Matt Denton, a senior from Cinnaminson, ran an all-course PR and placed 25th out of 178 runners to help Haverford win the NCAA Division 3 Metro Region Championships Saturday.

Denton was Haverford’s 5th runner in a wild five-team finish that saw Haverford, Rowan, The College of New Jersey, Moravian and DeSales all finish within 22 points of each other.

Denton, from Cinnaminson, ran 25:40.7 over the 8,000-meter course at DREAM Park in Logan Township. His previous 8,000-meter PR on any course was 25:57.8 at D-3 pre-nationals in October in Newville, Pa., on the course that will be used for the Division 3 Championships next Saturday.

Haverford earned the one auto bid to NCAA Division 3 Nationals by edging Rowan 78-84, with TCNJ 3rd with 91, then Moravian with 98 and DeSales 100.

Denton finished one place ahead of Rowan’s 4th runner and two places ahead of Rowan’s 5th runner. If Denton ran three seconds slower, Rowan would have won the team title, 80-84.

There will be 22 at-large teams selected from among the non-winning teams in the 10 Division 3 regions. Those teams will be announced Sunday.

Haverford, Rowan, TCNJ, DeSales and Moravian are ranked 1 through 5 in the most recent USTCCCA Metro Region rankings, so the only deviation from the rankings was Moravian bumping DeSales.

Rowan’s 2nd finisher was Joshua Cason, a junior from Camden County Vo-Tech. Cason placed 9th in 25:07.0. Shane Vostenak of Bishop Eustace was the Profs’ 3rd finisher in 18th place overall in 25:35.5.

Rowan ran a very smart team race, going out slowly early and finishing strong. At the mile, the Profs trailed Haverford by over 100 points [35-144], at three miles they still trailed by more than 50 [44-95] and they were still 28 points down with just under half a mile to go [62-90]. But they made up a ton of ground late in the race and almost pulled off the upset.

Cinnaminson’s Austin Gabay led Duke to a 7th-place finish Friday at the NCAA Division 1 Southeast Regional near Spartangburg, S.C.

Gabay, a senior with junior XC eligibility, placed 32nd out of 238 starters and ran 29:58.4 over 10,000 meters at the Roger Milliken Center in Hilltop, S.C. Gabay finished 4-10ths of a second ahead of senior teammate Jared Kreis as Duke’s top finisher.

This was Gabay’s first time under 30 minutes for any 10K His previous all-course PR was a 30:55.5 at last year’s Southeast Region meet at Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville.

Pitman’s Sebastian Reed ran a 10K PR Friday after at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Championships at Lehigh.

Reed, a junior, was Monmouth’s No. 2 runner with a 31:07.5. His previous all-course 10,000 PR was a 32:09.4 in last year’s NCAA regional at Penn State.

Reed ran 26:13.2 on Lehigh’s 8,000-meter course at Paul Short in September, so he ran faster per-mile Friday than he did earlier this season over a course that’s 1.24 miles shorter. His pace on the 8K course was 5:16 per mile and Friday it was 5:00 per mile.

Sophomore Declan McDonnell of the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Del., ran 29:59 and was Monmouth’s first finisher.

Delsea grad Noah Deckert, a senior, ran 31:46.7 and was St. Joe’s 3rd finisher, grad student Matthew Coffey of Camden Catholic was the Hawks’ 4th finisher in 32:17.9 and Paul VI’s Colton Johnson, a junior, was St. Joe’s 5th runner in 32:55.5.

Lower Cape May Regional’s Zeb Hinker, a freshman, was Rutgers’ 4th finisher in 31:22.9, and Lehigh’s 5th finisher was freshman Derek Coceano, a freshman from Cinnaminson. He ran 32:39.6.

Sophomore Allie Pierontoni ran a huge 6,000-meter all-course personal-best on the challenging Lehigh course and was Monmouth’s 3rd finisher Friday at the NCAA Division 1 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.

Pierontoni ran 21:18.3 and finished just 19 seconds behind Monmouth’s No. 1 finisher, freshman Emily Simko of Hatboro Horsham in Montgomery County, Pa., who placed 40th in 20:59.2. Grad student Ashley Navarro of Steinert was Monmouth’s No. 2 finisher in 45th with a 21:04.3.

Pierontoni, a Kingsway graduate, had a previous 6,000 PR of 22:02.5, which she ran last month at the ECAC Championships at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.

In her two previous races on Lehigh’s course in Bethlehem (and partially in Lower Saucon Township), Pierontoni ran 22:11.8 at 2021 Lehigh Invitational, 23:33.3 at the 2021 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Championships and 22:08.1 this past September at Paul Short.

So she was nearly a minute faster Friday than she’s ever run on the challenging, winding Lehigh course, which has been used three times for the NCAA Championships.

According to Monmouth’s online record book, the fastest time in Monmouth history at Lehigh coming into the season was 21:35 by Amber Stratz of Central Bucks South in 2017, and Lehigh had three women under that on Friday.

Also under 22 minutes with all-course 6K PRs Friday were Rider freshman Maddie Dischert of Atlantic City High, La Salle freshman Helene Usher of Haddonfield, Seton Hall junior Julia Smith from Schalick and UMBC freshman Lexi Tepper of Cherry Hill East.

Dischert ran 21:40.5 and was Rider’s 2nd finisher, Usher ran 21:43.6 and was the Explorers’ 4th finisher and Smith ran 21:46.3 and was Seton Hall’s first finisher.Tepper ran 21:48.6 and was UMBC’s first across the line.

Dischert’s previous 6K personal best was a 21:56.9 in her last race, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships at Twin Ponds on the Farm in Montgomery, N.Y. Usher’s was 22:05.8 in her most recent race, the Atlantic 10 Championships on the Elvin R. King course in Cedarville, Ohio. Smith’s was 22:41.0 at ECACs at Vanny. For Tepper,that’s more than a 90-second PR over her previous all-course best for 6K, 23:26.5, from Paul Short on the same course.

It’s been 20 years since a South Jersey boys team won the Meet of Champions but just two years since a South Jersey girls team won.

In the first half century of the cross country Meet of Champions, we’ve had seven boys teams win championships and six girls teams.

The Paul VI boys won four titles from 1984 through 1994 and they remained the only boys program to win a MoC until Haddonfield won in 2001, starting a run of three straight S.J. championships. Mainland won in 2002 and 2003.

