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DyeStat New Jersey
2000 Cross Country Preview
Girls 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 spring track performances. If a runner listed for a team is a graduating senior and 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.
1. MoorestownMoorestown was runnerup in the MOC last year and despite losing Betsy Bulat to graduation, it remains a contender. It brings back five of its top 7 including senior Julia Kuder (20:26) and juniors Colleen Hughes, Kelsey Rinehart, and Liz Heppard, who have all broken 21:00 on Holmdel. Moorestown also adds sophomore Meghan Hughes who should be able to stay with her cousin after running 5:14 in the 1600 this spring. With a solid top 5, Moorestown is not a "small school" and will fight throughout the season for top team honors. |
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2. Toms River EastBack in 1997, Toms River East was one of the top teams in NJ and in the Northeast. East not only brings back its entire top 7 from last year, but that group is all underclassmen, consisting of three juniors and four sophomores. At the head of the pack are top freshman in the state and an individual favorite Jen Blank (19:25) and junior Kara Horner (20:34). Toms River East also has three girls that round out the top 5, which are all under 21:30. |
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3. CherokeeCherokee failed to make the initial rankings after losing four of its varsity which finished 23rd in 1999. The Chiefs, however, make a huge comeback with the development of young runners and the addition of several talented athletes. Coach Tarello has one more year of experience under his belt and says he is modeling the women's program after the men's program, which has been dominant in New Jersey for several years. All of this should make Cherokee a contender for state team honors in November. Returning are individual contender and senior Michelle Bilicki (5:07 1600), junior Lauren Jones (5:28 1600), and sophomore Jenna Viggiano (5:35 1600). Newcomers include immediate individual contender senior Erin Chiarulli (2:18 800, 5:18 1600, 11:41 3200) and sophomores Kelly Fletcher (12:30 3200) and Maxine Ginsberg (12:40 3200). Erin McHugh, a freshman next year, has already run 5:40 in the mile. |
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4. Middletown SouthMiddletown South took the MOC crown in 1998, when the Guiney twins dominated NJ cross country. Next year's team is young, but has a solid pack and enormous depth. There will be a tight team race at the MOC with nearly 10 teams who could claim the prize. Middletown South has several runners vying for varsity spots. With three girls under 21:00 and seven under 21:30 on Holmdel. Top returnees include juniors Lauren Dike (20:32, 2:19 800), and Nicole Lombardy (2:16 800), and sophomore Lisa Zino (20:38). They should have no problem filling out the rest of the squad with a talented group of underclassmen following close behind the lead group. One of the biggest obstacles South must face is the tragic death of junior Casie Kerr, who was a key contributor since her freshman year. She placed 24th in the MOC last year with a 20:28. |
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5. VoorheesVoorhees brings back its entire top 7 including individual contender and senior Sarah Rhodes (20:00, 5:04 1600). Behind her are junior Alexis Vergalla (20:33) and five other runners under 21:40 on Holmdel. Compared other teams, Voorhees will have more experience with five seniors and two juniors comprising the squad. |
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6. ShawneeBecause Shawnee's dynasty in NJ cross country has always been among the best and the deepest, a ranking outside the top 3 may be an understatement. Though it loses standout Jenna Darcy to graduation, Shawnee returns the rest of its varsity with individual contender and senior Dana Palumbo (19:59). All varsity runners cracked 22:00 on Holmdel. |
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7. Rumson-Fair HavenWith five of its top 7 back, Rumson which moves to Group II looks to do battle with the state's best teams in all state meets. Their top three are all under 20:45 and juniors Christy Planer (20:16, 5:12 1600) and Jenni Krystopowicz (20:18) will likely flirt with the 20:00 barrier on Holmdel. Caitlin Moscatello ran 20:41. Both junior Lillian Pinault (12:32 3200) and sophomore Stephanie Knapp (20:57, 5:52 1600) improved during the spring. Five of the top 7, however, are underclassmen. |
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8. Hunterdon CentralHunterdon Central will likely climb its way back to the top and fight for the MOC title after finishing #12 in the 1999 end of the season rankings. Senior individual contender Shannon Hawrylo (20:31, 5:06 1600) and juniors Jenna Fasulo (20:27) and Lindsey Force (11:58 3200)are all under 21:00 on Holmdel. Hunterdon Central returns six of its top 7 and has several runners close on the tail of their sixth runner. Group IV should be interesting this year with Toms River East, Cherokee, Shawnee, and Hunterdon Central all in the top 10. |
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9. North HunterdonNorth Hunterdorn caps and outstanding county with three teams that rank in the top 10. Because North Hunterdon did not include any ages when submitting its entries in all state meets, we were unsure which runners were graduating seniors and which runners were returning. North Hunterdon is always a deep team with a lot of tradition and will likely sport an entire top 7 that can break 22:00 on Holmdel. There are no standouts, but there is a strong pack that is often dangerous. Shari Gorga ran a 5:19 1600 and Megan Ruane ran 11:57 in the 3200. |
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10. MorristownAn up and coming team, Daily Record's Coach of the Year Kevin Rooney's Colonials debut in state rankings with a young yet strong squad. Last year's #1 and freshman standout Amy Maier returns as a sophomore. During the winter she ran an 11:55 3200. Four-year runners and seniors Anne Marshall and Kacie Welsh provide experience. The addition of track stars Melissa Carman (2:22 800) an already individual contender sophomore Katie Floersheimer (5:16 1600, 11:44 3200) provides front runners that will help mold a strong pack. Morristown has a deep team and should surprise a lot of team powerhouses next year. |
