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Watchung Conference
Westfield goes out in style, sweeps final conference race as realignment looms
Thursday, October 23, 2008 - Warinanco Park, Elizabeth, NJ
Results - Boys Varsity - Girls Varsity
courtesy of Morris County Track Coaches Assoc
Race distance 3.19 miles
Highlights
- Westfield sweeps team titles with the boys taking their 4th straight championship outscoring Scotch Plains – Fanwood by 8. Westfield has taken 35 titles in the 49 years it has been in the league. The girls team put 7 in the top 15 taking their 2nd straight title and 10th in 14 years.
- Individual titles go to Kearny’s Brian Mendez (16:16) and Brittney Veeck of Scotch Plains – Fanwood (19:23).
Westfield, the most dominant cross-country program in Watchung Conference history, put an exclamation point on its supremacy yesterday by sweeping what could be the final conference race ever held. When the NJSIAA's realignment plan goes into effect at the start of the next school year, the Watchung Conference, as it is currently made up, will be eliminated. Westfield went out in grand style at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth.
* The Westfield boys showed off their depth by winning a fourth straight title, by a 31-39 margin over runner-up Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Westfield has won 35 titles in the 49 years it has competed in the Watchung Conference.
Westfield, running without one of its top runners, Julian Applebaum (cold), averaged 17:06.2, crammed five runners in the top 10 over the 3.19-mile course and received personal bests from its entire lineup. Junior Ryan Scrudato led the way for Westfield, placing third in 16:53.
* The Westfield girls set the tone for their teammates on the boys side by packing all seven runners into the top 15 to win their second straight title and 10th in the last 14 years.
"We wanted to do it again and not let Scotch Plains take it from us," said Westfield senior co-captain Bridget Grogan, her team's No. 5 runner, who crossed 10th in 21:40. "Because it's the last Watchung Conference meet ever, we wanted to take it home for good." Sophomore Alyssa Hatch placed third overall in a personal-best 20:29 to pace Westfield, which pushed six runners across before four Scotch Plains runners crossed to earn a 36-46 victory.
* Scrudato said he knew Westfield's depth would be the key in the boys race.
"When we have a runner out or someone has an off day, we don't really worry," Scrudato said. "We have so many guys that can step up and that's what everyone did today." Scrudato said the performance gives Westfield lots of confidence heading into its showdown with Summit at the Union County Championships on Wednesday at Warinanco. Last year, Westfield won the county title by one point over Summit. "We know Summit is a tough opponent and it will come down to who wants it more," Scrudato said.
* A year ago, Brittney Veeck had to overcome illness (bronchitis) and the side effects of her medication to win the individual title here. With no injuries or illness to speak of this season, the Scotch Plains senior was ready to run her hardest and defend her title.
Veeck admitted she may have started too strong - she had a seven-second gap on Kearny's Tania Bernardino by the first mile - but Veeck sustained her pace, hit the second mile in 12:14 and came home in 19:23, a personal best at Warinanco by 19 seconds. "I was anxious to start the race and I wanted to go out fast," said Veeck, who hadn't raced in a championship setting since the Shore Coaches meet Oct. 4. "I haven't felt good for a whole season in a long time. This will give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the big races."
* Brian Mendez of Kearny avenged his dual-meet loss to Martin Sweeney of Scotch Plains by winning the boys race in a personal-best 16:16. Mendez used a 4:57 second mile to open a 10-meter lead. Sweeney was second in a personal-best 16:30.
This has been a breakout season for Mendez, who appears destined for a big finish to his season.
``I noticed that he (Sweeney) was breathing harder than me in the second mile, so I figured I was in pretty good shape,'' said Mendez, a senior who hit the second mile in 9:59.
Mendez, one of the favorites along with Daniel Rondon of North Bergen for the Hudson County title next week, said he's a different runner now than a month ago whene he lost to Sweeney.
``I kind of underestimated him last time,'' said Mendez. ``I've worked real hard since then and have more confidence. I knew if I ran my race the way I was capable of I could come out on top.''
The 16:16 by Mendez came within six seconds of the Kearny school record for Warinanco, 16:10 by Kearny legend Tony Barroco in 1994.
Sweeney had mixed feelings after the race "It's bittersweet," said Sweeney, a senior, who dropped his Warinanco best by 14 seconds. "We went out really quick (5:02 first mile) and I expected him to be with me at the mile. I was hoping he'd drop back, but instead he started pulling away. Now I have to rest up and get ready for the county meet. I'll have to be ready for another fast race."
