From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

In only his 3rd collegiate 5,000, Bishop Eustace grad Shane Vostenak of Rowan outraced teammate Matthew Conway by 15 meters to win his first conference title.

Vostenak ran 15:12.24 at Ocean Breeze and finished just ahead of sophomore Matthew Conway from Haddon Township, who was 2nd in 15:15.89 in the first final at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships.

Junior Chase Miller of The College of New Jersey and Cherokee was 3rd in 15:16.54 making it a 1-2-3 South Jersey sweep.

Vostenak, a Delran resident, took the lead on the 10th lap. Vostenak, Conway and Miller ran most of the final 1,000 together, but Vostenak put the race away by closing in 64.43 for his final 400 and 30.36 for his final 200.

Vostenak ran 15:35.89 last month at Ocean Breeze in his only previous lifetime indoor 5,000. He ran 15:07.91 outdoors last April in a meet at Widener.

TCNJ senior Matthew Richardson of Lenape placed 5th in 15:24.65, and Rowan sophomore Caleb Clevenger of Haddonfield was 8th in 15:32.18, making it five South Jersey finishers on the medal stand.