South Jersey did pretty well at the first Meet of Champions. It was Nov. 22, 1972, at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, and five South Jersey runners finished in the top 20.
Harry Kronik of Franklin Township won the 2 1/2-mile race in 12:22.0, finishing 1-10th of a second ahead of Greg Miller of Northern Highlands.
The first South Jersey runner across the line in the first MoC was Lenape’s Mark Roddy, who was 7th in 12:34. That remains the best finish ever by a Lenape runner, although Anthony Kelhower came close in 2004 when he was 12th.
Also in the top 20 that day were Williamstown’s Willie Marino, Cherry Hill West’s Jay Vickery and Marty Ludwikowski and Collingswood’s Ed Donahue.
Ludwikowski went on to win the race in 1974 and that was Cherry Hill West didn’t have a top-20 finisher again until 2016, when Robert Abrams was 15th. Marino’s 11th-place was the best finish by a Williamstown runner until 2010, when Paul Szulewski finished 10th (and then 8th in 2011). Donahue’s 20th-place finish was the best by a Collignswood runner until last year, when Elijah Forrest placed 14th.
With this year’s 52nd Meet of Champions set for Saturday at Hollmdel County Park, here’s a look at every South Jersey runner to place in the top 25 in one of the first 51 races. As always, please let me know in the comment section if anybody is missing. We’ll have the boys team list and both girls lists coming up soon!
2023
2. Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 16:33
6. Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 15:56
14. Elijah Forrest [Collingswood], 16:12
19. Will Mrozinski [Paul VI], 16:16
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
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
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
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 