Bishop Eustace Crusaders
Runners to watch: Anthony Faust emerged as the No. 1 runner for Bishop Eustace last year and put together a strong season as a junior. He consistently clocked times in the 17-minute range, including a 17:40 at sectionals to place sixth. Faust was also crowned champion at the Bob Kiessling Invitational and placed second in the Olympic Conference National Division. He should be in contention at all the big races in his senior campaign. Ryan Carney is another talented senior who will join Faust at the front of the pack. He finished one spot behind his teammate at both the conference and Kiessling meets and took ninth at sectionals. Senior Sean Anderson broke 19 minutes several times last season and Daniel Colden is another senior in the top four. Senior Brendan Johnson and sophomores Matt Colden and Arthur Wheeler are other contributors.
Outlook: With all of their top runners from last year returning, the Crusaders will surely be a team to watch at the major races this fall.
Camden Catholic Fighting Irish
Runners to watch: After starring for two years on the Camden Catholic boys soccer team, Billy Clewell moved over to cross country last fall and was just as impactful in his new sport. He was the Olympic Conference National Division champion and also posted a time of 16:33 at sectionals to place seventh. Clewell, who finished 16th at the Camden County Championships, is poised for a monster senior season. Junior Braelen Crump is another top returner who consistently broke 18 minutes, including a 17:40 at sectionals for 18th and a 17:57 at the conference meet for fourth. Sophomore Patrick McInerney showed potential as a rookie—highlighted by an 18:37 at sectionals—and other valuable returners are juniors Ryan O’Callaghan, Anthony Pisasale and Luke Kenney and sophomore Mark Armstrong.
Outlook: The Irish placed third at sectionals and second in the conference meet last year, and with Clewell pacing a solid nucleus they have high hopes of staying near the top at those races.
Cherokee Chiefs
Runners to watch: Cherokee graduated its top two runners but welcomes back three returners who placed in the top 20 at sectionals and they will look to take over leadership of the team. Junior Patrick Ditmars clocked a 16:53 to place 11th at sectionals, and was also in the low 17s at the Olympic Conference and Burlington County meets. Junior Conor Jacob posted similar times at the major races and took seventh in the Olympic American with a 16:33. Sophomore Nick Kuenkel also finished in the top 20 at sectionals, taking 18th with a 17:16, and will look to build on his promising rookie campaign. There is a large group of contenders looking to fill out the remaining varsity slots. Bradley Popler and Aiden Dickinson are key seniors and other runners hoping to make an impact are seniors Joe Natoli and Jameson Crozier, juniors Tommy Bromley, Ben Hackney and Joseph Hough and sophomores Andrew Free and Bobby Poplau.
Outlook: Championship meets were limited last year because of the pandemic, but to nobody’s surprise the Chiefs were in the mix at all of the big races that did go on. They took first at sectionals and the Burlington County Open to go with a second at the conference meet. They will continue to set high standards this fall.
Cherry Hill East Cougars
Runners to watch: Cherry Hill East graduated its three top runners and four of its top seven, but the good news is that senior Ethan Anderer appears ready to take over the No. 1 spot on the team. He broke 17 minutes in the Olympic Conference Championships last year, ran 17:16 to place 18th at sectionals and also finished in the top 20 at the Camden County Championships. Senior Dylan Hagan clocked a 16:39 at the conference meet for 12th in the Olympic American and also had solid showings in the county and sectional races. Junior Michael McCurdy is another talented returner who should only get better as an upperclassman. Seniors Jacob Cheng and Lloyd Kim and junior Peter Tepper are expected to move into the top seven and will push to lower their times throughout the season.
Outlook: The Cougars were Olympic American champions at the conference meet and took second at both the county and sectional races in another impressive season. There are clearly big shoes to fill at the front of the pack but this program always finds a way to compete with the best teams in the area.
Cherry Hill West Lions
Runners to watch: Wyatt Marble took over as Cherry Hill West’s No. 1 runner last year as a junior and is looking forward to a strong senior season. He consistently posted times in the low 19-minute range and had a best finish of 12th in the Olympic Conference National Division race. Junior Ronan Barber will look to build on his breakthrough sophomore season, and key seniors are Matt Sonn, Benjamin Dougherty and Zachary Lewis. Sophomore Thomas Youse showed promise as a rookie and Evan Boxley is another sophomore looking to contribute.
Outlook: The Lions have a good mix of experienced seniors and talented up-and-comers and have a chance to make some strides as a team this fall.
