Julian Rich and Reggie Hernandez, sophomores at Wilmington (Del.), placed 4th and 5th in the Philadelphia Cross Classic at Belmont Plateau.
Rich attended Camden County Tech and competed in track for Winslow,and Hernandez attended Haddon Heights. Rich ran 28:52 over 8,000 meters and Hernandez 28:56, helping Wilmington win the team title 32-35 over Jefferson of Philadelphia.
Rich and Hernandez were Wilmington’s second and third finishers, behind overall winner Kenai Black, who ran 27:37.
Wilmington sophomore Kevin Gonzalez from Bridgeton placed 14th in 30:27 and was the Wildcats’ fifth finisher.
In the women’s race over 5,000 meters, freshman Hailie Bellone from Buena was 5th in 21:15 and senior Angie Chomo from Schalick placed 10th in 23:20. Jefferson topped Wilmington, 26-44, for the women’s team title.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 