From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

With sectionals just a few days away, let’s take a look at the fastest single-race team times in course history. The course is fast and flat and with good conditions some pretty crazy times are possible.

As always, errors and omissions just shoot me a message in the comment section!

Coming later this week, the fastest all-time boys and girls team averages!

Boys [sub-16:30]
15:42.15 … Cherokee, 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:44.00 … Ocean City, 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:44.60 … Cherokee, 2024 Olympic Conference
15:47.01 … Cherry Hill East, 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:48.06 … Cherokee, 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:52.43 … Haddonfield, 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:52.70 … Haddonfield, 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:53.52 … Cherokee, 2025 Olympic Conference
15:54.96 … Cherokee, 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
16:00.07 … Cherokee, 2019 Olympic Conference
16:01.84 … Cherry Hill East, 2024 Olympic Conference
16:01.06 … Southern Regional, 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:04.91 … Cherokee, 2023 Olympic Conference Championships
16:11.50 … Haddonfield, 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
16:13.12 … Cherokee, 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:14.46 … Cherry Hill East, 2023 South Jersey Track Coaches
16:14.98 … Cherokee, 2018 Olympic Conference
16:15.85 … Highland, 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:17.0h … Cherry Hill East, 2025 Olympic Conference
16:19.09 … Southern Regional, 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:19.75 … Cherry Hill East, 2023 Olympic Conference
16:21.52 … Shawnee, 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:23.68 … Cinnaminson, 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:23.59 … Cherry Hill East, 2019 Olympic Conference
16:25.73 … Lenape, 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:27.45 … Haddonfield, 2023 Group 2 Sectionals
16:29.83… Cherry Hill East, 2023 Group 4 Sectionals

Girls [sub-20:00]
18:19.90 … Haddonfield, 2022 South Jersey Group 2
18:51.74 … Haddonfield, 2021 South Jersey Group 2
18:53.19 … Clearview, 2022 South Jersey Group 3
18:53.22 … Paul VI, 2025 Olympic Conference
18:58.11 … Cherry Hill East, 2025 Olympic Conference
19:05.31. … Cherokee, 2024 Olympic Conference
19:19.92 … Cherokee, 2021 Olympic Conference
19:22.22 … Cherokee, 2021 South Jersey Group 4
19:22.26 … Paul VI, 2024 Olympic Conference
19:26.27 … Cherokee, 2025 Olympic Conference
19:29.2h … Haddonfield, 2020 South Jersey Group 2
19:34.31 … Haddonfield, 2023 South Jersey Group 2
19:45.20 … Cherry Hill East, 2024 Olympic Conference
19:46.76 … Cherry Hill East, 2019 Olympic Conference
19:46.78 … Cherokee, 2023 Olympic Conference
19:48.07 … Cherokee, 2019 Olympic Conference
19:48.15 … Cherry Hill East, 2021 South Jersey Group 4
19:49.00 … Toms River North, 2022 South Jersey Group 4
19:50.29 … Cherry Hill East, 2024 South Jersey Open
19:52.11 … Shawnee, 2019 Olympic Conference Championships
19:52.84 … Moorestown, 2024 South Jersey Open
19:53.36 … Paul VI, 2023 Olympic Conference
19:53.89 … Paul VI, 2023 Bob Kiessling
19:57.25 … Cherry Hill East, 2021 Olympic Conference
19:57.56 … Southern Regional, 2022 South Jersey Group 4
19:58.32 … Cherokee, 2023 South Jersey Group 4

This will be the sixth year South Jersey sectionals will be held on the 5,000-meter DREAM Park speedway in Logan Township since moving from an equally fast course at Delsea.

Haddonfield’s George Andrus set the course record of 14:58.79 at 2022 Group 2 Sectionals and remains the only runner to break 15 minutes at DREAM Park. It will take 15:27 and change to break into the all-time top-10 on the still-new course nestled between Rte. 130, the Delaware River and Raccoon Creek, which flows 22 miles through lower Gloucester County.

We’ll post the all-time girls list tomorrow and we’ll also have all-time fastest team single-race and composite times leading up to sectionals Saturday morning!

As always, lemme know if you see any errors or omissions!

