Goin' To The Promised Land - Groups Previews

Group 1 Boys (11:15am)

2008 Team Champions: Haddon Township (52 pts. / 17:42.2 avg.)

2008 Individual Champion: Dave Oster (Verona ’10) 16:30

Top Contenders (Teams)

Verona  (1^st @ N2)

Haddon Twp. (1^st @ SJ)

Robbinsville (1^st @ CJ)

Metuchen (2^nd @ CJ)

North Warren (1^st @ N1)

These 5 contenders also make up the top 5 Gr. 1 teams in rankings points on NJR and quite honestly any of the 5 can qualify for the big dance on the 21^st.  With only Verona as the exception, they all have tight packs with 1-5 spreads between 45 and 77 seconds. Verona , of course, is very strong up front with Oster and Lucas, who are the # 1 and #3 Grp 1.  Look for a very close team finish and very fast times up front from this oft overlooked Group.

Top Contenders (Individuals)

Dave Oster (Verona ’10) 14:56 (SB), 1^st @ N2 Sect., Defending Group 1 Champ

Patrick Rono (Lyndhurst ’12) 15:30 (SB), 2^nd @ N2 Sect., Bergen Co. MOC Champ 

David Lucas (Verona ’11) 16:12 (SB), 3^rd @ N2 Sect., 2^nd @ SEC Colonial Div.

Brian O’Toole (Robbinsville ’11) 16:27 (SB), 1^st @ CJ Sect., 5^th  @ Mercer Co.

Jacob Walter (Haddon Twp. ’10) 16:34 (SB), 1^st @ SJ Sect., 3^rd @ SJ Open

He’s the defending Group Champ. He’s run the fastest XC 5k in the state this year and is no stranger to the winners circle, having collected no fewer than 5 titles at invites and championship races this season. Dave Oster is as Doug Godfrey would say “the chalk” for the win here. But, be aware of super soph Patrick Rono, who under the right conditions could give Oster a run for his money. Both athletes have had breakout years and have run fast and won often. This race could come down to the last 300 or so meters as they exit the woods and head for the line. Places 3-10 should be fairly bunched.

Group 2 Boys (12:55pm)

2008 Team Champions: Haddonfield (38 pts. / 16:58.2 avg.)

2008 Individual Champion: Jonathan Vitez (Haddonfield ’10) 16:33

Top Contenders (Teams)

Haddonfield (1^st @ SJ)

Indian Hills (2^nd @ N1)

Delaware Valley (1^st @ CJ)

Wallkill Valley (1^st @ N1)

Red Bank Regional (2^nd @ CJ)

Quite frankly, there is only one team in NJ that can possibly beat Coach Nick Baker’s Haddonfield Bulldogs, and they will not race that squad until MOC. This team has been ranked no lower than 2 all season long and has posted some very impressive performances. The race for the other starting spot for the 21^st should go to Indian Hills with a good front side (Nick Ward) and a 2-5 pack separated by 36 seconds.   Red Bank Reg. with a solid 1-5 should bag the 3rd ticket to the Big Dance.

 Top Contenders (Individuals)

Jon Vitez  (Haddonfield ’10) 15:22 (SB), SJ Sect. Champ (CR), 3^rd @ Manhattan Invitational

Matt Nelson (Barnegat ’13) 15:55 (SB), 3^rd @ SJ Sect., Top frosh in NJ

Colin Baker (Haddonfield ’10) 16:02 (SB), SJ Sect. runner up, sub 13:00 at VCP

Nick Ward (Indian Hills ’11) 16:03 (SB), Winner @ N1 Sect., 3^rd @ Bergen Co. MOC

Matt Nussbaum (Haddonfield ’11) 16:08 (SB), 4^th @ SJ Sect. w/ 16:08PR

“Boo” Vitez has taken his performance to another level this year. After a stellar Outdoor campaign, he hit stride right out of the gate. This season he has broken CR’s all over the place, most recently with a 15:24 over the Sectional layout at Delsea. He is also the defending Gr. 2 champ and will most likely repeat. His main competition will come from teammate Colin Baker and Barnegat freshman Matt Nelson, who is quickly making a place for himself in the elite ranks of NJ distance running.

Group 3 Boys (12:30pm)

2008 Team Champions: West Windsor-Plainsboro No. (42 pts. / 16:25 avg.)

2008 Individual Champion: Tyler Udland (Millburn ’10)

Top Contenders (Teams)

Millburn (2^nd @ N2)

WW-P No. (1^st @ CJ)

Mendham (1^st @ N2)

Ocean City (1^st @ SJ)

Princeton (2^nd @ CJ)

This Race has the potential to be a real barn burner as Millburn and WW-P No. both field lineups that boast otherworldly 1-3 runners.  With a top 5 between them that could challenge some D1 college teams, the 2 powers will have to get top performances from the 4-5 guys to take the day.  Ocean City in the post Brett Johnson era has developed nicely, but runs into a dual buzz saw here.

Top Contenders (Individuals)

Joe Rosa (WW-P No. ‘11) 15:04 (SB), 1^st @ CJ, CRs at VCP (12:04) and Holmdel (15:04)

Tyler Udland (Millburn ’10) 15:03 (SB), N2 winner, Defending Grp. 3 Champ.