Clearview Pioneers
Runners to watch: Clearview said goodbye to a standout senior class, including No. 1 runner Anas Bensaoud, the runner-up at sectionals. The top returner is senior Lucas Henry, who often clocked times in the 17-minute range and placed 16th at the Gloucester County Championships and 35th at sectionals. He was named to the Tri-County Conference second team. Junior Cavan Agatone placed 28th at the county meet and hopes to run at the front of the pack as well. Sophomore Akshar Patel and junior William Damiri are expected to make a push for the top seven as well.
Outlook: The Pioneers had top-five finishes at the county and sectional meets last year. There are a lot of strong runners to replace in the lineup but they hope to put their best foot forward at the major races.
Eastern Vikings
Runners to watch: Andrew Shinkle moved into the No. 1 slot for Eastern as a junior and clocked a 17:18 at the Olympic Conference Championships to place 21st in the American Division. He was also the Vikings’ top finisher at the Camden County and sectional meets and is poised for a big final season. Senior Josh Manoj posted a time of 18:36 at the conference meet and Ethan Levy is another senior leader who will look to push his times under 19 minutes. Sophomore Landon Jenter is another contributor who should only get better in his second varsity season.
Outlook: The Vikings return their top three runners and hope to build stronger numbers throughout the rest of the lineup to lay a foundation for the future.
Gloucester Catholic Rams
Runners to watch: Victor Zhao has been a contributor since his sophomore year and will look to set the pace for Gloucester Catholic this season as a senior. Junior James Mann is another veteran who has continued to lower his times over the past few years and will run at the front of the pack. Juniors Luis Roman and Shane McCormick are working hard and gearing up for big seasons, and the Rams are hoping for several other newcomers to fortify the roster.
Outlook: Gloucester Catholic certainly doesn’t have the same numbers as the bigger programs in the area but its core group is dedicated to the sport and striving to reach its goals this fall.
Haddonfield Bulldawgs
Runners to watch: Junior George Andrus and senior Tobi Janssen, Haddonfield’s top two runners last year, are back to lead the way once again this fall. Andrus clocked a 16:15 to place third at sectionals and also took fifth at the Colonial Conference All-Star Meet and 10th at the Camden County Championships. Janssen also broke 17 minutes and placed in the top 10 at all of those races. Senior Seth Clevenger is another strong competitor who had a terrific sophomore season but missed his junior campaign. He and Janssen were part of Haddonfield’s state champion 4x800 relay in the spring. Juniors Ian Romea and Robert DiMedio both placed in the top 20 at the conference and sectional meets last year and will look to build on the promise they showed. Andrew Sullivan and Ethan Wellborn are other senior leaders, while junior Donald Jellig and sophomore Matt Sullivan could also push for the top seven.
Outlook: The Bulldawgs’ two remarkable streaks continued in 2020, as they claimed their 17th straight sectional championship and extended their dual-meet winning streak to 227 in a row. They also captured conference and county titles. The program shows no signs of slowing down this season.
Kingsway Dragons
Runners to watch: Kingsway was unable to compete at sectionals last year because of COVID-19 issues, so it brings back a roster of runners who are hungry for a full season. At the top of that list is senior Kyle Rakitis, one of the premier distance runners in the state. Rakitis took second at the Gloucester County Championships last fall with a time of 16:16, and also ran 16:33 at the South Jersey Track Coaches Association Open (SJTCA) to place first. In the spring he won Group IV state and Meet of Champions titles in the 1600. Rakitis should be a contender at every race he enters in his final campaign. Ryan Allen is another talented senior who posted times in the 17-minute range, placing eighth at the county meet and 11th at the SJTCA meet. Seniors Thomas Driscoll and Nick Allen both finished in the top 20 at the county championships and junior Darius Davis was not far behind in 25th. Senior Alex Giudice and junior Shane Keener are other returners hoping to make an impact.
Outlook: The Dragons were county champions last fall and surely would have been in contention at sectionals had they been able to attend. They will again be a team to watch with Rakitis at the front of the pack, but this is also the start of a new era as Dan Murray has replaced longtime coach Christian Lynch, who became the athletic director at Glassboro.
Lenape Indians
Runners to watch: Senior Jake Buniva and junior Colin Hermack both had strong seasons last year and are capable of leading Lenape on any given day. Buniva clocked a 16:38 at the Olympic Conference Championships to place 11th in the American Division, and was also the Indians’ top finisher at the Burlington County Open, as he took ninth with a time of 17:15. Hermack finished right behind Buniva at the county meet in 10th and placed 19th at the conference meet. He had the team’s best performance at sectionals, running 17:19 for 22nd. Senior AJ Fraley has rejoined the squad after not competing last year and is expected to be a top runner. Senior John Rielly took 11th at the county open, and other important veterans are seniors Nick Volpe and Tyler Walters and junior Andrew Dove.
