Girls NJ MOCs: Sheppard Wins, Sparks Union Catholic 3-Peat

SHEPPARD WINS AFTER FALL

Ever since she finished second last year, Paige Sheppard has been driven to get back to Holmdel and get redemption by winning the title that narrowly eluded her a year ago.

The sophomore at Union Catholic, who has comfortably won every race she's run this season, got what she came for, crossing the line first in 18:02. But she had to overcome some adversity before she captured the title.

Sheppard had built about a 15-second gap on the field with about a quarter mile to go when she took a nasty spill just before she exited the woods and hit the final straightaway. A stunned Sheppard peeled herself off the dirt, and with her knees bloodied she got back on her feet. Fortunately, Sheppard got back up to speed quickly and summoned her superior kick to finish the race strong. Liliah Gordon of Northern Burlington was second in 18:13.

"I'm not sure exactly what happened,'' said Sheppard, who finished just two seconds behind Emma Zawatski of Freehold Township last year. "I just know that I lost my footing and went down pretty hard. I probably lost about five seconds or so. I got up as quick as I could and finished as fast as I could.''

Sheppard is the first girls' champion ever from a Union County school.

"I've probably been thinking about this race and this day every day since I started my summer training,'' said Sheppard. "It's been my biggest goal and I'm just so happy to win this championship and help my team win.''

Sheppard, who ran a sophomore course record of 17:41 at the Shore Coaches Invitational last month, said she's a much better racer this season and learned a lot as a freshman last year.

"Last year, I went out way too fast in this race,'' said Sheppard, who will defend her title at the Nike Northeast Championships next Saturday at Bowdoin Park.  "I learned to run much more relaxed this year and that's made a huge difference.''

Sheppard controlled this race right from the gun, darting out to a quick lead and daring someone to go with her.  Gordon, who won her third Group 3 title last week at 17:58, was the only one that did. Sheppard hit the first mile in 6:01, six seconds ahead of Gordon. Sheppard made a strong surge in the bowl as she opened a 16-second gap coming out of the bowl, and held a 14-second edge after two miles.

Gordon, the only other sub-18 runner at Holmdel this season, fought valiantly as she sliced the deficit to 10 seconds heading into the backwoods. But Sheppard hit the gas on the downhills to increase her lead, which provided the cushion she wound up needing because of her fall.

Shoutout to the Penn State-bound Gordon, who has been one of the most consistently great runners in the state in recent years. This was the fourth top-10 finish for her at the Meet of Champions. Gordon, a Foot Locker National finalist last year, was 8th as a freshman, 7th as a sophomore, 5th as a junior, and now second. That's one heckuva run!!

Girls Top 20 Individuals