THE 2010 CROSS COUNTRY SEASON OPENS TONIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS AT THE RANDOLPH INVITATIONAL. THE SEASON DEBUT CONTINUES TOMORROW WITH 4 OTHER INVITES, FEATURING THE 15TH EDITION OF THE CHEROKEE CHALLENGE.
THE INTREPID XC "PANEL OF EXPERTS" TOES THE LINE FOR THE 5TH YEAR TO BRING YOU A WEEKLY SNAPSHOT OF THE STATE OF XC IN NEW JERSEY. GIRLS PRESEASON WILL APPEAR SAT. 9/4.
ATTENTION COACHES / MEET DIRECTORS : SEND US YOUR SCHEDULES / OVER 80 XC MEETS LISTED! IS YOURS?
7/21: Nick Vena 4th in Mens SP -
7/22: Ajee Wilson 5th in Womens 800m with a PR of 2:04.18 -
7/23: Robby Andrews advances through 1st Rd. of 800m
To call Joe Lanzalotto passionate about our sport or about anything can be an understatement. Joe, a life long Jerser, is one of the most knowledgeable and vocal advocates for XC / T&F around. His involvement, through the NSSF, with the post season events held by that organization have made him a prominent figure in the world of HS Track and Field / Cross Country. Joe recently took a few minutes out to take on our "10 Questions ..."
Click on Headline for Updates
* New NJSIAA Classifications for XC /
* Meet of Champions - Returning Boys /
* Meet of Champions - Returning Girls /
* NXN Regionals registration opens /
* Big Twist to Boys Individual Scene?
*** Course Marshalls are needed to help direct runners. Please email pfm724@verizon.net to volunteer.
The Rosa Twins will lead WW-P No. in their quest for a 2nd G3 Title on Saturday
Groups Previews Now Posted
Photo by: Good Doggie Photographic
New Balance Jersey Shore Cougar Invitational
This meet, now in it's 6th year, is held in the heart of New Jersey horse country. An appropriate location since over the years it has hosted some of the state's top throroughbreds of the harrier variety. Colts Neck coach and meet director, Jim Schlentz has put together a top notch event again this year.
Please click on the Headline for a preview of the championship races
Meet Overview
*What - New Balance Jersey Shore Cougar Invitational
*When - Saturday 9/26 Race Schedule
*Where - Bucks Mill Park, Colts Neck Directions
Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 64. East wind between 8 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
After a night of rain showers the finishing touches are being put on prep for the 14th Cherokee Challenge in an intermittent drizzle. NJRunners is on site for all the action today. Keep coming back.
Upddate
Frosh Girls - Natalia Ocasio (Lenape) wins by 2 sec. over Catie Skinner (Penn Charter) in 11:47
Frosh Boys - Matt Nelson (Barnegat) wins big in 10:09 to 10:29 by Nick Costello (Delsea) who ran 10:29
Soph Girls - Caroline Kellner (WW-P So.) gets 2nd behind Haley Pierce of Tatnlall (De) 11:30 to 11:36
Soph Boys - Matt Bearden (Ewing) overtakes Erik Johnson (OC) to win 10:13 to 10:16.
Jr. Girls - Millville's Alyssa Harrris wins in 11:45, folloed by Allison Payenski (Hunt. Cent.) in 11:50
Jr. Boys - Ben Potts (Haddonfield)
Sr. Girls - Chelsea Ley (Kingsway) opens up with a win here in 11:12. So. Reg.'s Chelsea Cox 2nd in 11;40
Sr. Boys - Jon "Boo" Vitez (Haddonfield)
Full Results Posted & Added to Rankings / Athlete Pages
Photo Galleries: 200 Photos Added - More to Come
The 2009 New Jersey XC season will kick off on a soggy note this weekend as heavy rain is forecast for most of the state this afternoon. The Jersey Shore Classic, making it's debut, and the Randolph Invite, until this year the the first event on the state calendar, will be run in potentially sloppy conditions as masssive downpours are predicted for both venues ( Forecasts for Bayville,
Things do not look much drier on Saturday as rain is still called for throughout much of NJ. With meets being put on from north to south, it will be a wet start for NJ harriers. (See Calendar)
NJRunners will be on site at the 14th Cherokee Challenge again this year. This class meet , run over a challenging, but not impossible 3200m layout over the Cherokee HS campus is a good meet to shake out the cobwebs and give all runners a taste of competition. Meeet Director Chris Callinan and Head Coach Steve Shaklee put on a high quality event, with a great atmosphere, special appearances and great sponsorship. A "Classsy" class meet.
