Cheserek Leads NJ Group in San Diego - FLN Preview

Final Act - New Jersey @ Footlocker Finals

By: Our Special Correspondent

 


The Edward Cheserek show has one more act left before the curtain closes on what has been a historic season for the junior at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark. And he's hoping to come up with his greatest performance yet in Saturday's finale when he steps onto the biggest stage in the country. The Kenyan-born Cheserek, who has broken course records in all seven of his races this fall, will try to finish off a season for the ages with one more victory when he takes the line on Saturday at the 33rd Foot Locker Nationals Championships on Morley Field at Balboa Park in San Diego, Calif.

Although ranked No. 1 in the nation for nearly the entire season, the 17-year-old Cheserek, who moved to the U.S. in the summer of 2010, will be facing his toughest challenge so far when he squares off for the first time ever with senior Futsum Zeinasellaissie of North Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind. in a clash of undefeated titans. Zeinasellaissie, second at Foot Locker Nationals last year to Lukas Verzbicas of Illinois, is coming off a course record victory in 15:03 at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland last Saturday. Zeinasellaissie is trying to join Verzbicas as the only boys to ever win Nike and Foot Locker national titles in the same year. Verzbicas did it last year.

``This will be my toughest race,'' said Cheserek, second to Verzbicas at Nike Nationals last year. ``Futsum is a great runner, but I am confident that I can win. I was just chilling in my last race (a course record 15:20.5 at the Northeast Regional at Sunken Meadow Park on Long Island on Nov. 26), and I feel I'm ready to run real fast.'' Running fast is all Cheserek does. But can he possibly keep his course record rampage streak alive and make it 8 for 8? The target this time is the course record of 14:36 set in 1985 by Reuben Reina of John Jay High School in San Antonio, Texas in 1985. Cheserek's fastest 5-K this season is 14:20, the second fastest in U.S. high school history. That came on the flat and paved layout at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield at the Essex County Championships when he ran with some mild tightness in his hamstring. ``I will be trying for it,'' Cheserek said of Reina's record. ``I think it is possible to get close to it.''
 

CHESEREK'S COURSE RECORD HIT LIST
 
Sept. 24-14:53 at the Passaic Coaches Invitational, Garret Mountain in Woodland Park, N.J. Former record, 15:16, Mohamed Khadraoui, Kennedy in Paterson, N.J., 2003.


Oct. 1-14:53 at the Shore Coaches Invitational, Holmdel Park, N.J. Former record-14:56, Joe Rosa, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, N.J., 2009.


Oct. 9-11:55.4 at the Manhattan Invitational, Van Cortlandt Park, N.Y. Former record-12:03.8, Joe Rosa, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, N.J., 2009.


Oct. 15-14:34.6 at the Brown Invitational, Goddard State Park, R.I. Former record, 15:00.5, Cory Thorne, Portsmouth, N.H. 2004.


Oct. 28-14:20.0 at the Essex County Championships, Brookdale Park, Bloomfield, N.J. Former record, 14:42.0-Cheserek, 2010.


Nov. 5-15:18.2 at the New Jersey Catholic Track Conference Championships, Warinanco Park, Elizabeth, N.J. Former record-15:18.5, Cheserek, 2010.


Nov. 26-15:20.5 at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional, Sunken Meadow Park, Kings Park, Long Island, N.Y. Former record-15:32.3-John Gregorek, St. Anthony's. N.Y., 1977.
 

Zeinasellaissie, who moved to the U.S. from Eritrea (a small country in Africa) in seventh grade, was asked about the showdown with Cheserek after his NXN victory. ``I don't know if running two weeks in a row will hurt me or if not, but winning and breaking the course record here gives me a lot of confidence for this race,'' Zeinasellaissie said after winning in Portland. ``I know it will be a tough race with him (Cheserek), but I feel I can win. But no matter what happens at least I have a national title.''

A victory by Cheserek will end a 19-year drought for New Jersey, which hasn't crowned a winner since Brendan Heffernan of North Hunterdon finished first in 15:13 in 1992. Heffernan is the only Jersey boy to win the Kinney/Foot Locker National title. The sponsorship changed from Kinney to Foot Locker in 1993. Janet Smith of J.P. Stevens is the lone New Jersey girls champion. She won in 1983 in 16:43, a course record at the time.