The first girls team to leave Holmdel with a 1st-place team trophy was Shawnee in 1991, and the Renegades also won four titles – 1991, 1997, 2002 and 2003. Moorestown won in 2001, which means South Jersey boys and girls programs swept the team titles each year from 2001 through 2003.

There’s only been one 1-2 South Jersey finish in Meet of Champions history, and then came in the 1989 boys race when Paul VI topped Highland 50-89 for the team title.

When COVID wiped out the 2000 Meet of Champions, Haddonfield won the replacement 2020 Holmdel Invitational, and then Cherokee won the 2021 title.

With the 51st annual Meet of Champions races scheduled for Saturday morning, here’s a look at every South Jersey program that’s raced as a full team at the Meet of Champions. Anybody missing?

BOYS
2022
3. Cherokee 106
6. Haddonfield 183
12. Cinnaminson 309

2021
3. Haddonfield 134
7. Cherokee 242
8. Cherry Hill East 259
15. Cinnaminson 324
18. Haddon Heights 360
20. Audubon 521
21. Bishop Eustace 621

2020 [Holmdel Invitational exhibition]
4. Haddonfield 121
8. Cherry Hill East 195

2019
3. Haddonfield 129
4. Cherokee 136
8. Cherry Hill East 217
18. Haddon Twp. 419

2018
2. Haddonfield 86
3. Kingsway 164
6. Cherokee 188
12. Cherry Hill East 276
15. Camden Catholic 301
17. Bishop Eustace 438
19. Haddon Twp. 500

2017
2. Kingsway 96
6. Haddonfield 178
19. Haddon Heights 499

2016
7. Cherokee 204
10. Kingsway 260
13. Haddonfield 302
17. Bishop Eustace 402
18. Sterling 445

2015
4. Haddonfield 145
7. Cherokee 214
8. Cherry Hill East 220
14. Haddon Township 355

2014
3. Cherry Hill East 126
4. Kingsway 183
5. Haddonfield 186
10. Haddon Township 213
17. Pennsville 490

2013
7. Haddonfield 237
9. Cherry Hill East 242
10. Highland 244
14. Haddon Township 323

2012
11. Kingsway 228
13. Haddonfield 274
17. Haddon Township 440
19. Schalick 562

2011
16. Bishop Eustace 450
17. Haddon Township 454
19. Haddon Heights 517

2010
2. Haddonfield 98
16. Bishop Eustace 419
18. Haddon Township 450

2009
4. Haddonfield 128

2008
4. Haddonfield 139
10. Cherokee 288
13. Cinnaminson 335
15. Haddon Heights 373
18. Haddon Township 431

2007
3. Haddonfield 159
9. Cherokee 230
11. Moorestown 243
13. Haddon Heights 356
20. Moorestown Friends 527

2006
3. Haddonfield 162
8. Haddon Township 222
9. Cherokee 243
10. Shawnee 252
15. Pennsville 315

2005
6. Cherokee 188
8. Washington Township 190
10. Moorestown 260
13. Haddonfield 326
19. Maple Shade 456

2004
5. Cherokee 149
9. Ocean City 223
16. Cinnaminson 384

2003
1. Mainland Regional 68
5. Cherokee 161
13. Cinnaminson 344
14. Maple Shade 369
15. Highland Regional 396
17. Bishop Eustace 452

2002
1. Mainland Regional 101
5. Cinnaminson 188
6. Cherokee 208
13. Haddonfield 310
18. Bishop Eustace 493
19. Maple Shade 533

2001
1. Haddonfield 87
4. Cherokee 146
5. Mainland Regional 153
14. Paul VI 339
15. Moorestown 364
17. Bishop Eustace 408

2000
2. Cherokee 69
6. Eastern Regional 190
10. Haddonfield 255
14. Moorestown 368
15. Bishop Eustace 393
19. Maple Shade 514

1999
2. Paul VI 95
3. Cherokee 104
4. Washington Township 127
8. Eastern Regional 236
18. Wildwood Catholic 495

1998
2. Cherokee 66
3. Washington Township 110
4. Shawnee 143
6. Paul VI 176
11. Haddonfield 297
14. Moorestown 319
16. Wildwood Catholic 434

1997
3. Cherokee 123
5. Shawnee 167
8. Paul VI 197
12. Maple Shade 336
15. Wildwood Catholic 393
16. Haddonfield 394

1996
6. Highland 160
15. Haddonfield 357

1995
3. Paul VI 118
6. Highland 196
10. Haddonfield 279
13. Mainland Regional 314

1994
1. Paul VI 63
4. Highland Regional 138
7. Shawnee 225
15. Absegami 361

1993
4. Paul VI 156
6. Eastern Regional 189
12. Delran 276
13. Maple Shade 355
18. Haddonfield 481

1992
4. Paul VI 146
5. Shawnee 154
9. Vineland 214
12. Cinnaminson 286
13. Bridgeton 325
14. Haddon Heights 334
15. Maple Shade 336

1991
5. Shawnee 175
7. Vineland 178
8. Paul VI 181
11. Delran 246
14. Haddon Heights 317

1990
2. Paul VI 130
7. Highland Regional 224
8. Shawnee 232
9. Haddonfield 244
10. Cinnaminson 255
16. Riverside 366

1989
1. Paul VI 50
2. Highland Regional 89
5. Haddonfield 189
7. Cinaminson 211
10. Bridgeton 251
11. Cherokee 254
16. Sacred Heart 391
18. Riverside 459

1988
1. Paul VI 62
3. Highland Regional 134
5. Bridgeton 151
6. Haddon Township 166
8. Shawnee 217
11. Cherokee 243
12. Buena 289
13. Haddonfield 318
14. Cinnaminson 361
15. Sacred Heart 364

1987
2. Paul VI 86
10. Bridgeton 250
13. Cinnaminson 270
14. Haddonfield 279
15. Sacred Heart 436

1986
3. Paul VI 149
8. Haddonfield 240
9. Haddon Township 241
12. Cinnaminson 263
13. Holy Cross 283
18. Kingsway 388

1985
3. Paul VI 138
11. Haddonfield 272
14. Haddon Township 377
16. Maple Shade 394
18. Bishop Eustace 489

1984
1. Paul VI 53
8. Eastern Regional 238
12. Haddonfield 302
13. Cinnaminson 308
14. Holy Cross 312
18. Bishop Eustace 467

1983
2. Holy Cross 109
4. Paul VI 135
16. Shawnee 372
18. Bishop Eustace 419
19. Haddonfield 478

