Senior Shaelan McNally placed 5th to lead Paul VI to its best team finish in 20 years at the state Parochial A cross country championships.
McNally ran 19:17 at Holmdel County Park and PVI placed 3rd with 126 points. Last time the Eagles placed in the top three at states was 2003, when Liz Kessler, Diana Rankin and Rachel Lively placed 10th, 13th and 14th. The year before Paul VI placed 2nd, just six points behind Red Bank Catholic.
Sophomores Giovanna Mantuano and Macy Huber also placed in the top 20, Mantuano in 19th in 20:20 and Huber 20th in 20:30. Senior Madison Pedicelli ran 21:32 for 35th and freshman Lucy Crothers clinched the 3rd-place team finish in 50th with a 22:35.
Also in the top 20 was Camden Catholic junior Ponnappan, who placed 16th in 20:07.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 