From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

The inaugral Shore Coaches Invitational was held Oct. 5, 1968, at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, and Overbrook’s Larry Rush out-raced Jack Webb of Randolph to the finish line to win the Varsity B race over 2 1/2 miles in 12:32, with Webb 2nd in 12:43.

Overbook placed 2nd to Bernards in the team battle, with Mike Flynn also in the top 20 – 12th overall. The Oct. 6 Asbury Park Press didn’t list times beyond the top 10. Top South Jersey runner in the Varsity A race was Sterling’s Ed Dobbins, who was 14th.

There were only two divisions at the inaugural Shore Coaches Invite 56 years ago, but when the 56th annual meet gets underway Saturday at Holmdel County Park (there was no meet in 2020) there will be seven boys divisions.

Winner of the J.V. A race at the first Shore Coaches meet was Roselle Catholic’s Bob Weir. Just one more Saturday night for ol’ Bobby.

South Jersey has had at least one individual winner every year the meet has been held since 2018 and at least one team winner every year since 2012.

Including freshman and JV races, there will be 26 races at Holmdel Saturday starting with boys JV E at 9 a.m. and finishing with boys JV A at 3:40 p.m.

Boys varsity race schedule looks like this:

9:30 a.m. – Group G
10 a.m. – Group F
10:30 a.m. – Group E
12:40 p.m. – Group D
1:10 p.m. – Group C
1:40 p.m. – Group B
2 p.m. – Group A

Here’s a look at all South Jersey individual and team winners in the boys race. We’ll post the girls all-time winners on Friday.

Boys
2023
Group E … Elijah Forrest [Collingswood], 16:22
Group F … Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 15:43
Group G … Will Mrozinski [Paul VI], 16:44
2022
Group A … Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 15:56
Group E … Alex Boyko [Cinnaminson], 16:25
2021
Group D … Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 16:02
Group E … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield] 15:55
2020
Not held
2019
Group A … Kevin Antczak [Mainland Regional] 15:32
Group E … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 15:58
Group G … Zachary Williams [Audubon] 16:36
2018
Group E … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 16:01
2017
None
2016
Group E … Mike Ungvarsky [Cinnaminson] 15:57
2015
Group A … Owen Long [Haddon Twp.] 16:20
Group D … Mike Ungvarsky [Cinnaminson] 16:25
Group F … Samuel Gerstenbacher [Schalick] 16:50
2014
Group B … Noah Culbreath [Kingsway] 16:15
Group D … Shawn Hutchison [Bishop Eustace] 16:28
Group F… Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.] 16:21
2013
Group D … Louis Corgliano [Hammonton] 16:18
2012
None
2011
Group D … Nick Costello [Delsea] 16:30
2010
None
2009
Group C … Miles Schoedler [Ocean City] 16:18
2008
Group A … Ryan Garvin [Lenape] 16:14
Group C … Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 15:44
Group E … Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield] 16:05
2007
Group E … Josh Black [Haddon Heights] 16:20
2006
Group B … Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 16:13
2005
None
2004
None
2003
Group B … Greg Hughes [Mainland] 16:03
2002
Group A … Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 16:15.4
Group B … Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 16:19.9
Group C … John Richardson [Ocean City] 16:18.9
Group E … Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 16:14.5
2001
Group A … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 16:00
Group E … Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 16:21
2000
None
1999
Group A … Mike Myers [Eastern] 16:25.2
Group B … Joe Lacovara-Switzer [Abseg.] 16:53.3
Group E … Tom Brennan [Haddonfield] 16:44.7
1998
Group A … Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 15:51.0
Group E … Bill Mason [Cinnaminson] 16:24.8
Group F … Adrian Cline [Haddon Twp.] 16:44.1
1997
Group A … Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 16:05.98
Group E … Kevin Sacco [Sacred Heart] 16:40
1996
Group A … Earl Wise [Overbrook] 16:06
Group D … Mike McGowan [Bish. Eustace] 16:40
Group E … Kevin Sacco [Sacred Heart] 16:38
1995
Group C … Scott Keyser [Mainland Reg.] 16:27
Group E … Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield] 17:00
1994
None
1993
Group B … John Williams [Paul VI] 17:00
Group C … Kurt Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:27
1992
None
1991
Group D … Kevin Schilling [Pitman] 16:58
1990
Group B … Ray Beyer [Absegami] 16:44
1989
Group A … Albert Donawa [Camden] 16:19
Group B … Ray Beyer [Absegami] 16:48
1988
Group B … Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:18
1987
Group A … Joe Margre [Paul VI] 16:42
Group B … Ron Welcer [Absegami] 16:49
Group C … Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:42
1986
Group B … Kevin Pumphrey [Highland] 16:03
Group D … Dan Gough [Haddonfield]
1985
Group B … Kevin Pumphrey [Highland] 16:03
Group C … Steve McLaughlin [Absegami] 17:11
Group D … Dan Gough [Haddonfield] 16:44
1984
None
1983
None
1982
None
1981
Group A … Bruce Miller [Cherry Hill East] 16:01.4
1980
None
1979
Group A … Jerry Andrews [Highland] 16:24
Group C … Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 16:22
1978
Group C … Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 14:34.0
1977
None
1976
Not held
1975
None
1974
Group A … Marty Ludwikoski [Cherry Hill West] 14:27.6
1973
Group C … Greg Stremmel [Gateway] 14:55
1972
Group C … Mark Yellin [Haddon Twp.] 12:27
1971
Not held
1970
Group B … Mike Butynes [Sterling] 12:08
Group C … Don Adams [Gateway] 12:53
1969
Group A … Mike Butynes [Sterling] 12:32
1968
Group B … Larry Rush [Overbrook] 12:32

