From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Senior Shaelan McNally ran the fastest time ever at Holmdel County Park by a Paul VI girl and led the Eagles to their first Shore Coaches Invitational title in 36 years over the weekend.

McNally ran 18:56 at Holmdel County Park to win the Varsity D race, and become PVI’s first Shore Coaches winner since Lauren Bello won Varsity A in 1987 in 19:49.

Paul VI edged Camden County rival Sterling 83-91 to win its first title in 36 years. Following Shaelan McNally across the line were sophomore Giovanna Mantuano [6th in 20:29], freshman Grace Gutowski [15th in 21:08], sophomore Macy Huber [28th in 21:59] and freshman Kara Salamone [56th in 23:21].

(This is all assuming the results that are currently posted are correct. I’m not sure anybody really knows for sure.)

In 1987, the last time Paul VI won a girls team title at the Shore Coaches, Bello finished 1st, Sandy Wright was 7th in 20:55 and Missy McNally (any relation to Shaelan, Paul VI?) ran 9th in 21:05 and PVI outscored 2nd-place Brick Township, 45-63.

Junior Jonalee Adames placed 4th for Sterling in 20:14, with senior Cara Coppolino [16th in 21:11], junior Kaysie Luna [20th in 21:24] and junior Isabella Patruno [23rd in 21:29] all finishing within 18 seconds of each other. Senior Jennifer Tisera clinched second place for the Silver Knights by placing 51st in 22:58 for a 26-point edge over 3rd-place Voorhees.

West Deptford freshman Taylor Sierzega placed 13th in 20:56 and senior teammate Isabella Mackey ran 26th in 21:42.

McNally is the first Paul VI girl to break 19 minutes over the winding, hilly 5,000-meter layout at Holmdel County Park since Dawn Cody ran 18:57 at the 1982 Shore Coaches Invite to win the Varsity A race and lead PVI to a 93-100 team title over Ridgewood.

Three Paul VI girls have won a Shore Coaches Invitational race – Cody in 1982, Bello in 1987 and McNally in 2023 – and those are also the three years Paul VI won the team title.

McNally’s previous best at Holmdel was a 19:43 when she was 6th last year at the state Parochial A meet, so she took 49 seconds off that PR.

McNally ran 10:48.08 last spring at the state Parochial A meet, 3rd-fastest among South Jersey girls in 2023 and 2nd-fastest among all non-public two-milers.