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DyeStat New Jersey
2000 Cross Country Preview
Boys Teams
by Michael Grabell, publisher of the Ultimate New Jersey High School Cross Country and Track Webpage
Boys Teams - Girls Teams - Top 50 individualsThese pre-preseason rankings were compiled by comparing the top times at Holmdel run in 1999 for each team's top 5 returning runners and 2000 spring track times. If a runner listed for a team is a graduating senior or not returning next season, please notify us by signing the guestbook. In addition, please notify us if you have any news about injured runners or new runners that would affect a team's ranking. The team rankings will be updated every week during the season.
1. CherokeeLast year's #3 team brings back 5 of its varsity including individual contenders, junior Marc Pelerin (16:29 on Holmdel and senior Josh Joseph (4:19 1600). Their entire top 5 was under 17:30 on Holmdel last year with senior Kevin Hurley, junior Steve Ridenour, and last year's #2 freshman in the state Keith Krieger (17:14) rounding out the top 5. Cherokee's success depends on the health and performances of Ridenour and Hurley, who were absent from some important races in 1999. The Chiefs' 6 and 7 men had trouble breaking 18:00 last season. If all holds well for Cherokee, they could become the first public school to win the MOC in several years. |
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2. Paul VIThough last year's #2 team lost 4 of its top 7 to graduation, it has a strong phalanx of runners ready to take those places. Top returnees include seniors Mike Ritchie (16:50), Kevin Penderghest (16:52), and Mike Osusky and junior Mike Busarello (16:56). Paul VI had the top 4 places in the JV B race and placed second in the Frosh B race at at the Shore Track Coaches Invitational. Always a deep team, Paul VI has the potential to dethrone perennial power, CBA. |
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3. Christian BrothersRanked #1 for almost three years, CBA will have to face the loss of five runners who made Star Ledger's All-State, First Team and gave them a dual meet score at the MOC. But don't count them out yet. CBA always has reserves, and with coach Tom Heath at the helm, getting back to #1 is not only possible, but probable. At the Monmouth County Championships outdoors, CBA placed 7 runners in the top 10 of the 1600, all under 4:30. In addition, the team had 7 runners under 10:10 in the 3200 and 4 under 2:03 in the 800. CBA brings back 2 runners who have broken 17:00 on Holmdel and at one time ran varsity: Seniors Nat Glackin (1:54 800, 4:24 1600) and Tom Falvey (4:27 1600). |
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4. Old BridgeOld Bridge has always had a strong JV and freshman team (#1 in JV A at the 1999 Shore Track Coaches Invitational), and next year these underclassmen will be counted on to perform. A sophomore standout last year, Dan Harding (16:56) returns along with seniors Steve Damion (17:10) and Mark Rabinowitz (4:26 1600) and junior Tim Paule (1:58 800). Old Bridge's prospective top 7 has all broken 17:50 on Holmdel and the team will count on juniors and sophomores to round out the top 7. Again, a strong JV team follows close behind. |
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5. Middletown SouthMiddletown South is the first team to make a major move in the rankings from last year to this year. They bring back five of their top 7, and like Old Bridge, will have to depend on sophomores and juniors to comprise the varsity squad because Otmar Graf (17:09) will likely be the only senior. Junior Sean Rath developed this spring dropping his 1600 time to 4:28 and the team added former football player junior Tom Deus (2:03 800, 4:39 1600) to the squad. |
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6. EasternEastern is top heavy with two individual favorites: Senior Mike Myers (16:25 on Holmdel, 8:40 3000, and 4:19 1600) and last year's top freshman Dan Deichert (9:33 3200). Deichert placed 7th in the state and 3rd in Group III in the 3200. Eastern also brings back several members of last year's squad, which finished 8th at the MOC. Look for some good battles in Group IV with Cherokee, Old Bridge, South Brunswick, Highland, Bridgewater-Raritan, and Hunterdon Central. |
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7. Southern RegionalSouthern makes a big jump from #19 last year. At the helm of Southern's squad are three strong seniors who may place in the top 30 at the MOC, Robbie Wareham (16:50), Vinnie Zarrillo (9:28 3200), and Adam Clark. Wareham and Zarrillo (who was 3rd at the outdoor MOC) can break 17 minutes on Holmdel and Clark would have flirted with it if injury didn't sideline right before championship season. However, after these three Southern's last four guys ran around 19 minutes in 1999. A strong front three may make them undefeated in dual meets, but will not win the big meets when it counts. Southern's 4-7 runners must move up to stay in the top 10. |
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8. Don Bosco PrepDon Bosco makes the largest jump of any team, from #27 to #8, because it returns its entire top 7 from last season. At the head of the squad will be senior James Clifford (17:04, 4:27 1600). Seniors Rich Weimert and John Daula both ran in the 4:30s for the 1600 outdoors and sophomore Peter Gerboth improved greatly during the spring season to cap off his freshman year with a 9:50 3200. Don Bosco Prep which faltered last year looks to reestablish itself as a parochial power. |