All-Time DREAM Park performance list
14:58.79 … George Andrus [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:09.35 … Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
15:09.97 … Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 2023 Group 3 Sectionals
15:12.65 … Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
15:15.64 … Kyle Rakitis [Kingsway], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:19.24 … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:20.92 … ***Jack Tindall [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
15:22.72 … *Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:22.80 … Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:27.94 … *Erik Preisner [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:28.83 … Colin Hermack [Lenape], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:30.14 … Fabian Ramales [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:30.18 … Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:31.40 … *Cian Sherlock [Cherry Hill East], 2025 Olympic Conference
15:33.27 … Elijah Whitaker [Glassboro], 2023 Group 1 Sectionals
15:33.51 … Ethan Buck [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:34.16 … Tobias Janssen [Haddonfield], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:36.30 … Andrew Bowker [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:33.27 … Elijah Whitaker [Glassboro], 2023 Group 1 Sectionals
15:34.16 … Tobias Janssen [Haddonfield], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:35.01 … **Keenan Neuman [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:36.30 … Andrew Bowker [Southern Regional], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:36.44 … Brandon Lyons [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:36.61 … Billy Clewell [Camden Catholic], 2021 Bob Kiessling Invite
15:37.58 … Santino D’Amelio [Southern Reg.], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:38.17 … *Ryan Gibson [Haddonfield], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
15:38.18 … Andrew Littlehales [Delsea], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
15:38.92 … *Liam Tindall [Cherokee], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:39.82 … Taysaun Wilson [Toms River North], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:40.34 … *Nicholas Loffredo [Manchester Twp.], 2021 South Jersey Open
15:40.79 … **Benjamin Realley [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
15:41.71 … Conor Jacob [Cherokee], 2022 Olympic Conference
15:43.37 … *Kyle Robert Skiendzielewski [So. Reg.], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:43.96 … Enzo Corona [Cherokee], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:43.99 … Alex Boyko [Cinnaminson], 2022 S.J. Open
15:45.23 … Jack Bolling [Haddon Heights ], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:46.21 … ***Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:46.46 … Jacob Cobb [West Deptford], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
15:46.62 … *Aziz Muhammad-Kane [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
15:46.93 … Noah Stapleton [Shawnee], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:47.16 … Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
15:47.44 … Nicholas Krol [Williamstown], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:47.85 … Ryan Mccom [Toms River East], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:48.20 … Robert DiMedio [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.21 … Matt McCarron [Cinnaminson], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.57 … Rex Takakjy [Cherry Hill West], 2025 South Jersey Open
15:48.20 … Robert DiMedeo [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.21 … Matt McCarron [Cinnaminson], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:48.68 … *Dylan Saber [Williamstown], 2023 Group 4 Sectionals
15:48.82 … Nick Scarangelli [Ocean City], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
15:48.97 … Arjun Patel [Millville], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:49.66 … Ryan Taylor [Egg Harbor Twp. ], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:50.54 … *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:51.71 … Daniel Brake [Sanford School], 2024 South Jersey Shootout
15:51.80 … Mason Wassell [Highland], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:51.98 … *Alvin Lin [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:52.10 … *Logan Bromley [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
15:52.44 … Connor Melko [Bishop Eustace], 2018 Olympic Conference
15:53.21 … Colin Patterson [Haddon Heights], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:53.43 … *Brady Shute [Woodbury], 2019 South Jersey Shootout
