13th Cherokee Challenge 2008

Images From The Meet at Marlton

The results keep flying in and the final tallies are showing some interesting stories across the nation. Top teams and individuals from coast to coast had much to prove this weekend, as the national level competitions really took off. Individuals like Solomon Haile and Jillian Smith showed their talents at the highest levels, while Saratoga Springs and North Central proved why they are two of the top teams in the country. See what else took place in our weekend highlights and results section.

NJRunners Feature Meet - 13th Cherokee Challenge On a perfect day for racing, the 13th edition of the Cherokee Challenge was once again an exciting, well run event which produced fast times all around. In the fastest time of the day, which was also a Course Record breaking performance, Southern Regional senior Jillian Smith ran unpressed to a 10:41 win. The next 2 NJ finishers were Toms River No.'s Angela Rugino (11:11) in 3rd and Meghan McGlinchey of West Deptford in 4th (11:13). The pre-race buzz on the Boys Senior event was an early season duel between the top 2 finishers at the MOC 1600m, Brett Johnson (Ocean City) and Robby Andrews (Manalapan). It turned into a one man show when Brett was a DNS as a precaution due to a minor injury.  Andrews turned it into a fast one man show as he took a 15 sec. win (9:37) over #2 finisher Ryan Culbreth of Kingsway. Kevin Foy of West Windsor-Plainsboro So, was 3rd in 9:56. The Junior races produced very quick times as well with 2007 Foot Locker finalist Chelsea Ley of Kingaway running away from a very good field to win in 10:59. Jon "Boo" Vitez of Haddonfield clocked the fastest time of the day with a 9:36 win. Vitez's time, in the race which saw 8 runners under 10:00, was 4 seconds off of Chris Platt's CR set in 2002. Other Races Mles Schroeder (OCHS) Takes Soph Win w/ 10:09 Casey Doyle (Shawnee) Soph Champ @ 11:40 Frosh - Ajee Wilson 2nd (1 Jerser) 11:43 Connor Herr (Shawnee) 10:29  Now Up: * Full Results * Middle School / Frosh Photo Galleries * Photo Galleries  of All Races   Other News Briarwood Invitational Joe Rosa 15:33 Breaks CR @ Belmont Plateau WWP-No. by 1 over North Penn Phil Woods (Pennington School) also under old CR Fulll Results Posted Photo Gallery by Jim Crossin Now Posted   Continued...For More Highlights, Click on Headline

The past month has been an exciting one with the start of the cross country season. This weekend the season really gets going with numerous national-level match-ups get going across the land. Big meets in Virginia, Kentucky, Idaho, New Jersey, New York and Colorado feature top invitationals, while a half dozen others showcase nationally ranked squads and individuals. See who's where this weekend in our weekly weekend preview.

Bowdoin Park Classic, Cherokee Challenge Headline Weekend Action  The second weekend of XC action will see NJ harriers competing at home in NJ, as well as in New York and Pennsylvania. The Bowdoin Park Classic (Wappingers Falls, NY), run at the site of the Nike regional meet in November will see a number of New Jersey's top teams seeking to improve upon their national rankings or climb into the mix. NJRunners ranked teams scheduled to compete here are; BOYS                                         GIRLS #3 Morris Hills                         #1 Voorhees #6 CBA                                     #2 Immaculate Heart Academy #T9 Colts Neck                        #6 Red Bank Ctholic                                                     #9 Colts Neck   The top meet in New Jersey will be the 13th Cherokee Challenge in Marlton. Run on the campus of Cherokee HS, this Class Race meet has grown into one of if not the biggest invitationals in the state. With a festive atmosphere and great competition, this well run event deserves its reputation. This year there are 85 schools entered (Team Entries) making this edition of the Challenge the biggest yet. NJRunners.com will be onsite to bring you all the action Cherokee Coaches Steve Shaklee and Chris Callinan host the 13th Cherokee Challenge.   Click on the Headline for a Preview by Tim Malloy    Other Invitationals taking place this weekend include; * (9/19) The Season Opener @ Darlington Park, Mahwah * The Briarwood Invitational @ Belmont Plateau, Phil. PA * The Bernie Magee Class Meet @ Warinanco Park, Elizabeth * The 13th Monmouth Battlefield Class Meet @ Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan