From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Timber Creek girls win Group 3 the hard way: Without a first in any event!!!

January 18, 2016January 19, 2016sjtcawebLeave a comment

It’s hard enough to score 40 points in the state relays. It’s even harder to do it without finishing first in a single event.

But that’s what the Timber Creek girls did in winning the state Group 3 track and field championship at the Toms River Bubble this weekend.

Timber Creek needed every one of those points to record a 40-39 win over Seneca for the team title:

DMR – 4th, 4 points, 12:55.82
SHR – 2nd, 8 points, 33.02
4×2 – 2nd, 8 points, 1:48.84
4×4 – 3rd, 6 points, 4:06.10
4×8 – Did Not Score
SMR – Did Not Score
HJ Relay – 2nd, 8 points, 9-10
PV Relay – Did Not Score
SP Relay – 3rd, 6 points, 68-06 3/4

The championship was the first ever at the state relays for Timber Creek.

Junior Ziana Smalls was a workhorse for Timber Creek, contributing legs to four scoring teams — the 4-by-200, 4-by-400, distance medley and shuttle hurdles. So she had a hand in 26 of Timber Creek’s 40 points.

Juniors Janiyah Davis-Hines and Sarina Jones each contributed to three scoring teams — the 4-by-200, 4-by-400 and shuttle hurdles for Davis-Hines and 4-by-200, 4-by-400 and 800 leg on the distance medley for Jones.

Another junior, Cheyenne Beattie, ran on the two sprint relays.

Senior Christine Lavallias and junior Jarline Gonzalez, Jarline ran with Smalls and Davis-Hines on the shuttle hurdles team, and juniors Alexa Clark and Alyssa Condell ran the two long legs on the DMR, Clark leading off and Condell anchoring.

Junior Kai Starns led the field event contingent with a 5-2 clearance in the high jump, teaming up with sop Azhane Johnson [4-8] for eight big points. And senior Gabriel David-Davis threw the shot 37-10, teaming with sop Tyiana Hooke [30-8 1/2] for six points.

This was a true team effort from Timber Creek.

Rancocas Valley’s Kemp, now a N.C. State, races to U.S. #2 in the 5,000!!!!!!!!!!

January 16, 2016January 16, 2016sjtcawebLeave a comment

rsz_kemp_fpp_indoor_track Erika Kemp just keeps getting faster and faster, and the Rancocas Valley graduate, now a North Carolina State junior, is now not only the the fastest collegian at 5,000 meters, she’s No. 2 in the world.

Kemp ran a blistering 15:45.46 for 5,000 meters at the Boston University Invitational, finishing second to Courtney Frerichs, who attends New Mexico but was running unattached.

Frerichs and Kemp now rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, and, in fact, every time on the IAAF world list so far is from that race in Boston.

Kemp’s previous PR for an indoor 5,000 was 16:17.06, which she ran this past February at the ACC indoor championships. Her previous overall PR was 15:57 84 from the Raleigh Relays last spring.

Kemp’s time is actually fourth-fastest indoors or outdoors in N.C. State history and fastest in 14 years, behind only Betty Springs [15:33 in 1983], Kristin Price [15:35 in 2002] and Julie Shea [15:41 in 1980].

The previous N.C. State indoor 5,000 record was 15:55.26 set on 1991 by NCAA champ Laurie Gomez, who is now Laurie Henes and is Kemp’s coach

There is no official all-time college indoor list anywhere, but I compiled one from various sources, and it looks like Kemp’s time is No. 28 in indoor college history and No. 18 in U.S. collegiate history, although some of the runners listed as Americans may not be.

Most importantly, Kemp’s time as you can see is the earliest time of 15:45 ever run by a college distance runner. By one day.