15:54.07 … Chris Colavita [Washington Twp.], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:54.21 … **Sean Sooy [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
15:54.68 … Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East], 2019 Olympic Conference
15:55.10 … Cole Wassell [Highland], 2020 South Jersey Open
15:55.57 … Will Mrozinski [Paul VI], 2023 Bob Kiessling
15:55.86 … Andre Faigal [Rancocas Valley], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:56.73 … **Levi Tofino Miller [Southern Reg.], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
15:57.35 … Raine Guidarelli [Cherry Hill East], 2023 Olympic Conference
15:57.80 … *Maximo Harada [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
15:57.58 … Santino Anthony D’Amelio [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
15:58.13 … Simon Bernhardt [Shawnee], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:58.40 … Benjamin Weiner [Cherokee], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
15:58.56 … Zeb Hinker [Lower Cape May Reg.], 2021 S.J. Open
15:59.01 … Ethan Worst [Clearview], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:59.06 … Nathan Aschmann [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
15:59.09 … *Elijah Forrest [Collingswood], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
15:59.24 … Colin Keane [Washington Twp.], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:00.57 … **Noah Manwaring Lenape], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:00.73 … *Matt Hoffman [Ocean City], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:01.03 … Sean Alemi [Paul VI], 2024 Bob Kiessling
16:01.06 … Jeremy Sallade [The Wilberforce School], 2022 Bob Kiessling
16:01.07 … Cavan Agatone [Clearview], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:01.20 … *Nico Grilli [Cherokee], 2020 Olympic Conference Batch Meet
16:01.84 … Jake Buniva [Lenape], 2021 Olympic Conference
16:01.91 … *Dominic Burgio [Williamstown], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:01.93 … Chris Spisak [Cherokee], 2018 Olympic Conference
16:02.57 … *Ryan Smith [Rancocas Valley], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:03.0 … Jackson Braddock [Southern Regional], 2020 Group 4 Sectionals
16:03.15 … Andrew Tatesure [Lacey Twp.], 2023 Group 3 Sectionals
16:04.45 … **Michael Romano [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:04.55 … Gavin Gallo [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:04.83 … Chase Miller [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:05.30 … Aidan Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:05.59 … Vincent Perri [Winslow Twp.], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:05.69 … Sean Martino [Cedar Creek], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:05.85 … Cole Knoedler [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:06.27 … Jacob Marino [Woodstown], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:06.56 … Shaun Maloney [Haddon Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:06.73 … Matt Sabo [Toms River North], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:06.75 … Cesar Pedro [Kingsway], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:07.13 … *Matthew Sullivan [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:07.21 … Aiden Williams [Audubon], 2023 Group 1 Sectionals
16:07.47 … *Scott Hubbard [Audubon], 2021 S.J. Open
16:07.89 … Colin Shand [Moorestown], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:07.93 … Jack Gaffin [Cherry Hill East], 2021 S.J. Open
16:07.51 … **Matthew Littlehales [Delsea], 2023 Group 3 Sectionals
16:07.88 … Tyler Jackson [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:07.89 … Colin Shand [Moorestown], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:07.93 … Jack Gaffin [Cherry Hill East], 2021 South Jersey Open
16:08.24 … Aaron David Wyrsch [Southern Regional], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:08.67 … Owen Ritti [Ocean City], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:08.59 … Ian Romea [Haddonfield], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:08.67 … Ian Ritti [Ocean City], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:08.71 … Zach Hutchinson [Ocean City], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:09.69 … Colin Moore [Cherry Hill East], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:09.70 … *Nikihl Raman [Cherry Hill East], 2023 South Jersey Open
16:10.02 … ***Peter Simpson [Moorestown], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:10.15 … *Timothy Shack [Eastern], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:10.41 … Reggie Hernandez [Haddon Heights], 2024 Group 1 Sectionals