This years event will feature 4 boys teams and 4 girls teams ranked in the NJR XC Top Ten Poll as well as, including the 2 pre-season #1's (Haddonfield Boys & TRN Girls).
Despite the potential for a wet run, this should be a great meet.
Chris Callinan (foreground) & Steve Shaklee.
Photo by: Good Doggie Photographic
Defending Cross Country MOC Champ Tyler Udland of Millburn is fit and ready to take on New Jersey's best harriers as he looks to duplicate his victory in the state's biggest meet.
As part of NJRunners pre-season look, Tyler took a few minutes this past week to take on NJR's "10 Questions"
NJR: What thoughts went through your mind as you came down the last 150 meters of the MOC at Holmdel last year?
Tyler: Coming down the final 150m last year at MOCs was crazy. All I was thinking was don't trip or anything. The previous week at groups coming down the final stretch I took a hard step and almost stumbled so I didn't want that to happen. I was just trying to keep running as hard as possible because Johnson came out of nowhere the week before so I knew that could happen again if I let up even a little.
NJR: What has been your training routine this summer? Tyler: My training this summer has been pretty typical for me. I have just been doing base mileage most of the summer building up to 70-75 miles a week. I eased into it a little more than usually this summer just because I was coming off the injury, but everything has gone real well.
NJR: What got you into distance running?
Tyler: Throughout middle school and before I had always played football, basketball and baseball, but going into high school I didn't want to play football anymore. My brother was running cross country so I naturally did that too. I had a little success and ran winter track. Then in the spring I was on the baseball team for a week when I decided that I really missed running, so I made the switch and that's how I really got into running full time.
Click on Headline to Continue
XC 2009 Previews
With less than a month until the gun goes off for the start of the 2009 Cross Country season in NJ, it’s time to look at the potential top teams and individuals who will toe the line this Fall.Over the next few weeks NJRunners will break down the top returning teams and individuals by Group to give you a peek at how the season may play out for New Jersey’s harriers.
Group 4 Boys | ||||
2008 Team Champ: Old Bridge (125 pts.) | ||||
Top Returning Teams | ||||
Returning | LY @ | NJR | ||
Team | Section | Team Avg. | Groups | Ranking Pts. |
Toms River No. | SJ | 16:15 | 8 | 305 |
Old Bridge | CJ | 16:42 | 1 | 538 |
Southern Reg. | SJ | 16:35 | 3 | 567 |
Freehold Twp. | CJ | 16:41 | DNC | 637 |
Bridgewater | North 2 | 16:45 | 6 | 679 |
Ridge | North 2 | 16:54 | 16 | 825 |
East Brunswick | CJ | 17:03 | 18 | 965 |
Shawnee | SJ | 16:55 | 8* | 1011 |
Dickinson | North 2 | 17:05 | 15 | 1019 |
WW-P So. | CJ | 17:01 | 4 | 1084 |
* Competed in Gr. 3 LY | ||||
Returning | NJR | |||
On The Cusp | Team Avg. | Ranking Pts. | ||
Ridgewood | 17:05 | 1089 | ||
Westfield | 17:08 | 1104 |
Click Here for Full List of Returning Grp. 4 Teams
Click on Headline for All Girls and Boys Grps. 1,2, 3 & NP "A", "B"
Photo: George Kochman III
The NJRunners Ranking Points have been substituted for LY MOC placing to better reflect TY potential. As Always, please direct any corrections to me at pfm724@comcast.net
Hillsborough HS to host 2nd Jason Walton Memorial Run
The date and place have been set for Jason's Run 2009 in memory of Jason Walton.
When: Sunday, August 2nd
Where: Hillsborough High School
Time: 9:30am
Click on Headline for Event Flyer and Information
Contact Information: JasonsRun@gmail.com
The memorial will celebrate and honor the life and achievements of Jason Walton, who died last July after his junior year at Hillsborough HS. Come join the NJ running community as we remember this remarkable young man.
Further details will be posted as become available.