Team
2023
Haddonfield [Group E]
Paul VI [Group G]
2022
Cherokee [Group A]
Paul VI [Group G]
2021
Haddonfield [Group B]
Audubon [Group G]
2020
Not held
2019
Haddon Township [Group F]
2018
Kingsway [Group B]
Haddonfield [Group E]
2017
Kingsway [Group B]
Haddonfield [Group E]
Paul VI [Group G]
2016
Kingsway [Group B]
Paul VI [Group G]
2015
Pennsville [Group E]
2014
Kingsway [Group A]
Haddon Township [Group F]
2013
Cherry Hill East [Group A]
Schalick [Group F]
2012
Bishop Eustace [Group E]
2011
None
2010
None
2009
None
2008
Haddonfield [Group E]
Pennsville [Group F]
2007
Haddonfield [Group E]
Pennsville [Group F]
2006
Haddonfield [Group E]
Pennsville [Group F]
2005
Moorestown [Group C]
2004
None
2003
Cherokee [Group A]
Mainland [Group B]
2002
Mainland Regional [Group B]
Cinnaminson [Group E]
2001
Mainland Regional [Group C]
Haddonfield [Group E]
2000
Cherokee [Cherokee]
Paul VI [Group B]
Haddonfield [Group E]
1999
Washington Township [Group A]
Paul VI [Group C]
1998
Haddonfield [Group F]
1997
Delsea [Group C]
1996
Mainland [Group C]
1995
Paul VI [Group C]
Haddonfield [Group E]
1994
Paul VI [Group B]
Haddon Township [Group E]
1993
Paul VI [Group B]
Mainland Regional [Group C]
Delran [Group D]
Maple Shade [Group E]
1992
None
1991
Cinnaminson [Group C]
1990
None
1989
Paul VI [Group A]
Haddonfield [Group D]
1988
None
1987
Cinnaminson [Group C]
1986
None
1985
None
1984
None
1983
None
1982
None
1981
Paul VI [Group B]
1980
None
1979
Eastern [Group C]
1978
Haddonfield [Group C]
1977
None
1976
None
1975
None
1974
None
1973
None
1972
Haddon Township [Group C]
1971
None
1970
Sterling [Group B]
1969
None
1968
None