From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Delsea graduate Noah Deckert, a senior at St. Joe’s, finished 1^st of 69 runners Friday afternoon at the Haverford Invite.

Deckert ran four miles in 19:58, finishing 45 meters ahead of unattached Bellamy Immanuel, formerly of Eastern Mennonite of Harrisonburg, Va., who was 2^nd in 20:06.

Junior Ian Romea of Haddonfield was St. Joe’s 2^nd finisher in 7^th place in 20:21, and freshman Christian Napoli from Paul VI took 19^th in 21:14. St. Joe’s alum Aidan Groff from Cherry Hill East, running unattached, placd 20^th in 21:18.

We have to mention St. Joe’s freshman Jackson Kane, who placed 13^th in 20:57. He’s not from South Jersey – he ran for Ridley High School – but his dad Mike used to work in the Eagles’ PR office years ago and is a good dude! So we’ll adopt Jackson as an honorary South Jersey runner.

In the women’s race, Jefferson’s Nina Ceccanecchio from Blackwood and Our Lady of Mercy placed 24^th in 22:41.