From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Rancocas Valley and Holy Cross placed 4th and 5th at the very first girls Meet of Champions, held at Holmdel County Park 52 years ago.

Red Bank Catholic [53], Franklin [128] and Hunterdon Cental [129] took the top three spots at the 1972 MoC, with R.V. 4th at 152 and Holy Cross 5th with 162 points. Haddon Township also raced as a team that day, placing 12th with 349 points.

R.V. was led by Cathy Young in 5th place with a 13:21 over two miles, teammate Cathy Christman was 7th in 13:37 and Patti Barnes took 22nd for the Red Devils.

Holy Cross had Sharon Fitzpatrick in 6th in 13:24, Millie Hunt 27th and then Cathy Devlin, Jean Jackson and Joanne McEntee 38th, 41th and 50th.

This year’s Meet of Champions on Saturday will feature three South Jersey teams – Cherokee, Paul VI and Ocean City.

This will be Cherokee’s 5th trip to MoC. Cherokee first qualified for the MoC in 2004, when the Chiefs placed 8th. They were 6th in 2010, then won it in 2021 and placed 9th last year.

Paul VI will be racing as a team at a Meet of Champions for the 17th time overall but first time since 2003, when they placed 12th. But PVI made 16 trips from 1982 through 2003 – 3rd in 1983, 8th in 1993, 3rd in 1984, 6th in 1985, 5th in 1986, 3rd in 1989, 2nd in 1990, 5th in 1991, 3rd in 1992, 5th in 1993, 7th in 1949, 8th in 1995, 7th in 1996, 12th in 1997, 13th in 2001 and 12th in 2003.

And Ocean City will be competing as a full team for the XXth time after placing 9th in 1986, 4th in 1987, 4th in 1988, 8th in 1990, 7th in 1993, 14th in 1994, 9th in 1995, 5th in 2003 and 14th in 2012.

Here’s a look at every South Jersey school that’s competed at Meet of Champions as a full team:

2023
5. Haddonfield 166
9. Cherokee 211

2022
2. Haddonfield 88
9. Clearview 209

2021
1. Cherokee 117
5. Haddonfield 179
10. Cherry Hill East 267

2020 [Holmdel Invitational exhibition]
1. Haddonfield 52
2. Cherokee 144

2019
4. Haddonfield 172
7. Kingsway 210
18. Schalick 464

2018
15. Shawnee 331

2017
2. Kingsway 126
5. Shawnee 190
14. Haddonfield 353

2016
3. Kingsway 132
4. Shawnee 179
9. Haddonfield 249

2015
7. Seneca 204
12. Haddonfield 310

2014
13. Haddonfield 356

2013
5. Haddonfield 164
7. Shawnee 176
10. Seneca 216
14. Pitman 352

2012
12. Seneca 254
14. Ocean City 328
16. Pitman 376

2011
14. Delsea 360
16. Moorestown 377

2010
6. Cherokee 220
12. Bishop Eustace 291
14. Haddonfield 307
17. Moorestown 324

2009
8. Delsea 222
11. Haddonfield 260
14. Seneca 309
20. Wildwood Catholic 500

2008
12. Haddonfield 314
15. Shawnee 358

2007
8. Haddonfield 221
10. Lenape 264
17. Haddon Township 460
18. Our Lady of Mercy 467

2006
7. Cherry Hill East 188
8. Lenape 190
10. Haddonfield 222
17. Wildwood Catholic 408

2005
6. Haddonfield 162
13. Moorestown 303
18. Bishop Eustace 588

2004
8. Cherokee 241

2003
1. Shawnee 119
5. Ocean City 178
12. Paul VI 309
16. Haddonfield 362
19. Gloucester City 439

2002
1. Shawnee 69
4. Moorestown 155
11. Paul VI 259
18. Bishop Eustace 477
20. Schalick 535

2001
1. Moorestown 88
3. Shawnee 142
13. Paul VI 330
19. Bishop Eustace 449
20. Schalick 564

2000
3. Moorestown 116
6. Shawnee 174
12. Bishop Eustace 300
19. Haddon Township 505
20. Gloucester City 540

1999
2. Moorestown 132
4. Shawnee 164
13. Woodrow Wilson 262

1998
4. Shawnee 164
7. Moorestown 211
16. Haddonfield 343

1997
1. Shawnee 99
12. Paul VI 264

1996
2. Shawnee 93
4. Bishop Eustace 138
7. Paul VI 208
11. Egg Harbor Township 245
16. Schalick 477

1995
2. Bishop Eustace 77
3. Shawnee 87
8. Paul VI 236
9. Ocean City 256
13. Haddonfield 333
17. Schalick 482
18. Maple Shade 517

1994
2. Bishop Eustace 77
5. Shawnee 108
7. Paul VI 208
13. Camden Catholic 341
14. Ocean City 363
15. Haddonfield 377

1993
4. Shawnee 125
5. Paul VI 157
7. Ocean City 210
9. Bishop Eustace 229
14. Haddonfield 350

1992
3. Paul VI 141
4. Bishop Eustace 142
6. Shawnee 159
11. Kingsway 267
14. Haddonfield 324

1991
1. Shawnee 99
5. Paul VI 138
8. Cinnaminson 195
11. Haddonfield 291

1990
2. Paul VI 136
5. Shawnee 165
8. Ocean City 189
9. Kingsway 194
10. Bishop Eustace 210
13. Haddonfield 361
16. Sacred Heart 382

1989
3. Paul VI 84
10. Kingsway 250
12. Bishop Eustace 261

1988
4. Ocean City 115
10. Bishop Eustace 232

1987
4. Ocean City 125
10. Kingsway 227
12. Bishop Eustace 269

1986
5. Paul VI 133
9. Ocean City 227

1985
6. Paul VI 192
11. Holy Cross 293
17. Gloucester Catholic 514

1984
3. Paul VI 107

1983
7. Shawnee 255
8. Paul VI 288
12. Holy Cross 324
22. Haddonfield 500

1982
3. Paul VI 169
14. Haddonfield 321

1981
None

1980
7. Holy Cross 170

1979
None

1978
None

1977
None

1976
None

1975
13. Rancocas Valley 399
17. Mainland Regional 420

1974
None

1973
4. Rancocas Valley 269
9. Gateway 349
16. Holy Cross 522

1972
4. Rancocas Valley 152
5. Holy Cross 162
12. Haddon Township 349

Northern Burlington’s Liliah Gordon on Saturday will try to become the 11th South Jersey girl to win a cross country Meet of Champions and only the 3rd to place in the top 10 four years in a row.

Gordon goes into noon race at Holmdel County Park as a close No. 2 seed after winning the state Group 3 title in 17:58 last weekend. The top seed – one second faster – is Union Catholic’s Paige Sheppard, who attended middle school in Hillsborough, Somerset County, 21 miles from Union Catholic, which is in Union County.

Gordon placed 8th as a freshman in 18:29, 7th in 2022 in 19:05 and 5th last year in 18:19. Her 17:58 puts her 8th in South Jersey history at Holmdel County Park and 2nd among Burlington County runners behind Cherokee’s Megan Lacy, who ran 17:55 at the 2010 state Group 4 meet.

Sheppard and Gordon were the only girls to run faster than 18:24 in the six state meets last weekend.