16:10.61 … Liam Dougherty [Haddonfield], 2023 Group 2 Sectionals
16:10.86 … Jake Aylmer [Haddon Township], 2019 S.J. Shootout
16:10.86 … Julian Rich [Camden County Tech], 2024 Group 3 Sectionals
16:11.3h … Julian Lawson [Washington Twp.], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:11.9h … Josh Forrest [Collingswood], 2020 Group 2 Sectionals
16:12.72 … **Hunter Bostwick [Washington Twp.], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:13.00 … James Clauson [Haddon Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:13.47 … Case Hurly [Haddonfield], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
16:14.1h … John Ruona [Shawnee], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:14.74 … Trevor Szilier [Washington Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Shootout
16:15.56 … *Gavin Danielewicz [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:17.05 … Ryan Allen [Kingsway], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:18.26 … Dan Wyshinski [Pennsville], 2019 S.J. Shootout
16:18.29 … Melvin Lewis [Pleasantville], 2024 Group 2 Sectionals
16:18.34 … Aaron Kolosowsky [Washington Twp.], 2023 South Jersey Open
16:18.38 … Christian Schiattarella [Southern], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:18.64 … Cole Mylan [Timber Creek], 2022 South Jersey Open
16:18.67 … Linden Wineland [Mainland Reg. ], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:18.82 … *Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East], 2023 South Jersey Open
16:19.27 … Jamar Mack [Middle Twp.], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:19.78 … *Christian Rouzard [Rancocas Valley], 2023 Olympic Conference
16:20.40 … Gabe Rodriguez [C.H. East], 2020 Olympic Conference Batch
16:20.46 … *Aidan Eyre [Cherry Hill East], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:20.79 … Donald Jellig [Haddonfield], 2024 South Jersey Sectionals
16:21.09 … *Bennett Wright [Haddonfield], 2023 Group 2 Sectionals
16:21.34 … Mike Liberty [Oakcrest], 2019 S.J. Shootout
16:21.41 … Richard Castaneda [Camden Catholic], 2018 S.J. Shootout
16:21.78 … Bradley Popler [Cherokee], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:22.09 … *Max Long [Paul VI], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:22.19 … Garren Koovits [T.R. North], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:22.33 … Jake Smith [Highland], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:23.17 … Austin Milou [Washington Twp.], 2018 Olympic Conference
16:23.50 … Anthony DiBattista [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
16:23.56 … Derek Coceano [Cinnaminson], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:23.85 … **Caden Briggs [Paul VI], 2024 Bob Kiessling
16:24.0h … Eric Scully [Hun School], 2022 Fall Crush Open
16:24.05 … Dominic Pileri [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:24.14 … Logan Pavelik [Williamstown], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:24.22 … Joseph Natoli [Cherokee], 2021 Olympic Conference
16:24.34 … Calleb Brox [The Wilberforce School], 2023 Bob Kiessling
16:24.42 … Brady Kay [Sterling], 2025 South Jersey Open
16:24.50 … Brett Shea [Cherokee], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:24.76 … Sean Haggerty [Barnegat], 2022 Group 2 Sectionals
16:24.94 … Forrest Miller [Triton], 2021 Group 3 Sectionals
16:25.12 … Will Ashton [Manchester Twp.], 2023 Group 2 Sectionals
16:25.13 … Ethan Anderer, 2021 South Jersey Group 4
16:25.37 … Connor Auge [Gloucester Tech], 2024 Group 4 Sectionals
16:24.40… Anas Bensaoud [Clearview], 2020 Group 4 Sectionals
16:25.50 … Joel Oquendo [Pennsauken], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:26.76 … *Ryan Haefele [Eastern], 2023 Olympic Conference
16:26.95 … Leonardus Kittles [Haddon Heights], 2021 S.J. Open
16:27.18 … Justin Newman [Toms River South], 2022 Group 3 Sectionals
16:27.32 … Michael Gavio [Cherokee], 2019 Olympic Conference
16:28.32 … Grant Yoon [Cherry Hill East], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:28.59 … Isaac Linden [Moorestown Friends], 2024 Bob Kiessling Invite
16:28.62 … Teddy Wilson [Toms River North], 2022 Group 4 Sectionals
16:28.9h … Cole Kolodziej [Washington Twp.], 2020 Olympic Conference
16:29.04 … Tate Midora [Cherokee], 2024 Olympic Conference
16:29.20 … Timothy Sincavage [Southern Regional], 2020 Group 4 Sectionals
16:29.25 … *Tyler Schill [Cinnaminson], 2021 Group 2 Sectionals
16:29.29 … Justin Penny [Lenape], 2021 Olympic Conference
16:29.49 … Leo Vyvyan [Cherokee], 2025 Olympic Conference
16:29.74 … Elliot Post [Mainland Reg.], 2021 Group 4 Sectionals
16:29.89 … Dan White [Robbinsville], 2018 South Jersey Shootout

