UNION COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Summit puts three in top seven and rolls to first boys title. Johnson girls repeat and D.J. Thornton and Ines Simoes grab historic victories.
Wednesday, October, 29, 2008, Warinanco Park, Elizabeth, N.J.
Course records: Boys: 15:42-Tim Styler, Cranford, 1998 Girls: 18:10-Theresa Gschwind, Summit, 1981
Schedule 2:45- Freshman boys and girls
3:00 - Junior varsity boys and girls
3:30 - Varsity girls
4:00 - Varsity boys Results - Boys - Girls
courtesy of NJraces.com
Race distance - 3.19 miles (muddy) Highlights
- Tomas Salazar, Francisco Azevedo and Thomas Chin go 5-6-7 to key Summit's 25 point win over defending champion Westfield, which has won three straight. Summit's victiory avabges a one pijt loss to Wesfield in the county race last year.
- NJ#16 Johnson gets 3-4 finish from Sara Vagie and Cathy Goncalves and storms to 29 point win for second straight girls title.f c
- Union Cathoic junior D.J. Thornton uses strong kick over last half mile to get away from Chris Johnson of Gov. Livingston and win boys race in 16:17. Thornton is the first county champion from his school.
- Roselle Catholic sophomore Ines Simoes grabs big early lead and hammers her way to victory in 19:05 to become RC's first girls' county champion on the trails.
The gold-and-maroon uniforms came swarming across the line in single file. First it was Tomas Salazar, then Francisco Azevedo, and right on his heels was Thomas Chin. That trio grabbed places five, six and seven in a great display of pack running to lead Summit to a historic victory at yesterday's Union County Cross Country Championships at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth. Summit finished first in the boys race with 43 points to capture its first county title. Westfield, which had won three straight titles, was second with 68. Summit's victory avenged its heartbreaking, one-point loss in the county race to Westfield last year, and ended a streak of 19 years in which either Westfield (11 titles) or Cranford (eight) had won the county title. Summit wasn't the only one making history. Both individual winners, sophomore Ines Simoes of Roselle Catholic (19:05) and junior D.J. Thornton of Union Catholic (16:17), scored major breakthrough wins as well. Simoes is the first girl to win from her school, while Thornton became the first Union Catholic champion and the first boy from a Mountain Valley Conference school to win the county title since Anthony DeBenedictis of Roselle Park won in 1994. Johnson, No. 16 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, made it two straight girls team titles, 63-92 over runner-up Summit. In the boys team race, Salazar, Azevedo and Chin all finished ahead of Westfield's No. 1 runner, Ryan Scrudato (eighth), to key the victory. "This is what we've been thinking about and working towards since we lost last year," said Salazar, a senior who was fifth in 16:59. "It's pretty amazing to do something like this and make school history." Salazar, Azevedo (sixth in 16:59), and Chin (seventh in 17:01), were joined by teammates Mike Schaffer, 11th in 17:10, and Christos Hantzaras, 14th in 17:18, in Summit's top five. Summit averaged 17:05.4 over the muddy 3.19-mile course. Salazar said his team followed the race plan put together by coach Neal Sharma. "We were trying to keep as many guys ahead of Westfield's first runner for as long as we could," said Salazar, running his first race since Oct. 4 because of plantar fasciitis. "Basically, everything just clicked for us today and we ran our best race." Simoes, like she did when he won her first Mountain Valley Conference title, shot out to an early lead while hitting the mile in 5:52. She carved out a 17-second lead at the two-mile mark in 11:58, and went on to win her second straight race at Warinanco. "I went out hard the first mile and if anyone came with me, I'd just drop the hammer," she said. "I usually die at two miles, but I knew I couldn't do that today because she (Johnson's Sara Vagie) was pushing me." Vagie chased Simoes for much of the race, but was caught in the last 200 meters by Rahway junior Nichelle Harris, who finished second in a school-record 19:28.5. The old record of 19:36 was set by Marissa DeFreese in 1994. Vagie (19:29.6) and Cathy Goncalves (19:37.0) placed third and fourth, respectively, and Kathleen Mulligan placed eighth in 20:09.7 to pace Johnson. "Everyone wanted to push us off the throne, but we proved to everyone that this is our crown," Goncalves said. "We thought it was going to be close and we knew we were the target this time, so we had to fight for everything we got today." Thornton, a junior, broke away from Chris Johnson of Gov. Livingston over the final half mile to win the race. Thornton did the same thing to beat Johnson at the Mountain Valley Conference Championships two weeks ago. "It's really cool to be the first to win from my school," said Thornton, who hit the first mile in 5:09 and two miles in 10:09. "And after guys from the Watchung Conference dominated this race for so long, it's great for Chris and I to go 1-2."
Results
| Boys
Cranford High School HY-TEK's Meet Manager
71st Union County Interscholastic Association - 10/29/2008
Cross Country Championships
Warinanco Park, Elizabeth, NJ
Last Completed Event
Event 4 Boys 5134 Meter Run CC Varsity
==================================================================================
Name Year School Avg Mile Finals Points
==================================================================================
1 Thornton, DJ JR Union Catholic 5:06 16:17 1
2 Johnson, Christopher SR Governor Livingston 5:08 16:23 2
3 Sweeney, Martin SR Scotch Plains-Fa 5:13 16:39 3
4 Boscia, Travis SR Roselle Catholic HS 5:18 16:54 4
5 Salazar, Tomas SR Summit High School 5:20 16:59 5
6 Azevedo, Francisco JR Summit High School 5:20 16:59 6
7 Chin, Thomas SO Summit High School 5:20 17:01 7
8 Scrudato, Ryan JR Westfield 5:21 17:03 8
9 Calo, Matthew SR AL Johnson 5:22 17:07 9
10 Masko, Tommy SR Roselle Catholic HS 5:23 17:08 10
11 Schaffer, Michael SR Summit High School 5:23 17:10 11
12 Cusick, Tyler JR Westfield 5:26 17:17 12
13 Marra, Andrew SR Westfield 5:26 17:18 13
14 Hantzaras, Christos JR Summit High School 5:26 17:18 14
15 da Costa, Danny SR Union Catholic 5:27 17:21 15
16 Kirna, Andrew SO Westfield 5:27 17:22 16
17 Healey, Jordan SR Summit High School 5:29 17:28 17
18 Nicastro, Vinny SR Roselle Catholic HS 5:29 17:28 18
19 Applebaum, Julian SR Westfield 5:29 17:29 19
20 Fargionoe, Matthew SR Governor Livingston 5:29 17:29 20
21 Johnson, Curtis 11 Rahway High School 5:30 17:30 21
22 Colicchio, Roy JR Cranford 5:30 17:31 22
23 Boscia, Tyler SO Roselle Catholic HS 5:30 17:32 23
24 Lizmi, Zach SO Westfield 5:31 17:35 24
25 Kelley, Mike JR Westfield 5:32 17:37 25
26 Price, Everett FR Pioneers 5:35 17:47 26
27 Wheeler, Brandon JR Scotch Plains-Fa 5:37 17:54 27
28 Walsh, Brian JR Scotch Plains-Fa 5:37 17:55 28
29 Sobol, Bryan SO Governor Livingston 5:38 17:57 29
30 Parker, Alex SO Scotch Plains-Fa 5:38 17:58 30
31 Powasnik, John JR Cranford 5:39 17:59 31
32 Mulligan, Kevin JR Union Catholic 5:40 18:02 32
33 Evans, Bobby JR Scotch Plains-Fa 5:40 18:03 33
34 Hotz, Blake JR Governor Livingston 5:42 18:10 34
35 Christenson, Mark SR Summit High School 5:42 18:11 35
36 Favreau, Greg SO Scotch Plains-Fa 5:43 18:13 36
37 Cassidy, Michael SO Cranford 5:43 18:14 37
38 Bucci, Anthony FR Governor Livingston 5:44 18:18 38
39 Kerby, Jon FR Scotch Plains-Fa 5:46 18:22 39
40 Bauer, Aaron SR Pioneers 5:46 18:23 40
41 Hahner, Sean FR Governor Livingston 5:47 18:27 41
42 Caulfield, Miguel SR Cranford 5:48 18:30 42
43 Smith, William JR Cranford 5:49 18:33 43
44 Sun, Jeffrey JR Cranford 5:49 18:33 44
45 Bjellquist-Ledger, Ryan SO AL Johnson 5:52 18:41 45
46 Madsen, Will JR Pioneers 5:52 18:43 46
47 Adenuga, Akiyemi SR Hillside 5:53 18:46 47
48 Zatorsky, Austin 10 Rahway High School 5:54 18:47 48
49 Cassidy, John SR Cranford 5:54 18:48 49
50 Maret, Brandon SR Pioneers 5:54 18:49 50
51 Simpson, Darryl SO Hillside 5:54 18:50 51
52 Fuchs, Michael FR Union Catholic 5:55 18:51 52
53 Harper, Luke Rahway High School 5:55 18:52 53
54 Acito, Allessandro SO Roselle Catholic HS 5:55 18:52 54