The only South Jersey girls to place in the top four straight years are Erin Donohue of Haddonfield, who was 10th in 1997 and 2nd in 1998 before winning in 1999 and 2000 and Mainland’s Alyssa Aldridge, who was 2nd in 2014, won in both 2015 and 2016 and placed 2nd again in 2017.

The last girl from Northern to place in the top 10 before Gordon was Colleen Sunderland, who was 6th in the 1994 race.

Mainland senior Sofia Day, Ocean City senior Maeve Smith, Cherokee senior Megan Niglio and Schalick senior Jordan Hadfield, who all placed in the top 25 last year, also return for the 2024 race.

After Gordon, South Jersey’s fastest qualifiers for Saturday are Haddonfield junior Riley Austin [19:07], Paul VI junior Macy Huber [19:16], Cherokee junior Madeline Meder [19:23], Hadfield [19:25], Cherokee’s Niglio [19:27], Ocean City senior Chloe Care [19:37], Paul VI sophomore Grace Gutowski [19:38], Sterling senior Jonalee Adames [19:41], Mainland’s Day [19:42], Eastern sophomore Theresa Albertson [19:52], Wildwood senior Macie McCracken [19:53], Ocean City freshman Riley Tolson [19:55], Williamstown junior Sophia Aldridge [19:59] and Cherry Hill East sophomore Ryleigh Budsock [19:59].

Here are the top 10 all-time South Jersey performers at Holmdel County Park followed by a look at every South Jersey girl that’s ever placed in the top 25 at a Meet of Champions.

17:27.83 … 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
17:55 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland], 2016
18:08 … Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 2010
17:58 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2024
18:12 … Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 2004
18:16 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009

2023
5. *Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 18:19
7. *Sofia Day [Mainland Reg.] 18:34
9. Maeve Smith [Ocean City] 18:42
10. Kerry O’Day [Cherokee] 18:44
11. Shaelan McNally [Paul VI] 18:51
22. *Megan Niglio [Cherokee] 19:17
25. *Jordan Hadfield [Schalick] 19:25

2022
7. **Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 19:05
11. **Sofia Day [Mainland Regional] 19:22
13. Abigail Waddington [Clearview] 19:24
15. *Michaela Schlemo [Egg Harbor Township] 19:26
16. Ava Thomas [Haddonfield] 19:27
17. Lillie Widmer [Delsea] 19:31
18. *Gillian Lovett [Mainland Regional] 19:31
21. *Riley Slootsky [Haddonfield] 19:40
25. ***Riley Austin [Haddonfield] 19:45

2021
8. ***Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 18:29
11. Nicole Clifford [Cherokee] 18:43
13. *Grace Wassell [Highland] 18:48
15. ***Sofia Day [Mainland Regional] 18:49
25. *Shaelan McNally [Paul VI] 19:06

2020
Not held

2019
6. Olivia Schaefer [Egg Harbor Twp.] 18:49
13. Kate Rathman [Cherokee] 19:02
15. Sarah Naticchia [Haddonfield] 19:03
25. *Payton Weiner [Haddonfield] 19:13

2018
13. Katy Storti [Bishop Eustace] 19:10
16. *Isabella Turner [Shawnee] 19:13
25. Sarah Pierce [Cherry Hill East] 19:27

2017
2. Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 18:18
13. Madison Coppolino [Sterling] 18:54
19. Alexis Mullarkey [Kingsway] 19:09
24. **Isabella Turner [Shawnee] 19:20

2016
1. *Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 17:55
2. Briana Gess [Haddonfield] 18:35
3. Rachel Vick [Kingsway] 18:41
8. Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek] 18:59
21. ***Grace Yoon [Cherry Hill East] 19:27
22. **Sarah Pierce [Cherry Hill East] 19:33

2015
1. **Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 18:07
3. *Briana Gess [Haddonfield] 18:25
15. **Alexis Mullarkey [Kingsway] 19:02
23. **Alexis Weber [Ocean City] 19:21

2014
1. Devin Grisbaum [Ocean City] 18:19
2. ***Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.] 18:21

2013
1. ***Briana Gess [Haddonfield] 17:44
12. Mara Schiffhauer [Seneca] 18:48
22. Julia DeSpirito [Shawnee] 19:02

2012
23. Meghan Malloy [Haddonfield] 19:04

2011
1. Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace] 18:12
7. Megan Lacy [Cherokee] 18:29
15. *Meghan Malloy [Haddonfield] 18:49
18. Shelby Cain [Haddonfield] 19:07
25. Paige Senatore [Delsea] 19:20

2010
1. Megan Venables [Highland] 17:45
2. *Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace] 18:08
4. *Megan Lacy [Cherokee] 18:12

2009
1. Chelsea Ley [Kingsway] 17:55
2. *Megan Venables [Highland] 18:00
3. Marielle Hall [Haddonfield] 18:16
7. **Megan Lacy [Cherokee] 18:47
12. Caitlin Orr [Lenape] 19:00
13. **Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace] 19:00
20. ***Natalia Ocasio [Lenape] 19:16

2008
2. *Chelsea Ley [Kingsway] 18:01
5. **Megan Venables [Highland] 18:38
13. Meghan McGlinchey [West Deptford] 19:02
14. *Caitlin Orr [Lenape] 19:02
17. Jenn Rawls [Highland] 19:13
21. Maria Ruiz [Williamstown] 19:16

2007
3. **Chelsea Ley [Kingsway] 18:07
6. ***Casey Doyle [Kingsway] 18:38
13. ***Megan Venables [Highland] 18:59
21. Jena Peacock [Our Lady of Mercy Academy] 19:10
23. *Missy Showers [Cherry Hill East] 19:17

2006
3. Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East] 18:18
11. Amanda Goetschius [Delsea] 18:51

2005
4. Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield] 18:23
9. *Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East] 18:46
12. Renee Tomlin [Ocean City] 18:52

2004
1. *Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City] 18:11
2. *Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield] 18:21
9. *Lisa Burkholder [Cherokee] 18:52
12. Katie Van Horn [Triton] 19:00

2003
1. **Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City] 18:42
2. *Arianna McKinney [Highland] 18:58
8. **Lisa Burkholder [Cherokee] 19:23
9. Kim Bonner [Shawnee] 19:24
15. Robin McDowell [Shawnee] 19:33

2002
5. ***Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City] 18:43
10. *Kim Bonner [Shawnee] 19:43
11. Jackie Dunn [Rancocas Valley] 19:43
13. Malia Lyles [Cherokee] 19:48
25. *Caroline Hipple [Moorestown] 20:10

2001
10. *Meghan Hughes [Moorestown] 19:31
16. Brittany McCann [Delsea] 19:47
22. Kelsey Rinehart [Moorestown] 19:55
25. **Kim Bonner [Shawnee] 19:58

2000
1. Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 18:27
12. *Kelsey Rinehart [Moorestown] 19:44
22. **Taneshia Pittman [Woodrow Wilson] 20:00
25. *Brittany McCann [Delsea] 20:05

1999
1. *Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 18:44
7. Claudine Evangelista [Triton] 19:31
12. Robin Van Auken [Highland] 19:45
15. ***Taneshia Pittman [Woodrow Wilson] 19:56
17. *Dana Palumbo [Shawnee] 20:01
20. *Jenna Darcy [Shawnee] 20:16

