The River Dell boys 4x800 meter capped off their season with a state leading US#8 time of 7:40.57 to strike gold at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. The team was comprised of all seniors: Patrick Robertson, Justin Fernandez, Colin Daly, and Will Daly.
It was a very talented field with the likes of Morris Hills NJ#2 , Old Bridge NJ#3, Haddonfield NJ#4, Egg Harbor Twp NJ#3, and more. River Dell didn't hesitate to take control of the race when the opportunity arose heading into the third leg and held on to seal the victory.
In the interview above, apologies for the audio quality, we found out that this was the perfect season ending as the crew won't be participating at Nationals but rather rounding out their high school experience having fun attending prom. "We thought that we could end on a high note here, and we did that," stated Colin Daly.
This wasn't only an end to a season long journey, but a four year run by the same four athletes who first competed together freshmen year running 9:04.9 to crush the frosh field at the 2013 Season Opener.
Colin reflecting on their time together, "To be able to go from 9:04 to 7:40 is unbelievable.. you can't write a better ending."
(A screen shot of the River Dell scrap book featuring the 9:04.9 start for the four teammates.)
They stuck together despite competing in different sports outside of spring track. The Dalys run cross country, Robertson plays soccer, and Fernandez plays basketball but they always came back together in the spring.
All four athletes have chosen their colleges for next fall: Robertson will be at Ithaca, Fernandez at TCNJ, and the Dalys will both be attending UPenn.
Also at this meet in the 1600 meter, Will Daly finished third running 4:11.50 and Colin Daly sixth at 4:12.73.
Meet of Champions Boys 4x800 Meter - Full Results
Boys 4x800 Meter Relay
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School Seed Finals H#
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Finals
1 River Dell HS 'A' 7:48.06 7:40.57 3
1) Daly, Colin 12 2) Daly, William 12
3) Fernandez, Justin 12 4) Robertson, Patrick 12
2 Morris Hills HS 'A' 7:51.66 7:42.59 3
1) Schweizer, Jason 12 2) Pai, Alexander 11
3) Creighton, Michael 11 4) McNally, Ian 12
3 Old Bridge HS 'A' 7:45.21 7:46.68 3
1) D'Ambrosio, Gerard 12 2) Belton, Scott 12
3) Dzieniszewski, Arthur 11 4) Rivera, Rey 11
4 Haddonfield Mem. HS 'A' 7:48.55 7:47.96 3
1) Gallagher, Colin 12 2) Gess, Derek 9
3) Pelose, Greg 12 4) Stoner, Austin 12
5 Egg Harbor Twp HS 'A' 7:47.27 7:49.19 3
1) Dessoye, Robert 11 2) Hendriks, Aidin 11
3) Dessoye, Alex 11 4) Barnes, Eric 11
6 Ridge HS 'A' 8:00.68 7:49.53 3
1) Phinney, Will 11 2) Daly, Andrew 12
3) Bayeux, Patrick 10 4) Orr, Ryan 11
7 Rancocas Valley Reg HS 'A' 7:48.70 7:55.43 3
1) Curbelo, Isaiah 12 2) DeJesus, Joshua 12
3) Tyndale, Jacob 10 4) Moore, Ian 9
8 Summit HS 'A' 7:56.74 7:56.31 3
1) Feeney, Griffin 11 2) Sinunu, Matt 12
3) Passey, Marshall 12 4) Robertson, Will 11 We recorded River Dell's Group 2 State Championship over the weekend when they ran 7:48.06. Watch that race right here!