The NHS girls celebrating after winning their second straight ECTCA Class Invitational team title.
NUTLEY, NJ – Junior Jimmy Quinn turned in another stellar performance, finishing second overall at the ECTCA Class Invite, bettering his own school course record with a time of 16:45 on Saturday, Oct. 15.
In their last race of the year on the familiar paths of Branch Brook Park, the Raiders kept their positive momentum rolling. Quinn shaved another 5 seconds off his own school course record dropping a 16:45 and taking second place in the Junior Class Race.
The Junior Girls, lead by Ellie McCreesh’s 20:32, claimed the title in their race which keyed the Raiders in claiming the overall team title. It was the second year in a row that the NHS girls won the overall team title at this race.
In the Freshman 2 mile race, Gianna Marinaro (15:08 personal record) and Shannon Granelli (15:12 PR) led the girls’ team to a third-place team finish. Also scoring for the Raiders in that race were Kayla D’Auria (15:36 PR), Kim Gil (17:07) and Kelly Waddleton (18:42 PR).
In the boys’ race, Nick Duca dropped down to the 2 mile race and clocked a 11:48 to claim a medal. Brina McCormack dropped a huge PR of 13:08 in the race.
In the Sophomore Class Race, Kate Contini clocked a big PR of 21:42 to claim seventh-place overall. Her time was the sixth-fastest ever run at Branch Brook by a Raider. Also dropping PRs on the Branch Brook course were Isabella Bernardo (22:44) and Emily McIntyre (23:57). They scored a fourth-place team finish with 39 points.
In the Boys’ race, Vinny Marinaro led the Raider charge with a solid 18:28 clocking for 11th overall. Mark Alday hit a PR of 19:47 with Kevin Zhang just missed cracking the 20-minute barrier with a 20:01, while Brandon DeFluri chipped in with a 22:05.
The Junior races proved to be the highlights of the day for the Raiders. The girls’ team saw three Raiders finish in the top 10 of the race to claim the team title. McCreesh ran her fastest time of the year with a 20:32, claiming a second-place finish. Jaela Small and Shawna Lewis had a photo finish, both coming in at 22:00. The time was a PR for Small and a seasonal best for Lewis. Taylor Waddleton clocked a seasonal best of 23:57, as did Anna Charlotte Intindola at 25:43.
Reflecting on the race, Waddleton said, “I am so happy that the junior girls won for the third year in a row and made it to mile split.” Anna Paun ran a 27:20 in the race as well.
On the boys’ side, Quinn lowered his school course record finishing second overall with a time of 16:45. It was his third consecutive sub-17 clocking. Gerard Dimayuga finished second for the Raiders with a 18:16 PR to grab a medal. Phil Amiths had another PR of 19:20 for the third spot in the scoring. Darien Ramirez also ran a PR at 19:45. Also running for the Raiders were Eddie Machado (20:52), Rauf Ural (21:49) and Noah Roselli (22:00).
In the Senior Race, captain Amanda Zheng ran her fastest Branch Brook time ever at 22:01. Her time was the 10th-fastest in school history. Katelyn Gil was the second finisher for the Raiders at 23:18, while captain Nicolette Contella clocked a 23:57 for the three spot.
Paula Echeverria clocked a 24:28 for a PR.
In the boys’ race, captain Eric Vogler clocked a 17:56 to grab a medal, while fellow captain Matt Dasilva turned in a 18:23 for a medal. Silvan Sooksatan ran a 21:08 for the Senior Boys.
Next up for the Raiders is the always fun Pizza Invitational on Wednesday on Oct. 19.
The following NHS runners made All-Super Essex Conference-American Division honors:
First Team:
Quinn and McCreesh
Second Team:
Vogler
Honorable Mention:
Small, Lewis, DaSilva, and Dimayuga.
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