1998
2. **Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 18:27
11. **Jenna Darcy [Shawnee] 19:49
15. Kathleen Porter [Holy Cross] 19:53
16. Julia Kuder [Moorestown] 19:55
21. Leyna Williams [Triton] 19:59
31. Claudine Evangelista [Triton] 20:17
34. Tara Loescher [Williamstown] 20:23
40. Dana Palumbo [Shawnee] 20:34
45. Allison Venuto [Cherry Hill East] 20:40

1997
10. ***Erin Donohue [Haddonfield] 19:44
17. *Taylor Van Acker [Shawnee] 19:59
20. ***Jenna Darcy [Shawnee] 20:03

1996
2. Abbey Hartman [Ocean City] 18:58
10. Nikki Theimann [Shawnee] 19:28
11. Lisa Setter [Shawnee] 19:32
14. Ann Klocke [Bishop Eustace] 19:47
18. Amanda Eltringham [Bishop Eustace] 19:52
19. Adrianne DelSol [Bishop Eustace] 19:53

1995
9. *Ann Klocke [Bishop Eustace] 19:25
14. *Adrianne DelSol [Bishop Eustace] 19:31
19. Andrea Dippolito [Holy Cross] 19:46
23. Kacy Corbett [Camden Catholic] 19:56

1994
1. Jaime Weisgerber [Woodstown] 18:51
6. Colleen Sunderland [Northern Burlington] 19:26
8. Roxanne Hughes [Bishop Eustace] 19:33
9. *Kacy Corbett [Camden Catholic] 19:36
10. Kathleen Linck [Bishop Eustace] 19:41
11. **Adrianne DelSol [Bishop Eustace] 19:46
13. Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:50
18. Kari Vigerstol [Holy Cross] 19:57
24. Missy Whitaker [Shawnee] 20:14

1993
2. Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:29
4. Karen O’Neil [Shawnee] 19:39
8. Cathy McGuigen [Bridgeton] 19:57
12. *Colleen Sunderland [Northern Burlington] 20:01
14. Megan Hartman [Ocean City] 20:05
15. Julie Schick [Mainland] 20:05
18. Jen Rafferty [Riverside] 20:11
21. *Kathleen Linck [Bishop Eustace] 20:19

1992
2. *Kari Vigerstol [Holy Cross] 19:22
4. *Megan Hartman [Ocean City] 19:34
5. *Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:34
7. Erica More [Kingsway] 19:52
12. Jennifer Harris [Paul VI] 20:07
13. *Cathy McGuigan [Bridgeton] 20:13
14. *Karen O’Neil [Shawnee] 20:14
24. *Julie Schick [Mainland Reg.] 20:33

1991
6. **Liz Moore [Shawnee] 19:46
8. ***Becky Leon [Cinnaminson] 19:51
11. Janet Rue [Pitman] 19:55
13. *Ynnette Feliciano [Paul VI] 20:08 ???
14. *Erica More [Kingsway] 20:15
21. Danielle Rollick [Paul VI] 20:25
25. Catherine Kinsley [West Deptford] 20:32

1990
3. Miriam Pietersma [Ocean City] 19:46
5. *Janet Rue [Pitman] 19:48
6. **Erica More [Kingsway] 19:56
9. Lori Townsend [Kingsway] 20:08
10. Cheryl Keating [Sacred Heart] 20:11
14. *Julie Goldstein [Shawnee] 20:19
17. Jessica Smith [Bishop Eustace] 20:22
19. *Ynnette Feliciano [Paul VI] 20:27

1989
7. Sherry Jenkins [Camden Catholic] 20:06
9. Michele Owen [Clearview] 20:10
12. **Ynnette Feliciano [Paul VI] 20:21
13. *Lori Townsend [Kingsway] 20:24
14. **Tabitha Francks [Gloucester Catholic] 20:26
16. *Cheryl Keating [Sacred Heart] 20:31
25. Sandy Wright [Paul VI] 20:52

1988
8. *Sandy Wright [Paul VI] 19:36
10. Erin Carody [Paul VI] 19:44
11. Tabitha Francks [Gloucester Catholic] 19:45
14. Carrie Thompson [Clearview] 19:51
17. *Lori Townsend [Kingsway] 20:02
25. Dawn Pfeiffer [Bishop Eustace] 20:33

1987
9. Maryjo Dougherty [Ocean City] 20:01
18. Ann Wodarczyk [Gloucester Catholic] 20:26

1986
22. ***Michelle Owen [Clearview] 20:30
24. ***Sandy Wright [Paul VI] 20:31

1985
7. Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro] 19:33
10. Deanna Germano [Shawnee] 19:43
11. Mindy Rowand [Sterling] 19:53
14. Missy McNally [Paul VI] 20:02
18. Jennifer O’Donohue [Egg Harbor Twp.] 20:11

1984
3. Mindy Rowand [Sterling] 18:40
11. *Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro] 19:17
23. Danielle McManus [Paul VI] 19:50

1983
7. Lori Watson [Cherry Hill East] 18:57
13. Melody Sye [Ocean City] 19:22
14. *Mindy Rowand [Sterling] 19:22
18. Suyong Jenerette [Pemberton] 19:33
24. Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee] 19:45

1982
1. Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.] 17:40
5. Dawn Cody [Paul VI] 18:50
10. Wendy Westphal [Highland] 18:59

1981
5. *Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.] 18:36
11. *Dawn Cody [Paul VI] 19:39
12. *Wendy Westphal [Highland] 19:45
15. Kathy Ezell [Sterling] 19:55

1980
18. Karen Fileshifter [Holy Cross] 19:44
24. **Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.] 19:57

1979 [5K]
7. Renee DeFeo [Clayton] 19:40
25. Doreen Startare [Paul VI] 20:21

1978 [5K, Bowl run in reverse]
3. Eva Marie Berardi [Williamstown] 19:19
8. Monique Purcell [Holy Spirit] 19:51
18. Laura Mason [Northern Burlington] 20:31

1977 [three miles, Bowl run in reverse]
3. *Monique Purcell [Holy Spirit] 18:23
11. **Renee DeFeo [Clayton] 19:12

1976 [two miles]
5. Johanna Zarrillo [Mainland Reg.] 12:42

1975
None

1974
4. Kathy Christman [Rancocas Valley] 11:53
14. Sue Gehring [Woodbury] 12:19

1973
4. Cathy Young [Rancocas Valley] 12:59
16. *Kathy Christman [Rancocas Valley] NA
21. Carol Parson [Cherry Hill East] NA

1972
5. *Cathy Young [Rancocas Valley] 13:21
6. Sharon Fitzpatrick [Holy Cross] 13:24
7. **Kathy Christman [Rancocas Valley] 13:37
13. Cindy Cummings [Haddon Twp.] 13:54
22. Patti Barnes [Rancocas Valley] NA

It’s been 21 years since a South Jersey school won the Meet of Champions, but from 1984 through 2003, South Jersey won seven of a possible 20 championships with Paul VI in 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1994, Haddonfield in 2001 and Mainland Regional in 2002 and 2003.

With the Meet of Champions coming up Saturday, let’s take a look at those seven championships as well as a look at every South Jersey school that’s ever qualified for the MoC as a team, going back to Haddonfield, Eastern, Audubon and Wildwood Catholic back in 1978!