1982
4. Paul VI 146
14. Haddonfield 367
17. Bishop Eustace 420

1981
10. Cherry Hill East 264

1980
8. Haddonfield 206

1979
6. Delsea 176
13. Haddonfield 282

1978
12. Haddonfield 259
13. Eastern 292
15. Audubon 364
19. Wildwood Catholic 567

1977
None

1976
None

1975
None

1974
None

1973
None

1972
No team scoring

GIRLS
2022
2. Haddonfield 88
9. Clearview 209

2021
1. Cherokee 117
5. Haddonfield 179
10. Cherry Hill East 267

2020 [Holmdel Invitational exhibition]
1. Haddonfield 52
2. Cherokee 144

2019
4. Haddonfield 172
7. Kingsway 210
18. Schalick 464

2018
15. Shawnee 331

2017
2. Kingsway 126
5. Shawnee 190
14. Haddonfield 353

2016
3. Kingsway 132
4. Shawnee 179
9. Haddonfield 249

2015
7. Seneca 204
12. Haddonfield 310

2014
13. Haddonfield 356

2013
5. Haddonfield 164
7. Shawnee 176
10. Seneca 216
14. Pitman 352

2012
12. Seneca 254
14. Ocean City 328
16. Pitman 376

2011
14. Delsea 360
16. Moorestown 377

2010
6. Cherokee 220
12. Bishop Eustace 291
14. Haddonfield 307
17. Moorestown 324

2009
8. Delsea 222
11. Haddonfield 260
14. Seneca 309
20. Wildwood Catholic 500

2008
12. Haddonfield 314
15. Shawnee 358

2007
8. Haddonfield 221
10. Lenape 264
17. Haddon Township 460
18. Our Lady of Mercy 467

2006
7. Cherry Hill East 188
8. Lenape 190
10. Haddonfield 222
17. Wildwood Catholic 408

2005
6. Haddonfield 162
13. Moorestown 303
18. Bishop Eustace 588

2004
8. Cherokee 241

2003
1. Shawnee 119
5. Ocean City 178
12. Paul VI 309
16. Haddonfield 362
19. Gloucester City 439

2002
1. Shawnee 69
4. Moorestown 155
11. Paul VI 259
18. Bishop Eustace 477
20. Schalick 535

2001
1. Moorestown 88
3. Shawnee 142
13. Paul VI 330
19. Bishop Eustace 449
20. Schalick 564

2000
3. Moorestown 116
6. Shawnee 174
12. Bishop Eustace 300
19. Haddon Township 505
20. Gloucester City 540

1999
2. Moorestown 132
4. Shawnee 164
13. Woodrow Wilson 262

1998
4. Shawnee 164
7. Moorestown 211
16. Haddonfield 343

1997
1. Shawnee 99
12. Paul VI 264

1996
2. Shawnee 93
4. Bishop Eustace 138
7. Paul VI 208
11. Egg Harbor Township 245
16. Schalick 477

1995
2. Bishop Eustace 77
3. Shawnee 87
8. Paul VI 236
9. Ocean City 256
13. Haddonfield 333
17. Schalick 482
18. Maple Shade 517

1994
2. Bishop Eustace 77
5. Shawnee 108
7. Paul VI 208
13. Camden Catholic 341
14. Ocean City 363
15. Haddonfield 377

1993
4. Shawnee 125
5. Paul VI 157
7. Ocean City 210
9. Bishop Eustace 229
14. Haddonfield 350

1992
3. Paul VI 141
4. Bishop Eustace 142
6. Shawnee 159
11. Kingsway 267
14. Haddonfield 324

1991
1. Shawnee 99
5. Paul VI 138
8. Cinnaminson 195
11. Haddonfield 291

1990
2. Paul VI 136
5. Shawnee 165
8. Ocean City 189
9. Kingsway 194
10. Bishop Eustace 210
13. Haddonfield 361
16. Sacred Heart 382

1989
3. Paul VI 84
10. Kingsway 250
12. Bishop Eustace 261

1988
4. Ocean City 115
10. Bishop Eustace 232

1987
4. Ocean City 125
10. Kingsway 227
12. Bishop Eustace 269

1986
5. Paul VI 133
9. Ocean City 227

1985
6. Paul VI 192
11. Holy Cross 293
17. Gloucester Catholic 514

1984
3. Paul VI 107

1983
7. Shawnee 255
8. Paul VI 288
12. Holy Cross 324
22. Haddonfield 500

1982
3. Paul VI 169
14. Haddonfield 321

1981
None

1980
7. Holy Cross 170

1979
None

1978
None

1977
None

1976
None

1975
13. Rancocas Valley 399
17. Mainland Regional 420

1974
None

1973
4. Rancocas Valley 269
9. Gateway 349
16. Holy Cross 522

1972
4. Rancocas Valley 152
5. Holy Cross 162
12. Haddon Township 349

At the very first girls Meet of Champions – in late October 1972 over two miles at Holmdel County Park – three South Jersey runners placed 8th or better: Rancocas Valley junior Cathy Young was 5th in 13:21, Holy Cross senior Sharon Fitzpatrick was 6th in 13:24 and Rancocas Valley sophomore Kathy Christman ran 13:37 for 7th.

It would be another 18 years before three South Jersey girls finished in the top eight at a Meet of Champions. In 1990, at the now-familiar 5,000-meter course at Holmdel, Mirjam Pietersma of Ocean City ran 19:46 for 3rd, Pitman junior Janet Rue was 5th in 19:48 and Kingsway sophomore Erica Moore placed 6th in 19:56.

Since then, it’s happened again in 1992, 1993, 1994, 2003, 2009, 2010 and most recently 2016.

With the 51st annual Meet of Champions scheduled for Saturday morning back at Holmdel – where else? – here’s a look at every South Jersey who’s ever placed in the top 25 at one of the first 50 MoCs.

Errors and omissio0ns? You now the routine!

