South Jersey has produced 291 state cross country champions over the last 83 years.
That includes 93 boys individuals, 52 girls, 90 boys teams and 47 girls teams. Keep in mind the boys state championships date back to 1919, but the girls meet wasn’t started until 1972. So the guys had a 53-year head start!
The first South Jersey boy to win a state title was future Olympian Browning Ross of Woodbury in 1942. The first team was Lower Cape May Regional in 1950. First girl state champion was Williamstown’s Eva Marie Berardi in 1978 and the first girls team was Paul VI in 1982.
This year’s state meet is scheduled for Saturday at Holmdel County Park starting with girls Group 2 at 9:30 a.m., followed by Parochial A girls at 10 a.m., Group 2 boys at 10:30 a.m., Parochial A boys at 11 a.m., Group 3 girls at 11:30 a.m., Group 1 girls at noon, Group 3 boys at 12:30 p.m., Group 1 boys at 1 p.m., Group 4 girls at 1:30 p.m., Parochial B girls at 2 p.m., Group 4 boys at 2:30 p.m. and Parochial B boys at 3 p.m.
Hopefully, “Viper Timing” is able to get results out in a timely fashion, unlike the Shore Coaches catastrophe.
Here’s a look at every state champion from South Jersey. Let us know if anybody is missing from these lists!
[edit – adds missing Jerry Franks from Highland, the state Group 4 champ in 1990; fixes spelling of Don Morgan’s name; fixes what year Ben Potts won Group 2! … Thanks Bill Collins!
Boys Individuals
1942 … Browning Ross [Woodbury], one race [13:29] [2.5 miles]
1943 … Phil Stilwell [Lower Camden County Regional], one race [13:13]
1944 … Phil Stilwell [Lower Camden County Regional], one race [13:06.1]
1947 … Phil Molineaux [Moorestown], Group 1-2-3 [13:25.1]
1947 … Gus Omrod [Holy Spirit], Parochial A-B [13:47]
1948 … Gene Fekete [Lower Camden County Regional], Groups 1-2-3 [13:27.3]
1949 … Gene Fekete [Lower Camden County Regional], Groups 1-2-3 [12:57.7]
1950 … Gene Fekete [Lower Camden County Regional], Groups 1-2-3 [12:59.4]
1952 … Tom Fekete [Lower Camden County Regional], Groups 1-2-3 [12:57.2]
1953 … Tom Fekete [Lower Camden County Regional], Groups 1-2-3 [12:58]
1954 … Rod Zwirner [Moorestown], Group 1-2-3 [12:48.4]
1961 … Carl Budden [Rancocas Valley], Group 3 [12:34.4]
1962 … Barry Middleton [Moorestown], Groups 1-2 [12:39.9]
1965 … Don Morgan [Clearview], Groups 1-2 [12:26.5]
1966 … Ricky Jacques [Burlington Twp.], Group 1 [12:45]
1967 … Ricky Jacques [Burlington Twp.], Group 1 [12:11.2]
1968 … Bill Sampson [Burlington Twp.], Group 1 [12:42.6]
1968 … Larry Schemelia [Gloucester], Group 2 [12:20.9]
1968 … Ken Medlin [Haddon Twp.], Group 3 [12:35.6]
1969 … Ken Medlin [Haddon Twp.], Group 2 [12:23.8]
1969 … Mike Butynes [Sterling], Group 3 [12:41.6]
1969 … Steve Schoenwald [Woodrow Wilson], Group 4 [12:25.7]
1971 … Willie Marino [Williamstown], Group 1 [12:50]
1971 … Mike Butynes [Sterling], Group 3 [12:38.5]
1972 … Joe Siedlecki [Williamstown], Group 1 [12:28.2]
1973 … Greg Stremmel [Gateway], Group 2 [15:06.7] [3 miles]
1974 … Marty Ludwikowski [Cherry Hill West], Group 4 [14:45.3]
1975 … Tom Feraco [Wildwood Catholic], Parochial C [16:18.4]
1977 … John Pfaff [St. Augustine], Parochial C [16:43.4]
1978 … Mike Mantini [Gateway], Group 2 [15:54.2] [5,000 meters]
1979 … Jim Smith [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:04.5]
1982 … Paul Rabon [Bishop Eustce], Parochial B [17:06]
1983 … George Steinhoff [Paul VI], Parochial A [16:48.8]
1983 … Paul Rabon [Bishop Eustce], Parochial B [17:28.6]
1985 … Dan Gough [Haddonfield], Group 1 [16:57]
1985 … Ron Faith [Paul VI], Parochial A [16:26]
1986 … Dan Gough [Haddonfield], Group 1 [16:24]
1986 … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], Parochial A [16:18]
1987 … Joe Shanahan [Haddonfield], Group 1 [16:23]
1987 … Dave Zamichieli [Cinnaminson], Group 2 [16:45]
1987 … Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton], Group 3 [16:09]
1987 … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], Parochial A [15:36]
1988 … Rex Myers [Delran], Group 2 [16:27]
1988 … Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton], Group 3 [16:02]
1988 … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], Parochial A [15:16.2]
1989 … Matt Martin [Haddon Twp.], Group 1 [16:44]
1989 … Joe Cranston [Paul VI], Parochial A [16:28]
1990 … Kirk Earney [Haddon Twp.], Group 1 [17:11]
1990 … Pete Dougherty [Paul VI], Parochial A [16:39]
1990 … Jerry Franks [Highland], Group 4 [16:54]
1991 … Kevin Schilling [Pitman], Group 1 [16:34]