Cheserek will be leading a group of five Garden Staters into San Diego as New Jersey looks to make its second huge splash on the national stage in a week. Last week, Christian Brothers Academy grabbed headlines by winning the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland. Cheserek said seeing CBA win was very inspiring.
``I was watching that and I was very happy that CBA won because I know those guys,'' said Cheserek. ``Hopefully I can win for New Jersey too.''
Joining Cheserek in the boys race (1 p.m. EST), will be Tim Ball of Piscataway and Blake Udland o Millburn. The girls race (12:15 p.m. EST) features Holly Bischof of Bishop Eustace and Caroline Kellner of West Windsor-Plainsboro South.
 

Here's a look at the other four New Jersey finalists.


HAVING A BALL
Tim Ball of Piscataway, the N.J. Meet of Champions winner (15:31) and third-place finisher at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional (15:47), always sounds like he's taking a low key approach to his races, but make no mistake about it, Ball will be running with lots of fire on Saturday. ``I just want do what I've been doing and run my race and hope for the best,'' said the Notre-Dame bound Ball. ``I hope to make it a good one since it's my last race and all. I want to end on a good note.''

While Ball doesn't like to get into making predictions, his coach, Pete Buccino, said the the goal is to shoot for a top 10 finish. New Jersey has had two or more runners in the top 10 three times. In 1988, Jason DiJoseph of Paul VI was second, Mik Mykytok of Bound Brook third, and John Coyle of Christian Brothers was fifth. In 1992, Brendan Heffernan of North Hunterdon was first and Bob Keino of Ridgewood was fourth. That was the year that Keino beat Heffernan to win the NJ Meet of Champions title. In 1997, Steve Slattery of Mount Olive was fourth and Murad Campbell of Overbrook was ninth.


 

 

 

 

 


OH, BROTHER!
The Udland family will make some history on Saturday when Blake Udland of Millburn takes the line. It will mark the first time that a pair of brothers from New Jersey have competed at Foot Locker Nationals. Tyler Udland, who graduated in 2010 and is now starring at Princeton, was a two-time finalist (2008 and '09). ``It's always a cool thing when you do something as a brother combo just like us both winning group titles. It's meaningful to me because I am the youngest and Saturday will be the last time an Udland will compete in a high school cross country race, so to know that we were the only brother combo to make it to Foot Locker from New Jersey makes it that much more special.''

Blake Udland was in San Diego to watch Tyler compete in 2008, and that experience left a lasting impresssion on him. ``It became a big goal of mine my freshman year when I went out to San Diego to watch the race,'' said Blake. ``I was able to see what kind of weekend they put on and how cool it was that there were only 40 of the best individuals in the race. Ever since then, it became a dream of mine to be able to call myself a Foot Locker finalist.''

Udland, who is headed to Duke, has been checking out his brother's performance at nationals. ``Looking back at results from Tyler's senior year at Foot Locker, he ran 15:43 (16th in 2009), so in terms of a time goal that is what I will be shooting for,'' said Udland. ``I have yet to get him on any course in cross country so far, and this will be my last chance ever to do so. Top 15 would be incredible, but I know that is a lofty goal so w will see how the race plays out. Tyler was 16th his senior year so that is a bench mark to where I hope to be.''
What does Udland, who has raced Cheserek twice this season, think will happen up front between Cheserek and Zen?
``I watched Futsum run Nike last week, and he looked really smooth and comfortable the entire time. Coming from New Jersey I know how good Ed really is, and I've seen him tear up every course around the state. I think the two of them will push each other most of the race, but I see Ed pulling away from Futsum in the last mile and using his closing speed in the last 800 to win by about 10 seconds. If conditions are perfect, I believe there is a chance Ed will run in the low to mid 14:30's.''

 


RUNNING THROUGH PAIN IS BISCHOF'S GAIN
Things certainly didn't start out very promising this season for Holly Bischof of Bishop Eustace, but they sure have finished just fine. ``I began my season with shin splints, and I was pretty nervous, no knowing how serious my injury was or if I would be able to race. My doctors were incredible and truen, By helped me get around my injury in every way possible. I took two weeks off and then started running very low mileage until October.'' Bischof said that she also suffered a compensation injury to her hip during the season, but she decided to run through the pain.` ``I wear a compression sock which helps lessen the pain in the shin, but right now my hip is worse than my shin,'' said Bischof, who will join Udland at Duke.
``I guess you could say that I have grown accustomed to the pain. It is mental strength that has gotten me through this season. I think that my efforts and to run through all of this have definitely helped me this season.''