15:12.22 … Emily Sisson [Providence], Feb. 28, 2015, New York
15:14.18 … Kim Smith [Providence/New Zealand], March 12, 2004, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:17.28 … Sonia O’Sullivan [Villanova/Ireland], Jan. 26, 1991, Boston
15:20.57 … Sarah DiSanza [Wisconsin], Dec. 6, 2014, Boston
15:27.42 … Sally Kipyego [Texas Tech/Kenya], March 9, 2007, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:28.11 … Abbey D’Agostino [Dartmouth], March 8, 2013, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:31.62 … Liv Westphal [Boston College/France], Dec. 6, 2014, Boston
15:33.66 … Betsy Saina [Iowa State/Kenya], March 8, 2013, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:34.5h … Margaret Groos [Virginia], Feb. 20, Blacksburg, Va.
15:37.02 … Kathy Butler [Wisconsin], Feb. 8, 1997, Indianapolis
15:37.97 … Arianna Lambie [Stanford], March 9, 2007, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:38.00 … Aliphine Tuliamuk [Wichita State/Kenya], March 8, 2013 Fayetteville, Ark.
15:39.25 … Sarah Gorton [Colorado], March 14, 2003, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:39.43 … Mary Cullen [Providence/Ireland], Jan. 27, 2006, Boston
15:39.65 … Lisa Koll [Iowa State], March 12, 2010, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:39.75 … Amy Skieresz [Arizona State], March 7, 1997, Indianapolis
15:40.30 … Jordan Hasay [Oregon], March 8, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:40.45 … Rachel Johnson [Baylor], Dec. 13, 2014, College Station, Texas
15:40.74 … Deborah Maier [Cal], March 9, 2012, Nampa, Idaho
15:40.88 … Kate O’Neill [Yale], March 14, 2003, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:41.00 … Sarah Collins [Providence/Switzerland], Dec. 7, 2013, Boston
15:41.12 … Jen Rhines [Villanova], March 10, 1995, Indianapolis
15:42.27 … Katie Matthews [Boston University], March 8, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:42.60 … Laura Nagel [Providence/New Zealand], Dec. 7, 2013, Boston
15:42.71 … Marie McMahon [Providence/Ireland], March 8, 1996, Indianapolis
15:42.81 … Lindsey Scherf [Harvard], Dec. 3, 2005, Cambridge, Mass.
15:43.04 … Alicia Craig [Stanford], March 15, 2003, Fayetteville, Ark.
15:45.46 … Erika Kemp [North Carolina State], Dec. 5, 2015

The fastest 5,000 meters on record by a South Jersey native is Marielle Hall’s remarkable 15:06.45 last June for second place at USATF nationals. But Hall doesn’t have a fast indoor 5,000 on her resume, and it appears Kemp’s 15:45 is the fastest on record by a South Jersey alum indoors.

Kingsway girls record fast double as state relays kick into gear

January 16, 2016January 16, 2016sjtcawebLeave a comment

It was a near-record day for Kingsway in two relays on Friday, with both the Dragons’ 3,200-meter relay team and distance medley both just missing school records and earning U.S. rankings at the state Group 4 relay championships at the Bubble in Toms River.

Kingsway finished a close second to Southern Regional of Manahawkin in both distance relays, with the 4-by-8 running 9:44.52 and the DMR going 12:30.48.

Junior Destiny Stanford led off both teams. Junior McKenzie Nugent, sophomore Kyle Anicic and freshman Lauren Krott also running on the 3,200-meter relay, and junior Haley Rivell, sophomore Alexis Malarkey and junior Rachel Vick finishing off the DMR.

That’s a fast double this early. In fact, Southern and Kingsway now rank 1-2 in both events in New Jersey this year. Southern won the two races in 9:42.75 and 12:29.19.

As of Saturday morning, Kingsway ranked No. 9 nationally this year in the 4-by-8 and No. 22 in the distance medley according to Milesplit’s national rankings.

Kingsway just missed indoor school records in both relays. Kingsway ran 9:43.61 and 12:29.90 in 2010 with Chelsea Ley anchoring both teams.

With eight points in the two races, Kingsway finished fifth in team scoring, behind Souh Brunswick [40], Southern [37], Lenape [22] and Piscataway [20].

According to the Milesplit U.S. rankings, only four schools in the entire country have run faster than Kingsway in both the 4-by-8 and the distance medley.

Here are the four: La Salle of Providence, R.I. [9:32.41, 12:11.68], Ursuline School of New Rochelle, N.Y. [9:35.52, 12:19.99] ,Lincoln-Sudbury of Sudbury, Mass. [9:40.53, 12:16.16]
and Southern Regional [9:42.75. 12:29.19].

