Welcome to the 2022 preview of the NJSIAA Central Sectional Championships.
This article includes some just for fun winner predictions, some quick notes on team and individual battles, as well as a look at last year's winners.
Those of us at NJ MileSplit want to wish all of our high school athletes and coaches the best of luck this weekend across the state. A lot of work has been put in by these athletes since summer and beyond for this point in the season.
Predictions tables by Robert Kellert, Jim Lambert, and Pat Montferrat.
Boys Central Sectionals
Individual Predictions
| Robert | Jim | Pat | |
| Group 1 | Colin Riley | Colin Riley | Colin Riley |
| Group 2 | Mark Viggiano | Mark Viggiano | Mark Viggiano |
| Group 3 | Christopher Shay | Christopher Shay | Christopher Shay |
| Group 4 | Ayush Saran | Stephen Kyvelos | Ayush Saran |
Team Predictions
| Robert | Jim | Pat | |
| Group 1 | Metuchen | Metuchen | Metuchen |
| Group 2 | Rumson-Fair Haven | Rumson-Fair Haven | Rumson-Fair Haven |
| Group 3 | Colts Neck | Colts Neck | WWPNorth |
| Group 4 | Monroe Twp (NJ#12) | Monroe Twp (NJ#12) | Monroe Twp (NJ#12) |
Quick Notes
Group 1
Individuals: Colin Riley of Dayton should have been on everyone's radar for multiple seasons now, he's back and should repeat as Central Group1 Champ. Ernesto Botteon, Hayden Singer, Henry Bilton, Spencer Hanley, Alex Patelski among leaders.
Teams: --
Group 2
Individuals: Mark Viggiano of Ocean Township ran 16:57 for second at last year's Sectional. Also leads this Sectional with Holmdel times this season at 16:43. Mickey Schroeder, Quinn Padovano, Ethan Fletcher, Jack Testai, among those to battle towards the front.
Teams: --
Group 3
Individuals: This one is wide open. Christopher Shay of Middletown South and Colts Neck's Jacob McNamara and Leo Kurtz have battled back and forth this season and they will meet once again during the first round of states. It seems we are predicting Shay but this is not a given race. Kurtz, McNamara, and even some of their teammates are capable of winning this. Could be a wild one or even an upset winner.
Teams: --
Group 4
Individuals: Great battle here between Ayush Saran of WWPSouth and Stephen Kyvelos of Manalapan warming up. Monroe Twp's Maan Patel also leads Thompson Park times this season for Central Group 4 and could fight his way to the front as well. Ryan Smith and Marty Brophy also contenders.
Teams: --
2021 Winners - Individuals / Teams
Group 1: Colin Riley JR Jonathan Dayton 16:17.95 / Dayton (First Title)
Group 2: Blaik Slavinski JR Pt. Pleasant Boro 16:55 / Rumson (1st since 1999, 2nd overall)
Group 3: Nikhil Makker SR WWPNorth 16:04.52 / WWPNorth (2nd in 3 years, 6th overall)
Group 4: Daniel Valentino SR Freehold Twp 15:55.35 / Princeton (1st since 2017, 7th overall)
Girls Central Sectionals
Individual Predictions
| Robert | Jim | Pat | |
| Group 1 | Megan Donlevie | Megan Donlevie | Megan Donlevie |
| Group 2 | Melina Johnston | Melina Johnston | Melina Johnston |
| Group 3 | Liliah Gordon | Liliah Gordon | Liliah Gordon |
| Group 4 | Emma Zawatski | Emma Zawatski | Emma Zawatski |
Team Predictions
| Robert | Jim | Pat | |
| Group 1 | New Providence | New Providence | Metuchen |
| Group 2 | Rumson-Fair Haven (NJ#7) | Rumson-Fair Haven (NJ#7) | Rumson-Fair Haven (NJ#7) |
| Group 3 | Middletown South (NJ#20) | Middletown South (NJ#20) | Middletown South (NJ#20) |
| Group 4 | Freehold Township (NJ#3) | Freehold Township (NJ#3) | Freehold Township (NJ#3) |
Quick Notes
Group 1
Individuals: Shore Regional senior Megan Donlevie seems primed for a successful title defense here. Claudia Reines and Gianna Hernandez will also be battling for a top three spot.
Teams: --
Group 2
Individuals: A nice battle is brewing here! Julia Shanes of Rumson-Fair Haven and Melina Johnston of Robbinsville have both made their case with solid seasons for being in the discussion to win now is the time to settle it on the course.
Teams: --
Group 3
Individuals: Another race that isn't that simple to try and predict. Liliah Gordon of Northern Burlington is our pick to win but she'll have some strong competition throughout this race. Rosemary Shay leads a top 20 Middletown South squad into Sectionals and has the top Group 3 Central time at Thompson Park this season with 18:59. Meghan Rentner of Allentown or Allison Lee of WWPNorth are both in range and could potentially play upset.
Teams: --
Group 4
Individuals: Your usual recipe for Group 4, elite runners from various counties converge and we'll only know what happens after the dust settles. Emma Zawatski has been on fire running coming off a big Shore Conference championship against strong competition. Julia Scrudato of Montgomery is the top Skyland Conference representative with two recent impressive wins of her own. After those two Amelia Artz of Monroe Twp won the GMC on this very course. A number of athletes down this list running strong, those advancement positions will fill up fast - Nikita Majithia and Catherine Gobo to call out some more.
Teams: --
2021 Winners - Individuals / Teams
Group 1: Megan Donlevie JR Shore Reg19:26.82 / Shore (3rd in 4 years, 8th overall)
Group 2: Molly Malague SR Metuchen 18:18.41 / Rumson (2nd straight, 10th overall)
Group 3: Lilly Shapiro SR Colts Neck 18:14.97 / Colts Neck (5th straight, 11 overall)
Group 4: Caroline Mehlhorn SR Montgomery 18:37.03 / Middletown South (2nd in 3 years, 10th overall)