And what a season it has been. Bischof strung together a remarkable stretch run on her way to San Diego. She won the state Non-Public A title in 18:46.9, the state Meet of Champions in 18:12.1, and placed fourth at the Foo Locker Northeast Regional in 18:24.9.
Bischof is naturally thrilled and feels fortunate to be running on one of the biggest stages possible.
``I feel so lucky to have qualified for this race,'' said Bischof. ``It is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity because it is the only race that will ever incorporate the fastest cross country runners in the country. Running against girls who are faster than I am will certainly push me to run a good race. I am also excited to run with those girls whom I have read about, but never met in person. I feel as if I am dreaming. This is all I have ever wanted. I cannot express how happy I am and how proud I am to be recognized as one of the top 40 runners in the whole United States.'' Bischof is both realistic and optimistic about how she will do in the race.

"Considering the competition, it would be foolish if my goal was to win,'' she said. ``I just want to run my race, stay with the other girls, and hopefully break 18. want to make my last high school cross country race a fun and memorable one. If doing so means that I will finish first, so be it, but that will just be icing on the cake. It is a great honor just to be in the race.''
 

SHE'S BACK
After getting a taste of what Foot Locker Nationals was all about last year, senior Caroline Kellner of West Windsor-Plainsboro South can't wait to do it again.
``I am incredibly excited to get to go back to San Diego for nationals,'' said Kellner, 8th in the FL NE Regional in 18:35.9. ``Going last year was one of the best experiences of my life. It was so much fun to get to meet all the other runners-both high school and pro. I am really thankful for another opportunity to get to race.''

Kellner, 37th last year in 18:37, learned some valuable lessons last year that she thinks will help her this time around. ``I think the most important thing I learned was just how fast the race goes out,'' she said. ``Obviously, it goes out very fast considering the runners of some of the country's fastest. However, I was not expecting it to go out as fast as it did, and I was pretty much in the back from the start. It wasn't my best race ever, but I was just very excited to get to go to nationals in the first place. My main goal last year was to make it, so considering that, I was content with my race. What about this year's race?
``I will try to get out better, and also just remain calm, relaxed and focused,'' said Kellner, who is headed to Cornell. ``I definitely feel a lot stronger at this late part in the season than I did last year. My goals for the race this are to get 36th or better, break 18:37, and have fun!''
 
 

 

 

 

FAST FACTS


The Foot Locker Nationals have had two homes. This will the 26th time it's being held in San Diego. It was held in Orlando, Fla. the other seven years (1981-82, and from 1997-2001).
The name of the meet changed from Kinney to Foot Locker in 1993.
 
Top 10 New Jersey times ever at Balboa Park in San Diego.
 
BOYS
15:09.6-Bob Keino, Ridgewood, 1993 (5th place)
15:10.1-Jason DiJoseph, Paul VI, 1988, (2nd place)
15:12.1-Brad Hudson, North Hunterdon, 1983 (7th place)
15:13.0-Brendan Heffernan, North Hunterdon, 1992 (1st place)
15:12.7-Mike Mykytok, Bound Brook, 1988 (3rd place)
15:15.7-John Coyle, Christian Brothers, 1988 (5th place)
15:16.0-Brandon Jarrett, St. Benedict's Prep, 2007 (6th place)
15:17.0-Carlos Martins, Newark East Side, 1986 (10th place)
15:18.5-Bill Babcok, North Hunterdon, 1984 (5th place)
15:22.6-Ron Faith, Paul VI, 1985 (22nd)
15:22.8-Kevin Pumphrey, Highland Regional, 1985 (23rd place)
Note: Brad Hudson, who moved from New Jersey to Oregon after his junior year (school year of 1983-84), ran 15:11 to place third in 1984.
 
GIRLS

16:43.0-Janet Smith, J.P. Stevens, 1983 (1st place)
17:18.4-Christi Constantin, Kittatinny, 1988 (3rd place)
17:25.6-Jodie Bilotta, North Hunterdon, 1985 (10th place)
17:34.9-Christi Constantin, Kittatinny, 1987 (5th place)
17:35.0-Megan Venables, Highland Regional, 2010 (5th place)
17:37.2-Chelsea Ley, Kingsway, 2009 (7th place)
17:41.0-Danielle Tauro, Southern, 2005 (6th place)
17:43.9-Katy Trotter, Red Bank, 2002 (2nd place)
17:49.0-Chelsea Ley, Kingsway, 2008 (8th place)
17:51.0-Ann Gladue, Bayley Ellard, 1979 (3rd place)

 

 

 

Profile Images: Don Rich for The MileSplit Network