55 Grimm, Daniel SR Oratory 5:55 18:53 55
56 Trivella, Jeffrey SR Governor Livingston 5:56 18:55 56
57 Drastura, Kevin FR Roselle Catholic HS 5:57 18:57 57
58 Samson, Rick JR Elizabeth 5:58 19:00 58
59 Rodriguez, Alexander SR Linden High School 6:01 19:09 59
60 Jonathan, Andy JR Roselle Catholic HS 6:03 19:16 60
61 Crum, Billy SR Oratory 6:03 19:18 61
62 Schlegel, Joseph SR Oratory 6:04 19:20 62
63 Enright, Joey SO Union Catholic 6:04 19:21 63
64 Poyssick, Anthony JR AL Johnson 6:05 19:23 64
65 DeCristofaro, Joseph JR AL Johnson 6:07 19:29 65
66 Sooknana, Jason SR Elizabeth 6:07 19:30 66
67 Castor, Ben FR Jonathan Dayton 6:07 19:31 67
68 Mascolo, Joseph FR Oratory 6:09 19:35 68
69 LA Pilusa, Austin JR Union High School 6:09 19:36 69
70 Weinhoffer, Mark SO Oratory 6:09 19:38 70
71 Manto, Joshua SR David Brearley 6:10 19:41
72 Paquiot, Jeff SR Elizabeth 6:12 19:46 71
73 Jenkins, Russell 12 Rahway High School 6:13 19:49 72
74 Kirk, Kevin SO Jonathan Dayton 6:14 19:51 73
75 Coughlan, Kevin JR Union Catholic 6:15 19:55 74
76 Bostic, Mike JR Union High School 6:15 19:56 75
77 Exume, Jean SO Linden High School 6:17 20:02 76
78 Durkin, Connor JR AL Johnson 6:17 20:03 77
79 Dahaghi, Kevin JR Elizabeth 6:18 20:04 78
80 Krienke, Robbie JR Union Catholic 6:18 20:06 79
81 Savell, Yannick SR Union High School 6:21 20:14 80
82 Zeelens, Adam SO Pioneers 6:21 20:16 81
83 Drylewicz, Michael SO Union High School 6:23 20:22 82
84 O'Brien, Dennis SR Oratory 6:24 20:25 83
85 Hooks, Lester 10 Rahway High School 6:25 20:27 84
86 Hu, Derek SO Pioneers 6:25 20:28 85
87 Fernandez, Mario SO Roselle 6:26 20:30
88 Davies, James JR Pioneers 6:26 20:32 86
89 Barone, David JR Union High School 6:27 20:33 87
90 Cubias, Anthony SR Union High School 6:27 20:35 88
91 Hahn, Matthew JR Union High School 6:28 20:38 89
92 Ajula, Karndeep SR Linden High School 6:29 20:39 90
93 Hurtado, Tomas SR AL Johnson 6:30 20:42 91
94 Gelband, Jordan SR Jonathan Dayton 6:32 20:49 92
95 Dore, Tim JR Oratory 6:32 20:51 93
96 Karp, Elliot JR Jonathan Dayton 6:34 20:55 94
97 Piper, Bradford SO David Brearley 6:36 21:03
98 Condon, Jason JR Jonathan Dayton 6:39 21:13 95
99 Whyte, Christen 12 Rahway High School 6:40 21:15 96
100 Watford, Arkeese JR Linden High School 6:46 21:34 97
101 Turczmanovich, Brian SO Linden High School 6:47 21:36 98
102 Antoine, Pekens JR Roselle 6:56 22:07
103 Thomas, Richard FR Roselle 6:57 22:09
104 Torres, Daniel SO Jonathan Dayton 6:59 22:15 99
105 Watford, Aaron JR Linden High School 7:00 22:20 100
106 Rosa, Dugla SO Elizabeth 7:01 22:22 101
107 Shanes, Matthew SR Jonathan Dayton 7:02 22:26 102
108 Hameed, Jermaine SR Hillside 7:09 22:48 103
109 Lofton, Calvin SO Hillside 7:21 23:26 104
110 Walters, Taishawn SR Hillside 7:23 23:32 105
111 De Leon, Moses FR Roselle 7:23 23:32
112 Yelenovsky, Joseph SO David Brearley 7:23 23:33
113 Hartmann, Matthew SR David Brearley 7:55 25:13
Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
1 Summit High School 43 5 6 7 11 14 17 35
Total Time: 1:25:27.00
Average: 17:05.40
2 Westfield 68 8 12 13 16 19 24 25
Total Time: 1:26:29.00
Average: 17:17.80