Results
| Boys
Westfield High School-NJ Hy-Tek's Meet Manager
Watchung Conference cross country 2008 - 10/23/2008
Warinanco Park
Last Completed Event
Event 3 Boys 5k Run CC
=======================================================================
Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
1 Mendez, Brian Kearny High School 16:16.00 1
2 Sweeney, Martin Scotch Plains-Fa 16:30.00 2
3 Scrudato, Ryan Westfield High S 16:53.00 3
4 Wheeler, Brandon Scotch Plains-Fa 16:58.00 4
5 Kirna, Andrew Westfield High S 17:03.00 5
6 Cusick, Tyler Westfield High S 17:05.00 6
7 Marra, Andrew Westfield High S 17:08.00 7
8 Parker, Alex Scotch Plains-Fa 17:12.00 8
9 Lorenco, Eric Kearny High School 17:22.00 9
10 Kelley, Mike Westfield High S 17:22.00 10
11 Lizmi, Zach Westfield High S 17:27.00 11
12 Walsh, Brian Scotch Plains-Fa 17:36.00 12
13 Kerby, Jon Scotch Plains-Fa 17:40.00 13
14 Evans, Bobby Scotch Plains-Fa 17:41.00 14
15 Rodriguez, Jescy Kearny High School 17:46.00 15
16 Favreau, Greg Scotch Plains-Fa 17:48.00 16
17 Terrero, Carlos Kearny High School 17:49.00 17
18 Alarcoin, Carlos Kearny High School 17:53.00 18
19 Tucker, Ross Westfield High S 17:54.00 19
20 Samson, Rick Elizabeth 18:17.00 20
21 Hamilton, George Irvington 18:37.00 21
22 Sooknana, Jason Elizabeth 18:49.00 22
23 Rodriguez, Alexander Linden High School 18:51.00 23
24 Calixte, Fred Irvington 19:06.00 24
25 Baptiste, Wilverson Irvington 19:09.00 25
26 Bostic, Mike Union High School 19:10.00 26
27 Exume, Jean Linden High School 19:11.00 27
28 Martins, Michael 245 19:14.00 28
29 LA Pilusa, Austin Union High School 19:16.00 29
30 Augustin, Herby Irvington 19:17.00 30
31 Paquiot, Jeff Elizabeth 19:21.00 31
32 Fidalgo, Marco Kearny High School 19:21.00 32
33 Esposito, Manny Kearny High School 19:23.00 33
34 Savell, Yannick Union High School 19:44.00 34
35 Davila, Marlon 245 19:47.00 35
36 Rivers, Lawrence Irvington 19:52.00 36
37 Yunda, Jonathan 245 20:05.00 37
38 Ajula, Karndeep Linden High School 20:06.00 38
39 Dahaghi, Kevin Elizabeth 20:11.00 39
40 Drylewicz, Michael Union High School 20:12.00 40
41 Hahn, Matthew Union High School 20:14.00 41
42 Kowalski, Frank 245 20:18.00 42
43 Cubias, Anthony Union High School 20:29.00 43
44 Solano, Johnson 245 20:56.00 44
45 Watford, Arkeese Linden High School 21:03.00 45
46 Mcfarland, Robert Irvington 21:12.00 46
47 Turczmanovich, Brian Linden High School 21:24.00 47
48 Watford, Aaron Linden High School 21:29.00 48
49 Vanegas, Max 245 21:41.00 49
50 Jackson, Marcus Elizabeth 21:56.00 50
51 Boateng, Daniel Union High School 23:49.00 51
52 Amorim, Paulo 245 23:57.00 52
Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
1 Westfield High School 31 3 5 6 7 10 11 19
Total Time: 1:25:31.00
Average: 17:06.20
2 Scotch Plains-Fanwood 39 2 4 8 12 13 14 16
Total Time: 1:25:56.00
Average: 17:11.20
3 Kearny High School 60 1 9 15 17 18 32 33
Total Time: 1:27:06.00
Average: 17:25.20
4 Irvington High School 136 21 24 25 30 36 46
Total Time: 1:36:01.00
Average: 19:12.20
5 Elizabeth High School 162 20 22 31 39 50
Total Time: 1:38:34.00
Average: 19:42.80
6 Union High School 170 26 29 34 40 41 43 51
Total Time: 1:38:36.00
Average: 19:43.20
7 Linden High School 180 23 27 38 45 47 48
Total Time: 1:40:35.00
