You almost wish that it will end in a flat footed tie. Doug Smith and Brian Leung are two of the nicest guys on the planet, not to mention the 2 best XC runners in the state and they will race for the NJSIAA All Groups Championship on Saturday at Holmdel.
With very similar, Go Out & Hammer It styles, Doug Smith sounded undaunted by the prospect of a no holds barred race. Comparing the “sit, sit, sit and then kill you” style of last years winner and course record holder, Craig Forys, Smith is sure that there will be none of that in this race, saying that it will take a sub 15:30 effort to win. The Gill-St. Bernards junior finished 3rd in this race last year with Leung in 7th. However, they are both undefeated this year and while never being really tested, have turned in impressive marks and set course records all season long.
Brian Leung, a senior from West Windsor-Plainsboro South, feels that the race will go the same way, fast and close. He does not plan to allow any space to open up between them and also feels that a sub 15:30 effort is what it might take to win.
Photo: (l) Brian Leung and (r) Doug Smith will duel for the Boys Title at the Meet of Champions on Saturday.
Courtesy of: MaroonNews
Prediction:
Out of the Woods stride for sride, down the gauntlet neck and neck, both ready to lean at the line and….Fade to Black, Cue Music.
Seriously, even though it’s really a toss up based on talent, prep and coaching, we’re going to go with Smith in 15:24 with Leung a step behind. No losers here.
The Rest of the Top Ten (In No Particular Order)
Andrew Brodeur (Brick Memorial)
Brett Johnson (Ocean City)
Sean Poherance (Morris Hills)
Doug Jankowski (Phillipsburg)
Jermaine Coore (Franklin)
Peter Murphy (Millburn)
Ryan Birchmeier (Ocean City)
Teddy Brinkofsky ( Bishop Ahr)
Teams
Unlike the girl’s team outlook, the boy side is very competitive and a number of teams are in contention for the crown won by Jackson Memorial last year. While Don Bosco Prep of Ramsey has been the NJRunners #1 for a good portion of the season, there are at least 4 other teams that, based on Group Meet results could ascend the winner’s podium on Saturday.
Don Bosco, which won the Non-Public “A” title with a team average of 16:45 and a 59 second spread between scorers 1&5 and beat CBA by 16 points (55-71), needs another all around strong performance to hold off their group rival, CBA, as well as the Group 4 champs, Cherokee, and the top 3 schools in Group 3, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, Millburn and Morris Hills, which were separated by only 4 seconds in the average time category.
*CBA, with no big gun up front has won all year with tight pack running and will need to pack them in around 16:30-16:50 to prevail.
*Cherokee has Alex Yersak and Kevin Schickling (7th / 10th LW) running near the front, but their #’s 4&5 will have to close the gap on #3 Chris Applegate to give Cherokee a shot.
*Led by their outstanding freshman, Joe Rosa, WW-P North has run strong all year and if Rosa can stay focused in a big spot and if senior John LiPuma can rebound from an off day at groups, the Knights could be in the hunt.
*Millburn was hampered last week by an injury to their normally #3 man, Dan Kirschner. If Kirschner is healthy for Saturday, Millburn can move up significantly.
*While Morris Hills may be a year away from greatness they are still a very talented team led by Sean Poherance , who may be a top ten guy in the race. Transfer Liam Tansy has been a st
rong #2 all season and as always Morris Hills boasts a strong supporting cast.
Prediction
It will take a really off day for Don Bosco to give up as much ground as would be needed for another team to win. Look the Ironmen to win their first MOC since 1992 with Rob Molke running closer or ahead of Anthony Belgiovine to give Don Bosco with a team average slightly lower than their time last week.
The Best of The Rest
West Windsor-Plainsboro North
Cherokee
CBA
Millburn
Morris Hills
Photo: Strong showings by Anthony Belgiovine (l) and Rob Molke (background) are the key to Don Bosco's success at MOC
Courtesy of MaroonNews