1991 … Tom Keefer [Paul VI], Parochial A [16:24]
1992 … John Salisbury [Haddon Hts.], Group 1 [16:31]
1993 … Tom Horne [Glassboro], Group 1 [16:28.8]
1993 … Kurt Wayton [Mainland Reg.], Group 3 [16:19.2]
1994 … John Williams [Paul VI], Parochial A [16:17]
1995 … Pat Ryan [Glassboro], Group 1 [17:04.6]
1995 … Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield], Group 2 [17:13.9]
1995 … Scott Keyser [Mainland Reg.], Group 3 [16:32.0]
1996 … Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:43.6]
1997 … Tim Callinan [Sacred Heart], Parochial B [16:58]
1998 … Bill Mason [Cinnaminson], Group 2 [16:36.10]
1998 … Mike DeLaney [Wildwood Catholic], Parochial B [17:29.4]
1999 … Joe Halin [Cherokee], Group 4 [16:09.1]
1999 … John Shepherd [Wildwood Catholic], Parochial B [17:25.7]
2000 … Mike Myers [Eastern], Group 4 [15:54.60]
2001 … Chris Platt [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:10.8]
2001 … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], Group 4 [16:08.4]
2002 … Chris Platt [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:10.46]
2002 … Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.], Group 3 [16:14.01]
2003 … Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson], Group 2 [16:19]
2007 … Mickey Borsellino [Haddon Heights], Group 1 [16:18.08]
2007 … Jon Vitez [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:19.23]
2007 … Brett Johnson [Ocean City], Group 3 [16:06.98]
2008 … Jon Vitez [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:32.28]
2009 … Jon Vitez [Haddonfield], Group 2 [15:56.33]
2010 … Ben Potts [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:08.56]
2012 … Shawn Wilson [Cherokee], Group 4 [15:40]
2014 … Sean Macpherson [Sterling], Group 2 [16:02]
2015 … Owen Long [Haddon Twp.], Group 1 [16:15]
2015 … Josh Clark [Highland], Group 3 [16:17]
2016 … Mike Ungvarsky [Cinnaminson], Group 2 [15:58]
2018 … Sebastien Reed [Pitman], Group 1 [16:18]
2018 … Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee], Group 4 [16:08]
2018 … Connor Melko [Bishop Eustace], Parochial B [16:50]
2019 … Sebastien Reed [Pitman], Group 1 [16:11]
2019 … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson], Group 2 [15:48]
2021 … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], Group 2 [15:51]
2021 … Dennis Fortuna [Triton], Group 3 [15:54]
2022 … George Andrus [Haddonfield], Group 2 [15:41]
2023 … Elijah Whitaker [Glassboro], Group 1 [16:07]
2023 … Peyton Shute [Woodbury/Gateway Co-op], Group 3 [15:47]
2024 … Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield], Group 2 [16:03]
Boys teams
1950 … Lower Camden County Regional, Group 1-2-3 [64 points]
1951 … Lower Camden County Regional, Group 1-2-3 [93 points]
1960 … Rancocas Valley, Group 3 [72 points]
1962 … Moorestown, Groups 1-2 [74 points]
1964 … Vineland, Group 4 [63 points]
1965 … Vineland, Group 4 [76 points]
1966 … Overbrook, Group 2 [65 points]
1967 … Overbrook, Group 2 [77 points]
1968 … Overbrook, Group 2 [149 points]
1968 … Haddon Township, Group 3 [169 points]
1971 … Haddon Township, Group 2 [78 points]
1972 … Haddon Township, Group 2 [71 points]
1972 … Overbrook, Group 3 [136 points]
1976 … Haddon Township, Group 2 [95 points]
1977 … St. Augustine, Parochial C [15 points]
1978 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [67 points]
1978 … St. Augustine, Parochial C [29 points]
1979 … St. Augustine, Parochial B [67 points]
1980 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [72 points]
1980 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [66 points]
1982 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [64 points]
1983 … Paul VI, Parochial A [39 points]
1984 … Paul VI, Parochial A [25 points]
1985 … Haddonfield, Group 1 [61 points]
1985 … Paul VI, Parochial A [47 points]
1986 … Haddon Township, Group 2 [124 points]
1987 … Haddonfield, Group 1 [57 points]
1988 … Haddon Twp., Group 1 [50 points]
1988 … Bridgeton, Group 3 [65 points]
1988 … Paul VI, Parochial A [27 points]
1989 … Haddonfield, Group 1 [57 points]
1989 … Cinnaminson, Group 2 [82 points]
1989 … Highland, Group 3 [70 points]
1989 … Paul VI, Parochial A [40 points]
1990 … Haddonfield, Group 1 [47 points]
1991 … Delran, Group 2 [66 points]
1992 … Haddon Heights, Group 1 [83 points]
1993 … Maple Shade, Group 1 [78 points]
1993 … Eastern, Group 4 [114 points]
1994 … Highland, Group 4 [67 points]
1994 … Paul VI, Parochial A [25 points]
1997 … Maple Shade, Group 1 [99 points]