Photo: Jason Walton @ 2008 Penn Relays
Robby Andrews 2nd to Fleet at Portland Track Festival.
Michelle Brown and Dominique Booker compete at Caribbean Scholastic Invitational.
UVA bound Robby Andrews traveled to Portland to score the fastest time ever by a New Jerser in a High School only race over the classic One Mile distance. Andrews finished 2nd to Californian Mac Fleet (4:02. 90) in 4:03.49 to eclipse the previous NJ best in a HS only race of 4:07.7 set by Jim Neilsen of Bernards in 1984. The NJ State Record, of course, is 3:59.8 set by Marty Liquori of Essex Catholic in 1967.
The Manalapan senior and the field followed a rabbit through 800m with splits of 63.4 and 2:05.7. With approx 200m to go Robby was right with Fleet, but could not get past him, covering the final 400m in 58 seconds shoulder.
At the Caribbean Scholastic Invite, much further south of Portland, Michelle Brown of Seneca and Dominique Bookerof Immaculate Conception (Montclair) competed for the US team representing the NSSF.
Dominique, who finished 2nd in the 100m and 3rd in the 200m at the Meet of Champions scored a victory in the 200m (24.43) and silver in the 100m (12.00), while Michelle, who won the 400m at MOC took 2nd in the event held in Carolina, Puerto Rico in a time of 54.74.
Breaking News
Seton Hall Prep senior Clayton Parros ran a smokin' 45.71 for 400m today in the Great Southwest T & F Classic at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque)establishinfg a new State record. Finishing second to Tavaris Tate (Stakeville MS.),
the Norh Carolina bound Parros broke the previous record of 46.02 set by
Dennis Mitchell of Edgewood in 1984.
South Plainfield-
Action Videos and Photos Now Posted
See 20 Videos from the Track @ MOC
Highlights
Robby Andrews Kicks Huge for 1:48.68 Meet Record & US #1
Chelsea Ley solo's sub 10:20 to win 3200m
* US #2 Tim Carey falls in 400IH
* Another Meet record falls as Nick Vena launches US #1 72-08 throw in SP.
Chris DiLorenzo gets 61-10 for 2nd.
* Meet Record 58.44 / US #1 from Amber Allen in the Girls 400H
* 4:08.11 MR by Liam Tansey! 15 runners under 4:20. Colin Baker (Haddonfield)
2nd in 4:09.30
* And the hits just keep on comin'! Lanie Thompson wins 1600m with
a MR / US #4:46.28 over frosh Ajee Wilson of Neptune (4:46.84.)
*Jim Rosa goes out in 4:37 and finishes in9:03.69.
* Emily Kianka of Hopewell Valley wins HJ in 5-09.25
* Nick Vena adds Discus Title to SP Crown
* Michelle Brown (Seneca) over Nijgia Snapp (Oakcrest) 53.72 to 54.11
^ Jillian Smith's 2:04.67 800m is new US #1
* Clayton Parros picks up 2nd win with 21.31 in 200m
So. Plainfield -
The second day of competiton will start here at 10am, while, at Egg Harbor,
the meet will continue where it was stopped yesterday due to severe
weather conditions. NJRunners is on site at both venues to bring you coverage of the
State Group Championships.
Highlights
* Liam Tansey (1:52.06 MR) wins G3 800m. Lucas Clyne 2nd (1:52.54),
for 18 Morris Hills points.
* Hayden Duffy (Emerson) edges Keith Griffith (Florence) in G1 800m.
* Ajee Wison of Neptune (2:09.66) comes from behind to take the G3 800m
in a close one from Lanie Thompson (Voorhees). Wilsons mark is
new NJ Frosh Record.
* Marielle Hall (Haddonfield) picks up her 2nd win with a 2:09.89) in the G2 800m
* Jim Rosa pulls away at 1800m and buries the field with a 9:02.38 MR in the
G3 3200m. Splits = 4:39 / 4:23
* Michelle Brown speeds to 24.17 win in G3 200
Click on Headline to View Winners List
On Friday and Saturday (5/29-5/30), hundreds of Track & Field Athletes will gather at Egg Harbor and South Plainfield to compete for the coveted titles of NJ State Group Champion. The Public School Groups 1,2 and 3 championships will take place at South Plainfield and the Public School Group 4 and Non-Public Groups “A” and “B” meet will be run at Egg Harbor Township.