THE WINNERS
Paul VI in 1984
Despite a 1-2 finish by Andy Martin and Bill Babcock, Paul VI outscored North Hunterdon 53-66 to win its first championship. Ron Faith, Chris Hageman, George Steinhoff and Tom Metzger all finished in the top 20 for PVI, Faith in 6th, Hageman in 11th, Steinhoff in 12th and Metzger 20th and Tom Donnelly clinched the team title when he crossed the line in 47th. John Wolfram and Richard Stallings also raced for Paul VI.

Paul VI in 1988
Another close one for PVI, and it was 5th man Jim Wolfram who clinched the victory by finishing 11 spots ahead of CBA’s 5th runner. CBA led Paul VI 30-37 after four runners but Paul VI won 62-65. Jason DiJoseph was the overall winner, Matt Cieslik placed 14th in 16:24, Vincent Cieslik 20th and Joe Cranston 32nd to set up Wolfram. Sixth man Pete Dougherty finished one spot behind Wolfram and Bob Cranston was Paul VI’s 7th runner.

Paul VI in 1989
This time Joe Cranston led PVI in 3rd with Dougherty in 9th. Vincent Cieslik, Ron Caponigro and Tom Keefer finished 22nd, 37th and 44th and Paul VI topped Camden County rival Highland 50-89. Eric Bayles and Frank Innes backed up PVI’s top five in 71st and 78th.

Paul VI in 1994
The Eagles made it four championships in 11 years, topping CBA again, this time 63-81. John Williams and Joe DiGiacomo finished 2nd and 6th to lead PVI, with Brian Bach, Ryan Anderson and Matt McNally 25th, 30th and 50th.

2021 Haddonfield
Haddonfield put a remarkable three runners in the top six and rolled to a 37-point win over Old Bridge. Chris Platt, Skipp Stiles and Breton Bonnette went 2-5-6, all under 16 minutes, and Tim Vitez in 69th and Brian Goldberg in 71st locked up the team title for the Bulldogs. John Bernetich and Ben James also raced for Haddonfield.

2002 Mainland Regional
Greg Hughes and Jimmy Wyner finished 7th and 11th , backed up by Brian Gertzen in 28th, Matthew McGroarty in 58th and Spenser Popeson in 59th, and Mainland edged 2nd-place Toms River North 101-104. Joseph Masters and Blait Goltra also ran for Mainland.

2003 Mainland Regional
Another close one for the Mustangs, who edged CBA 68-74. Mainland was led once again by Hughes and Wyner in 2nd and 10th , with Masters 18th and Popeson 24th. Alex Palmentieri was 5th man in 66th, with McGroarty 93rd and Ian Roddy 103rd.

ALL SOUTH JERSEY TEAMS AT THE MEET OF CHAMPIONS

2023
7. Haddonfield 200
9. Cherokee 215
13. Cherry Hill East 287

2022
3. Cherokee 106
6. Haddonfield 183
12. Cinnaminson 309

2021
3. Haddonfield 134
7. Cherokee 242
8. Cherry Hill East 259
15. Cinnaminson 324
18. Haddon Heights 360
20. Audubon 521
21. Bishop Eustace 621

2020 [Holmdel Invitational exhibition]
4. Haddonfield 121
8. Cherry Hill East 195

2019
3. Haddonfield 129
4. Cherokee 136
8. Cherry Hill East 217
18. Haddon Twp. 419

2018
2. Haddonfield 86
3. Kingsway 164
6. Cherokee 188
12. Cherry Hill East 276
15. Camden Catholic 301
17. Bishop Eustace 438
19. Haddon Twp. 500

2017
2. Kingsway 96
6. Haddonfield 178
19. Haddon Heights 499

2016
7. Cherokee 204
10. Kingsway 260
13. Haddonfield 302
17. Bishop Eustace 402
18. Sterling 445

2015
4. Haddonfield 145
7. Cherokee 214
8. Cherry Hill East 220
14. Haddon Township 355

2014
3. Cherry Hill East 126
4. Kingsway 183
5. Haddonfield 186
10. Haddon Township 213
17. Pennsville 490

2013
7. Haddonfield 237
9. Cherry Hill East 242
10. Highland 244
14. Haddon Township 323

2012
11. Kingsway 228
13. Haddonfield 274
17. Haddon Township 440
19. Schalick 562

2011
16. Bishop Eustace 450
17. Haddon Township 454
19. Haddon Heights 517

2010
2. Haddonfield 98
16. Bishop Eustace 419
18. Haddon Township 450

2009
4. Haddonfield 128

2008
4. Haddonfield 139
10. Cherokee 288
13. Cinnaminson 335
15. Haddon Heights 373
18. Haddon Township 431

2007
3. Haddonfield 159
9. Cherokee 230
11. Moorestown 243
13. Haddon Heights 356
20. Moorestown Friends 527

2006
3. Haddonfield 162
8. Haddon Township 222
9. Cherokee 243
10. Shawnee 252
15. Pennsville 315

2005
6. Cherokee 188
8. Washington Township 190
10. Moorestown 260
13. Haddonfield 326
19. Maple Shade 456

2004
5. Cherokee 149
9. Ocean City 223
16. Cinnaminson 384

2003
1. Mainland Regional 68
5. Cherokee 161
13. Cinnaminson 344
14. Maple Shade 369
15. Highland Regional 396
17. Bishop Eustace 452

2002
1. Mainland Regional 101
5. Cinnaminson 188
6. Cherokee 208
13. Haddonfield 310
18. Bishop Eustace 493
19. Maple Shade 533

2001
1. Haddonfield 87
4. Cherokee 146
5. Mainland Regional 153
14. Paul VI 339
15. Moorestown 364
17. Bishop Eustace 408

2000
2. Cherokee 69
6. Eastern Regional 190
10. Haddonfield 255
14. Moorestown 368
15. Bishop Eustace 393
19. Maple Shade 514

1999
2. Paul VI 95
3. Cherokee 104
4. Washington Township 127
8. Eastern Regional 236
18. Wildwood Catholic 495

1998
2. Cherokee 66
3. Washington Township 110
4. Shawnee 143
6. Paul VI 176
11. Haddonfield 297
14. Moorestown 319
16. Wildwood Catholic 434

1997
3. Cherokee 123
5. Shawnee 167
8. Paul VI 197
12. Maple Shade 336
15. Wildwood Catholic 393
16. Haddonfield 394

1996
6. Highland 160
15. Haddonfield 357

1995
3. Paul VI 118
6. Highland 196
10. Haddonfield 279
13. Mainland Regional 314

1994
1. Paul VI 63
4. Highland Regional 138
7. Shawnee 225
15. Absegami 361

1993
4. Paul VI 156
6. Eastern Regional 189
12. Delran 276
13. Maple Shade 355
18. Haddonfield 481

1992
4. Paul VI 146
5. Shawnee 154
9. Vineland 214
12. Cinnaminson 286
13. Bridgeton 325
14. Haddon Heights 334
15. Maple Shade 336

1991
5. Shawnee 175
7. Vineland 178
8. Paul VI 181
11. Delran 246
14. Haddon Heights 317

1990
2. Paul VI 130
7. Highland Regional 224
8. Shawnee 232
9. Haddonfield 244
10. Cinnaminson 255
16. Riverside 366

1989
1. Paul VI 50
2. Highland Regional 89
5. Haddonfield 189
7. Cinaminson 211
10. Bridgeton 251
11. Cherokee 254
16. Sacred Heart 391
18. Riverside 459