2022
7. **Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 19:05
11. **Sofia Day [Mainland Regional] 19:22
13. Abigail Waddington [Clearview] 19:24
15. *Michaela Schlemo [Egg Harbor Township] 19:26
16. Ava Thomas [Haddonfield] 19:27
17. Lillie Widmer [Delsea] 19:31
18. *Gillian Lovett [Mainland Regional] 19:31
21. *Riley Slootsky [Haddonfield] 19:40
25. ***Riley Austin [Haddonfield] 19:45

2021
8. ***Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 18:29
11. Nicole Clifford [Cherokee] 18:43
13. *Grace Wassell [Highland] 18:48
15. ***Sofia Day [Mainland Regional] 18:49
25. *Shaelan McNally [Paul VI] 19:06

2020
Not held

2019
6. Olivia Schaefer [Egg Harbor Twp.] 18:49
13. Kate Rathman [Cherokee] 19:02
15. Sarah Naticchia [Haddonfield] 19:03
25. *Payton Weiner [Haddonfield] 19:13

2018
13. Katy Storti [Bishop Eustace] 19:10
16. *Isabella Turner [Shawnee] 19:13
25. Sarah Pierce [Cherry Hill East] 19:27

2017
2. Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 18:18
13. Madison Coppolino [Sterling] 18:54
19. Alexis Mullarkey [Kingsway] 19:09
24. **Isabella Turner [Shawnee] 19:20

2016
1. *Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 17:55
2. Briana Gess [Haddonfield] 18:35
3. Rachel Vick [Kingsway] 18:41
8. Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek] 18:59
21. ***Grace Yoon [Cherry Hill East] 19:27
22. **Sarah Pierce [Cherry Hill East] 19:33

2015
1. **Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 18:07
3. *Briana Gess [Haddonfield] 18:25
15. **Alexis Mullarkey [Kingsway] 19:02
23. **Alexis Weber [Ocean City] 19:21

2014
1. Devin Grisbaum [Ocean City] 18:19
2. ***Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 18:21

2013
1. ***Briana Gess [Haddonfield] 17:44
12. Mara Schiffhauer [Seneca] 18:48
22. Julia DeSpirito [Shawnee] 19:02

2012
23. Meghan Malloy [Haddonfield] 19:04

2011
1. Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace] 18:12
7. Megan Lacy [Cherokee] 18:29
15. *Meghan Malloy [Haddonfield] 18:49
18. Shelby Cain [Haddonfield] 19:07
25. Paige Senatore [Delsea] 19:20

2010
1. Megan Venables [Highland] 17:45
2. *Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace] 18:08
4. *Megan Lacy [Cherokee] 18:12

2009
1. Chelsea Ley [Kingsway] 17:55
2. *Megan Venables [Highland] 18:00
3. Marielle Hall [Haddonfield] 18:16
7. **Megan Lacy [Cherokee] 18:47
12. Caitlin Orr [Lenape] 19:00
13. **Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace] 19:00
20. ***Natalia Ocasio [Lenape] 19:16

2008
2. *Chelsea Ley [Kingsway] 18:01
5. **Megan Venables [Highland] 18:38
13. Meghan McGlinchey [West Deptford] 19:02
14. *Caitlin Orr [Lenape] 19:02
17. Jenn Rawls [Highland] 19:13
21. Maria Ruiz [Williamstown] 19:16

2007
3. **Chelsea Ley [Kingsway] 18:07
6. ***Casey Doyle [Kingsway] 18:38
13. ***Megan Venables [Highland] 18:59
21. Jena Peacock [Our Lady of Mercy Academy] 19:10
23. *Missy Showers [Cherry Hill East] 19:17

2006
3. Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East] 18:18
11. Amanda Goetschius [Delsea] 18:51

2005
4. Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield] 18:23
9. *Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East] 18:46
12. Renee Tomlin [Ocean City] 18:52

2004
1. *Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City] 18:11
2. *Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield] 18:21
9. *Lisa Burkholder [Cherokee] 18:52
12. Katie Van Horn [Triton] 19:00

2003
1. **Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City] 18:42
2. *Arianna McKinney [Highland] 18:58
8. **Lisa Burkholder [Cherokee] 19:23
9. Kim Bonner [Shawnee] 19:24
15. Robin McDowell [Shawnee] 19:33

2002
5. ***Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City] 18:43
10. *Kim Bonner [Shawnee] 19:43
11. Jackie Dunn [Rancocas Valley] 19:43
13. Malia Lyles [Cherokee] 19:48
25. *Caroline Hipple [Moorestown] 20:10

2001
10. *Meghan Hughes [Moorestown] 19:31
16. Brittany McCann [Delsea] 19:47
22. Kelsey Rinehart [Moorestown] 19:55
25. **Kim Bonner [Shawnee] 19:58

2000
1. Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 18:27
12. *Kelsey Rinehart [Moorestown] 19:44
22. **Taneshia Pittman [Woodrow Wilson] 20:00
25. *Brittany McCann [Delsea] 20:05

1999
1. *Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 18:44
7. Claudine Evangelista [Triton] 19:31
12. Robin Van Auken [Highland] 19:45
15. ***Taneshia Pittman [Woodrow Wilson] 19:56
17. *Dana Palumbo [Shawnee] 20:01
20. *Jenna Darcy [Shawnee] 20:16

1998
2. **Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 18:27
11. **Jenna Darcy [Shawnee] 19:49
15. Kathleen Porter [Holy Cross] 19:53
16. Julia Kuder [Moorestown] 19:55
21. Leyna Williams [Triton] 19:59
31. Claudine Evangelista [Triton] 20:17
34. Tara Loescher [Williamstown] 20:23
40. Dana Palumbo [Shawnee] 20:34
45. Allison Venuto [Cherry Hill East] 20:40

1997
10. ***Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 19:44
17. *Taylor Van Acker [Shawnee] 19:59
20. ***Jenna Darcy [Shawnee] 20:03

1996
2. Abbey Hartman [Ocean City] 18:58
10. Nikki Theimann [Shawnee] 19:28
11. Lisa Setter [Shawnee] 19:32
14. Ann Klocke [Bishop Eustace] 19:47
18. Amanda Eltringham [Bishop Eustace] 19:52
19. Adrianne DelSol [Bishop Eustace] 19:53

1995
9. *Ann Klocke [Bishop Eustace] 19:25
14. *Adrianne DelSol [Bishop Eustace] 19:31
19. Andrea Dippolito [Holy Cross] 19:46
23. Kacy Corbett [Camden Catholic] 19:56

1994
1. Jaime Weisgerber [Woodstown] 18:51
6. Colleen Sunderland [Northern Burlington] 19:26
8. Roxanne Hughes [Bishop Eustace] 19:33
9. *Kacy Corbett [Camden Catholic] 19:36
10. Kathleen Linck [Bishop Eustace] 19:41
11. **Adrianne DelSol [Bishop Eustace] 19:46
13. Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:50
18. Kari Vigerstol [Holy Cross] 19:57
24. Missy Whitaker [Shawnee] 20:14