Hopefully, Kingsway will mix it up with all of them at Easterns!

Rancocas Valley blasts #9 U.S. Sprint Medley!!!!!!

January 9, 2016sjtcawebLeave a comment

This is a nice way to start out the new year.

Rancocas Valley, unchallenged, ran the fourth-fastest sprint medley in the U.S. at the SJTCA Large-School meet at the Toms River Bubble, with Robert Hawkins, Tyler Pohl, Samuel Keleekai and Isaiah Curbello clocking 3:39.54.

That time is No. 9 in the U.S. this year, which is amazing considering it was accomplished on a flat track with nobody pushing the Red Devils.

The only faster time by a New Jersey school this year is Union Catholic’s 3:38.81 at the Marine Corps Holiday Classic just after Christmas on the banked track at the Armory in New York.

Hawkins led off with a 52.9 split for 400 meters, and Pohl and Keleekai ran 23.8 and 23.9 for their 200-meter laps, setting up a 1:58.9 anchor from Curbelo, the state indoor Group 4 champ at 800 meters last year.

R.V. won by 65 meters over Kingsway.

School indoor record for Rancocas Valley is a 3:35.86 at the Armory last January at the New Balance Games.

RV’s Pierce makes eye-opening college debut for Villanova!!!!!!!!

December 20, 2015sjtcawebLeave a comment

Sterling Pierce, the indoor and outdoor Meet of Champions winner at 200 meters, had one heck of a college debut as a Villanova freshman.

Pierce, a spring graduate of Rancocas Valley, ran his first collegiate race at the Jack Pyrah Invitational at Haverford College and beat a a field of 36 sprinters to win the 60-meter dash.

Full results are here.

Pierce’s time of 6.99 ranks No. 5 in Villanova history and fastest in eight years, since Kevin Okolie ran 6.82 in 2008.

Here is the updated all-time Villanova top-10 in the 60:

Salaam Gariba – 6.65 (Feb. 7, 1992)
Kevin Okolie – 6.82 (Feb. 23, 2008)
Carlos Bedoya – 6.91 (Jan. 30, 2004)
Aaron Smith – 6.98 (Feb. 22, 2003)
Clarence Curry – 6.99 (Feb. 16, 2002)
Sterling Pierce – 6.99 (Dec. 12, 2015)
Antoine Johnson – 7.01 (Feb. 5, 2000)
Dashan Sanders – 7.01 (Feb. 19, 2008)
Austin Casey – 7.02 (Feb. 23, 2008)
Bryan Murphy – 7.03 (Feb. 22, , 2014)

Pierce also anchored Villanova’s 1,600-mer team, which ran 3:24.68 and placed second. Colin Winslow of Sayreville was also on that team.

A month in the season, Pierce ranks second in the Big East in the 60 behind Marquette junior Brandon Bell, who ran 6.93 at the Blue and Gold Invitational at Notre Dame.

The Wildcats are off until Jan. 8, when they host the Nova Open at the 200-meter hydraulically banked Mondo track at the new Ocean Breeze Track Complex on Staten Island.

Shea caps huge season with top-10 finish at Nike Regionals!!!

December 5, 2015sjtcawebLeave a comment

Jack Shea started the year as Cherokee’s No. 2 runner, but he finished it as one of the state’s best.

Shea, a Cherokee junior, followed his fourth place at sectionals, fourth at states and sixth at the Meet of Champions with an eighth-place finish at the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regional Saturday at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, N.Y.

That made Shea an alternate for the Nike Cross Nationals on Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

Shea ran 16:05, finishing just 19 seconds behind winner Blaise Ferro of CBA and only 3.1 seconds behind the final individual qualifier for nationals, Kent Hall of Unionville, Pa.