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11. Woodrow Wilson (Camden)Woodrow Wilson moves from #17 to #5 because, like many teams, it brings back its entire top 7. But unlike others, the Camden school features four runners who were among the state's best this past spring. The #2 freshman in the state last year Tanesha Pittman (19:56, 5:17 1600) returns as an individual contender. Following right behind her under 21:00 is senior Tanesha Shelton (2:16 800, 11:37 3200). Wilson also has seniors Kenyetta Conway who ran 2:20 in the 800 in the spring. Their top 5 is under 22:30, but Woodrow Wilson, however, does not have a strong sixth or seventh runner that can break 25:00 which may cause problems if a couple runners get injured or don't perform as well as expected. |
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12. HolmdelHolmdel has one advantage that separates them from most schools - their proximity to the state championship course at Holmdel Park. Another thing that may separate them is the presence of senior Christina Vullo (20:00, 5:19 1600, 11:18 3200), an individual contender. Holmdel brings back four of its top 7, but lacks a fifth runner. An answer to Holmdel's top 5 question will likely be found in the addition of freshman Ashley Folchetti to the team in the fall. She ran 5:31 in the 1600 at the Monmouth County 8th grade all-star meet. Though Monmouth County tends to be stacked with talent, she managed to be 20 seconds ahead of all other competitors. |
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13. St. RoseA Parochial B school, St. Rose is surprisingly the top parochial team in the pre-preseason rankings. St. Rose of Belmar brings back six of its top 7 including junior Maya Ferraro (20:44, 11:56 3200), who had an outstanding freshman season, and senior twins Taryn (20:51, 11:59 3200) and Devon Landers (21:10). St. Rose is always one of top 20 teams and will likely remain there in 2000 and for years after. |
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14. HillsboroughHillsborough has arguably the best 1-2 punch in the state with individual contender Kristen Meyer (19:51, 5:00 1600, 11:00 3200) and Deanna Willard (20:13, 5:22 1600, 11:40 3200), who will likely crack 20:00 in 2000. Meyer will likely be among the top 5 in the state this fall. Hillsborough brings back four of its top 7, all seniors. Their greatest problem is filling those 5-6-7 spots. Hillsborough has three girls running between 24:00 and 25:00 including one senior and two sophomores. The only runners after that are several minutes back. They'll need a closer fifth girl if they want to remain among the best. |
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15. Red Bank CatholicAlthough they finished 19th last year, watch out for Red Bank Catholic. They not only have tradition, but a deep team whose top 7 shuffles around year to year much like CBA's varsity. Junior Kelly Byrnes (5:20 1600, 11:57 3200) broke 20:00 her freshman year and senior Suraya Kornegay has 58 quarter speed, which has made her a valuable member of several distance relay squads in track and junior Mary McCudden ran 12:30 in the 3200 this past spring. Five girls are either close to or under 22:00 on Holmdel. |
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16. Freehold TownshipFreehold hung on to the 29th spot last year to appear in the final top 31 rankings. Freehold brings back six of its top 7 including juniors Ashley Uske (20:47) and Jen Gaffey (20:51). Two other girls have broken 22:00. Four girls works for track relays but not in cross country meets. The key for Freehold's success like Monsignor Donovan's will be in the fifth runner. Freehold has two girls that were running 25:00 at the end of last season. One of them, junior Julie Greenberg showed improvement by running 13:52 in the 3200 in the spring. |
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17. WestfieldWestfield is known for its size, often sporting over 50 girls. That size gives them strong JV squads year after year. Four girls return from last year's top 7, each having broken 22:00 on Holmdel. Leading the team will be seniors Alexis Anzelone (20:50, 5:25 1600, 11:48 3200), Rachel Ackerman (21:27), and Kyle Legones (21:41). 1999's JV team had several girls running 23:00. With the coaching of Jen Buccino, look for their times to drop quick as the 2000 season begins. |
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18. HaddonfieldHaddonfield not only contains the state's individual favorite, but a strong contender nationally. 17th at Nationals as a sophomore, senior Erin Donohue has probably done as much for Haddonfield's team strength for the past three years as any other source. Look for her many victories to keep Haddonfield's team score low in big competitions. Also back are senior Mary Mulholland (21:16, 12:20 3200) and junior Meredith McDonald (22:08). Haddonfield shined in the spring with Holly Cosnett running a 5:00 1600 and Erin O'Donnell running an 11:35 3200. Both will be seniors next year, but will either of them switch to cross country? Until that question is answered, Haddonfield remains at the bottom of the top 20. |
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19. Monsignor DonovanMonsignor Donovan returns five from a team that had one of the best seasons in the school's history last year. Although three girls are under 21:00 (Carey Mayo (20:38, 5:26 1600, 11:36 3200), Kate Hazlett (20:41), and Rachel Watson (20:48, 12:09 3200), Monsignor Donovan's fifth runner is at 25:00 with no backups in sight. A 1-2-3 punch might work for dual meets, but it won't always produce wins when championship season rolls around. |
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20. Ocean CityRanked 21st last year, Ocean City returns four girls under 22:00 including junior Colsey Moreland (20:47) and freshman varsity runners last year Lindsay Nunan (21:49) and Caitlin Ludgate (21:50). Behind them, Ocean City returns a 23:00 girl to round out the top 5 and last year's JV squad that all runs between 24:00 and 25:00. Ocean City will likely be a sleeper team and surprise many throughout the 2000 season. |
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Boys Teams - Girls Teams - Top 50 individuals
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