1988
1. Paul VI 62
3. Highland Regional 134
5. Bridgeton 151
6. Haddon Township 166
8. Shawnee 217
11. Cherokee 243
12. Buena 289
13. Haddonfield 318
14. Cinnaminson 361
15. Sacred Heart 364

1987
2. Paul VI 86
10. Bridgeton 250
13. Cinnaminson 270
14. Haddonfield 279
15. Sacred Heart 436

1986
3. Paul VI 149
8. Haddonfield 240
9. Haddon Township 241
12. Cinnaminson 263
13. Holy Cross 283
18. Kingsway 388

1985
3. Paul VI 138
11. Haddonfield 272
14. Haddon Township 377
16. Maple Shade 394
18. Bishop Eustace 489

1984
1. Paul VI 53
8. Eastern Regional 238
12. Haddonfield 302
13. Cinnaminson 308
14. Holy Cross 312
18. Bishop Eustace 467

1983
2. Holy Cross 109
4. Paul VI 135
16. Shawnee 372
18. Bishop Eustace 419
19. Haddonfield 478

1982
4. Paul VI 146
14. Haddonfield 367
17. Bishop Eustace 420

1981
10. Cherry Hill East 264

1980
8. Haddonfield 206

1979
6. Delsea 176
13. Haddonfield 282

1978
12. Haddonfield 259
13. Eastern 292
15. Audubon 364
19. Wildwood Catholic 567

1977
None

1976
None

1975
None

1974
None

1973
None

1972
No team scoring

South Jersey did pretty well at the first Meet of Champions. It was Nov. 22, 1972, at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, and five South Jersey runners finished in the top 20.

Harry Kronik of Franklin Township won the 2 1/2-mile race in 12:22.0, finishing 1-10th of a second ahead of Greg Miller of Northern Highlands.

The first South Jersey runner across the line in the first MoC was Lenape’s Mark Roddy, who was 7th in 12:34. That remains the best finish ever by a Lenape runner, although Anthony Kelhower came close in 2004 when he was 12th.

Also in the top 20 that day were Williamstown’s Willie Marino, Cherry Hill West’s Jay Vickery and Marty Ludwikowski and Collingswood’s Ed Donahue.

Ludwikowski went on to win the race in 1974 and that was Cherry Hill West didn’t have a top-20 finisher again until 2016, when Robert Abrams was 15th. Marino’s 11th-place was the best finish by a Williamstown runner until 2010, when Paul Szulewski finished 10th (and then 8th in 2011). Donahue’s 20th-place finish was the best by a Collignswood runner until last year, when Elijah Forrest placed 14th.

With this year’s 52nd Meet of Champions set for Saturday at Hollmdel County Park, here’s a look at every South Jersey runner to place in the top 25 in one of the first 51 races. As always, please let me know in the comment section if anybody is missing. We’ll have the boys team list and both girls lists coming up soon!

2023
2. Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 16:33
6. Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 15:56
14. Elijah Forrest [Collingswood], 16:12
19. Will Mrozinski [Paul VI], 16:16

2022
2. Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee], 15:39
3. George Andrus [Haddonfield], 15:40
4. *Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 15:41
11. *Peyton Shute [Gateway], 16:05
21. Conor Jacob [Cherokee], 16:25
24. Ryan Smith [Rancocas Valley], 16:30

2021
6. Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 15:36
8. Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 15:46
16. *George Andrus [Haddonfield], 15:58
17. **Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 16:08
18. Patrick Ditmars [Cherokee], 16:08

2020
Not held

2019
4.. Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee] 15:41
5. Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East] 15:48
8. Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 15:58
13. *Anas Bensaoud [Clearview] 16:12
21. Chase Miller [Cherokee] 16:18
22. Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 16:18

2018
4. *Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee] 15:56
8. *Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg.] 16:01
13. *Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson] 16:10
14. *Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 16:10
15. Greg Eisenhower [Haddonfield] 16:10
16. Connor Melko [Bishop Eustace] 16:11
19. Colin Kane [Delsea] 16:23
20. Richard Castaneda [Camden Catholic] 16:23
21. Kieran Burns [Kingsway] 16:24

2017
13. **Martin Riddell [Haddonfield] 16:15
17. Joe Grandizio [Kingsway] 16:17
21. *Kieran Burns [Kingsway 16:20
22. Jonathan Connor [Kingsway] 16:22

2016
6. Jack Shea [Cherokee] 15:58
15. Robert Abrams [Cherry Hill West] 16:17
23. *Justin Kelly [Cherokee] 16:28

2015
1. Joshua Clark [Highland] 15:33
3. Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East] 15:39
6. *Jack Shea [Cherokee] 15:46
22. Owen Long [Haddon Twp.] 16:17

2014
1. Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.] 15:40
3. Shawn Hutchinson [Bishop Eustace] 15:43
6. Dominick Munson [Timber Creek] 15:56
7. Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East] 16:00
11. Sean Macpherson [Sterling] 16:02
14. Josh Clark [Highland] 16:12
23. *Justin Branco [Delsea] 16:19
24. Noah Culbreath [Kingsway] 16:20

3. Louis Corgliano [Hammonton] 15:35
5. Steve Maine [Highland] 15:42

2012
6. Kyle Kirk [Camden Catholic] 15:56
11. Steve Maine [Highland] 15:59
16. Greg Halla [Haddonfield] 16:06
17. *Louis Corgliano [Hammonton] 16:07
21. Ryan Magnus [Kingsway] 16:15

2011
5. Shawn Wilson [Cherokee] 15:45
17. Connor Herr [Shawnee] 16:07

2010
6, Ben Potts [Haddonfield] 15:43
8. Paul Szulewski [Williamstown] 15:55
10. *Connor Herr [Shawnee] 15:58
13. Matt Nussbaum [Haddonfield] 16:01
21. Miles Schoedler [Ocean City] 16:09
24. *Peter Murray [Shawnee] 16:14
25. Greg Malloy [Cherokee] 16:14

2009
5. Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield] 15:42
10. *Paul Szulewski [Williamstown] 15:57
25. David Forward [Shawnee] 16:19

2008
4. Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 15:56
8. *David Forward [Shawnee] 16:02
14. Michael Rankin [Paul VI] 16:17

2007
5. *Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 16:03
9. Mike Sheehan [Holy Cross] 16:09
12. **Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield] 16:12
21. Mickey Borsellino [Haddon Heights] 16:23
25. Ryan Birchmeier [Ocean City] 16:28

2006
8. John Fennekohl [Ocean City] 16:02
14. Matt Poskus [Cinnaminson] 16:12
20. **Brett Johnson [Ocean City] 16:21
21. Kevin Cronin [Mainland Reg.] 16:23
22. *Alex Yersak [Cherokee] 16:23
25. Michael Keebler [Holy Spirit] 16:29

2005
13. Steve Grabowski [Cinnaminson] 16:07
21. Greg Bredeck [Cherokee] 16:18

2004
10. Tom Yersak [Cherokee] 16:13
12. Anthony Kelhower [Lenape] 16:15
22. *Greg Bredeck [Cherokee] 16:26

2003
2. Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 15:39
4. Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 15:51
10. James Wyner [Mainland Reg.] 16:06
15. Carmen Cavella [Washington Twp.] 16:19
17. Brian Goldberg [Haddonfield] 16:20
18. Joseph Masters [Mainland Reg.] 16:22
24. Spenser Popeson [Mainland Reg.] 16:29