Here’s the updated all-time New Jersey list at Bowdoin Park:

15:35 … James Rosa [West Windsor-Plainsboro North], 2010
15:41 … Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield], 2009
15:45 … Blaise Ferro [CBA], 2015
15:47 … Tom O”Neill [Middletown North], 2013
15:48 … Edward Cheserek [St. Benedict’s], 2010
15:49 … Mik McClemens [CBA], 2013
15:51 … Tim Bason [West Windsor-Plainsboro South], 2015
15:52 … Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill West], 2015
16:05 … Nick Pulimood [West Windsor-Plainsboro South], 2014
15:56 … Joe Rosa [West Windsor-Plainsboro North], 2008
15:57 … Jack Boyle [CBA], 2012
16:00 … Dylan Tarpey [Freehold Twp.], 2013
16:03 … William Bragg [CBA], 2012
16:03 … Mike Mazzaccaro [CBA}, 2010
16:05 … Jack Shea [Cherokee], 2015
16:05 … Nick Pulimood [West Windsor-Plainsboro South], 2014
16:06 … Sean Pohorence [Morris Hills], 2008

Cherokee had a very good day overall, packing three in the top 60 in the team scoring race and finishing 10th in the entire region. The Northeast Region encompasses New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire,.

Cherokee’s top four runners are all back next year — Shea, junior Nick Falk [38th in 16:48], sophomore Justin Kelly [65th in 17:08] and Brandon Marks [97th in 17:20].

Cherry Hill East’s Aaron Groff did advance to Eugene, and we’ll write more about him after the race, but we wanted to take a moment to write about Shea, since he’s quietly had a breakthrough season for the Chiefs.

Let’s focus on Shea’s Meet of Champions race.

Shea actually ran the 16th-fastest time ever by a South Jersey runner at Holmdel County Park and made Cherokee the only South Jersey school with four runners under 15:50 ever at Holmdel and only the second school from New Jersey.

Here’s the updated all-time South Jersey list at Holmdel:

5:16 … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 1988
15:33 … Josh Clark [Highland], 2015
15:35 … Louis Corgliano [Hammonton], 2013
15:37 … Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2015
15:38 … Gregory Hughes [Mainland], 2003
15:39 … Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2014
15:40 … Shawn Wilson [Cherokee], 2012
15:40 … Brett Johnson [Ocean City], 2008
15:40 … Steve Maine [Highland], 2013
15:41 … Jon Vitez [Haddonfield], 2009
15:42 … Ben Potts [Haddonfield], 2010
15:42 … Shawn Hutchison [Bishop Eustace], 2014
15:43 … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 2001
15:43 … Miles Schoedler [Ocean City], 2010
15:45 … Keith Krieger [Cherokee], 2002
15:46 … Jack Shea [Cherokee], 2015
15:47 … Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton], 1988
15:48 … Chris Platt [Haddonfield], 2001
15:50 … Mike Myers [Eastern Reg.], 2000
15:50 … Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson], 2003
15:51 … Murad Campbell [Overbrook], 1998
15:54 … Mike Mantini [Gateway], 1978
15:54 … Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 2010
15:54 … Skip Stiles [Haddonfield], 2001
15:54 … Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2014
15:55 … Dominick Munson [Timber Creek], 2014
15:55 … Breton Bonnett [Haddonfield], 2001
15:56 … Kyle Kirk [Camden Catholic], 2012
15:56 … David Forward [Shawnee], 2008
15:57 … Nate Miller [Highland Reg.], 1998
15:57 … Connor Herr [Shawnee], 2010
15:59 … Anthony Dentino [Washington Twp.], 2010
15:59 … Robert Edwards [Bridgeton], 2002

Josh Clark makes history … for himself AND for Highland!!!!!!!!!

December 1, 2015December 1, 2015sjtcawebLeave a comment

Highland junior Josh Clark made history for himself and for his school Saturday when he blazed the challenging Van Cortlandt Park 5,000-meter course in an eye-opening 15:28.4 and placing fourth in the 39th annual Foot Locker Northeast Regionals.

We’ll have a bunch of lists farther down, but let’s take a look at what a monumental accomplishment this was for Clark:

–> By placing among the top 10, he advanced to the Foot Locker National Championships, scheduled for Dec. 12 at Balboa Park in San Diego.

–> Clark ran the fourth-fastest time ever by a South Jersey runner at Vanny and the fastest in 18 years, since Overbrook’s Murad Campbell ran 15:27.7 in the 1997 race.

–> That time is also 12th-fastest ever at Van Cortlandt by a New Jersey runner and 58th-fastest in course history.

–> Clark finished just 4 1/2 seconds behind overall regional winner Noah Affolder of Fort Drum, N.Y., who won in 15:23.9. It’s also only 11 seconds off the legendary South Jersey Vanny-record 15:17.6 run by Jason DiJoseph 27 years ago, a time once thought untouchable.