1993
2. Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:29
4. Karen O’Neil [Shawnee] 19:39
8. Cathy McGuigen [Bridgeton] 19:57
12. *Colleen Sunderland [Northern Burlington] 20:01
14. Megan Hartman [Ocean City] 20:05
15. Julie Schick [Mainland] 20:05
18. Jen Rafferty [Riverside] 20:11
21. *Kathleen Linck [Bishop Eustace] 20:19

1992
2. *Kari Vigerstol [Holy Cross] 19:22
4. *Megan Hartman [Ocean City] 19:34
5. *Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:34
7. Erica More [Kingsway] 19:52
12. Jennifer Harris [Paul VI] 20:07
13. *Cathy McGuigan [Bridgeton] 20:13
14. *Karen O’Neil [Shawnee] 20:14
24. *Julie Schick [Mainland Reg.] 20:33

1991
6. **Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:46
8. ***Becky Leon [Cinnaminson] 19:51
11. Janet Rue [Pitman] 19:55
13. *Ynnette Feliciano [Paul VI] 20:08 ???
14. *Erica More [Kingsway] 20:15
21. Danielle Rollick [Paul VI] 20:25
25. Catherine Kinsley [West Deptford] 20:32

1990
3. Miriam Pietersma [Ocean City] 19:46
5. *Janet Rue [Pitman] 19:48
6. **Erica More [Kingsway] 19:56
9. Lori Townsend [Kingsway] 20:08
10. Cheryl Keating [Sacred Heart] 20:11
14. *Julie Goldstein [Shawnee] 20:19
17. Jessica Smith [Bishop Eustace] 20:22
19. *Ynnette Feliciano [Paul VI] 20:27

1989
7. Sherry Jenkins [Camden Catholic] 20:06
9. Michele Owen [Clearview] 20:10
12. **Ynnette Feliciano [Paul VI] 20:21
13. *Lori Townsend [Kingsway] 20:24
14. **Tabitha Francks [Gloucester Catholic] 20:26
16. *Cheryl Keating [Sacred Heart] 20:31
25. Sandy Wright [Paul VI] 20:52

1988
8. *Sandy Wright [Paul VI] 19:36
10. Erin Carody [Paul VI] 19:44
11. Tabitha Francks [Gloucester Catholic] 19:45
14. Carrie Thompson [Clearview] 19:51
17. *Lori Townsend [Kingsway] 20:02
25. Dawn Pfeiffer [Bishop Eustace] 20:33

1987
9. Maryjo Dougherty [Ocean City] 20:01
18. Ann Wodarczyk [Gloucester Catholic] 20:26

1986
22. ***Michelle Owen [Clearview] 20:30
24. ***Sandy Wright [Paul VI] 20:31

1985
7. Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro] 19:33
10. Deanna Germano [Shawnee] 19:43
11. Mindy Rowand [Sterling] 19:53
14. Missy McNally [Paul VI] 20:02
18. Jennifer O’Donohue [Egg Harbor Twp.] 20:11

1984
3. Mindy Rowand [Sterling] 18:40
11. *Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro] 19:17
23. Danielle McManus [Paul VI] 19:50

1983
7. Lori Watson [Cherry Hill East] 18:57
13. Melody Sye [Ocean City] 19:22
14. *Mindy Rowand [Sterling] 19:22
18. Suyong Jenerette [Pemberton] 19:33
24. Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee] 19:45

1982
1. Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.] 17:40
5. Dawn Cody [Paul VI] 18:50
10. Wendy Westphal [Highland] 18:59

1981
5. *Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.] 18:36
11. *Dawn Cody [Paul VI] 19:39
12. *Wendy Westphal [Highland] 19:45
15. Kathy Ezell [Sterling] 19:55

1980
18. Karen Fileshifter [Holy Cross] 19:44
24. **Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.] 19:57

1979[5K]
7. Renee DeFeo [Clayton] 19:40
25. Doreen Startare [Paul VI] 20:21

1978 [5K, Bowl run in reverse]
3. Eva Marie Berardi [Williamstown] 19:19
8. Monique Purcell [Holy Spirit] 19:51
18. Laura Mason [Northern Burlington] 20:31

1977 [three miles, Bowl run in reverse]
3. *Monique Purcell [Holy Spirit] 18:23
11. **Renee DeFeo [Clayton] 19:12

1976 [two miles]
5. Johanna Zarrillo [Mainland Reg.] 12:42

1975
None

1974
4. Kathy Christman [Rancocas Valley] 11:53
14. Sue Gehring [Woodbury] 12:19

1973
4. Cathy Young [Rancocas Valley] 12:59
16. *Kathy Christman [Rancocas Valley] NA
21. Carol Parson [Cherry Hill East] NA

1972
5. *Cathy Young [Rancocas Valley] 13:21
6. Sharon Fitzpatrick [Holy Cross] 13:24
7. **Kathy Christman [Rancocas Valley] 13:37
13. Cindy Cummings [Haddon Twp.] 13:54
22. Patti Barnes [Rancocas Valley] NA

Former Hammonton runner Shawn McBride, who now lives in Collingswood, placed 33rd out of more than 50,000 runners Sunday morning at the New York Marathon.

McBride, 33, ran 2:27.24 and was the 15th American finisher and top New Jersey runner.

McBride graduated from Hammonton in 2007. He shows no performances of note on his MileSplit page. He ran 18:57 and placed 71st at the 2007 South Jersey Group 3 sectionals at Delsea. But he has clearly improved dramatically in the last 16 years.

He averaged 6:07 per-mile for 5,000 meters in his best known race in high school and averaged 5:38 per-mile over 26 miles, 385 yards this weekend.

McBride placed 30th among 28,436 runners in the 30-34 age group.

He was out in 16:58 for the first 5,000, then ran 16:57 for his next 5,000, 16:46 from 10,000 to 15,000, then averaged 17:03 for his next two 5,000s, reaching 25K in 1:24.44. His sixth 5,000 took 17:07 and then he was at 18:08 for 1:59.59 through 35,000 meters and 19:19 for his final full 5K. He covered the final 1.3K in 8:17.

According to his World Athletics page, McBride set a marathon lifetime best of 2:25.09 in Berlin on Sept. 24, so this was his second marathon in about six weeks.

Erik Reitinger of Mt. Laurel, 39, placed 111th with a time of 2:36.17 and was 59th among U.S. finishers. His fastest marathon appears to be a 2:30.37 in Sacramento in December, 2021. Reitinger graduated from Shawnee in 2002. He placed 9th in the South Jersey Group 4 cross country championships at Williamstown in 2001.