2002
2. Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 15:48
5. Robert Edwards [Bridgeton] 15:59
7. *Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 16:10
8. *Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 16:10
11. *James Wyner [Mainland Reg. ]16:20
12. John Richardson [Ocean City] 16:21
13. Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:21
16. Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 16:24
22. Andrew Riviello [Eastern] 16:35
24. *Brian Goldberg [Haddonfield] 16:39

2001
1. Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 15:43
2. *Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 15:48
5. Skip Stiles [Haddonfield] 15:54
6. Breton Bonnette [Haddonfield] 15:55
7. *Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:04
11. Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 16:20
14. Robert Lacovara [Highland] 16:27
16. **Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson] 16:29
17. *John Richardson [Ocean City] 16:29
21. *Andrew Riviello [Eastern] 16:33
23. **Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.] 16:34
24. Matt Mueller [Cherokee] 16:34

2000
1. Mike Myers [Eastern] 15:50
2. *Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 16:01
6. Adam Ambrus [Shawnee] 16:13
7. **Dan Deichert [Eastern] 16:15
9. Chad Lyons [Overbrook] 16:16
14. Matt Mueller [Cherokee] 16:26
17. **Keith Krieger [Cherokee] 16:30
18. **Chris Platt [Haddonfield] 16:33

1999
3. Brian Skelly [Washington Twp.] 16:13
6. *Adam Ambrus [Shawnee] 16:25
11. Mark Weems [Washington Twp.] 16:36
13. Joe Halin [Cherokee] 16:39
18. Adam Driscoll [Washington Twp.] 16:46]
20. *Mike Ritchie [Paul VI] 16:50
21. **Marc Pelerin [Cherokee] 16:51

1998
1. Nate Miller [Highland] 15:57
7. Bill Mason [Cinnaminson] 16:18
8. *Bryan Skelly [Washington Twp.] 16:19
11. Joe Halin [Cherokee] 16:34
14. Dan Christensen [Shawnee] 16:36
15. Aaron Boucher [Cherokee] 16:37
22. Randy Wetzel [Oakcrest] 16:47
25. Robert Hewitt [Washington Twp.] 16:48

1997
2. *Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 16:15
4. Mike Fulton [Maple Shade] 16:20
8. *Bill Mason [Cinnaminson] 16:35
11. Dave DeJong [Shawnee] 16:40
13. Ray Tomczuk [Delran] 16:41
24. Tom Cresong [Paul VI] 16:51

1996
6. **Murad Campbell [Overbrook] 16:22
16. Karl Savage [Eastern] 16:39
22. Michael McGowan [Bishop Eustace] 16:48
25. Matt Ruhl [Triton] 16:52

1995
2. Scott Keyser [Mainland Reg.] 16:06
6. Jay Wassell [Highland] 16:15
15. Pat Ryan [Glassboro] 16:38
16. *Karl Savage [Eastern] 16:40
18. Ryan Anderson [Paul VI] 16:41
19. Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield] 16:43
21. Nick Noguer [Highland Reg] 16:48
23. Mark Freund [Eastern] 16:51
24. Aaron Kinsley [West Deptford] 16:51

1994
2. John Williams [Paul VI] 16:21
6. Joe DiGiacomo [Paul VI] 16:32
10. Carmen Mastrando [Eastern] 16:41
11. *Jay Wassell [Highland] 16:44
14. Kurt Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:49
17. Alex Totten-Lancaster [Shawnee] 16:54
22. *Eric Bonnette [Haddonfield] 17:01
25. Brian Bach [Paul VI] 17:02

1993
5. Phil Magee [Atlantic City] 16:28
6. Geoff Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:34
10. *Joe DiGiacomo [Paul VI] 16:43
16. Pat Nocito [Vineland] 16:57
21. John Buttil [Paul VI] 17:00
24. Matt Marcini [Millville] 17:03
25. Chuck Nolte [Maple Shade] 17:04

1992
9. John Salisbury [Haddon Heights] 16:27
10. *Phil Magee [Atlantic City] 16:27
11. Aaron Totten-Lancaster [Shawnee] 16:34
12. Geoff Wayton [Mainland Reg.] 16:37
14. Matt Feeley [Cinnaminson] 16:41
18. David Cox [Woodrow Wilson] 16:44
21. Scott Teske [Shawnee] 16:45
23. Brian Gallagher [Sterling] 16:47

1991
3. Tom Keefer [Paul VI] 16:09
7. Keith O’Brien [Shawnee] 16:20
9. Ted Callinan [Gloucester Catholic] 16:22
11. Pete Fixler [Vineland] 16:24
21. John Keevey [Cinnaminson] 16:48
22. John Salisbury [Haddon Heights] 16:50

1990
2. Ray Beyer [Absegami] 16:09
4. Pete Dougherty [Paul VI] 16:16
7. *John Keevey [Cinnaminson] 16:26
11. Kevin Underwood [Haddonfield] 16:32
15. *Ted Callinan [Gloucester Catholic] 16:41
18. Jerry Franks [Highland] 16:43
25. Eric Bayles [Paul VI] 16:52

1989
3. Joe Cranston [Paul VI] 16:13
4. Albert Donowa [Camden] 16:15
9. *Pete Dougherty [Paul VI] 16:32
10. Matt Martin [Haddon Twp.] 16:35
11. *Jerry Franks [Highland] 16:35
14. Mark Sivieri [St.Augustine] 16:45
19. Tim Shanahan [Haddonfield] 16:52
20. Steve Stanley [Cinnaminson] 16:52
22. Vin Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:53

1988
1. Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 15:33
3. Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 15:47
6. Lance Hess [Bridgeton] 16:11
8. Jason Fiscus [Haddon Twp.] 16:17
11. Terrance Armstrong [Camden] 16:23
12. Mike Tobey [Audubon] 16:24
13. David Donohue [Haddon Twp.] 16:24
14. Matt Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:24
20. *Vin Cieslik [Paul VI] 16:32

1987
1. *Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 15:58
5. *Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:23
6. Joe Shanahan [Haddonfield] 16:24
10. Eric Lorenz [Holy Cross] 16:41
11. Chris Creighton [Holy Cross] 16:42
13. Bob Scott [Clearview] 16:44
15. *Lance Hess [Bridgeton] 16:47
19. Dave Zamiechelli [Cinnaminson] 16:50
21. Joe Margre [Paul VI] 17:00
23. *Matt Cieslik [Paul VI] 17:03
25. Tim Ackerman [Absegami] 17:06

1986
3. **Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI] 16:15
8. **Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton] 16:34
19. Pat Gallaher [Haddon Twp.] 16:49
22. Dan Gough [Haddonfield] 16:50
23. Evan Driscoll [Haddonfield] 16:53
25. Pat Fogerty [Collingswood] 16:55

1985
1. Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:10
7. *Dan Gough [Haddonfield] 16:36

1984
6. *Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:07
9. Jeff Davis [Cumberland Reg.] 16:09
10. Kevin Pumphrey [Highland] 16:13
11. Chris Hageman [Paul VI] 16:18
12. George Steinhoff [Paul VI] 16:21
20. Tom Metzger [Paul VI] 16:33
25. Bill Shea [Eastern] 16:38

1983
9. Tom Farrell [Holy Cross] 16:18
11. Ken Picciano [Pennsauken] 16:21
13. *George Steinhoff [Paul VI] 16:24
20. Bill Stewart [Cherry Hill East] 16:35
21. **Ron Faith [Paul VI] 16:35
25. *Jeff Davis [Cumberland Reg.] 16:39

