Boys NJ Individual Rankings

Rank Athlete/Team Last Result Comments
1
Matt Grossman
NJ Millburn HS
We saw a huge improvement for Grossman last spring when he won his first MOCs title running 9:06.25 in the 3200m. Post-win he stated he added a ton of speed with his workouts to finish races stronger. Add that onto the fact that he is the fastest Holmdel and State Season returner by far with a 15:32 from his Group 4 Championship win and he is an easy #1 preseason pick.
2
Jack Shea
NJ Cherokee HS
Jack Shea had a top ten in both the Group 4 and Meet of Champions last fall and ranks as the #2 returner in the state at Holmdel with his time of 15:46. He'll be leading a strong Cherokee team this fall.
3
Jordan Brannan
NJ Colts Neck HS
Brannan finished 13th at the Meet of Champions last fall running 16:08, the fifth fastest returning Holmdel time. From there he went on to find major success on the track. Winning the indoor 3200m MOCs title running 9:14.94 and 4th with a 9:08.17 outdoors. Expect a sub-16 minute time and more at Holmdel from him this year.
4
Chris Romero
NJ Voorhees HS
Romero saw over a minute improvement at Holmdel Park last fall when he ran 15:57 to place 8th at the Meet of Champions. He is the third fastest overall returner at the state course from last year and the leading junior.
5
David Rosas
NJ Don Bosco Prep
David Rosas was the leading runner for Don Bosco's 33 to 35 upset in the Non-Public A over CBA last fall. He placed second in that race running 15:58 and with CBA's Blaise Ferro graduating he is now the top returner for the Group. Overall Rosas is the fourth fastest Holmdel returner in the state from last season.
6
Rey Rivera
NJ Old Bridge HS
The 2016 indoor and outdoor 800 meter champion, his best 1:50.66. Ran his first full cross country season last fall with success winning GMC Conference Champs and placing 17th at the Meet of Champions running 16:13.
7
Justin Cornetta
NJ Hunterdon Central HS
Cornetta made a huge time leap in both the 3200m and 1600m this past spring and winter. This was capped with a sixth place finish at MOCs running 9:10.72. He placed 23rd at MOCs last fall running 16:18 and ranks ninth in the state returning times from Holmdel.
8
Michael Ungvarsky
NJ Cinnaminson HS
Ungvarsky finished his spring season strong in the 3200m running a 9:11.48 for eighth at the Meet of Champions, which was NJ#9 on the season. He ran 29th at last fall's MOCs.
9
Ajay Sarathy
NJ Montgomery HS
Ajay Sarathy earned himself a 14th place finish at MOCs last fall running 16:08. That performance ties him for fifth among the state's returning Holmdel times.
10
Elliot Gindi
NJ Ocean Township HS
Gindi set PRs in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m over the indoor and outdoor seasons. One of them coming during a second place 1600m finish at the outdoor Meet of Champions where he ran 4:10.93. Looking at those jumps and his 11th overall Holmdel returners ranking the Ocean Twp star should have a great fall season.
11
Alex Roth
NJ Princeton HS
Alex Roth finished 21st at MOCs last fall running 16:17. He had success on the track as well placing fourth in the 3200m indoors and 14th outdoors.
12
Brian Hill
NJ Christian Brothers Academy
Brian Hill, only a junior, saw his first varsity cross action for CBA last cross. He ended a solid season finishing 39th at MOCs. From there he ran some great PRs on the track in the 1600m and 3200m. He's the 18th fastest Holmdel returner at 16:34.
13
Billy Byrne
NJ Ridgewood HS
Billy Byrne is the 10th fastest Holmdel returner with a time of 16:20. A performance which earned him 25th at the Meet of Champions last fall.
14
Devin Hart
NJ Pt. Pleasant Boro HS
Hart was 10th in the Group 2 last cross country season as a freshman and is the 19th fastest returner overall. An impressive 3200m season outdoors and another season under his belt moved him up a notch for me.
15
Ronald Kigen
NJ St. Benedict's Prep
Don't get to see this talent during the NJSIAA Championships with St. Benedict's Prep running the NJISAA Prep races. But this sophomore is one of the best in the state.
16
Malual Mu
NJ Trenton Central HS
The 13th fastest returner thanks to his 12th place finish in the Group 4. His indoor 1600m season landed him 10th at MOCs with a 4:21.53.
17
Noah Yuro
NJ Christian Brothers Academy
The 17th fastest returner from Holmdel with his 16:30 at the Meet of Champions. During outdoor in the 3200m he qualified for his first MOCs on the track finishing 20th with a time of 9:29.57.
18
Christopher Heckelman
NJ Summit HS
Heckelman was 34th at last year's Meet of Champions running 16:27. He made it to MOCs outdoors as well where he placed 12th in the 1600m with a 4:18.13.
19
Tom Holster
NJ Indian Hills HS
Tom Holster returns to lead a strong Indian Hills team. He placed 35th at MOCs last year running 16:28 and ranks 16th among all Holmdel returners.
20
Drake Anzano
NJ Christian Brothers Academy
Anzano is an amazing distance talent and has definitely proved himself as one of the best in the state on the track. He was NJ#1 in the 3200m with a 9:03.49 last spring and won the 1600m MOCs title running 4:08.96. Don't be surprised if this #20 ranking looks absolutely silly by the end of XC'16.

Editor's Comments

Even with 20 slots to fill, it will never seem like enough to fit all of the talented individuals we have returning this season. Names like Anthony Russo, Joey Defeo, Nick Falk, Patrick Walsh, and more could easily be on this list.

If looking through on your phone make sure you turn it sideways to view the write-ups for each athlete!

These lists are subjective and the following references, along with my own knowlegde, were used as aids in the decision making: Holmdel times, MOCs and Group places and times, track season improvements / rankings, and the good old gut.

-Robert Kellert

*If looking through on your phone make sure you turn it sideways to view the write-ups for each athlete!