Last time Audubon won a sectional XC title was 1978, and the Green Wave’s first three runners went 2-4-7 on the way to a huge win in South Jersey Group 1.
Why is that relevant? Get this: On Saturday Audubon won its first sectional title since 1978 and their first three runners? Went 2-4-7.
In 1978, Ed Wickersham, Al Colburn and Lee Widman finished 2-4-7 and the Green Wave won Group 1 by a 37-104 margin over Pitman over a 3-mile course at Pennsauken.
Some 42 years later, senior Zachary Williams placed 2nd, senior Enrique Herrera 4th and sophomore Joseph Gaspari 7th as Audubon repeated that 2-4-7 finish. In 1978, Audubon’s fourth runner, Jeff Gross, was 10th. This time around, senior Jonathan Lapp did one spot better, taking ninth.
Audubon finished with a 34-65 margin of victory over Haddon Township, with Maple Shade taking third with 67 points.
Junior Tyler Wells was Audubon’s fifth finisher Saturday, taking 12th in 18:12. Also racing for the Green Wave were junior Aaryn Myers [16th in 18:50] and junior Clifford Gilmore [23rd in 19:27].
Until 2018, Audubon hadn’t placed in the top three at sectionals, but the 2018 team took 3rd and las years Audubon was 2nd.
Haddon Township finished in the top 3 for the 16th consecutive year.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 
Fascinating statistics on Audubon! Unlike all the other sectional coverage articles, this one failed to mention the overall winner, Luke Overbeck, a junior from Haddon Township. He ran away from the field by 30+ seconds. Incidentally, he finished 2nd to Brady Shute in the Colonial Conference All-Stars, handily beating all the Haddonfield runners and other Group 1 and 2 elites.
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That’s my fault, sorry. I was actually planning a separate piece on Luke, I just haven’t had a chance to do it yet. But I will as soon as I can! But either way I should have at least mentioned that he won. Thanks for the note!
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Like myself, there are many people that appreciate you drawing Deserved attention to a different breed of young athletes. You don’t have to kick a ball or make a tackle to exhibit toughness. Keep up the tremendous work.
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Thanks, Bryan! I really appreciate that! Hope to meet you at a meet one of these days!
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