3 Roselle Catholic HS 109 4 10 18 23 54 57 60
Total Time: 1:27:54.00
Average: 17:34.80
4 Scotch Plains-Fanwood 121 3 27 28 30 33 36 39
Total Time: 1:28:29.00
Average: 17:41.80
5 Governor Livingston 123 2 20 29 34 38 41 56
Total Time: 1:28:17.00
Average: 17:39.40
6 Union Catholic High Schoo 163 1 15 32 52 63 74 79
Total Time: 1:29:52.00
Average: 17:58.40
7 Cranford High School 175 22 31 37 42 43 44 49
Total Time: 1:30:47.00
Average: 18:09.40
8 New Providence Pioneers 243 26 40 46 50 81 85 86
Total Time: 1:33:58.00
Average: 18:47.60
9 AL Johnson 260 9 45 64 65 77 91
Total Time: 1:34:43.00
Average: 18:56.60
10 Rahway High School 278 21 48 53 72 84 96
Total Time: 1:35:25.00
Average: 19:05.00
11 Oratory Prep Cross Countr 316 55 61 62 68 70 83 93
Total Time: 1:36:44.00
Average: 19:20.80
12 Elizabeth High School 374 58 66 71 78 101
Total Time: 1:40:42.00
Average: 20:08.40
13 Union High School 393 69 75 80 82 87 88 89
Total Time: 1:40:41.00
Average: 20:08.20
14 Hillside High School 410 47 51 103 104 105
Total Time: 1:47:22.00
Average: 21:28.40
15 Linden High School 420 59 76 90 97 98 100
Total Time: 1:43:00.00
Average: 20:36.00
16 Jonathan Dayton 421 67 73 92 94 95 99 102
Total Time: 1:42:19.00
Average: 20:27.80
d
| Girls
Cranford High School HY-TEK's Meet Manager
71st Union County Interscholastic Association - 10/29/2008
Cross Country Championships
Warinanco Park, Elizabeth, NJ
Last Completed Event
Event 3 Girls 5134 Meter Run CC Varsity
==================================================================================
Name Year School Avg Mile Finals Points
==================================================================================
1 Simoes, Ines SO Roselle Catholic HS 5:59 19:05 1
2 Harris, Nichelle Rahway High School 6:07 19:29 2
3 Vagie, Sara SO AL Johnson 6:07 19:30 3
4 Goncalves, Cathy SR AL Johnson 6:09 19:37 4
5 Allocco, Danielle SR Summit High School 6:16 19:57 5
6 Miller, Bridget SO Cranford 6:17 20:01 6
7 Olcott, Kearsley JR Summit High School 6:18 20:05 7
8 Mulligan, Kathleen JR AL Johnson 6:20 20:10 8
9 Veeck, Brittney SR Scotch Plains-Fa 6:20 20:11 9
10 St Onge, Jen SR Governor Livingston 6:21 20:13 10
11 Murphy, Annie FR Oak Knoll School 6:23 20:21 11
12 Hatch, Alyssa SO Westfield 6:26 20:29 12
13 Clyde, Olivia JR Pioneers 6:30 20:44 13
14 Murray, Rachel SO Jonathan Dayton 6:32 20:50 14
15 Commerato, Alisa SO Cranford 6:34 20:55 15
16 Hanke, Joy SR Cranford 6:34 20:57 16
17 Faktor, Sharon JR Westfield 6:36 21:02 17
18 Theriot, Nicole FR Summit High School 6:36 21:03 18
19 Toner, Caitlin SO Pioneers 6:37 21:05 19
20 Fraser, Darianna SR AL Johnson 6:42 21:22 20
21 Sandlin, Tara JR Roselle Catholic HS 6:43 21:23 21
22 Cohen, Catie JR Roselle Catholic HS 6:43 21:24 22
23 Grogan, Bridget SR Westfield 6:44 21:26 23
24 Murray, Shannon SR Westfield 6:44 21:27 24
25 Roggenburg, Amy JR Westfield 6:44 21:28 25
26 Grywalski, Amanda SR Kent Place School 6:45 21:30 26
27 Hyppolite, Christelle SR Union High School 6:45 21:31 27
28 Fraser, Jenna FR AL Johnson 6:45 21:32 28
29 Brattole, Megan JR AL Johnson 6:46 21:34 29
30 Mandelbaum, Mellissa JR Summit High School 6:46 21:35 30