Payton Falkenstein, an East Stroudsburg junior from Burlington Township, placed 4^th Saturday in the PSAC Championships in Edinboro and led the Warriors to their first team title ever.

That’s the best finish by an East Stroudsburg woman in 11 years, since Allison Decker ran 2^nd in the 2014 meet at Mansfield.

It was Falkenstein’s 7^th top-5 finish in a PSAC championship race indoors, outdoors or in cross country.

Falkenstein ran 22:41 over 6,000 meters at the Doug Watts course at Pennsylvania Western University in Edinboro. She finished just 24 seconds behind winner Emily Bowers from Gannon University in Erie.

Falkenstein placed 6^th in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference XC race last year in Kutztown. She was also 2^nd in the 5,000 at the 2024 Outdoor Championships at Lehigh, 1^st in the 2025 Indoor Championships at Lehigh’s Rauch Fieldhouse in the 5,000, 3^rd in the 3,000 and 5^th in the mile, 2^nd in the 10,000 and 4^th in the 5,000 last spring at Slippery Rock.

East Stroudsburg won its 1^st team title in the meet’s 45-year history on a 6^th-runner tiebreaker after East Stroudsburg and Edinboro both finished with 77 points. East Stroudsburg’s 6^th runner finished 33^rd overall and Edinboro’s was 62^nd.

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.

Holy Cross senior Julia Flanagan ran a big all-course 5,000 PR and Maple Shade won the team title Wednesday at the BCSL Freedom Division Championships in Palmyra.

Flanagan ran 17:37 at Palmyra Cove Park, lowering her all-course best over any 5K course from 17:53 from the Battle of Ocean County Park in Lakewood in September. Flanagan won last year’s race on the same course in 18:57.

Flanagan has won titles this fall at the Battle of Ocean County Park, Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational, Burlington County Open and BCSL Freedom Division meet.

Flanagan won by about 500 meters over junior Juliana Catalani of Maple Shade, who placed 2^nd in 19:28. She in turn finished about 500 meters ahead of 3^rd-place Johana Perez, her freshman teammate. Perez ran 21:42 for 3^rd place.

Maple Shade went 2-3-4-5-8 but scored a perfect 15 as the only school in the division to field a full team. After Catalani and Perez, junior Alyssa Arencibia took 4^th in 21:44, freshman Magaly Benito was 5^th in 22:25 and junior Yaide Robles was 8^th in 23:36. Sixth runner Valeria Bueno-Sosa also ran 23:36 for 9^th.

Also in the top 10 were Riverside junior Jully Arrabal [6^th in 22:42], Holy Cross sophomore Alexis Buonanno [7^th in 23:17] and Moorestown Friends sophomore E’lon Rodwel-Simon [10^th in 24:18].

Cherokee’s Jack Tindall won his 2^nd straight Olympic Conference title and ran the fastest time ever at DREAM Park by a sophomore Wednesday in Logan Township.

Tindall led five Cherokee scorers in the top 10 as the Chiefs won their 5^th straight conference title and 9^th in the last 10 years.

Cherokee outscored 2^nd-place Cherry Hill East 25-59, with Paul VI 3^rd with 83 points. This is the 4^th straight year and 7^th time in the last 10 years Cherokee and Cherry Hill East have finished 1-2. Cherry Hill East and Cherokee went 1-2 in 2015 and 2020 and Cherokee and Washington Township finished 1-2 in 2021.

Tindall is the first repeat winner since Cherokee’s Ethan Wechsler won in 2018 and 2019. He ran the 7^th-fastest time in course history and broke the sophomore record of 15:28 set in 2021 by Woodbury’s Peyton Shute at 2021 South Jersey Group 1 Sectionals.

Also in the top 10 for the Chiefs were juniors Ben Realley [3^rd in 15:51], Maximo Harada [5^th in 15:57], Sean Sooy [6^th in 16:01] and Gavin Danielewicz [10^th in 16:15].

Cherokee’s five scorers averaged 15:53.62 per runner, 5^th-fastest in course history behind last year’s Cherokee team at this meet [15:44.60], Cherokee at 2022 Group 4 Sectionals [15:48.06], Haddonfield at 2021 Group 2 Sectionals [15:52.43] and Haddonfield at 2022 Group 2 Sectionals.

Cherokee’s 6^th and 7^th runners both ran sub-16:30, senior Dominic Pileri 12^th in 16:24 and junior Leo Vyvyan 13^th in 16:29.

Cherry Hill East was led by senior Cian Sherlock and senior Alvin Lin, who both ran sub-16 at DREAM Park. Sherlock placed 2^nd in 15:31 and Lin 4^th in 15:54. Sherlock’s time is fastest ever by a Cherry Hill East runner at DREAM Park. Brandon Lyons ran 15:47 last year at the Olympic Conference meet.