1982
15. Jeff Boyer [Overbrook] 16:16
16. Steve Keen [Cinnaminson] 16:18
17. Bill Stewart [Cherry Hill East] 16:19

1981
17. Bruce Miller [Cherry Hill East] 16:39
19. John Hageman [Paul VI] 16:41
23. Jeff Boyer [Overbrook] 16:45

1980
4. Don Deckert [Oakcrest] 16:06
6. Dan Owens [Absegami] 16:16

1979
1. Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 16:09
10. Tom Milligan [Delsea] 16:39
13. Don Deckert [Oakcrest] 16:40

1978
3. *Jim Smith [Haddonfield] 16:09
8. Al Harden [Millville] 16:31
22. Terry Delaney [Moorestown] 16:46
23. Ken Noddin [Gateway] 16:48

1977
3. Mike Mantini [Gateway] 15:27

1976
24. Jeff Lane [Haddon Twp.] 15:42

1975
None

1974
1. Marty Ludwikowski [Cherry Hill West] 14:42
25. Dennis Driscoll [Northern Burlington] 15:27

1973
1. Greg Stremmel [Gateway] 14:22
9. Joe Germano [Pennsauken] 14:43
19. Jay Ravel [Eastern] 15:04

1972
7. Mark Roddy [Lenape] 12:34
11. Willie Marino [Williamstown] 12:42
14. Jay Vickery [Cherry Hill West] 12:53
15. **Marty Ludwikowski [Cherry Hill West] 12:54
20. Ed Donahue [Collingswood] 12:59

South Jersey will send a large contingent of 76 runners up to Holmdel Saturday for the 52nd annual Meet of Champions.

That includes 41 boys and 35 girls, with four boys teams, three girls teams, 13 individual boys and 14 individual girls.

The boys race is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the girls race at noon on the hilly, winding 5K course at Holmdel County Park.

Viper Timing is once again doing the timing – no idea why – so we’ll all hope for the best and hopefully we get results by the middle of next week.

Over the next couple days, I’ll be posting lists of every South Jersey boy and girl that’s ever placed in the top 25 at a Meet of Champions and every team that’s ever competed at a MoC.

But first, here’s a look at every South Jersey runner expected to race this weekend at Holmdel. Corrections, omissions, changes please let me know in the comment section! Thanks!

Boys Teams
Cherokee [won Group 4]
**Benjamin Realley
*Logan Bromley
***Jack Tindall
Liam Tindall
**Sean Sooy
Enzo Corona
Benjamin Weiner

Haddonfield [Group 2]
*Benjamin Andrus
Bennett Wright
*Ryan Gibson
*Peter Simpson
*Luke Andresen
*Aaron Keith
**Andrew Blum

Cherry Hill East [1st wild card]
Brandon Lyons
Brody Bogos
*Will Nelson
*Alvin Lin
*Milo Poerner
**Cian Sherlock
*Colin Moore

Ocean City [3rd wild card]
Ethan Buck
**Keenan Neuman
*Erik Preisner
**Nathan Aschmann
Zach Hutchinson
**Michael Romano
***Nevin Millstein

Boys Individuals
Ty Blackman [Glassboro], 2nd, Group 1
*Jacob Marino [Woodstown], 9th, Group 1
Isaac Linden [Moorestown Friends], 2nd, Parochial B
Ethan Caprarola [Bishop Eustace], 4th, Parochial B
Desmond Carey [Bishop Eustace], 8th, Parochial B
**Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], wild card
*Jacob Wickersham [Cinnaminson], wild card
*Rex Takakjy [Cherry Hill West], wild card
Noah Stapleton [Shawnee], wild card
Ethan Worst [Clearview], wild card
Mason Wassell [Highland], wild card
*Sean Martino [Cedar Creek], wild card
Dylan Saber [Williamstown], wild card

Girls Teams
Cherokee [3rd wild card]
*Madeline Meder
Megan Niglio
***Erin Healy
*Maya Kumar
Grace Wojciechowski
**Genisa John
Emily Butler

Paul VI [6th wild card]
*Macy Huber
**Grace Gutwoski
***Peyton Blake
***Morgan Kuzma
**Kara Salamone
***Johanna Trampe
Verina Belmonte

Ocean City [7th wild card]
Chloe Care
***Riley Tolson
Maeve Smith
Zoe Zammit
**Peighton Clemens
**Lillian Flora
7th runner

Girls Individuals
Jordan Hadfield [Schalick], 2nd, Group 1
Macie McCracken [Wildwood], 6th, Group 1
Jonalee Adames [Sterling], 10th, Group 2
Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 1st, Group 3
Sofia Day [Mainland Reg.], 10th, Group 3
*Julia Flanagan [Holy Cross], 4th, Parochial B
**Theresa Albertson [Eastern], wild card
*Sophia Aldridge [Williamstown], wild card
**Ryleigh Budsock [Cherry Hill East], wild card
Noella Reyes [Moorestown], wild card
*Ashley Doyles [Delran], wild card
Gabrielle DeJoseph [Moorestown], wild card
Nilaa Ponnappan [Camden Catholic], wild card
Juliana Sieminski [Delsea], wild card

East Stroudsburg sophomore Payton Falkenstein from Burlington Township put together a strong race at the NCAA Division 2 Atlantic Regional Saturday in Lock Haven, Pa.

Falkenstein ran 21:21 over 6,000 meters at West Branch Cross Country Course and was the Warriors’ 2nd finisher. East Stroudsburg placed a close 3rd of 22 schools with 114 points, finishing behind only Davis and Elkins of Elkins, W. Va., [93] and Slippery Rock (Pa.) [100].

Falkenstein ran an all-course 6K PR by more than a minute. Her previous best was a 22:43 when she placed 6th at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships last month at Kutztown.

East Stroudsburg was ranked 8th in the Atlantic Region by the USTFCCCA before the race and moved up five spots in the final regional ranking.

With their 3rd-place finish, East Stroudsburg qualified for NCAA Division 2 Nationals, scheduled for Nov. 23 at Arcade Creek XC Course in Sacramento.

The Warriors matched the best finish in school history. They were also 3rd in 1999 and 2003.

The runner who finished six seconds before Falkenstein was Lydia Falkenstein of Davis and Elkins. Lydia Falkenstein is from Tallmansville, W. Va., and I haven’t found any evidence that they’re related. But that is pretty odd.

The Haddonfield boys made a little history Saturday at Holmdel with the fastest average time ever recorded at the state Group 2 meet, the 3rd-fastest time ever in any public school state meet and the fastest time ever recorded by a South Jersey school at states.

Haddonfield averaged 16:21 for its five scorers when it won the state Group 2 meet on the historic 5,000-meter course at Holmdel County Park.

Race winner Benjamin Andrus ran 16:03, Bennett Wright was 4th in 16:21, Ryan Gibson 5th in 16:22, Peter Simpson 6th in 16:26 and Luke Andresen 8th in 16:33.

Overall, Haddonfield’s time is 34th-fastest in Holmdel history, with 18 of the faster averages coming from CBA.

Haddonfield set the South Jersey best at Holmdel with its 16:20.2 at the 2010 Meet of Champions [Ben Potts 15:43, Matt Nussbaum 16:01, Gregory Halla 16:25, Tim Malloy 16:29, Ethan Quanci 17:03].

