Nicolette Contella
NUTLEY – The Nutley High School cross-country team, guided by head coach Gerry Ryan, is looking forward to the season with a good group of returning runners.
Girls
The captains are seniors Amanda Zheng (returning two-year varsity runner with a personal record of 21:14) and Nicolette Contella (returning three-year varsity runner, PR of 21:56). Both have had success in cross-country and track, and the coaches are very pleased with their leadership style. They lead by words and actions, said coach Ryan.
The top returning runner is junior Ellie McCreesh, who broke five school course records last year as a sophomore. She also finished third at the Essex County Championships with a lifetime best of 19:08. An injury cut her track season short last year, but she and her coaches are confident that she is ready to go and looking forward to another outstanding season.
Junior Shanwna Lewis is projected as the team’s No. 2 runner with a lifetime best 20:35. Junior Taylor Waddleton, who was the team’s seventh/eighth runner last year with a PR of 22:40, senior Paula Echeverria (PR of 24:10), sophomore Emily McIntyre (PR of 24:21), junior Anna Charlotte Intindola (PR of 24:37) and sophomore Kate Contini (PR of 23:05) also should be in the hunt for spots in the varsity top seven.
Based on early-season workouts, first-year runners senior Katelyn Gil and junior Jaela Small also are looking like they will be in the mix for spots in the top seven, said coach Ryan.
“As a team, on paper, they look very solid based on last season,” coach Ryan said. “If they stay healthy they should be in the mix come championship meet time.”
Boys:
The captains are seniors Eric Vogler (returning two-year varsity runner with a PR of 18:11) and Matt DaSilva (returning varsity runner with a PR of 18:18). Both have been in the cross-country/track program since their freshman year and bring a ton of experience and success to the table. As with the girls’ team, the coaches have been pleased with their leadership style.
The top returner for the boys is last year’s No. 2 runner, junior Jimmy Quinn, who ran a PR 17:08 at the County Championships last year. He had a tremendous outdoor track season last year, placing fifth in the county 3,200 with a time of 9:38.
Other returning runners from last year who should be in the top seven include juniors Gerard Dimayuga (19:08 PR from last season), Darien Ramirez (PR of 19:13) and sophomore Vinny Marinaro (PR of 19:21). Newcomer freshman Nick Duca has looked strong in early workouts and could also be a factor in the top seven.
“As a team, the boys will be challenged by the move into the Super Essex Conference-American Division,” coach Ryan said. “If they stay healthy it should be a fun exciting season.”
Schedule
Sept. 8, Super Essex Conference (SEC) Dual Meets Week 1, girls vs. Newark Academy, Caldwell, Bloomfield; boys vs. West Orange and Columbia, at Branch Brook Park, 4 p.m.
Sept. 10, Roxbury Invitational, at Horseshoe Lake Park, 9 a.m.
Sept. 13, SEC Dual Meets Week 2, girls vs. Montclair, West Essex and Cedar Grove; boys vs. Montclair Kimberley Academy, Livingston and West Essex, at Branch Brook Park, 4 p.m.
Sept. 20, SEC Dual Meets Week 3, girls vs. West Orange and Millburn; boys vs. Seton Hall Prep and Montclair, at Branch Brook Park, 4 p.m.
Sept. 24, Passaic County Coaches Invitational, at Garret Mountain Park, 9 a.m.
Sept. 27, SEC Dual Meets Week 4, girls vs. Columbia and Mount St. Dominic; boys vs. Millburn and East Orange, at Branch Brook Park, 4 p.m.
Oct. 1, Shore Coaches Invitational, at Holmdel Park, time TBA
Oct. 5, SEC Championships, at Branch Brook Park, girls 4 p.m., boys 5:20 p.m.
Oct. 7, Greystone Invitational, at Central Park of Morris County, 3 p.m.
Oct. 15, Essex County Coaches Invitational, at Branch Brook Park, 9 a.m.
Oct. 19, Pizza Invitational, at Booth Park, 4 p.m.
Oct. 28, Essex County Championships, at Brookdale Park, 2:15 p.m.
Nov. 5, State Sectionals, at Garret Mountain Park, boys 11:40 a.m., girls 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 12, Group Championships, at Holmdel Park, boys 2 p.m., girls 3 p.m.
Nov. 19, Meet of Champions, at Holmdel Park, boys 11 a.m., girls 11:40 a.m.
(dates and times subject to change)
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