Average: 20:07.00
8 east side high school 186 28 35 37 42 44 49 52
Total Time: 1:40:20.00
Average: 20:04.00
| Girls
Westfield High School-NJ Hy-Tek's Meet Manager
Watchung Conference cross country 2008 - 10/23/2008
Warinanco Park
Last Completed Event
Event 2 Girls 5k Run CC
=======================================================================
Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
1 Veeck, Brittney Scotch Plains-Fa 19:23.00 1
2 Bernardino, Tania Kearny High School 20:22.00 2
3 Hatch, Alyssa Westfield High S 20:29.00 3
4 Hyppolite, Christelle Union High School 20:49.00 4
5 Faktor, Sharon Westfield High S 20:56.00 5
6 Roggenburg, Amy Westfield High S 21:01.00 6
7 Carow, Emily Scotch Plains-Fa 21:11.00 7
8 Bruce, Laura Scotch Plains-Fa 21:26.00 8
9 Ellis, Osza Irvington 21:31.00 9
10 Grogan, Bridget Westfield High S 21:40.00 10
11 Solano, Cayleigh Kearny High School 21:41.00 11
12 Lowenstein, Allie Westfield High S 21:42.00 12
13 Murray, Shannon Westfield High S 21:47.00 13
14 McLean, Christine Scotch Plains-Fa 21:49.00 14
15 Pulliam, Megan Westfield High S 21:50.00 15
16 Acevedo, Alison Scotch Plains-Fa 22:12.00 16
17 Perreira, Anabela Kearny High School 22:14.00 17
18 Biner, Chana Scotch Plains-Fa 22:50.00 18
19 Clermont, Christelle Irvington 22:53.00 19
20 Woolridge, Kayla Union High School 23:08.00 20
21 Jeffcoat, Shirley Elizabeth 23:16.00
22 Da Torre, Cris Kearny High School 23:25.00 21
23 Dubois, Azudei Irvington 23:45.00 22
24 Ojinnaka, Eleanor Irvington 23:54.00 23
25 Rebustes, Janelle Union High School 24:03.00 24
26 Addesso, Alexandria Elizabeth 24:06.00
27 Lam, Nancy Kearny High School 24:19.00 25
28 Ward, Michelle Elizabeth 24:23.00
29 Goncalves, Michelle Kearny High School 24:29.00 26
30 Jean-Baptiste, Valerie Irvington 24:35.00 27
31 Ohiri, Jessica Union High School 24:56.00 28
32 Rotola, Rebecca Linden High School 24:59.00 29
33 Melkowits, Ashley Union High School 25:02.00 30
34 Bryant, Tanaya Elizabeth 25:23.00
35 Pierre, Seline Irvington 25:42.00 31
36 Bryan, Shawna Irvington 26:14.00 32
37 Scheiner, Jordyn Union High School 26:16.00 33
38 LaFortune, Myrlanda Linden High School 26:32.00 34
39 Christmas, Melissa Cardinal 26:59.00
40 Motta, Laura Linden High School 27:33.00 35
41 Serrano, Jessica Linden High School 27:38.00 36
42 Vallejo, Danielle Linden High School 27:56.00 37
43 DosSantos, Jacinda Linden High School 32:42.00 38
44 Merkle, Tara Linden High School 32:43.00 39
Team Scores
=================================================================================
Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9
=================================================================================
1 Westfield High School 36 3 5 6 10 12 13 15
Total Time: 1:45:48.00
Average: 21:09.60
2 Scotch Plains-Fanwood 46 1 7 8 14 16 18
Total Time: 1:46:01.00
Average: 21:12.20
3 Kearny High School 76 2 11 17 21 25 26
Total Time: 1:52:01.00
Average: 22:24.20
4 Irvington High School 100 9 19 22 23 27 31 32
Total Time: 1:56:38.00
Average: 23:19.60
5 Union High School 106 4 20 24 28 30 33
Total Time: 1:57:58.00
Average: 23:35.60
6 Linden High School 171 29 34 35 36 37 38 39
Total Time: 2:14:38.00
Average: 26:55.60
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