31 Hanke, Rebecca FR Cranford 6:47 21:38 31
32 McDonald, Kayla SR Summit High School 6:48 21:39 32
33 Miller, Veronica SO Cranford 6:48 21:42 33
34 Yozzi, Isabella FR Summit High School 6:49 21:43 34
35 Smith, Briana JR Roselle Catholic HS 6:50 21:47 35
36 Monahan, Meagan SR Cranford 6:51 21:51 36
37 Joostema, Brittany SR Summit High School 6:52 21:52 37
38 Bruce, Laura SO Scotch Plains-Fa 6:52 21:52 38
39 Garfinkel, Daryl SR Westfield 6:53 21:56 39
40 Lowenstein, Allie SR Westfield 6:56 22:05 40
41 Bartolick, Rebecca SR AL Johnson 6:58 22:12 41
42 Palumbo, Brianna FR Governor Livingston 7:00 22:20 42
43 Brown, Suzanne JR Kent Place School 7:01 22:21 43
44 McLean, Christine SR Scotch Plains-Fa 7:01 22:22 44
45 Carow, Emily SR Scotch Plains-Fa 7:01 22:23 45
46 Leonard, Sarah JR Pioneers 7:04 22:32 46
47 Deddens, Callie JR Kent Place School 7:05 22:36 47
48 Fonseca, Jessica FR Roselle Catholic HS 7:09 22:46 48
49 Agresti, Carly SR Oak Knoll School 7:10 22:50 49
50 Gouraige, Sophia SR Kent Place School 7:10 22:52 50
51 Hoy, Taylor SR Governor Livingston 7:11 22:53 51
52 Ake, Anne Maude SR Pioneers 7:12 22:57 52
53 Matsuda, Emily FR Kent Place School 7:12 22:58 53
54 Meagher, Jennifer FR Pioneers 7:13 23:00 54
55 Acevedo, Alison SR Scotch Plains-Fa 7:13 23:01 55
56 Monroe, Ellen SO Governor Livingston 7:14 23:04 56
57 Cagnassola, Lauren SO Oak Knoll School 7:16 23:08 57
58 Eckert, Allison SO Oak Knoll School 7:18 23:15 58
59 Woolridge, Kayla SO Union High School 7:19 23:20 59
60 Weakley, Maureen JR Governor Livingston 7:20 23:23 60
61 Biner, Chana SO Scotch Plains-Fa 7:21 23:26 61
62 Ibanibo, Michele 11 Rahway High School 7:24 23:36 62
63 Donovan, Kara SR Oak Knoll School 7:25 23:38 63
64 Jeffcoat, Shirley SR Elizabeth 7:25 23:39
65 Niemela, Casey SR Governor Livingston 7:27 23:46 64
66 Bernoskie, Lauren SR Pioneers 7:32 24:01 65
67 Mesaros, Gabby SR Roselle Catholic HS 7:34 24:09 66
68 DeLorenzo, Kristen SR Jonathan Dayton 7:38 24:21 67
69 Castrelos, Samantha JR Roselle Catholic HS 7:39 24:22 68
70 Addesso, Alexandria JR Elizabeth 7:39 24:22
71 Closs, Jennifer SO Pioneers 7:39 24:23 69
72 Langone, Julia SO Cranford 7:44 24:40 70
73 Zatorsky, Ciarra 9 Rahway High School 7:45 24:42 71
74 Krinsman, Kathryn JR Kent Place School 7:46 24:45 72
75 Robertson, Lindsey SR Kent Place School 7:49 24:54 73
76 Ward, Michelle JR Elizabeth 7:55 25:13
77 Rotola, Rebecca JR Linden High School 7:57 25:19 74
78 Melkowits, Ashley JR Union High School 7:57 25:20 75
79 Dilly, Alyssa SR Governor Livingston 7:57 25:22 76
80 Cohen, Bridget SO Oak Knoll School 7:59 25:26 77
81 Kelly, Erin SR Oak Knoll School 7:59 25:28 78
82 Czarny, Anna JR Jonathan Dayton 8:00 25:29 79
83 Bryant, Tanaya SR Elizabeth 8:04 25:43
84 Gunderson, Holly SO Union Catholic 8:08 25:55
85 Pollicastro, Alexandra JR Jonathan Dayton 8:11 26:04 80
86 Ward, Ashley JR Hillside 8:12 26:09 81
87 Keffer, Sara JR Jonathan Dayton 8:12 26:09 82
88 Martin, Denice 11 Rahway High School 8:17 26:26 83
89 Stewart, Zakiya 11 Rahway High School 8:19 26:32 84
90 Cubelo, Alyssa SO Union High School 8:24 26:47 85
