Paul VI sophomore Shaelan McNally ran a monster 17-second 3,200 PR yesterday at the Parochial A state championships.
McNally, who entered the day with a PR of 11:10.80 from the Olympic Conference Championships, ran 10:53.46, which was 2nd-fastest among all South Jersey runners at the six state races. Nicole Clifford of Cherokee ran 10:45.24 to win the state Group 4 race.
McNally broke a Paul VI school record that had stood for 44 years.
In 1978, Doreen Startare ran 11:02.2 for a hand-timed full two-mile, which converts to 10:58.5 for 3,200 meters.
McNally’s time makes her the top sophomore in South Jersey this year and the No. 5 sophomore in the state. The only faster Camden County sophomores over the last 15 years are Haddonfield’s Sarah Naticchia [10:48.87 in 2019] and Alyssa Condell of Timber Creek [10:52.00 in 2015].
McNally placed 5th in a very fast Parochial B race. Red Bank Catholic’s Cate DeSousa won in 10:30.97, leading four runners under 10:40.
McNally will be the No. 13 seed in a ridiculously loaded 3,200 at Meet of Champions, although several of the top seeds aren’t expected to compete.
McNally races in the 1,600 on Saturday back at Middletown North. She has a 5:02.10 PR from the South Jersey Elite meet last month at Delsea. That makes her the No. 5 seed in Parochial A.
McNally’s time is No. 15 on the all-time Camden County list. Here’s a look at every Camden County girl who’s run sub-11.
10:28.6h….. Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2001
10:32.4h….. Mindy Rowand [Sterling], 1985
10:33.22 … Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 2012
10:33.25 … Megan Venables [Highland], 2011
10:33.85 … Sarah Naticchia [Haddonfield], 2021
10:34.79 … Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East], 2007
10:37.53 … Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], 2005
10:40.24 … Katie Van Horn [Triton], 2005
10:42.22 … Jenn Rawls [Highland], 2009
10:43.50 … Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek], 2017
10:45.12 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2014
10:46.38 … Madison Coppolino [Sterling], 2018
10:52.32 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009
10:52.75 … Meghan Malloy [Haddonfield], 2013
10:53.46 … Shaelan McNally [Paul VI], 2022
10:54.0y … Lori Watson [Cherry Hill East], 1983
10:55.34 … Sophie Steidle [Collingswood], 2021
10:56.54 … Arianna McKinney [Highland], 2004
10:58.46 … Doreen Startare [Paul VI], 1978
10:59.56 … Amanda Bakley [Pennsauken], 2015
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 