 … Joseph Moczydlowski [Kingsway], 94th, Group 4
18:01 … Chris Monaghan [Paul VI], 57th, Parochial A
18:02 … Stephen Slusarski [Egg Harbor Twp.], 96th, Group 4
18:03 … **Brayden Mauro [St. Augustine], 59th, Parochial A
18:04 … **Lucas Laganella [Haddonfield], 49th, Group 2
18:05 … **Isaiah Williams [Haddon Twp.], 34th, Group 1
18:09 … David Farrell [Woodstown], 35th, Group 1
18:09 … Benjamin Boyer [Shawnee], 69th, Group 3
18:10 … Nathan Bollard [Haddonfield], 50th, Group 2
18:11 … Gabe Hudec [Egg Harbor Twp.], 106th, Group 4
18:14 … Carter Marts [Pennsville], 38th, Group 1
18:14 … *Eddy Farez Yunga [Maple Shade], 39th, Group 1
18:14 … **Simon Pierwola [Haddon Twp.], 40th, Group 1
18:16 … Chris Davis [Medford Tech], 75th, Group 3
18:17 … Colin Roznowski [Highland], 76th, Group 3
18:19 … Alexander Lonardo [Cinnaminson], 58th, Group 2
18:22 … **Braden Castner [Moorestown], 79th, Group 3
18:28 … *Christopher Sanchez [Egg Harbor Twp.], 119th,Group 4
18:29 … Anthony Morano [Salem Tech], 61st, Group 2
18:32 … Brody Sinon [Sterling], 69th, Group 2
18:32 … Brayden Magee [Camden Catholic], 79th, Parochial A
18:33 … Joshua King [Collingswood], 49th, Group 1
18:34 … *Hunter Glenn [Moorestown], 88th, Group 3
18:34 … *Torsten Duva [Woodstown], 50th, Group 1
18:35 … Thomas Krainski [Sterling], 70th, Group 2

Seniors Nathan Aschmann and Keenan Neuman placed 4th and 5th to lead Ocean City to 2nd place in a very competitive state Group 3 race Saturday at Holmdel County Park.

Ocean City averaged 16:50 and placed 2nd to West Windsor-Plainsboro North in a battle of the No. 2 and No. 3 schools in the state. West Windsor-Plainsboro North, with five in the top 13, outscored Ocean City 37-68.

This was Ocean City’s 3rd straight year in second place at Group 3 states.

Junior Nevin Millstein ran 16:55 for 16th for the Red Raiders, junior Benjamin McCarthy ran 17:05 for 20th and senior Michael Romano was 28th in 17:14. For team scoring purposes, they went 4-5-15-18-26 for 68 points.

Ocean City’s top five was backed up by junior 6th man Ryan Jefferson, who was 36th in 17:26.

Also placing in the top 10 and advancing to the Meet of Champions was Moorestown junior Zander Kane, who ran 16:35 for 7th place.

Mainland Township junior Jack Preissman was 18th in 17:00, Highland senior Liam Murphy placed 21st in 17:05, Shawnee sophomore Deven Lloyd placed 32nd in 17:19 and Highland senior Tyler Boice took 35th in 17:24.

First-year runner Keira Epstein, a Glassboro sophomore, placed 4th at the state Group 1 meet Saturday, the best finish at states by a Glassboro girl in 40 years.

Epstein ran 19:29 in recording the best finish by a Glassboro runner since Ruth Lockbaum won Group 1 in 1986 in 20:07. Lockbaum’s 19:12 when she placed 2nd in the 1985 race is the fastest Holmdel time ever by a Glassboro girl.

Woodstown Abby Marino ran 20:17 and placed 6th and Collingswood Hazel Straight was 9th in 20:47. They will join Epstein at the Meet of Champions Saturday.

Other South Jersey girls at 22 minutes or faster were Audubon sophomore Emma Camm [12th in 20:59], Haddon Township Isabella Dodd [16th in 21:38], Maple Shade Juliana Catalani [18th in 21:48], Collingswood Gillian Romig [22nd in 21:58] and Audubon Lydia Gravante [23rd in 22:00].

Audubon placed 5th with 130 points, Haddon Township was 6th with 167 and Maple Shade 8th at 219.

Ocean City junior Riley Tolson ran the 3rd-fastest time among all six races and won her 1st state cross country title Saturday in the Group 3 race at Holmdel County Park.

Tolson ran 18:05, matching her time from Shore Coaches and winning by 125 meters over Amelia Pattwell of Middletown South, who wasa 2nd in 18:31.

Tolson is Ocean City’s first XC state champion in 22 years, since Brittany Sedberry won her 3rd conseutive title in Group 3 in 2004. Megan Hartman [1992] and Abbey Hartman [1995, 1996] also won state titles for Ocean City.

Ocean City, ranked 4th in New Jersey, placed a close 3rd in the state’s toughest group with 106 points, behind No. 3 Middletown South [86] and No. 5 Princeton [97] in a battle of three of the top-5 ranked teams in New Jersey.

Senior Lillian Flora [24th in 20:02], junior Lenna Driscoll [28th in 20:09], senior Carly Godfrey [32nd in 20:17] and freshman Mackenzie Jenkins [36th in 20:28] gave the Red Raiders four finishers in a 26-second span.

Northern Burlington freshman Molly Cataline placed 5th in 18:58, 7th-fastest by a freshman in South Jersey history at Holmdel, Moorestown senior Catherine Hipple was 26th in 20:06, Winslow juniop Annabella Cassidy was 35th in 20:26, Northern junior Kamiyah Vergo ran 20:30 for 37th and Ocean City senior Peighton Clemens was 40th in 20:40.

Junior Joe Saicic won his 2nd straight state Group 1 title and Glassboro won its 2nd straight Group 1 team title, earning a spot in the Meet of Champions on the same course next weekend.

Saicic, 2nd last year, ran 16:13 at Holmdel County Park, finishing 1 ½ seconds ahead of defending champion Jayran Rodriguez of Manville [16:13.23-16:14.87], and Glassboro cruised to a 33-96 win over Bernards at Holmdel County Park with its all-underclass lineup. Haddon Township was 3rd with 123 points, also with all underclassmen.

Glassboro’s 33 points are 4th-lowest in Group 1 history, behind Bernards in 1981 (15 points) and 1982 (19 points) and Haddon Township in 2014 [31 points].

Junior Aaron Johnson and freshman Christian Hughes also placed in the top 10 for the Bulldogs, Johnson in 7th in 17:09 and Hughes in 8th in 17:14. Junior Gavin Rakitis placed 13th in 17:29 and junior Zacchaeus Harrigan was 16th in 17:35.

Saicic is Glassboro’s 4th individual state champion. Tom Horne won Group 1 in 1993, Pat Ryan in 1995 and Elijah Whitaker in 2023.

Junior James Strimel led Haddon Township in 14th place in 17:34. Freshman Ryan Luke [27th in 17:55], sophomore Bryce Davis [29th in 17:59], sophomore Isaiah Williams [34th in 18:05] and sophomore Simon Pierwola [40th in 18:14] were also in the Hawks’ top-5.

Bordentown senior Nathan Krinsley placed 4th in 17:06, matching the best finish ever by a Bordentown runner at states. In 1976, Artie Milak was 4th in the 1974 Group 1 race at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick.

Audubon junior John Robinson finished just behind Krinsley in 5th place in 17:08. Woodstown senior David Farrell ran 18:09 in 35th place and Pennsville senior Carter Marts and Maple Shade junior Eddy Farez Yunga both ran 18:14 for 38th and 39th.