From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Cherokee placed five in the top 13 and ran away with the team title Saturday at the inaugural Holmdel Opener at historic Holmdel County Park.

Washington Township junior Trevor Szilier was the overall winner, covering the hilly 5,000-meter course in 16:11, the fastest time at Holmdel by a Washington Township runner in 16 years, since Anthony Dentino ran 15:59 in the 2010 state Group 4 race.

Cherokee was led by senior Benjamin Realley, 4^th in 16:44, with senior Gavin Danielewicz 6^th in 16:48, senior Sean Sooy 8^th in 17:05, sophomore Hamza Salahuddin 9^th in 17:10 and senior Maximo Harada 13^th in 17:16. They were backed up by senior Leo Vyvyan [16^th in 17:28].

Cherokee averaged 17:01 in its first race this year with its lead group. The Chiefs, ranked 4^th in New Jersey, defeated No. 17 Bergen Catholic 39-61. Kingsway [3^rd at 115], Moorestown [6^th with 158], Washington Township [8^th with 191] and Haddon Township [9^th with 196] also finished in the top 10.

Other South Jersey runners in the top 10 were Moorestown junior Zander Kane, who placed 5^th in 16:46, and Kingsway junior Michael Beaver, 7^th in 16:59.

Also under 18 minutes: Kingsway sophomore Logan McKeever [15^th in 17:18], Highland sophomore Richard Lorenz [17^th in 17:35], Kingsway senior Payton Veilleux [19^th in 17:40], Haddon Township junior James Strimel [22^nd in 17:47], Highland senior Liam Murphy [24^th in 17:53] and Moorestown senior Ethan Taylor [27^th in 17:59].