NJRunners.com starts its coverage with the performance lists for each Group;
The Non-Public Groups do not hold Sectional Championships, so we have updated the rankings for each of them;
Additionally, to whet your appetite for this weekend’s action NJRunners webmaster, Matt Shatkus has gone into the vault and posted 40 videos from last year’s action. Just go HERE to relive the excitement from the 2008 Group Meet at Egg Harbor Twp.
Extended Weather Forecast - Egg Harbor Twp.
* 2008 Gr 3 and MOC 1600m Champ Brett Johnson of Ocean City will not defend his titles and has chosen to end his HS career due to ongoing ankle injuries. Johnson, who according to reports, was in great pain after his 4:18.51 victory at the SJ Sectional. Johnson originally incurred the injury during the latter part of the 2008 XC season and was hampered by it at the Foot Locker National Championships.
Brett will not race again as a prep, and will run for the University of Virginia in the Fall.
Keep coming back as we update and keep you in the loop.
Hillsborough - Day 2 of Cenral Jersey Groups 1 & 4 will get underway at 10am today. With tempertures predicted to get nto the 80s it could be a little uncomfortable in the middle of the day.
NJRunners is back on site to bring you results, highlights and more.
*In one of the classiest gestures ever, Robby Andrews took the #2 hip number for his 800m race this morning out of respect for the late Jason Walton of Hillsborough.
*Amber Scott of Robbinsville nails her 3rd win of the meet with a MR 36-11.25 TJ. Scott misses the quad with a silver in the 200m
*WW-P So's Katie Kellner breaks the field with a strong surge at 1400m to take the G4 3200m in 10:55.67. Younger sister Caroiline, (a frosh) was 3rd in 11:02.37
*In the G4 4x4, from the Press Box, I had Robby Andrews at 48.63 on the anchor.
*Rolston Braithwaite (Trenton) score the triple on the boys side with his 23-03 MR win in the LJ to go along with his wins in the 110H and TJ (MR).
Friday Highlights
*51 MileSplit National Elite marks were posted, including 2 Meet Rcords, on day 1.
* Both Meet Records were set on the Boys side with Keith Griffith (Florence) posting a 48.32 in the Group 1 400m to break the previous record of 48.58 by Dejuan Miller (Metuchen) in 2007. In the Group 4 Triple Jump, Rolston Braithwaite of Trenton Central went 48-04 to eclipse the mark of 48-02 set by former teammate Devon Bond at last years meet.
*In the Group 4 Girls 1600m, 7 girls went under 5:07 in a Race that Sophia Ginez (South Brunswick) broke open late to win in 4:58.43.
* In the Grp 4 Boys 1600m, UVA bound Robby Andrews scored a 4:20.13 win. In the race Robby put on a move at the half way mark as part of his race plan. "I guess I didn't go hard enough" he said as the pack came back to him at 3/4s. He then used the patented Andrews kick to seal the deal.
*Photo Gallery Now Posted.
Click on Headline to View Winners Lists
The march to the Meet of Champions starts this weekend with Sectional action taking place at eight venues around New Jersey.
The following are the NJRunners Rankings for each Section. Rankings are based on performances from results received through May 20. As always if there are corrections and/or additions, please forward them to me at PFM724@comcast.net.
Good luck to all athletes competing this weekend!
Click on Headline to see Central and South Sections
North 1 Section
Group 1 Boys @ Hackensack HS
Group 1 Girls @ Hackensack HS
Group 2 Boys @ Mahwah HS
Group 2 Girls @ Mahwah HS
Group 3 Boys@ Mahwah HS
Group 3 Girls @ Mahwah HS
Smokin' Hot 4x8's and Washington Twp. SMR Bring US # 1s to The Garden State:
* Morris Hills Boys (AT #10) - 7:46.54
* Southern Regional Girls - 9:07.67
* Washington Twp. 3:30.84
Sadiki White US #1 @ 800m (1:52.40))
Clayton Parros Very Fast @ New Balance
Shore Conf., Lavino Relays, Essex and Union County Meets Highlight Calendar
It was a weekend of hot racing for New Jersey HS'ers with most of the excitement centered on the 800 meter distance, both scratch and relay. Starting with Thursday Night at the Races in the Armory T&F Center and ending with the Randolph Shot Put Invite on Monday, it was a great weekend of Track and Field in the Garden State.