Jim Rosa (WW-P No. ’11) 15:16 (SB), Runner up @ CJ, 12:09 @ VCP

Brian Robinson (Millburn ’10) 15:33 (SB), 13^th @ N2, 4^th @ Essex Co. Championships

Jon Squeri (WW-P No.) 15:36 (SB), Mercer Co. Champion, 6^th @ CJ

Up front, this race may look like a dual meet. Joe and Jim Rosa, arguably the 2 best ever, are a CR threat every time they toe the line, Add last year’s Group and MOC winner into the pot and you will be at boiling point in no time. If conditions are right and Tyler Udland pushes the twins we could be in for a real treat. Squeri and Robison will be coming off of rough goes in their Sectiuonal races, but should mix it up early. Look for a 15:low finish in this one.

Group 4 Boys (10:50am)

2008 Team Champions: Old Bridge (125 pts. / 17:12 avg.)

2008 Individual Champion: Robby Andrews (Manalapan ’09) 16:10

Top Contenders (Teams)

Southern Regional (2^nd @ SJ)

Shawnee (1^st @ SJ)

Toms River North (3^rd @ SJ)  

Westfield (2^nd @N2)

East Brunswick (1^st @ CJ)

The problem with previewing this group this year is that any of the top 5 can win the thing and any of the next 5 teams could break through and win or take a berth in the BIG ONE next week.  The Gr. 4 race will be a race of packs, as all of these teams either have very talented front guys, tough packs or both. TRN has been running with a ton of heart and talent this year and should prevail. The next 9 spots are a pick ‘em.

Top Contenders (Individuals)

Joe Kotran  (TRN ’10) 15:22 (SB), SJ Sect. Champ, 1^st @ Ocean Co. Championships,  3^rd @ Ocean Co. Championships

David Forward (Shawnee ’10) 15:48 (SB) 3^rd @ SJ Sect., Olympic Conf. Champion, 12:48 at VCP

Curtis Richburg (West Orange ’10) 14:58 (SB), 6^th @ N1, 2^nd @ Essex County Championships

Mike O’Dowd (Colts Neck ’11) 15:32 (SB), Winner at CJ Sect., 2^nd @ Shore Conf. Championships

Matt Valeriani (Southern Reg. ’10) 15:40 (SB), Runner up @ SJ Sect., 2^nd @ Ocean Co. Championships

This is not unlike previewing the team race. There are quite a few talented guys toeing the line here. Joe Kotran of TRN is having a very good end of the season and may have “arrived on time.” David Forward has quietly been putting together another solid year and has been in this spot before. Experience at Holmdel is one of those intangibles. Also, look for O’Dowd, tough as nails, to be there ‘til the end.

Non-Public “B” Boys (2:35pm}

2008 Team Champions: Roselle Catholic (57 pts. / 17:51 avg.)

2008 Individual Champion: Doug Smith (Gill-St. Bernards ’09)

Top Contenders (Teams)

St, Rose - 17:06 avg

Mater Dei – 17:31

Moorestown Friends – 17:51

Newark Academy - 18:03

Montclair Kimberly – 18:34

With a solid top 3 that will most likely consist of the group champ and 2 top 10 finishers, St. Rose of Belmar will advance to MOC. Mater Dei and Moorestown Friends will have a close finish and snag the other 2 spots on the MOC start line.

Top Contenders (Individuals)

Colin Richmond (St. Rose ’11) 16:04 (SB), 6^th @ NJCTC Championships, 1^st @ Brett Taylor Invite

Anthony Andrews (Paterson Catholic ’11) 16:16 (SB), 2^nd @ Passaic Co. Championships, Winner of BPSL Divisional Title

Bob Engel (Moorestown Friends ’10) 16:38 (SB), 6^th @ SJ Parochial Championships

Dan Polanco (Mater Dei ’11) 16:57 (SB), 5^th @ Old Bridge XC Classic

Richard Savner (St. Rose ’10) 16:46 (SB), 2^nd @ Brett Taylor Mem. Invite

Colin Richmond should lead the team from the beach with the individual title.  Do not count out Paterson Catholic’s Anthony Andrews who is a regular at Garrett Mtn. and is used to tough terrain. Could be a very good race start to finish.

Non Public “A” Boys (2:10pm)

2008 Team Champions:  Don Bosco Prep (34 pts. / 16:41 avg)

2008  Individual Champion: Pat Schellberg (Delbarton School ’10) 16:20

Top Contenders (Team)

CBA – 16:20 avg

Don Bosco – 16:06

Seton Hall Prep – 16:49

St. Augustine Prep – 16:44

Red Bank Catholic – 17:01

CBA will add to its long history of XC success with the win here. The Tom Heath coached Colts are currently ranked #4 in the nation and #1 in the NE. With Mike Mazzaccaro leading the way, CBA will bring home yet another win. Don Bosco Prep, which may be better than it has been ranked lately will earn another MOC berth with the runner up spot. The Bronze will be a toss up between St, Augustine and Seton Hall Prep both of whom have been flying under the radar.

Top Contenders (Individuals)

Pat Schellberg (Delbarton ’10) 15:33 (SB), 1^st @ NJCTC Championships, Morris Co. Champion

Howard Rosas (Don Bosco ‘10) 15:47 (SB), 2^nd @ Bergen Co. MOC, 12:51 @ VCP

Michael Rankin (Paul VI – Haddonfield ‘10) 15:52 (SB), 2^nd @ SJ Parochial Championships, 2^nd @ Shore Coaches Invite,

Michael Belgiovine (Don Bosco ‘11) 15:45 (SB), 5^th @ NJCTC Championships, 1^st @ Bergen Co. Championships.

Pat Schellberg was a bit of a surprise winner last year in this race, but will sneak up on no one this year. In fact, he will be the one that others hope to ambush. Won’t happen though as Schellberg will most likely repeat.