The only public school averages at the state meet faster than Haddonfield’s 16:21 Saturday have come from Westfield in Group 4 last year [15:59.4] and Colts Nbeck in Group 3 in 2016 [16:19.0].

The only faster times ever recorded by South Jersey schools are that 2010 Haddonfield performance and Paul VI’s 16:20.8 when they won the 1988 Meet of Champions (and the course was much slower). That 1988 PVI team included Jason DiJoseph [15:33], Matt Cieslik [16:24], Vincent Cieslik [16:32], Joe Cranston [16:48] and Jim Wolfram [16:59], with 6th man Pete Dougherty not far off [17:00].

The previous fastest time at Group 2 states not surprisingly was set by Haddonfield, who averaged 16:28.6 at the 2021 meet [Seth Clevenger 15:51], George Andrus [16:11], Tobias Janssen [16:24], Rob DiMedio [16:50] and Donald Jellig [17:07].

Haddonfield’s 16:21 average Saturday was 2nd-fastest of all the state meets. Meet of Champions is scheduled for this coming Saturday back at Holmdel.

Moorestown’s Kate Inglis, a senior at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., won her 5th conference title 1st in cross country at the Landmark Conference Championships.

Inglis covered the 6,000-meter course at Union Canal Tunnel Park in North Lebanon Township, Pa., in 21:56.

Inglis improved each year she ran at the conference meet, from 11th to 5th to 2nd to 1st this year.

She led the Cardinals to their 2nd straight conference title with a wild three-way finish between Catholic [59], Moravian [60] and Scranton [61].

Inglis also won conference titles on the track outdoors in the steeplechase in 2023 in Bethlehem and 2024 in Elizabethtown and the 3,000 and 5,000 indoors this past February in Selinsgrove.

Catholic races Saturday at the NCAA Division 3 South Regional at Choctaw Running Trails in Clinton, Miss. The Cardinals are ranked 7th in the region.

The Ocean City boys and girls, the Cherry Hill boys and the Cherokee and Paul VI girls all appear to have earned at-large bids to the cross country Meet of Champions Saturday.

Although the NJSIAA hasn’t bothered to announc anything officially, because why would anybody want to know if they’re racing next weekend or not, the MileSplit merge – which includes the six winning teams – shows those five teams should be among the top eight non-winners.

[Note – MileSplit has just posted the official list here, which shows no changes.]

The six team winners from Saturday’s state meets all qualify automatically and then eight more boys teams and eight girls teams qualify based on the results of a merge of every non-winning team.

The Haddonfield and Cherokee boys qualified automatically by winning Group 2 and Group 4.

Cherry Hill East, which finished only three points behind Cherokee in Group 4 was the lowest-scoring non-winning team, totaling 211 points and placing 4th in the overall merge and 1st among non-winners. So they’re a slam dunk.

Ocean City, which was 2nd to Colts Neck in Group 3, finished 7th in the merge and was the 3rd-lowest scoring non-winning team, behind only Cherry Hill East and Westfield, who was 3rd in Group 4. So they should be through.

The other boys wild-cards appear to go to St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey City [2nd in Parochial A], Ridgewood [4th in Group 4], Union Catholic of Scotch Plains [3rd in Parochial A] and South Brunswick [5th in Group 4].

The final spot will go to either Manalapan [6th in Group 4], Chatham [3rd in Group 3] or Ridge [7th in Group 4]. Because those three schools are separated by only three points – 554 for Manalapan, 555 for Chatham, 557 for Ridge – it’s too close to call since removing the runners from the six winning teams could change that order.

Presumably, the NJSIAA will announce the wild-cards before race-time Saturday.

This will be Cherokee’s 6th straight Meet of Champions appearance and 22nd overall. It’s Ocean City’s 2nd MoC and first since 2004. Cherry Hill East previously raced in 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

In the MileSplit girls merge, Cherokee – 3rd in Group 4 – had the 3rd-lowest non-winning score behind Group 4 runner-up Ridgewood and Parochial A 2nd-place Pingry School of Basking Ridge. So they’re clearly through to the Meet of Champions.

After removing all six state champions, Middletown South [2nd in Group 3] and Freehold Township [4th in Group 4] were next, followed by Paul VI [3rd in Parochial A] and Ocean City [3rd in Group 3].

Paul VI is 100 points ahead of Ocean City in the merge, so they’re safely through, and Ocean City is 7th in the non-winner merge at 533, with Hopewell Valley 8th at 536. That’s close but probably far enough ahead of Haddonfield at 557 to get Ocean City (and Hopewell Valley) into the MoC.

In the merge of all schools, Haddonfield appears to be 9th among non-qualifiers, with Moorestown 12th and Cherry Hill East 13th. But again, nothing official yet.

Assuming the official at-large bids are the same as what we’re figuring, this will be Ocean City’s first time at the Meet of Champions since 2012. The Red Raiders also raced at the MoC in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 2003. Cherokee won Meet of Champions in 2021 and also raced in 2004, 2010 and 2023. And Paul VI is headed to the MoC for the first time since 2003. They also went in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002.

Boys who qualified as individuals by finishing in the top 10: Glassboro senior Ty Blackman, Woodstown junior Jacob Marino, Moorestown Friends senior Isaac Linden and Bishop Eustace seniors Ethan Caprarola and Desmond Carey

Girls who qualified without their teams: Schalick senior Jordan Hadfield, Wildwood senior Macie McCracken, Sterling senior Jonalee Adames, Northern Burlington senior Liliah Gordon, Mainland Regional senior Sofia Day and Holy Cross junior Julia Flanagan.

The boys race begins at 11 a.m. and the girls race at noon Saturday back at Holmdel County Park. This will be the 52nd annual Meet of Champions for both the boys and girls. The meet has been held every year since 1972 other than 2020.

The Shawnee boys enjoyed their best day in nearly two decades at the state Group 3 meet Saturday at Holmdel.

It was the first time in 18 years that the Renegades placed in the top five at a state meet.

Led by senior Noah Stapleton in 16th place, the Renegades placed 5th in the state. It was their best finish since the 2006 team, led by then-freshman David Forward in 18th, placed 3rd.

Stapleton ran 16:48, a Holmdel PR. He ran 17:09 last year at Shore Coaches. His time is fastest by a Shawnee runner since Mark Miller ran 16:41 at the 2016 state Group 4 meet.

Also racing Saturday for Shawnee were senior Simon Bernhardt [30th in 17:04], junior Yanni Ekatomatis [41st in 17:12], senior Elias Knoll [58th in 17:31] and senior Jake Steelman [83rd in 17:59], with senior Finnegan Bracken just behind Steelman [88th in 18:05].

Shawnee’s 17:18 team average is their fastest since the 1998 state Group 4 meet, where they placed 4th with Dan Christensen [16:49], Adam Ambrus [17:02], Richard Stevenson [17:17], Adam Grant [17:20] and Will Peoples [17:44] averaging 17:14.

It was also 5th-fastest among all South Jersey schools on Saturday, behind only Haddonfield [16:21], Cherry Hill East [16:33], Cherokee [16:34] and Ocean City [16:45].

Shawnee came up a few spots shy of qualifying for Meet of Champions. In a merge of the 105 no non-winning teams, the Renegades ranked 15th. The top eight non-winning teams received at-large bids to the MoC.