Mark Roddy was the first South Jersey finisher in the first Meet of Champions.

Roddy, a senior at Lenape, placed 7th in the 1972 Meet of Champions. Roddy ran 12:34 over 2 1/2 miles in the 1972 race, which was actually held at Ocean County Park in Lakewood before settling for good at Holmdel in 1976

Willie Marino of Williamstown, Cherry Hill West’s Jay Vickery and Marty Ludwikowski and Collingswood’s Ed Donahue also placed in the top 25 that first year, and a year later Gateway’s Greg Stremmel became South Jersey’s first Meet of Champions winner, covering the 2.9-mile course at Bridgewater-Raritan West in 14:22.

In 1974, Ludwikowski – the Millrace Games mile winner from that legendary race against Bergen Catholic sophomore Kevin Byrne in 1975 – ran 14:42 to win at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick.

The 1975 meet was held at Pennsauken, and ironically, the only MoC ever held in South Jersey is the only MoC where no South Jersey runners finished in the top 25. Paul VI’s Dave Tahan was the first S.J. finisher, in 26th place.

South Jersey runners will be all over the place Saturday morning at the 53rd annual Meet of Champions, which will be held at Holmdel County Park for the 48th time (there was no race in 2020).

Here’s a look at every South Jersey boy that’s ever placed in the top 25 at a Meet of Champions going back to that first race more than half a century ago.

TOP-25 BOYS
2022
2. Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee], 15:39
3. George Andrus [Haddonfield], 15:40
4. *Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 15:41
11. *Peyton Shute [Gateway], 16:05
21. Conor Jacob [Cherokee], 16:25
24. Ryan Smith [Rancocas Valley], 16:30

2021
6. Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 15:36
8. Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 15:46
16. *George Andrus [Haddonfield], 15:58
17. **Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 16:08
18. Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee], 16:08

2020
Not held

2019
2. Kevin Antczak [Mainland Regional] 15:29
4. Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee] 15:41
5. Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East] 15:48
8. Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 15:58
13. *Anas Bensaoud [Clearview] 16:12
21. Chase Miller [Cherokee] 16:18
22. Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 16:18

2018
4. *Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee] 15:56
8. *Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg.] 16:01
13. *Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 16:10
14. *Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 16:10
15. Greg Eisenhower [Haddonfield] 16:10
16. Connor Melko [Bishop Eustace] 16:11
19. Colin Kane [Delsea] 16:23
20. Richard Castaneda [Camden Catholic] 16:23
21. Kieran Burns [Kingsway] 16:24

2017
13. **Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 16:15
17. Joe Grandizio [Kingsway] 16:17
21. *Kieran Burns [Kingsway 16:20
22. Jonathan Connor [Kingsway] 16:22

2016
6. Jack Shea [Cherokee] 15:58
15. Robert Abrams [Cherry Hill West] 16:17
23. *Justin Kelly [Cherokee] 16:28

2015
1. Joshua Clark [Highland] 15:33
3. Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East] 15:39
6. *Jack Shea [Cherokee] 15:46
22. Owen Long [Haddon Twp.] 16:17

2014
1. Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.] 15:40
3. Shawn Hutchinson [Bishop Eustace] 15:43
6. Dominick Munson [Timber Creek] 15:56
7. Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East] 16:00
11. Sean Macpherson [Sterling] 16:02
14. Josh Clark [Highland] 16:12
23. *Justin Branco [Delsea] 16:19
24. Noah Culbreath [Kingsway] 16:20

2013
3. Louis Corgliano [Hammonton] 15:35
5. Steve Maine [Highland] 15:42

2012
6. Kyle Kirk [Camden Catholic] 15:56
11. Steve Maine [Highland] 15:59
16. Greg Halla [Haddonfield] 16:06
17. *Louis Corgliano [Hammonton] 16:07
21. Ryan Magnus [Kingsway] 16:15

2011
5. Shawn Wilson [Cherokee] 15:45
17. Connor Herr [Shawnee] 16:07

2010
6, Ben Potts [Haddonfield] 15:43
8. Paul Szulewski [Williamstown] 15:55
10. *Connor Herr [Shawnee] 15:58
13. Matt Nussbaum [Haddonfield] 16:01
21. Miles Schoedler [Ocean City] 16:09
24. *Peter Murray [Shawnee] 16:14
25. Greg Malloy [Cherokee] 16:14

2009
5. Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield] 15:42
10. *Paul Szulewski [Williamstown] 15:57
25. David Forward [Shawnee] 16:19

2008
4. Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 15:56
8. *David Forward [Shawnee] 16:02
14. Michael Rankin [Paul VI] 16:17

2007
5. *Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 16:03
9. Mike Sheehan [Holy Cross] 16:09
12. **Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield] 16:12
21. Mickey Borsellino [Haddon Heights] 16:23
25. Ryan Birchmeier [Ocean City] 16:28

2006
8. John Fennekohl [Ocean City] 16:02
14. Matt Poskus [Cinnaminson] 16:12
20. **Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 16:21
21. Kevin Cronin [Mainland Reg.] 16:23
22. *Alex Yersak [Cherokee] 16:23
25. Michael Keebler [Holy Spirit] 16:29

2005
13. Steve Grabowski [Cinnaminson] 16:07
21. Greg Bredeck [Cherokee] 16:18

2004
10. Tom Yersak [Cherokee] 16:13
12. Anthony Kelhower [Lenape] 16:15
22. *Greg Bredeck [Cherokee] 16:26

2003
2. Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 15:39
4. Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 15:51
10. James Wyner [Mainland Reg.] 16:06
15. Carmen Cavella [Washington Twp.] 16:19
17. Brian Goldberg [Haddonfield] 16:20
18. Joseph Masters [Mainland Reg.] 16:22
24. Spenser Popeson [Mainland Reg.] 16:29

2002
2. Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 15:48
5. Robert Edwards [Bridgeton] 15:59
7. *Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 16:10
8. *Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 16:10
11. *James Wyner [Mainland Reg. ]16:20
12. John Richardson [Ocean City] 16:21
13. Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:21
16. Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 16:24
22. Andrew Riviello [Eastern] 16:35
24. *Brian Goldberg [Haddonfield] 16:39