— He also joined Jerry Andrews in 1979, Kevin Pumphrey in 1985 and Nate Miller in 1998 as Foot Locker national qualifiers from Highland. To put that in context, every other South Jersey school combined has sent a total of nine boys to Foot Locker nationals.

–> In fact, only two other South Jersey schools have had more than one qualifier. Paul VI has had two, Jason DiJoseph and Ron Faith, both in the 1980s, and Cherokee has had two, Marc Pelerin and Shawn Wilson, both in the last 15 years.

–> The only New Jersey school other than Highland with more than two Foot Locker finaliss is North Hunterdon, which has had five — Brad Hudson, Andy Martin and Bill Babcock — who were all teammates in the mid-1980s on the greatest team ever assembled in NJ XC history — and more recently Brendan and Heffernan and Mat McDonald.

–> And Clark gave South Jersey a national qualifier for an unprecedented fourth straight year. Cherokee’s Shawn Wilson, Hammonton’s Lou Corgliano and Haddon Township’s Luke Petela also placed the last three years.

OK, it’s time for some charts and lists.

First, here’s a look at every Foot Locker qualifier from South Jersey and his performance at Northeast Regionals:

1979
N/A, Jim Smith, Haddonfield, N/A,
N/A, Jerry Andrews, Highland, N/A,
1985
2^nd, Kevin Pumphrey, Highland Regional, 15:25. 6
6^th, Ron Faith, Paul VI, (San Diego), 15:46
1986
6^th, Jason DiJoseph, 10, Paul VI, 15:55
1987
4^th, Jason DiJoseph, 11, Paul VI, 15:47
8^th, Eric Lorenz, 12, Holy Cross, 15:50
1988
1^st, Jason DiJoseph, 12, Paul VI, 15:17.6
1997
2^nd, Murad Campbell, 11, Overbrook, 15:27
1998
5^th, Nate Miller, 12, Highland Regional, 15:49
2001
6^th, Marc Pelerin, 12, Cherokee , 15:40.1
2003
7^th, Jonathan Anderson, 12, Cinnaminson, 15:30.4
2008
8^th, Brett Johnson, 12, Ocean City, 15:50.1
2012
3^rd, Shawn Wilson, 12, Cherokee, 15:42.5
2013
9^th, Lou Corgliano, 12, Hammonton, 15:40.7
2014
2^nd, Luke Petela, 12, Haddon Twp., 15:33.4
2015
4^th, Josh Clark, 11, Highland, 15:28.4

Now let’s take a look at the all-time New Jersey list at Van Cortlandt, with South Jersey athletes in bold-face:

15:15.5 … Craig Forys [Colts Neck], 2006
15:17.6 … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 1988
15:18.0 … Brad Hudon [North Hunterdon], 1983
15:19.8 … Cliff Sheehan [Westfield], 1980
15:20.5 … Edward Cheserek [St. Benedict’s], 2011
15:24.8 … Tom Fischer [Manalapan], 1981
15:24.9 … John Carloti [Bernards], 1982
15:25.6 … Kevin Pumphrey [Highland], 1985
15:25.8 … Brian Leung [West Windsor], 2007
15:26.9 … Mike Mykytok [Bound Brook], 1988
15:27.7 … Murad Campbell [Overbrook], 1997
15:28.4 … Josh Clark [Highland], 2015
15:29.1 … Liam Mullet [Pingry Prep], 2014
15:29.9 … Brandon Jarrett [Hillsborough], 2006
15:30.3 … Andy Martin [North Hunterdon], 1984
15:30.4 … Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson], 2003
15:31.0 … John Coyle [CBA], 1988
15:31.4 … Joe Dragon [High Point], 2015
15:33.0 … Bill Babcock [North Hunterdon], 1984
15:33.5 … Matt Grossman [Millburn], 2015
15:33.4 … Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2014
15:35.1 … Mohamed Khadraoui [JFK-Paterson], 2003
15:36.0 … Andrew Brodeur [Brick], 2007
15:36.6 … Tyler Udland [Millburn], 2008
15:37.0 … Iah Hahn [Lakewood], 1997
15:37.0 … Jeffrey Perrella [Westfield], 2005
15:38.2 … Brendan Heffernan [North Hunterdon], 1991
15:39.0 … Scott Meehan [Sparta], 2013
15:40.1 … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 2001
15:40.7 … Loui Corgliano [Hammonton], 2013

Curious what schools have sent more than one runner to Foot Locker [or Kinney before it] nationals? Here’s the full list. Only seven schools have done that.

