The Columbia HS boys cross-country team won the boys team title at the Essex County Championships on Monday, Oct. 23. At far left is head coach Alex Simon.
BLOMMFIELD, NJ — The Columbia High School boys cross-country team won the Essex County Championships team title on Monday, Oct. 23, at Brookdale Park course in Bloomfield.
The Columbia boys team, under head coach Alex Simon, finished first among the 23 schools that scored. Columbia had 45 points. Millburn was second with 69 points and Seton Hall Prep was third with 76 points.
Junior Asa Glassman took fifth overall in a time of 16 minutes, 46.33 seconds to lead the Cougars. Other Cougars were junior Samuel Medd, eighth in 17:05.97; junior Earl Hart II, ninth in 17:06.97; sophomore Christian Caravetta, 11th in 17:13.75; freshman Abe Hoffmann, 12th in 17:15.61; sophomore Leo Klint, 16th in 17:30.61; and junior Henry Martin, 35th in 18:16.45.
On the girls side, Columbia, under head coach Michael Johnson, finished in second place overall with 78 points behind Montclair Kimberley Academy, which won the team title with 69 points, among the 14 schools that scored.
Senior Mae Dowling finished in second place overall in 18:57.96 to lead Columbia. Maggie Horn of MKA won in 18:13.31.
Other Columbia runners were senior Sally O’Sullivan, eighth in 21:01.69; sophomore Audrey Marvell, 14th in 21:26.60; freshman Anushka Pimplaskar, 23rd in 22:04.76; sophomore Kendall Waite, 37th in 22:57.56; senior Julie Hairston, 38th in 22:57.07; and sophomore Caroline Shaw, 41st in 23:08.53.
Simon was ecstatic for the boys and girls teams.
“We are so proud of this team for all the hard work they put in,” he said. “For the boys, when this season began, we told ourselves to do whatever it takes to win the county. Not only do we win the varsity race, but also the JV and freshmen races. Best of all, we did it as a team. We do not have traditional superstars, but the superstar is the teamwork. Everyone stepped it up and continues to get better as we head to the state tournament.
“For the girls, we were fortunate to have two outstanding seniors, Mae Dowling and Sally O’Sullivan, inspire and lead the way to a new group of freshmen and sophomores who have the same goals in the future. It is once again about the team working together to achieve success, and we know they are going to climb even higher this season and beyond.
“We thank all the staff, parents and community for allowing Columbia such great success. We aim to not only meet your expectations, but exceed them in the future. Go Cougars!”
The teams will gear up for the state sectionals on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Central Park of Morris County in Morris Plains.
Photos Courtesy of CHS Cross-Country
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