1997 … Cherokee, Group 4 [87 points]
1998 … Moorestown, Group 2 [85 points]
1998 … Cherokee, Group 4 [79 points]
1998 … Wildwood Catholic, Parochial B [35 points]
1999 … Cherokee, Group 4 [55 points]
2000 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [113 points]
2000 … Cherokee, Group 4 [77 points]
2001 … Mainland Regional, Group 3 [54 points]
2002 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [45 points]
2001 … Mainland Regional, Group 3 [38 points]
2002 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [59 points]
2003 … Mainland Regional, Group 3 [54 points]
2006 … Pennsville, Group 1 [58 points]
2007 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [74 points]
2007 … Haddon Heights, Group 1 [46 points]
2007 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [53 points]
2007 … Cherokee, Group 4 [104 points]
2008 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [52 points]
2008 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [38 points]
2009 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [30 points]
2010 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [48 points]
2010 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [46 points]
2011 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [74 points]
2011 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [77 points]
2012 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [77 points]
2012 … Kingsway, Group 3 [110 points]
2013 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [51 points]
2013 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [90 points]
2014 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [31 points]
2014 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [77 points]
2014 … Cherry Hill East, Group 4 [73 points]
2016 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [50 points]
2017 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [53 points]
2017 … Kingsway, Group 4 [52 points]
2018 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [80 points]
2018 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [42 points]
2018 … Kingsway, Group 4 [91 points]
2019 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [53 points]
2019 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [29 points]
2019 … Cherokee, Group 4 [95 points]
2021 … Audubon, Group 1 [76 points]
2021 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [33 points]
2022 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [47 points]
2022 … Cherokee, Group 4 [102 points]
2023 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [39 points]
2023 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial A [77 points]
2024 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [24 points]
2024 … Cherokee, Group 4 [72 points]
Girls Individuals
1978 … Eva Marie Berardi [Williamstown], Group 1 [19:13]
1978 … Monique Purcell [Holy Spirit], Group 3 [18:59.8]
1982 … Dawn Cody [Paul VI], Parochial A [19:08]
1985 … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], Group 1 [20:07]
1985 … Deanna Germano [Shawnee], Group 4 [19:46]
1988 … Dawn Pfeiffer [Bishop Eustace], Group 1 [20:35]
1989 … Cheryl Keating [Sacred Heart], Group 1 [20:27]
1989 … Michele Owen [Clearview], Group 2 [20:08]
1990 … Janet Rue [Pitman], Group 1 [20:35]
1990 … Lori Townsend [Kingsway], Group 2 [20:52]
1990 … Janet Rue [Pitman], Group 1 [20:00]
1990 … Becky Leon [Cinnaminson], Group 2 [19:41]
1992 … Erica Moore [Kingsway], Group 2 [19:56]
1992 … Megan Hartman [Ocean City], Group 3 [19:41]
1993 … Jen Rafferty [Riverside], Group 1 [19:58.1]
1993 … Kari Vigerstol [Holy Cross], Parochial A [19:43]
1994 … Jaime Weisberger [Woodstown], Group 2 [18:50]
1994 … Kari Vigerstol [Holy Cross], Parochial A [19:17]
1995 … Abbey Hartman [Ocean City], Group 3 [19:28.8]
1995 … Kacey Corbett [Camden Catholic], Parochial A [19:46.8]
1995 … Ann Klocke [Bishop Eustace], Parochial B [19:20]
1996 … Abbey hartman [Ocean City], Group 3 [19:01.3]
1996 … Amanda Eltringham [Bishop Eustace], Parochial A [19:20.8]
1997 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], Group 1 [19:12.30]
1998 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], Group 1 [18:49.60]
1999 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], Group 2 [18:30.10]
2000 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], Group 2 [18:52.50]
2001 … Megan Hughes [Moorestown], Group 2 [19:27.90]
2002 … Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], Group 2 ???
