Led by junior Andrew Dopkin and senior Andrew Kellem, Highland put all five scorers in the top 10 and coasted to the Division 2 team title Saturday morning at the South Jersey Open.
Dopkin ran 16:57 and Kellem 17:24 over 5,000 meters at DREAM Park in Logan Township, and Highland had its 5th runner across the line before any other school’s 2nd runner.
Highland finished with a 32-67 margin over 2nd-place Delsea.
Delsea junior Matthew Littlehales won the race in 15:55, fastest time of the day and 2nd-fastest in course history by a Delsea runner behind older brother Andrew’s 15:38 when he placed 2nd at the 2021 South Jersey Group 3 sectionals.
Paul VI senior Sean Alemi and Cherry Hill West junior Rex Takakjy ran 2nd and 3rd in 16:28 and 16:33 before Highland took five of the next seven spots.
Sophomore Colin Roznowski, junior Daniel Gee and junior Pierce Dopkin packed in 8th, 9th and 10th in 17:32, 17:47 and 17:54, giving Highland a 57-second gap from their 1st through 5th runners.
Also in the top 10 were Middle Township sophomore Jamar Mack [5th in 17:07] and Seneca senior Connor McCafferty [7th in 17:25].
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 