Sadiki White (Allentown), who races lightly on the NJ high School curcuit, went to the Armory on Thursday and ripped a seasonal US #1 at 800m. His time of 1:52.40 improved his Indoor PR by 1.9 seconds.
On Friday night, the Albemarle (Va.) boys 4x800m team took over the US #1 spot with a time of 7:49 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Morris Hills had owned the previous season leader (7:51.07). The next day at the New Balance Games in the Armory, The Knights went out and snatched the #1 spot back with splits of;
Vinny Chiusano - 1:55.5
Tyler Hendrickson - 1:57.8
Lucas Clyne - 1:59.8
Liam Tansey - 1:53.4
Speaking with MIleSplit's Chris Hunt, Tansey had this to say about losing and regaining the top spot;
"We had the previous No. 1 time and we wanted them to have it for as little time as possible.Twenty-four hours seemed about right.”
If Tansey's anchor was quick, Jillian Smith's was positivley blazing. The Southern Regional senior ripped a 2:05 final leg to put the icing on the US Girl #1 for the 4x800m. The Ocean County team took the win by almost 12 seconds over Bronxville. The lineup for the winners was;
Kate Bergin
Erin Horleman
Chelsea Cox
Jillian Smith
Continued...Click on Headline
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO SATURDAY
For some, this season started right after the Outdoor Meet of Champions. All the miles run and time put in culminates with the NJSIAA XC Meet of Champions on Saturday 11/22. Check back this week as we prep for what will be the biggest races of the year.
2008 Meet of Champions Previews - Meet Info Page
What: NJSIAA XC Meet of Champions
When: Saturday 11/22/08
Boys Race: 10:00am
Girls Race: 10:45am
Awards Ceremony: 11:30am
Where: Holmdel Park - Holmdel, NJ (Parking Will be On Site)
Who: Past Top Holmdel Performers
All Time Holmdel Lists (Individuals)
Top Single Race Team Times (Boys then Girls)
(Thanks to Matt Shatkus of SCTNF for the Lists)
Poll Results
Boys
WW-P No. 69
Don Bosco 56
Haddonfield 6
CBA 5
Morris Hills 3
Others 7
Girls
IHA 27
Ridge 27
Haddonfield 15
RBC 11
TRN 6
Others 9
For Previews of the Races...Click on Headline
Passaic Coaches, NB Cougar Invitational Highlight Weekend
Action at 3 of 4 Sectional Sites
Many schools will get first looks at their Sectional layouts this weekend as racing will take place at Garett Mtn. (PCCI Invitational), Warinanco Pk. (Stewart Inv.) and Thompson Pk. (Old Bridge Class Meet). Additionally, the New Balance Cougar Invitational, and The SJ Shootout mark the schedule. Some Jersers will travel to New England to compete at the Ocean State Invitational in Warwick RI.
Continued...Cllick on Headline
Rosa Blasts 9:38.22 @ Knight Invitational Photo Galleries
Udland / Berard Set CRs @ Lancer Invite Results
Petty Fun Run @ Delaware Valley HS Photo Gallery
Also... Saint Dominic Academy and Roxbury Invites
Knight Invitational - West Windsor-Plainsboro No.
"The plan was to take it out around 4:45" admitted WW-P No. soph Joe Rosa. The best layed plans of coaches & athletes....WW-P No. Soph Joe Rosa ran away from the Sophmore race field at the start and went through the Mile mark in 4:40 stayed strong en route to an impressive time of 9:38.22 for the 2 Mile course on the WW-P campus. " I just trying to get used to taking it out hard. last season it was all about negative splitting" Rosa went on to say regarding the race strategy. With his brother James sitting out the race as a precaution, Joe stormed away from the field, putting a big gap on everyone early. Rosa ran a slightly shorter course in 10:24 last year to take the Frosh Championship. Finishing behind Rosa were North Brunswick's Kyle Davis (10:58) and Cullen Davis (11:00), WW-P No. took the team race, placing 1,6,&7 in 3 man scoring.
WW-P No. Soph Joe Rosa comes
through the Mile in 4:40 en route to
his 9:38.22 win at the Knight Invitational.
Photo: PM Photographic
Continued...Click on Headline