2001
1. Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 15:43
2. *Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 15:48
5. Skip Stiles [Haddonfield] 15:54
6. Breton Bonnette [Haddonfield] 15:55
7. *Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:04
11. Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 16:20
14. Robert Lacovara [Highland] 16:27
16. **Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 16:29
17. *John Richardson [Ocean City] 16:29
21. *Andrew Riviello [Eastern] 16:33
23. **Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 16:34
24. Matt Mueller [Cherokee] 16:34

2000
1. Mike Myers [Eastern] 15:50
2. *Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 16:01
6. Adam Ambrus [Shawnee] 16:13
7. **Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:15
9. Chad Lyons [Overbrook] 16:16
14. Matt Mueller [Cherokee] 16:26
17. **Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 16:30
18. **Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 16:33

1999
3. Brian Skelly [Washington Twp.] 16:13
6. *Adam Ambrus [Shawnee] 16:25
11. Mark Weems [Washington Twp.] 16:36
13. Joe Halin [Cherokee] 16:39
18. Adam Driscoll [Washington Twp.] 16:46]
20. *Mike Ritchie [Paul VI] 16:50
21. **Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 16:51

1998
1. Nate Miller [Highland] 15:57
7. Bill Mason [Cinnaminson] 16:18
8. *Bryan Skelly [Washington Twp.] 16:19
11. Joe Halin [Cherokee] 16:34
14. Dan Christensen [Shawnee] 16:36
15. Aaron Boucher [Cherokee] 16:37
22. Randy Wetzel [Oakcrest] 16:47
25. Robert Hewitt [Washington Twp.] 16:48

1997
2. *Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 16:15
4. Mike Fulton [Maple Shade] 16:20
8. *Bill Mason [Cinnaminson] 16:35
11. Dave DeJong [Shawnee] 16:40
13. Ray Tomczuk [Delran] 16:41
24. Tom Cresong [Paul VI] 16:51

1996
6. **Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 16:22
16. Karl Savage [Eastern] 16:39
22. Michael McGowan [Bishop Eustace] 16:48
25. Matt Ruhl [Triton] 16:52

1995
2. Scott Keyser [Mainland Reg.] 16:06
6. Jay Wassell [Highland] 16:15
15. Pat Ryan [Glassboro] 16:38
16. *Karl Savage [Eastern] 16:40
18. Ryan Anderson [Paul VI] 16:41
19. Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield] 16:43
21. Nick Noguer [Highland Reg] 16:48
23. Mark Freund [Eastern] 16:51
24. Aaron Kinsley [West Deptford] 16:51

1994
2. John Williams [Paul VI] 16:21
6. Joe DiGiacomo [Paul VI] 16:32
10. Carmen Mastrando [Eastern] 16:41
11. *Jay Wassell [Highland] 16:44
14. Kurt Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:49
17. Alex Totten-Lancaster [Shawnee] 16:54
22. *Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield] 17:01
25. Brian Bach [Paul VI] 17:02

1993
5. Phil Magee [Atlantic City] 16:28
6. Geoff Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:34
10. *Joe DiGiacomo [Paul VI] 16:43
16. Pat Nocito [Vineland] 16:57
21. John Buttil [Paul VI] 17:00
24. Matt Marcini [Millville] 17:03
25. Chuck Nolte [Maple Shade] 17:04

1992
9. John Salisbury [Haddon Heights] 16:27
10. *Phil Magee [Atlantic City] 16:27
11. Aaron Totten-Lancaster [Shawnee] 16:34
12. Geoff Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:37
14. Matt Feeley [Cinnaminson] 16:41
18. David Cox [Woodrow Wilson] 16:44
21. Scott Teske [Shawnee] 16:45
23. Brian Gallagher [Sterling] 16:47

1991
3. Tom Keefer [Paul VI] 16:09
7. Keith O’Brien [Shawnee] 16:20
9. Ted Callinan [Gloucester Catholic] 16:22
11. Pete Fixler [Vineland] 16:24
21. John Keevey [Cinnaminson] 16:48
22. John Salisbury [Haddon Heights] 16:50

1990
2. Ray Beyer [Absegami] 16:09
4. Pete Dougherty [Paul VI] 16:16
7. *John Keevey [Cinnaminson] 16:26
11. Kevin Underwood [Haddonfield] 16:32
15. *Ted Callinan [Gloucester Catholic] 16:41
18. Jerry Franks [Highland] 16:43
25. Eric Bayles [Paul VI] 16:52

1989
3. Joe Cranston [Paul VI] 16:13
4. Albert Donowa [Camden] 16:15
9. *Pete Dougherty [Paul VI] 16:32
10. Matt Martin [Haddon Twp.] 16:35
11. *Jerry Franks [Highland] 16:35
14. Mark Sivieri [St.Augustine] 16:45
19. Tim Shanahan [Haddonfield] 16:52
20. Steve Stanley [Cinnaminson] 16:52
22. Vin Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:53

1988
1. Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 15:33
3. Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 15:47
6. Lance Hess [Bridgeton] 16:11
8. Jason Fiscus [Haddon Twp.] 16:17
11. Terrance Armstrong [Camden] 16:23
12. Mike Tobey [Audubon] 16:24
13. David Donohue [Haddon Twp.] 16:24
14. Matt Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:24
20. *Vin Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:32

1987
1. *Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 15:58
5. *Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:23
6. Joe Shanahan [Haddonfield] 16:24
10. Eric Lorenz [Holy Cross] 16:41
11. Chris Creighton [Holy Cross] 16:42
13. Bob Scott [Clearview] 16:44
15. *Lance Hess [Bridgeton] 16:47
19. Dave Zamiechelli [Cinnaminson] 16:50
21. Joe Margre [Paul VI] 17:00
23. *Matt Cieslik [Paul VI] 17:03
25. Tim Ackerman [Absegami] 17:06

1986
3. **Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 16:15
8. **Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:34
19. Pat Gallaher [Haddon Twp.] 16:49
22. Dan Gough [Haddonfield] 16:50
23. Evan Driscoll [Haddonfield] 16:53
25. Pat Fogerty [Collingswood] 16:55

1985
1. Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:10
7. *Dan Gough [Haddonfield] 16:36

1984
6. *Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:07
9. Jeff Davis [Cumberland Reg.] 16:09
10. Kevin Pumphrey [Highland] 16:13
11. Chris Hageman [Paul VI] 16:18
12. George Steinhoff [Paul VI] 16:21
20. Tom Metzger [Paul VI] 16:33
25. Bill Shea [Eastern] 16:38

