Columbia HS girls cross-country team finishes runner-up at Essex County Championships

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Columbia High School girls cross-country team finished second overall in the team standings at the Essex County Championships on Friday, Nov. 1, at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield.

The Cougars had 93 points. Montclair was first overall with 30 points among the 15 schools.

Kirah Tianga finished 10th overall in 20:07.40 and fellow junior Darcy Perlman was 11th in 20:08.70 among the 115 runners to lead the Cougars.

Violet Gordon, a sophomore, took 21st place in 21:09.40; junior Kate Beemer placed 24th in 21:16.30; sophomore Sasha Rojer took 28th place in 21:31 and sophomore Ellie Rojer placed 29th in 21:30.50 for CHS. Julia Young, a senior, finished 58th in 22:29.50 for the Cougars.

On the boys’ side, Columbia placed sixth overall in the team standings among the 21 schools. Seton Hall Prep finished in first place.

Javier Casella, a sophomore, placed 21st in 16:58.80 to lead the Cougars among the 154 runners. William Schabacker, a senior, took 27th place in 17:00.60; sophomore Nate Lindstrom finished 37th in 17:25.60; junior Daniel Fynn took 40th in 17:32.10; sophomore Aaron Glassman took 41st in 17:32.70; junior William Griffith was 54th in 18:12.70; and junior Ryan Helfenstein was 103rd in 20:06.50.

The CHS teams will gear up for the North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 Championships at Greystone Park in Morris Plains on Saturday, Nov. 9.