91 Scheiner, Jordyn JR Union High School 8:28 26:58 86
92 Major, Mariah SO Hillside 8:29 27:02 87
93 LaFortune, Myrlanda SR Linden High School 8:38 27:30 88
94 Serrano, Jessica FR Linden High School 8:39 27:33 89
95 Christmas, Melissa Cardinal 8:39 27:34
96 Ohiri, Jessica SO Union High School 8:45 27:53 90
97 Mansur, Melissa JR Jonathan Dayton 8:46 27:56 91
98 Lynn, Haley JR Jonathan Dayton 8:47 28:00 92
99 Maldonado, Katheryn SO Union High School 8:47 28:00 93
100 Vallejo, Danielle SO Linden High School 8:56 28:29 94
101 White, Charnessa JR Hillside 9:09 29:12 95
102 DosSantos, Jacinda SO Linden High School 9:10 29:12 96
103 Motta, Laura SR Linden High School 9:11 29:17 97
104 Carey, Alshanae Cardinal 9:11 29:17
105 Pierre, Stephanie JR Hillside 9:11 29:17 98
106 Kornegay, Loren SO Hillside 9:11 29:17 99
107 Palmer, Patricia SO Hillside 9:11 29:17 100
Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
1 AL Johnson 63 3 4 8 20 28 29 41
Total Time: 1:42:11.00
Average: 20:26.20
2 Summit High School 92 5 7 18 30 32 34 37
Total Time: 1:44:19.00
Average: 20:51.80
3 Cranford High School 101 6 15 16 31 33 36 70
Total Time: 1:45:13.00
Average: 21:02.60
4 Westfield 101 12 17 23 24 25 39 40
Total Time: 1:45:52.00
Average: 21:10.40
5 Roselle Catholic HS 127 1 21 22 35 48 66 68
Total Time: 1:46:25.00
Average: 21:17.00
6 New Providence Pioneers 184 13 19 46 52 54 65 69
Total Time: 1:50:18.00
Average: 22:03.60
7 Scotch Plains-Fanwood 191 9 38 44 45 55 61
Total Time: 1:49:49.00
Average: 21:57.80
8 Governor Livingston 219 10 42 51 56 60 64 76
Total Time: 1:51:53.00
Average: 22:22.60
9 Kent Place School 219 26 43 47 50 53 72 73
Total Time: 1:52:17.00
Average: 22:27.40
10 Oak Knoll School 238 11 49 57 58 63 77 78
Total Time: 1:53:12.00
Average: 22:38.40
11 Rahway High School 302 2 62 71 83 84
Total Time: 2:00:45.00
Average: 24:09.00
12 Jonathan Dayton 322 14 67 79 80 82 91 92
Total Time: 2:02:53.00
Average: 24:34.60
13 Union High School 332 27 59 75 85 86 90 93
Total Time: 2:03:56.00
Average: 24:47.20
14 Linden High School 441 74 88 89 94 96 97
Total Time: 2:18:03.00
Average: 27:36.60
15 Hillside High School 460 81 87 95 98 99 100
Total Time: 2:20:57.00
Average: 28:11.40 |
Preview
Summit and Westfield will finally meet. D.J. Thornton and Chris Johnson will meet again. Those two showdowns are the biggest storylines heading into today’s boys race at the Union County Championships at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth. If the meet is postponed due to inclement weather it will be rescheduled for Thursday. Summit and Westfield have been the top two teams in the county this fall, have run nearly identical times, and both lack star power and instead rely on tight pack running. Westfield averaged 17:06 at Warinanco last week when it won the Watchung Conference title. Summit ran 17:07 at the Iron Hills meet last week at Freedom Park in Randolph. This will be there first head-to-head matchup since last year’s epic battle at the county championships when Westfield escaped with a dramatic one point victory. ``We made some mistakes in that race that we know we can’t do again if we want to win,’’ said Summit junior Francisco Azevedo. ``We are running with much more spirit this year and more confidence. If we run the way we’re capable of we should do well.’’ Summit, ranked No. 22 in New Jersey, has never won the county title. ``It would mean a lot to us to win,’’ said Azevedo. ``It would be very emotional.’’ Westfield, which has historically run its best when the stakes are highest, knows Summit will be coming after them, but remains optimstic in the outcome. ``They lost by one point last year so you know they don’t want to lose again,’’ said Westfield junior Ryan Scrudato. ``We know they are a very good team and a tough opponent. It’ll come down to whatever team wants it more. We’ll be out there trying to beat as many gold uniforms as possible. We’re ready to run fast and it should be a great race.’’ The individual battle between Thornton, a junior at Union Catholic, and Johnson, a senior at Gov. Livingston, is a rematch of the Mountain Valley Conference Championships on Oct. 14 at Warinanco. Thornton won that in 16:10, six seconds ahead of runner-up Johnson. Thornton expects a faster race this time around, provided the course is in good shape. ``Last time we raced, I was really just focused on sitting back and then coming on to get the win,’’ said Thornton. ``But this time I want to try to break 16, and my training has been allowing me to take it out close to 5 flat and keep on coming. Hopefully once we hit two it’s under 10 minutes and then it’s just a matter of running six minutes for that last 1.19.’’ Thornton expects Johnson to push the pace. ``I think he will try to get away from me and take my kick away,’’ said Thornton. ``Anything can happen on any given day, so I’ll have to be ready For whatever comes my way.’’ Johnson tried unsuccessfully to shake Thornton at the conference meet. ``I need to separate and have a lead near the end because he can beat me in a sprint to the finish,’’ said Johnson. I’ll be going for it and it should be a real fast, real exciting race.’’ In the girls’ competition, NJ #17 Johnson of Clark is favored to make it two straight, but will have to defeat a pair of conference champions in Westfield (Watchung Conference) and Summit (Hills Division of the Iron Hills Conference). Individually, sophomore Ines Simoes of Roselle Catholic is picked to win. Boys predictions: Team: Summit's fifth runner will edge Westfield's fifth to give Summit its first title with about 50 points. Westfield will be about five points back in second.
Individuals: If the course is sloppy, Thornton will win in around 16:05 with Johnson second in about 16:11. But if the course is in reasonably good shape, Thornton will get under 16 and Johnson will go close to 16:05.
Here's a look at the projected top 10 finishers:
1-D.J. Thornton, Union Catholic. 2-Chris Johnson, Gov. Livingston. 3-Martin Sweeney, Scotch Plains-Fanwood. 4-Mike Schaffer, Summit. 5-Ryan Scrudato, Westfield. 6-Thomas Chin, Summit. 7-Julian Applebaum, Westfield. 8-Vinny Nicastro, Roselle Catholic. 9-Brandon Wheeler, Scotch Plains. 10-Francisco Azevedo, Summit. |