2003 … Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], Group 2 [19:08]
2003 … Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], Group 3 [18:43]
2004 … Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], Group 2 [19:01.50]
2004 … Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], Group 3 [18:25.46]
2005 … Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], Group 2 [18:29.23]
2007 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], Group 2 [19:29.56]
2009 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], Group 2 [19:17.17]
2009 … Chelsea Ley [Kinsgway], Group 3 [17:52.03]
2010 … Megan Venables [Highland], Group 3 [17:27.83]
2010 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], Group 4 [17:54.51]
2011 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], Group 4 [18:26.29]
2011 … Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], Parochial B [18:46.89]
2013 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], Group 2 [18:15.10]
2015 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], Group 2 [18:41]
2015 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], Group 3 [18:13]
2016 … Annika Merkh [Haddon Twp.], Group 1 [20:08]
2016 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], Group 2 [18:43]
2016 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], Group 3 [18:07]
2016 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], Group 3 [18:18]
2022 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], Group 3 [18:57]
2023 … Jordan Hadfield [Schalick], Group 1 [19:20]
2023 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], Group 3 [18:14]
2024 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], Group 3 [17:58]
Girls Teams
1982 … Paul VI, Parochial A [57 points]
1983 … Shawnee, Group 4 [120 points]
1983 … Paul VI, Parochial A [33 points]
1985 … Paul VI, Parochial A [35 points]
1986 … Paul VI, Parochial A [79 points]
1988 … Bishop Eustace, Group 1 [81 points]
1989 … Ocean City, Group 3 [71 points]
1989 … Bishop Eustace, Group 1 [56 points]
1990 … Haddonfield, Group 1 [80 points]
1990 … Bishop Eustace, Group 2 [85 points]
1990 … Shawnee, Gorup 4 [140 points]
1991 … Cinnaminson, Group 2 [97 points]
1991 … Shawnee, Group 4 [93 points]
1992 … Bishop Eustace, Group 2 [66 points]
1992 … Ocean City, Group 3 [82 points]
1993 … Haddonfield, Group 1 [89 points]
1993 … Shawnee, Group 4 [39 points]
1994 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [138 points]
1994 … Paul VI, Parochial A [44 points]
1994 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [27 points]
1995 … Maple Shade, Group 1 [122 points]
1995 … Shawnee, Group 4 [68 points]
1995 … Paul VI, Parochial A [41 points]
1996 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial A [34 points]
1997 … Shawnee, Group 4 [69 points]
1998 … Haddonfield, Group 1 [82 points]
1998 … Moorestown, Group 2 [120 points]
1999 … Moorestown, Group 2 [74 points]
2000 … Bishop Eustace, Parochial B [37 points]
2001 … Moorestown, Group 2 [39 points]
2002 … Shawnee, Group 4 [69 points]
2003 … Gloucester, Group 1 [78 points]
2003 … Shawnee, Group 4 [114 points]
2005 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [33 points]
2006 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [62 points]
2006 … Wildwood Catholic, Parochial B [72 points]
2007 … Haddon Township, Group 1 [88 points]
2007 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [56 points]
2008 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [73 points]
2009 … Delsea, Group 2 [81 points]
2013 … Pitman, Group 1 [49 points]
2016 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [108 points]
2021 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [44 points]
2021 … Cherokee, Group 4 [84 points]
2022 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [36 points]
2022 … Clearview, Group 3 [57 points]
2023 … Haddonfield, Group 2 [40 points]