Outlook: Buniva and Hermack could be in contention at the major meets and the Indians should also fare well in the team standings thanks to an experienced core of returners.
Moorestown Quakers
Runners to watch: Juniors PJ Kresloff and Colin Shand have already established themselves as terrific competitors and they are only halfway through their high school careers. It will be exciting to see what they can do as upperclassmen. Kresloff placed fifth at the Burlington County Open as a sophomore with a time of 17 minutes and finished 20th at sectionals. Shand ran a 17:13 for eighth in the county and posted a 17:42 for 12th at sectionals. Luke Labroli, Will Inglis and Logan Procopio are other juniors who often ran in the 18-minute range. Sophomores Luke Steene and Hari Bezwada and senior James Johnson will also push for the top seven.
Outlook: The Quakers had impressive showings at the major races last year, placing third in the county and fourth at sectionals. With most of the roster back, more of the same can be expected.
Moorestown Friends Foxes
Runners to watch: Andrew Mercantini emerged as the No. 1 runner for Moorestown Friends last year and has high hopes for his junior season. He has the potential to finish near the top at the Friends Schools League Championships and sectionals. Mercantini leads an experienced crop of runners at the front of the pack that also includes senior Emmet Kimberly and juniors Collin Montenegro and Evan Weinstock. Juniors Heera Dalal and Nathaniel Rodwell-Simon round out a solid roster.
Outlook: The Foxes have a strong core and are excited for a full slate of regular-season meets and championship races after not getting to compete often during the 2020 season.
Paul VI Eagles
Runners to watch: Most of the best runners are back in the fold for Paul VI, including junior Joseph Wigginton and sophomore Will Mrozinski. Wigginton’s times were consistently in the low 18s, helping him place in the top five at the Olympic Conference Championships (National Division) and the Bob Kiessling Invitational and 25th at sectionals. Mrozinski crossed the finish line in 17:41 to take 20th at sectionals and took fifth at the Kiessling Invitational. Senior Adam Boberick, junior Owen King and sophomore Braden Tedesco are solid returners who each had top 10 efforts in the conference and Kiessling meets. Juniors AJ Collarin and Jimmy Cole and senior Kyle Vogel are other runners to keep an eye on.
Outlook: The Eagles placed first in the National Division at the conference meet and took sixth at sectionals. They will make their presence felt at the major races again this fall.
Seneca Golden Eagles
Runners to watch: Seneca might not have anyone ready to challenge for an individual title, but there are a host of hardworking runners on the roster who will keep lowering their times throughout the fall. That includes sophomore Reindell Bailey, who made a solid first impression in his rookie year and should be even better with a year of experience under his belt. Junior Justin Schmied posted similar times to Bailey in the lows 20s and will join him at the front of the pack. Junior Matt Kerchofer is another key returner and other veterans who should land in the top seven are senior Colby Welusz and juniors Maxwell Friedman and Kyle Kerchofer.
Outlook: The Golden Eagles hope to be performing their best at the major races and have the potential to move up a few spots in the team standings.
Shawnee Renegades
Runners to watch: Alex Campagna posted low times at all of the major races last year, including a 17:26 at sectionals to place 27th, the best finish on the team. He also placed in the top 20 at the Burlington County Open and is looking to go out on a high note in his final season at Shawnee. Junior Ryan Czechowski and sophomore Ryan Kaczur often crossed the finish line within seconds of each other and are other tough competitors. Junior Elijah Nix appears ready to make a big contribution on the varsity level and other returners who will be counted on are seniors Christian Keleher and Jason Karch and junior Royce Jacobs.
Outlook: The Renegades were runners-up at the county open and took sixth at sectionals last year. They expect to be competitive at those races again in 2021.
Washington Township Minutemen
Runners to watch: Chris Colavita has made important strides each season of his career and appears ready to take over as Washington Township’s No. 1 runner in his senior campaign. He clocked a 16:37 at the Olympic Conference Championships to place ninth in the American Division and posted a time of 17:08 at sectionals to finish 15th. Nate Kidwell is another senior leader who consistently ran in the 17-minute range and took 20th in the Olympic American. Seniors Sean Hice and Charles Lant are also back and will be runners to watch at the championship races as well as batch meets. Juniors Colin Keane and Tellus McDonald and seniors John Franklin and Joseph Malec can potentially move into the top seven. Two newcomers expected to challenge for a varsity spot are sophomore Aaron Kolosowsky and freshman Hunter Bostwick.
