The Haddonfield boys have a chance to prove they’re one of the top teams in the country Saturday at the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon.
Haddonfield, ranked 16th nationally by DyeStat, placed 2nd in the Nike Northeast Regionals two weeks ago, earning an auto berth at Nike Nationals.
The Bulldogs will race at 10:05 a.m. Saturday at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore. The field includes 22 full schools and 45 individuals.
Haddonfield is the 5th New Jersey boys team and first from South Jersey to qualify for Nike Nationals.
The Kingsway girls made it in 2017 and placed 22nd at Nationals and the Cherokee girls qualified in 2021, although the national meet was cancelled.
Here’s a look at Haddonfield’s team:
✓ Ben Andrus: Has run 4:13.60 and 9:08.27 on the track and was the state Group 2 XC champ last fall. Has an all-course 5,000 best of 15:34 and a Holmdel best of 15:43.
✓ Luke Andresen: Was the state Group 2 indoor 1,600 champ at 4:17.56 at the Bubble and then ran 4:10.82 for 3rd at the Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze. This fall took 3rd at states and 5that the Meet of Champions with a Holmdel PR of 15:42.
✓ Peter Simpson: State Group 2 champ last spring at 3,200 meters with a PR 9:14.76 and ran sub-4:15 twice, including 4:14.44. Won Group 2 sectionals this fall with a 15:39 at DREAM Park.
✓ Ryan Gibson: Won South Jersey Group 2 last fall and Camden County and Colonial Conference titles this fall.
✓ Michael Sinnes: Placed 12th at states as Haddonfield’s 5th man and ran a 5,000 PR of 15:46.58 at Pennypacker Park.
✓ Brandon Stoner: Camden County champ placed 3rd at sectionals at DREAM Park with an all-course PR of 16:15. On the track, a three-time sectional medalist at 800 meters.
✓ Andrew Blum: The only junior in Haddonfield’s lineup, Blum won the Colonial Championship race and placed 3rd at sectionals with an all-course PR 16:29.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 