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9. South BrunswickThough they lost Eric Slayton to graduation, five of last season's varsity return for #12 at the 1999 MOC, South Brunswick. Leading the team will be junior Drew Biri (17:08) who flirted with the 17:00 barrier at Holmdel several times last year. Following him is a solid pack that includes 3 guys who ran under 18:00 consistently on Holmdel and one who nearly broke the time barrier. Junior Matt Randal broke his school sophomore record in the 800 with a 2:01 last spring. |
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10. Memorial (WNY)Despite only finishing 12th in the Group IV meet last XC season, Memorial returns 6 or its 7 varsity. Leading the team will be seniors William Canon (4:33 1600, 9:48 3200) and Luis Ortiz (4:37 1600) and junior Anderson Tejada (9:58 3200). Memorial's top 3 is followed by a deep team, whose freshman placed second in the Frosh A race at the Shore Track Coaches Invitational in 1999. |
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11. DelbartonLike almost every parochial school, Delbarton has a deep squad with strong JV and freshman teams. Delbarton has had so many successful athletes over the years that many seem to blend together. This year will be no different with JV and freshman ready to take over for the graduated seniors. Last year's #1, senior Bernie Muller (9:49 3200) will look to be among the top in the state this year. Also returning are senior James Weichert (10:01 3200) and junior Mark Materna (2:00 800). |
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12. Highland RegionalHighland returns four of last year's varsity including individual contender and junior Rob Lacovara (16:55). Only one other runner has broken 18:00 on Holmdel. The rest of the squad falls between 18:15 and 19:30 with the top 5 under 18:30. |
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13. Bridgewater-RaritanBridgewater returns four seniors who have cracked 18:00 on Holmdel and will look for a fifth man in sophomore Tom Sullivan who ran a few varsity races last season. But strong 6 and 7 men may be hard to find. Leading the squad will be Brad Ellis (17:21), Dave Tidey, and Scott Duryea. |
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14. MorristownWith the return of individual contender junior Grey Reinhard (17:06 on Holmdel, 4:25 1600), Morristown's deep-rooted tradition, and the talent and experience of Coach Paul Buccino, Morristown looks to be a threatening force in 2000. Seventh at the MOC last year, Morristown also brings back senior Jon Epstein and junior Adam Hunt (4:41 1600). Despite fielding a young team, Morristown will likely pick up titles in Morris County and Group III. |
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15. Hunterdon CentralHunterdon Central returns three seniors who are ready to take over the team's leadership, Brian Richards, Andy Casella, and Brian Bourquin. All of them have broken 18:00 on Holmdel. Without 1998 national qualifier Jon Fasulo, the team will continue to use a pack as it did last year to win meets. Sophomore Adam Walker looks to be a strong varsity runner after a stellar freshman season, in which he nearly broke the 18:00 barrier. |
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16. River DellRiver Dell brings back three guys who run in the 17s on Holmdel and one runner who's very close to breaking 18:00. If junior Josh Robinson (4:27 1600, 9:58 3200) improves this year, he could place in the top 20 at the MOC. Seniors Peter Travis (10:04 3200) and Greg Fonder (10:16 3200) back up Robinson. River Dell's biggest challenge will be finding a strong #5 guy. Right now #5 and #6 are running around 20:30. |
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17. Toms River NorthToms River North loses Ryan Greene but returns the Lesniak brothers, senior Sean (17:08) and junior Joe (10:10 3200). North had talented JV last year who appear ready for the varsity level. Only their top 5, however, has broken 19:00 on Holmdel. |
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18. Rumson-Fair HavenGroup I schools usually have a tough time sporting competitive teams because of the small size of their school. But not Rumson, who finished 23rd last year in the rankings. Five of the seven return including seniors Jon Erwin (17:23) and Chris Rumph (17:29). Senior Joe Clabby improved during the spring, dropping his 1600 time to 4:45. But let's hope no one in that top 5 gets injured. Who will be their 6 and 7 men? Right now it looks like 21:00 runners. |
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19. CranfordCranford remained in the top 10 for most of the 1999 season but then fell after an unsuccessful MOC attempt. Though they bring back four of their top 7, Cranford will the struggle to fill the 5-6-7 spots. At the head of the pack is Brian Styler (17:04), whose brother was second at the MOC in 1998, and Union County champion senior Frank Dabrosky. Last year, their coach was named Star Ledger coach of the year. There's a reason behind that and a reason that Cranford will still be a threat next year. |
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20. Scotch Plains-FanwoodWith Scotch Plains only one spot behind Cranford, look for some good duels in Union County next year. Scotch Plains returns four of its varsity including junior Robert Wallden (17:08) who flirted with 17:00 on Holmdel last year. Like Cranford the challenge for Scotch Plains will be finding 5-6-7 men to fill the gaps left by graduated seniors. |
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Boys Teams - Girls Teams - Top 50 individuals
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