Outlook: The Minutemen peaked at the end of the 2020 season with a fourth-place finish at sectionals. They hope to be in the mix again in South Jersey Group IV and are also eyeing a strong showing at the Gloucester County Championships.
SCHEDULE
Bishop Eustace Crusaders
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Camden Catholic Fighting Irish
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Cherokee Chiefs
9/11 Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
10/15 at Burlington County Open, 3:30 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Cherry Hill East Cougars
9/11 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/17 Battle at Ocean County Park, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
9/25 at Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational, 9 a.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
10/2 at Shore Coaches Invitational, 9 a.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
10/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at RCSJ-Gloucester, TBA
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Cherry Hill West Lions
9/11 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/18 at South Jersey Shootout, 9 a.m.
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
9/25 at Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational, 9 a.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
10/2 at Shore Coaches Invitational, 9 a.m.
10/9 at South Jersey Open, TBA
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Clearview Pioneers
9/14 at Kingsway, 4:15 p.m.
9/28 Tri-County batch meet at Cumberland, 4:15 p.m.
10/5 Tri-County batch meet at Delsea, 4:15 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Eastern Vikings
9/11 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Gloucester Catholic Rams
9/14 Tri-County batch meet at Kingsway, 4:15 p.m.
9/28 Tri-County batch meet at Cumberland, 4:15 p.m.
10/5 Tri-County batch meet at Delsea, 4:15 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Haddonfield Bulldawgs
9/14 vs. Sterling, 4:15 p.m.
9/21 vs. Haddon Township, 4:15 p.m.
9/25 at Bowdoin Classic, TBA
9/28 vs. Audubon, 4:15 p.m.
10/2 at Shore Coaches Invitational, 9 a.m.
10/5 vs. Haddon Heights, 4:15 p.m.
10/9 at Manhattan Invitational, TBA
10/12 vs. West Deptford, 4:15 p.m.
10/28 at Colonial Conference All-Star Meet, 4:15 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Kingsway Dragons
9/14 Tri-County batch meet at Kingsway, 4:15 p.m.
9/28 Tri-County batch meet at Cumberland, 4:15 p.m.
10/5 Tri-County batch meet at Delsea, 4:15 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Lenape Indians
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
10/15 at Burlington County Open, 3:30 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Moorestown Quakers
9/11 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/14 Batch meet at Cinnaminson, 3:30 p.m.
9/18 at South Jersey Shootout, 9 a.m.
9/21 Batch meet at Westampton Tech, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 Batch meet at Moorestown, 3:45 p.m.
10/2 at Shore Coaches Invitational, 9 a.m.
10/5 Batch meet at Westampton Tech, 3:45 p.m.
10/12 Batch meet at Moorestown, 3:45 p.m.
10/15 at Burlington County Open, 3:30 p.m.
10/20 at BCSL Open, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Moorestown Friends Foxes
9/17 Tri-meet at Westampton Tech, 3:45 p.m.
9/21 vs. Friends Select and George School, 4 p.m.
9/24 vs. Maple Shade, 4 p.m.
9/28 Tri-meet at Westtown, 4 p.m.
10/5 Tri-meet at Abington Friends, 4 p.m.
10/12 at Friends Central, 4 p.m.
10/19 at FSL Championships, 2:30 p.m.
10/27 vs. Princeton Day, 4 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Paul VI Eagles
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 3:45 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Seneca Golden Eagles
9/11 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
10/2 at Shore Coaches Invitational, 9 a.m.
10/9 at South Jersey Open, TBA
10/15 at Burlington County Open, 3:30 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Shawnee Renegades
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
10/2 at Shore Coaches Invitational, 9 a.m.
10/9 at South Jersey Open, TBA
10/15 at Burlington County Open, 3:30 p.m.
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Washington Township Minutemen
9/11 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/18 Invitational at Fairmount Park, TBA
9/21 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
9/24 at Robbinsville, TBA
9/28 Olympic Conference batch meet at DREAM Park, 4:20 p.m.
10/2 at Shore Coaches Invitational, 9 a.m.
10/9 at South Jersey Open, TBA
10/20 at Olympic Conference Championships, 3:30 p.m.
11/6 at sectional championships, TBA
11/13 State championships at Holmdel Park, TBA
11/20 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, TBA
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 4 (July 2021).
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