BLOOMFIELD, NJ – Under perfect conditions, the Nutley High School Raiders boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams produced some of their fastest times of the season during the Essex County Championship meet held at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield on Friday, Oct. 28.
The day started off with the sub-varsity races. The Freshman boys got the action started with their 5K debuts. It was Anish Kumar leading the way for the Raider freshmen, clocking a 19:47. Luca Vespa was able to get across the line in under 20 minutes as well, covering the course in 19:58. Matt Cozzi ran a 21:27, while Alvin Briones covered the 3.1 miles in 23:00.
In the JV Boys race, it was Brian McCormack who ran a 30-second PR coming in at 19:36 and leading the Raiders in that race. Abhishek Dixit grabbed the 2 spot for the Raiders coming in at 19:44. Darien Ramirez covered the course in 19:48. Ege Dogan clocked a 20:01 while Yuvraj Raja ran a PR 20:02. Luis Hordista (20:15), Noah Roselli (20:47, PR), Rich Robinson (23:03), Anthony Gola (24:17) and Alex Abernovich (26:16) all ran in the JV race. As a team, the Raiders finished in 8th place with 251 points.
In the Varsity Boys race, the Raiders were led by Jimmy Quinn, who was able to break the 16-minute barrier and earn a top 10 finish with his 15:50. Quinn finished 6th in the race overall.
Quinn said, “It was a fast race. I stayed with the lead pack and felt very good throughout the race.” Grabbing the 2 spot for the Raiders was Vinny Marinaro with a SB 17:55. Nick Duca crossed in 18:04 for the 3 spot for the Raiders. Kevin Zhang crossed in 18:18 for the 4th spot in the Raider lineup. Freshman Sean Bernardo cranked out a huge 30-second PR coming in at 18:40. Seniors Phil Amiths (19:38) and Gerard Dimayuga (20:45) were the 6/7 runners for the Raiders. As a team the Raiders were 12th with 331 points.
In the JV Girls Race, McIntyre clocked her fastest 5K time of her career with a 22:55. McIntyre said, “This weather is awesome. I am glad that the high temperatures should only reach the low-to-mid 60s statewide, after a chilly AM start. Skies should be mostly sunny. Winds should be light out of the southwest.” Claiming the 2 spot for the girls was Gianna Marinaro running a lifetime best 23:18. Sam Abernovich clocked a 27:57, and Kayla D’Auria recorded a 28:13. Kelly Waddleton ran a 29:33 and Ava Sacchetti made her 5K debut clocking a 34:40. As a team, the girls finished 9th with 204 points.
In the Varsity Girls, the Raiders were led by Ellie McCreesh, who clocked a 20:24 and finished in 16th place overall. Shawna Lewis ran a 21:42 for the 2 spot in the Raider lineup. Freshman Morgan DeFluri continued her impressive rookie campaign, clocking another 5K PR covering the paths of Brookdale in 21:48. Jaela Small ran her fastest 5K of 2017 with 22:22. Kate Contini covered the course in 22:38, which was her fastest 5K of 2017, for the 5 spot in the lineup. Izzy Bernardo recorded her fastest 5K of the season with a 22:40. Taylor Waddleton recorded her fastest time of the season with a 22:46. Overall as a team, the Raiders finished in 8th place with 220 points.
Next up for the Raiders is the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group 3 State Championships on the paths of Garret Mountain Reservation on Saturday, Nov. 4. The Girls race is at 10:25 a.m. and the Boys go off at 11:15 a.m.
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