North Hunterdon [5]: Brad Hudson, Andy Martin, Bill Babcock, Brendan Heffernan, Matt McDonald
Highland [4]: Kevin Pumphrey, Nate Miller, Jerry Andrews, Josh Clark
Westfield [2]: Cliff Sheehan, Jeffrey Perrella
Hunterdon Central [2]: Jim Herdman, Jon Fasulo
Paul VI [2]: Ron Faith, Jason DiJoseph
Cherokee [2]: Marc Pelerin, Shawn Wilson
Millburn [2]: Tyler Udland, Blake Udland

Gess, Aldridge give S.J. two Foot Locker finalists for only the 3rd time!!!!

November 30, 2015sjtcawebLeave a comment

South Jersey just keeps getting better and better at Foot Locker, and rivals Briana Gess and Alyssa Aldridge this weekend gave South Jersey two Foot Locker national qualifiers for only the third time in history.

And they did it in record-setting fashion.

Since the inception of the Foot Locker series — then known as Kinney Nationals when the program began in 1978 — South Jersey has had 14 girls qualify for nationals. And only three times have two S.J. girls qualified the same year. But all three of those instances have been since 2009.

More than half of South Jersey’s qualifiers have been in the last seven years and all but two since 2003.

Gess, the Haddonfield junior who earned All-America status two years ago at Foot Locker nationals, placed fifth in 17:44.2, and Aldridge, who won the Meet of Champions last weekend, was a few seconds back, sixth in 17:47.8.

Those times are among the fastest ever by New Jersey runners at Van Cortland. Full list is below.

Complete results of the race are here.

Gess becomes only the third girl in South Jersey history to qualify for Foot Locker nationals twice. Brittany Sedberry of Ocean City made it in 2002 and 2003, and Kingsway’s Chelsea Ley qualified three times — 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The only other times two South Jersey girls have advanced to nationals are 2009, when Ley was third and Haddonfield’s Marielle Hall was fifth, and 2010, when Megan Lacy of Cherokee and Megan Venables of Highland ran third and fourth.

After South Jersey was blanked in 22 of the meet’s first 24 years, South Jersey has now had at least one qualifier nine of the last 13 years.

Here’s a list of every S.J. girl that’s qualified for Foot Locker nationals [top eight through 2009, top 10 since]:

1982
2^nd, Michelle Rowan, 12, Washington Township, 17:28.7

1998
2^nd, Erin Donohue 10, Haddonfield, 18:07.8

2003
2^nd, Brittany Sedberry 10 [Ocean City], 18:16.4

2004
10^th, Brittany Sedberry 11 [Ocean City], 18:33

2007
10^th, Chelsea Ley, 10 [Kingsway], 18:33.1

2008
5^th, Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 18:08.3

2009
3^rd, Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 18:33.1
5^th, Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 18:36.4

2010
3^rd, Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 18:08.0
4^th, Megan Venables [Highland], 18:11.0

2011
4^th Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 18:24.9

2013
5^th Briana Gess [Hadonfield], 17:43.2

2015
5^th Briana Gess [Hadonfield], 17:44.2
6^th Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg,.], 17:47.8
Gess ran slightly faster at Vanny as a freshman. She owns the No.
5 New Jersey time ever at Van Cortland with her 17:43.2 from 2013. Aldridge moves right into the No. 6 spot in state history. Gess and Aldridge are No. 2 and No. 3 ever by South Jersey girls at Van Cortland, behind only legendary Michelle Rowen, who ran 17:28.7 back in 1982.

