Triton’s Dennis Fortuna remained undefeated this year against New Jersey runners when he won the state Group 3 XC title at Holmdel County Park.
Fortuna ran a Holmdel PR 15:54 and became Triton’s first state champion ever, finishing 75 meters ahead of West Windsor-Plainsboro North senior Nikhil Makker, who took second in 16:12. Fortuna ran 16:02 at Shore Coaches.
His time is 28th on the all-time South Jersey Holmdel performance list [https://sjtrackblog.com/2021/11/11/the-all-time-south-jersey-holmdel-boys-and-girls-performance-list/] and he became the 41st runner from South Jersey to break 16 minutes on the legendary Holmdel 5,000-meter course.
Fortuna’s only loss this year came in the season-opening PTXC 12.2 Presented by Brooks event at Kutztown (Pa.) University, where he finished 4th behind a runner from Maryland and two from Pennsylvania.
Delsea senior Andre Littlehales also advanced to the Meet of Champions by virtue of his 3rd-place finish in 16:25. Ocean City senior Owen Ritti ran 17:06 for 16th overall, and Highland junior Cole Knoedler [21st in 17:12], Timber Creek senior Cole Mylan [23rd in 17:16], Mainland junior Elliott Post [29th in 17:20] and Ocean City junior Nick Scarangelli []36th in 17:30] also ran 17:30 or faster.
Ocean City and Triton finished 7th and 8th in team scoring.
Here’s a look at every South Jersey runner to break 16 minutes at Holmdel, along with their fastest time on the course.For the full list including all sub-16 performances by each runner, click here.
15:16 … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 1988
15:29 … Kevin Antczak [Mainland Regional], 2019
15:33 … Josh Clark [Highland], 2015
15:36 … Louis Corgliano [Hammonton], 2013
15:37 … Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2015
15:38 … Gregory Hughes [Mainland], 2003
15:39 … Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2014
15:40 … Shawn Wilson [Cherokee], 2012
15:40 … Brett Johnson [Ocean City], 2008
15:40 … Steve Maine [Highland], 2013
15:41 … Jon Vitez [Haddonfield], 2009
15:42 … Ben Potts [Haddonfield], 2010
15:41 … Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee], 2019
15:42 … Shawn Hutchison [Bishop Eustace], 2014
15:43 … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 2001
15:43 … Miles Schoedler [Ocean City], 2010
15:45 … Keith Krieger [Cherokee], 2002
15:46 … Jack Shea [Cherokee], 2015
15:47 … Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton], 1988
15:48 … Chris Platt [Haddonfield], 2001
15:48 … Keith Krieger [Cherokee], 2002
15:48 … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson], 2019
15:48 … Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East], 2019
15:49 … Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2014
15:50 … Mike Myers [Eastern Reg.], 2000
15:51 … Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson], 2003
15:51 … Murad Campbell [Overbrook], 1998
15:54 … Mike Mantini [Gateway], 1978
15:54 … Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 2010
15:54 … Skip Stiles [Haddonfield], 2001
15:54 … Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 2021
15:55 … Dominick Munson [Timber Creek], 2014
15:55 … Breton Bonnett [Haddonfield], 2001
15:55 … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 2021
15:56 … David Forward [Shawnee], 2008
15:56 … Kyle Kirk [Camden Catholic], 2012
15:57 … Nate Miller [Highland Reg.], 1998
15:57 … Connor Herr [Shawnee], 2010
15:57 … Michael Ungvarsky [Cinnaminson], 2016
15:58 … Martin Ridell [Haddonfield], 2019
15:59 … Anthony Dentino [Washington Twp.], 2010
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 