Also in the top 10: Winslow Vincent Perri [7^th in 16:05], Eastern Timothy Shack [8^th in 16:10] and Cherry Hill West Rex Takakjy.

Others who ran sub-17: Paul VI juniors Max Long [11^th, 16:22] and Jason Smith [14^th, 16:33], Cherry Hill East freshman Braeden Sherlock [15^th, 16:34], Paul VI junior Chris Monaghan [16^th, 16:34], Cherokee Hamza Salahuddin [17^th, 16:35], Rancocas Valley senior Teddy Jones [18^th, 16:36], Cherry Hill East freshman Conan Poerner [19^th, 16:41], Paul VI junior Chase Cooley [20^th, 16:45], Cherry Hill East junior Aneesh Rajagopal [21^st, 16;46], Cherry Hill East senior Milo Poerner [22^nd, 16:48], Moorestown junior Ethan Taylor [23^rd, 16:50], Paul VI junior Caden Briggs [24^th, 16:54], Lenape sophomore Jayden Carn [25^th, 16:54], Lenape junior Aaron Smith [26^th, 16:54] and Seneca senior Dominic Lera [27^th, 16:59]

15:20.92       920.92
15:51.52       951.52
15:57.80       957.80
16:01.80       961.80
16:15.56       975.56           15:53.62
15:53.62

2024   Tindall 15:32           Cherokee 17, Cherry Hill East 47

2023   Kuenkle 15:50         Cherokee 24, Cherry Hill East 54
2022   Ditmars 15:40          Cherokee 42, Cherry Hill East 72
2021   Clewell 15:46          Cherokee 33, Washington Twp. 70
2020   Groff                          CHE 42, Cherokee 45
2019   Wechsler                   Cherokee 21, Cherry Hill East 38
2018   Wechsler                   Cherokee 20, Cherry Hill East 62
2017   Justin Kelly               Cherokee 18, Lenape 56
2016   Jack Shea                   Cherokee 22, Cherry Hill East 48
2015   Groff                          CHE 34, Cherokee 35 [American]

1000 seconds = 5000 meters
1 second = 5 meters
0.1 second = 0.5 meters
0.01 second = 0.05 meters
0.05 seconds – 0.25 meters

Maple Shade senior Michael Smith edged Moorestown Friends junior Arjun Khandhar by 5-100ths of a second to win the BCSL Freedom Division race Wednesday at Palmyra Cove Park.

But Khandhar led Moorestown Friends to a three-point team title over Maple Shade in its 3rd year in the BCSL.

Smith ran 17:46.80 and Khandhar 17:46.85, and the margin of victory was about 9 ½ inches.

That time is an all-course 5,000 PR for Smith, whose previous 5K best was 17:52 at the South Jersey Open at DREAM Park in Logan Township. Khandhar also ran a big all-course PR, dropping his best time on any 5K course from 18:34 from a meet last November at DREAM Park.

Moorestown Friends had three in the top 10, with seniors Jason Youssef and Zev Smith joining Khandhar. Youssef placed 6th in 18:48 and Smith ran 19:22 for 10th. Junior Aaron Linden [13th, 19:43] and junior Zicong Chen [17th, 19:47] rounded out Friends’ scoring group. Sophomores Nolan Youssef [26th, 20:34] and Stefan Grimmelikhuijsen [29th, 20:37] also ran for the Foxes.

Also in the top 10 were Maple Shade senior Ries Fox [3rd, 18:00], Palmyra junior John Hammond [4th, 18:27], Doane Academy junior Marlon Addison [5th, 18:42], Riverside junior Ronald McMahon [7th, 19:01], Pemberton senior Jeremy Allen [8th, 19:03] and Maple Shade sophomore Steve Guinansaca [9th, 19:04].

Grace Gutowski, Giovanna Mantuano and Macy Huber all placed in the top five and Paul VI rolled to its first Olympic Conference title since 2020 Wednesday in Logan Township.

Cherry Hill East Addison Weiss was the overall winner, covering 5,000 meters at DREAM Park in a course-record 17:46, but Gutowski was 2nd in 18:27, Mantuano 3rd in 18:34 and Huber 5th in 18:44 as PVI – ranked 9th in New Jersey – scored just 31 points in defeating two other top-10 teams, Cherry Hill East [46 points] and Cherokee [61].

