La'Shaun White. Photos by Jerry Simon.
BLOOMFIELD, NJ (updated Monday Oct. 31, 11:34 p.m.) – The Bloomfield High School boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams gave good efforts at the Essex County Championships on Friday, Oct. 28, at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield under cold and blustery conditions.
The boys’ team finished 11th in the boys’ race among 21 schools, while the girls’ team finished ninth among 15 schools in the girls’ race.
The boys’ team was led by La’Shaun White, 42nd in 17:47.8; Evan Fitzhenry, 44th, 17:51.1; Enrique Campos, 49th, 17:56.3; and Mark Cabrera, 51st, 18:01.1.
The girls’ team was led by Da-Xia Colon, 14th, 21:14.1; Mackenzie Prezume, 44th, 21:58.9; Camryn Referente, 45th, 22:02.3; and Emilia Toscano, 46th, 22:10.4.
Belleville High School’s Dan Castano went above and beyond. Bloomfield High School’s Adam Mahabub fell down and could not continue. Castano stopped running and walked Mahabub to the finish line area. Castano is a senior at Belleville HS and was running in the penultimate race of his career.
BHS athletic director Steve Jenkins praised the sportsmanship.
“Selflessness and sportsmanship like this is sometimes hard to find, but it’s the expectation at Belleville and the SEC,” stated Jenkins. “Bloomfield High School wishes to recognize and thank this young man and the entire Belleville program. Thanks also to the many teams that offered support on Friday.”
NOTES – The BHS teams competed at the county meet a day after their head coach, Leo Donaldson, was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting two juvenile males. BHS assistant coach Chris Romano served as the interim coach… The BHS teams will gear up for the state North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 Champioships at Garret Mountain in Woodland Park on Saturday, Nov. 5.
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Both teams were great!