1983
9. Tom Farrell [Holy Cross] 16:18
11. Ken Picciano [Pennsauken] 16:21
13. *George Steinhoff [Paul VI] 16:24
20. Bill Stewart [Cherry Hill East] 16:35
21. **Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:35
25. *Jeff Davis [Cumberland Reg.] 16:39

1982
15. Jeff Boyer [Overbrook] 16:16
16. Steve Keen [Cinnaminson] 16:18
17. Bill Stewart [Cherry Hill East] 16:19

1981
17. Bruce Miller [Cherry Hill East] 16:39
19. John Hageman [Paul VI] 16:41
23. Jeff Boyer [Overbrook] 16:45

1980
4. Don Deckert [Oakcrest] 16:06
6. Dan Owens [Absegami] 16:16

1979
1. Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 16:09
10. Tom Milligan [Delsea] 16:39
13. Don Deckert [Oakcrest] 16:40

1978
3. *Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 16:09
8. Al Harden [Millville] 16:31
22. Terry Delaney [Moorestown] 16:46
23. Ken Noddin [Gateway] 16:48

1977
3. Mike Mantini [Gateway] 15:27

1976
24. Jeff Lane [Haddon Twp.] 15:42

1975
None

1974
1. Marty Ludwikowski [Cherry Hill West] 14:42
25. Dennis Driscoll [Northern Burlington] 15:27

1973
1. Greg Stremmel [Gateway] 14:22
9. Joe Germano [Pennsauken] 14:43
19. Jay Ravel [Eastern] 15:04

1972
7. Mark Roddy [Lenape] 12:34
11. Willie Marino [Williamstown] 12:42
14. Jay Vickery [Cherry Hill West] 12:53
15. **Marty Ludwikowski [Cherry Hill West] 12:54
20. Ed Donahue [Collingswood] 12:59

Eight girls and seven boys from South Jersey have been added to the Meet of Champions fields as individual wild-cards along with the Cherokee and Cherry Hill East boys and girls as wild-card teams.

The 53rd annual Meet of Champions is scheduled for Saturday at historic Holmdel County Park, where the hilly 5,000-meter course has been used for every Meet of Champions ever held.

The Haddonfield and Bishop Eustace boys teams were auto qualifiers, Haddonfield by winning the Group 2 state title and Eustace by winning Parochial B. The Cherokee boys had the 2nd-lowest score (behind Ridgewood) and Cherry Hill East was 7th in a merge that didn’t include the six state champions, so they got the 2nd  and 7th team wild card berths. (I apologize for omitting Cherry Hill East initially.)

Haddonfield’s girls were also an auto-qualifier as the state Group 2 champs, and the Cherokee girls were added to the field as the 4th-fastest non-winner in the girls merge.

South Jersey boys who made the Meet of Champions with top-10 finishes from teams that didn’t qualify:

Elijah Whitaker [Glassboro], 1st Group 1 [16:07]
Aiden Williams [Audubon], 2nd Group 1 [16:22]
Ty Blackman [Glassboro], 3rd Group 1 [16:37]
Elijah Forest [Collingswood], 3rd Group 2 [16:22]
Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 1st Group 3 [15:47]
Aziz Muhammad-Kane [Highland], 5th Group 3 [16:23]
Will Mrozinski [Paul VI], 8th Parochial A [16:18]
Isaac Linden [Moorestown Friends], 4th Parochial B [17:42]

And here are the South Jersey boys who qualified with one of the 30-fastest times among runners not on qualifying teams:

Dylan Saber [Williamstown], 16:14
Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], 16:19
Matt Hoffman [Ocean City], 16:43
Ethan Buck [Ocean City], 16:45
Mason Wassell [Highland], 16:46
Peter Simpson [Moorestown], 16:46
Dominic Burgio [Williamstown], 16:56

Here’s a look at all the South Jersey girls from non-qualifying teams who advanced to Saturday with top-10 finishes in one of the six state meets:

Jordan Hadfield [Schalick], 1st Group 1 [19:20]
Macie McCracken [Wildwood], 5th Group 1 [20:19]
Jonalee Adams [Sterling], 7th Group 2 [19:59]
Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 1st Group 3 [18:14]
Maeve Smith [Ocean City], 3rd Group 3 [18:33]
Sofia Day [Mainland Regional], 4th Group 3 [19:01]
Gillian Lovett [Mainland Regional], 7th Group 3 [19:35]
Alyssa Boucher [Williamstown], 8th Group 4 [19:37]
Shaelan McNally [Paul VI], 5th Parochial A [19:17]
Anya Kazemi [Bishop Eustace], 2nd Parochial B [19:55]

And South Jersey girls who qualified with one of the top-30 times from teams that didn’t qualify:

Michaela Schlemo [Egg Harbor Twp.], 19:47
Nilaa Ponnappan [Camden Catholic], 20:07
Allison Roes [Clearview], 20:15
Sophia Aldridge [Williamstown], 20:18
Shaelea Conaway [Cherry Hill East], 20:19
Giovanna Mantuano [Paul VI], 20;20
Cate Feudtner [Cherry Hill East], 20:22
Anna Marino [Cinnaminson], 20:25

The girls race is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday and the boys race at noon.

Woodbury senior Peyton Shute cruised to his first state cross country title Saturday with a dominating performance in the Group 3 race at Holmdel.

Shute, 2nd to Rahway’s Micah Lawson last year, ran 15:47 – 7th-fastest among all six state championship races. He finished 115 meters ahead of Summit senior Nate Roberts, who placed 2nd in 16:10.

He’s Woodbury’s first state cross country champion in 81 years, since Browning Ross won the 1942 overall public school race in 13:29.5 over 2 1/2 miles in Elizabeth. Ross finished 100 meters ahead of John Serrie of Bayonne.

Shute ran 15:43 at Shore Coaches, which broke the Gloucester County best at Holmdel County Park. Mike Mantini of Gateway won the 1978 Group 2 race in 15:54.2, edging Haddonfield’s Jim Smith.

The state title is Shute’s 4th overall. He won the 3,200 last winter at the indoor state Group 1 meet at the Bennett Center in Toms River and the 800 and 3,200 at the outdoor state meet at Franklin.

Shute returns to Holmdel Saturday for the Meet of Champions. He placed 11th last year in 16:05.

Highland senior Aziz Muhammad-Kane placed 5th in 16:23 to punch his ticket to the Meet of Champions.

Ocean City placed 4th with 131 points with senior Matt Hoffman 16th in 16:43 and junior Ethan Buck 18th in 16:45.