Weiss, who ran 17:53 at DREAM Park earlier this month at the South Jersey Open, No. 2 in course history, broke the course record of 17:52 set at the 2018 South Jersey Shootout by Shawnee’s Isabella Turner.

Weiss, a 1st-year XC runner, has placed in the top three in every invitational she’s competed in this fall – 3rd at the Battle of Ocean Park and Shore Coaches and 1st in the South Jersey Open and Olympic Conference. She’s undefeated against South Jersey runners this year.

As for Paul VI, Isabella Suarez made it four in the top 10 for the Eagles, running 19:11 for 8th place. Peyton Blake [13th in 19:28] and Morgan Kuzma [15th in 19:33] gave Paul VI six runners in the top 15.

Paul VI averaged 18:52 for its five scorers, 3rd-fastest in course history and fastest prior to sectionals. Haddonfield averaged 18:19 at 2022 South Jersey Group 2 sectionals and 18:51 at 2021 sectionals.

Senior Ashley Doyle became Delran’s first individual winner in 12 years, and sophomore Kamiyah Vergo led Northern Burlington to the team title Wednesday at the BCSL Liberty Division meet at Palmyra Cove Park.

Doyle ran 19:16, becoming Delran’s first winner since Maddie Tattory won the Freedom Division race in 2013 at New Egypt.

Doyle won by 165 meters over Pennsauken sophomore Hope Edwards, who ran 19:55 for 2nd place.

Northern Burlington won its 5th straight title but first since All-America Liliah Gordon graduated. Vergo placed 3rd in 20:30, with three freshman teammates in the top 10. Abigail Leonhardt took 6th in 20:40, Willow McCadden was 8th in 21:30 and Adeline Floyd was 9th in 21:35. They were the top three freshmen in the race.

Junior Abigail Matalie, Northern’s 5th scorer, placed 12th in 21:56. Another freshman, Kelly Coughlin, was 17th in 23:27, and Northern’s 7th runner was sophomore Kiera Dyson in 20th in 23:49.

Northern finished with a 33-45 margin of victory over 2nd-place Pennsauken. Bordentown was 3rd with 73.

Others in the top 10 were Bordentown senior Katherine Kovac in 4th place in 20:38, Pennsauken sophomore Rai’ana Rucker in 5th place in 20:39, Pennsauken junior Natalia Sanchez in 7th place in 21:08 and Bordentown senior Hailey Benedict in 10th place in 21:39.

Five days after winning the Burlington County Open, Cinnaminson senior Jacob Wickersham won the BCSL Liberty Division race, leading five Cinnaminson runners in the top six.

Cinnaminson won its 2nd consecutive division title, outscoring Northern Burlington 18-59, with Medford Tech 3rd with 90 and Bordentown 4th with 95.

That’s the lowest winning score in meet history. Tbe previous low came in 2005, when Moorestown – led by a Ben Leonberg, Eric Holaday, Daniel Reinhart 1-2-3 sweep – won 19-51 over Northern Burlington.

Wickersham ran 16:09 at Palmyra Cove Park, finishing just ahead of junior teammate Edward Abu-Abas, 2nd in 16:10. Northern Burlington senior Jimmy Cataline broke up the Cinnaminson sweep in 3rd place in 16:13, followed by Pirate juniors Ryan Scaricaciottolo 4th in 16:26, Owen Castanheira 5th in 16:40 and Alexander Lonardo 6th in 16:55.

Cinnaminson packed its five scorers in 46 seconds and averaged 16:28 per scorer.

Also in the top 10 were Northern sophomore Trevor Johnston [7th, 16:57], Medford Tech junior Chris Davis [8th, 17:00], Bordentown sophomore Peter Tober [9th, 17:03] and Cinnaminson sophomore Lucas Fried [10th, 17:09].

Others who finished in under 18 minutes: Northern junior Kael Schilling [11th, 17:18], Medford Tech senior Marcos Paulino [12th, 17:20], Cinnaminson freshman Luke Feeley [13th, 17:20], Bordentown junior Nathan Krinsley [14th, 17:20] and Northern Burlington senior Keegan Fitzpatrick [15th, 17:55].