Here’s a look at the all-time New Jersey list at Vanny, with South Jersey girls in boldface:

17:08.1 … Janet Smith [J.P. Stevens], 1983
17:28.7 … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
17:42.3 … Christi Constantin [Kittatinny Reg.], 1988
17:43.2 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2013
17:47.8 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Regional], 2015
17:52.0 … Ashley Higginson [Colts Neck], 2006
17:53.6 … Kate McCafferty [Voorhees], 2007
17:54.9 … Danielle Tauro [Southern Regional], 2005
17:55.4 … Jodie Bilotta [North Hunterdon], 1985
17:55.6 … Katie Trotter [Red Bank Regional], 2002
17:55.9 … Anne Marie Letko [North Hunterdon], 1985
18:00.4 … Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 2007
18:00.6 … Briana Jackucewicz [Colts Neck], 2005
18:02.8 … Theresa Gschwind [Summit], 1981
18:05.9 … Melanie Thompson [Voorhees], 2008

Highland’s Clark wins Meet of Champs with insane 15:33 — #2 Holmdel time in S.J. history!!!!!!!!!!!

November 21, 2015November 21, 2015sjtcawebLeave a comment

He was seeded 16th. Think about that for a moment.

Highland Regional senior Josh Clark went into Saturday’s Meet of Champions with a respectable but certainly not electrifying Holmdel PR of 16:11, set at last year’s Meet of Champions, when he placed 14th. His 16:16 at states last weekend made him the No. 16 seed today, appropriately.

Yet there he was Saturday, sprinting away from a loaded field on the final straightaway at the 44th annual Meet of Champions at Holmdel County Park with the fastest time by a South Jersey runner on the historic Holmdel course in 27 years.

Upset? Maybe. But Clark was undefeated this year and wasn’t challenged at sectionals or states, and he obviously had much more in the tank than he showed.

Clark, who also wrestles at Highland [who doesn’t?] and was a 9:14 two-miler in the spring, won Saturday in a blazing 15:33, No. 2 on the all-time South Jersey Holmdel list behind only legendary Jason DiJoseph of Paul VI, who ran 15:16 back in 1988.

And an astonishing 38-second PR at Holmdel.

Clark’s time is No. 16 in course history.

Here’s the updated all-time South Jersey list at Holmdel:

15:16 … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 1988
15:33 … Josh Clark [Highland], 2015
15:35 … Louis Corgliano [Hammonton], 2013
15:37 … Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2015
15:38 … Gregory Hughes [Mainland], 2003
15:39 … Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2014
15:40 … Shawn Wilson [Cherokee], 2012
15:40 … Brett Johnson [Ocean City], 2008
15:40 … Steve Maine [Highland], 2013
15:41 … Jon Vitez [Haddonfield], 2009
15:42 … Ben Potts [Haddonfield], 2010
15:42 … Shawn Hutchison [Bishop Eustace], 2014
15:43 … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 2001
15:43 … Miles Schoedler [Ocean City], 2010
15:45 … Keith Krieger [Cherokee], 2002
15:46 … Jack Shea [Cherokee], 2015
15:47 … Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton], 1988
15:48 … Chris Platt [Haddonfield], 2001
15:50 … Mike Myers [Eastern Reg.], 2000
15:50 … Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson], 2003
15:51 … Murad Campbell [Overbrook], 1998
15:54 … Mike Mantini [Gateway], 1978
15:54 … Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 2010
15:54 … Skip Stiles [Haddonfield], 2001
15:54 … Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2014
15:55 … Dominick Munson [Timber Creek], 2014
15:55 … Breton Bonnett [Haddonfield], 2001
15:56 … Kyle Kirk [Camden Catholic], 2012
15:56 … David Forward [Shawnee], 2008
15:57 … Nate Miller [Highland Reg.], 1998
15:57 … Connor Herr [Shawnee], 2010
15:59 … Anthony Dentino [Washington Twp.], 2010
15:59 … Robert Edwards [Bridgeton], 2002

Some notes on Clark’s remarkable performance:

–> Clark’s 15:33 makes Highland the only South Jersey school with two runners at 15:40 or faster at Holmdel. Steve Maine ran 15:40 when he was third at the 2013 Meet of Champions.

–> Highland is now only the second South Jersey school with two Meet of Champions winners in the boys race. Nate Miller won the 1998 race. Paul VI also had two winners — Ron Faith in 1985 and DiJoseph in 1987 and 1988

–> Highland is one of only five schools in all of New Jersey with two individual champs. North Hunterdon has had four, and West Windsor-Plainsboro North, CBA and Paul VI have also had two.

–> With Haddon Township’s Luke Petela winning last year, this marks the first time since 2000 and 2001 that South Jersey has produced consecutive individual Meet of Champs winners. Then, it was Eastern’s Mike Myers in 2000 and Cherokee’s Marc Pelerin in 2001.

–> South Jersey runners won six of the first 17 titles but had only won three of 25 before Petela and Clark the last two years.

–> Cherry Hill East senior Aaron Groff and Cherokee junior Jack Shea made it three South Jersey runners in the top six, Groff crossing in 15:39 and Shea in 15:46.

–> This is the first time in meet history three South Jersey boys have run 15:46 or faster.

IT’S ALDRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mainland soph gives S.J. 3rd straight M-of-C title

November 21, 2015November 21, 2015sjtcawebLeave a comment

step0001-1 Mainland soph Alyssa Aldridge, second to Ocean City’s Devin Grisbaum in last year’s XC Meet of Champs, out-ran Olympia Martin of Ridgewood and 2013 M-of-C winner Briana Gess of Haddonfield Saturday to win the 44th annual girls Meet of Champions at Holmdel County Park.

Aldridge won by about 100 meters.

Aldridge ran 18:21 last year, finishing two seconds behind Grisbaum, who graduated. Gess won the race two years ago in 17:44.

Aldridge, Gess and Martin ran together much of the way until Aldridge pulled away in the woods after the tennis courts in the final mile.

Martin and Gess both ran 18:25, with Martin edging Gess for second in a battle of juniors.

Complete girls results, courtesy of Jim Lambert, are here.

Here is a look at all the girls from South Jersey who have won the Meet of Champions since its inception in 1972.

As you can see, South Jersey girls won only two of the first 27 Meet of Champions individual titles but have now won 10 of the last 17, including six of the last seven.

1982 … Michelle Rowen, Washington Twp.
1994 … Jamie Weisgerber, Woodstown
1999 … Erin Donohue, Haddonfield
2000 … Erin Donohue, Haddonfield
2003 … Brittany Sedberry, Ocean City
2004 …  Brittany Sedberry, Ocean City
2009 …  Chelsea Ley, Kingsway
2010 …  Megan Venables, Highland Regional
2011 … Holly Bischof, Bishop Eustace
2013 …  Briana Gess, Haddonfield
2014 … Devin Grisbaum, Ocean City

Aldridge ran 18:05, which trims eight seconds off her Holmdel PR, set back in October at the Shore Coaches race. It’s No. 6 ever by a South Jersey girl at Holmdel and lowers her own Atlantic County record and also breaks the Cape Atlantic record of 18:12, set in 2004 by Brittany Sedberry.

17:28 Megan Venables [Highland Reg.], 2010
17:40 Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
17:44 Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 2008
17:45 Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2013
17:55 Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 2010
18:05 Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland],2015
18:09 Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 2010
18:12 Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 2004
18:17 Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009
18:19 Theresa Catunna [Cherry Hill East], 2006
18:20 Devin Grisbaum [Ocean City], 2014
18:22 Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], 2004
18:27 Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2000
18:38 Casey Doyle [Shawnee], 2007
18:40 Mindy Rowand [Sterling], 1984
18:40 Dina Iacone [Washington Twp.], 2011
18:41 Shelby Cain [Haddonfield], 2011
18:43 Amanda Goetschius [Delsea], 2005
18:44 Arianna McKinney [Highland], 2003
18:49 Mara Sschiffhauer [Seneca], 2013
18:50 Dawn Cody [Paul VI], 1982
18:50 Jamie Wisgerber [Woodstown], 1994
18:50 Meghan Malloy [Haddonfield], 2011
18:52 Lisa Burkholder [Cherokee], 2004
18:53 Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], 2005
18:57 Lori Watson [Cherry Hill East], 1983
18:58 Abbey Hartman [Ocean City], 1996
18:59 Wendy Westphal [Highland], 1982
18:59 Kara Bonner [Shawnee,], 2015
19:00 Katie Van Horn [Triton], 2004

More coming soon on today’s Meet of Champs!!

Complete boys results, also courtesy of Lambo, are here.