JACKSON, NJ - On the morning of October 17th, 30 Berkeley Heights PAL youth runners grades 3rd through 8th journeyed down to Six Flags to compete in a beautiful well laid out 3000 meter course in Jackson, NJ.
Over 400 participants from across New Jersey took to the challenge in 6 divisions to participate in the New Jersey Middle School XC Championships.
“Our athletes competed against the top youth runners across New Jersey. It was a great day for all involved, and a great day for youth Cross Country”, said BH PAL Coach Steve SanAntonio. “The meet is one of our season highlights as it offers a fun and festive atmosphere that allows for a wonderful experience for our youth. The conditions were perfect, sunny, cool, and dry surface to make it a fast and competitive”, said Coach SanAntonio.
Highlighting the day for the Berkeley Heights PAL (WolfPack Track Club) were Nicholas Yarad who garnered a STATE title by winning the MIDDLE SCHOOL XC RISING STAR - MALE 3-4 GRADE. Another great performance was by Ellie Robertson who was runner-up in the MIDDLE SCHOOL XC RISING STAR - FEMALE 3-4 GRADE . In the end BH PAL had 16 athletes medal by finishing top-20 in their respective races.
The BH PAL Runners are now setting their sights at the Junior Olympics State Championships at Greystone Park in Morris Plains, NJ on Nov 1st.
Following are the results of the NJ Middle School XC Championships meet, including Place, Time.
Top 20 individuals received medals:
MIDDLE SCHOOL XC RISING STAR - FEMALE 3-4 GRADE
2. Ellie Robertson 13:30.00
3. Gwen Mersereau 13:33.00
11. Payton Buckley 19:08.00
13. Madelyn Kinney 21:12.00
14. Amber Barbieri 22:46.00
MIDDLE SCHOOL XC RISING STAR - MALE 3-4 GRADE
1. Nicholas Yarad 12:15.00
4. Oliver Chait 13:34.00
5. Lucas Black 14:19.00
8. Cole Simon 17:08.00
MIDDLE SCHOOL XC RISING STAR - FEMALE 5-6 GRADE
8. Emma SanAntonio 13:19.00
9. Hannah Golub 13:23.00
13.Kerri Rose Riley 13:54.00
20.Brooke Mersereau 15:57.00
MIDDLE SCHOOL XC RISING STAR - MALE 5-6 GRADE
8. Brice Facey 12:13.00
10. Christopher Marinko 12:32.00
24. Jake Barbieri 14:04.00
27. Ian Black 14:20.00
33. T.J. Pappas 14:50.00
MIDDLE SCHOOL XC CHAMPIOSHIP - FEMALE 7-8 GRADE
24. Mackenzie Lloyd 12:28.00
26. Juliette Safer 12:30.00
43. Caroline Mondelli 12:56.00
118. Michelle Schmitz 15:15.00
147. Sarah Sequeira 19:08.00
MIDDLE SCHOOL XC CHAMPIOSHIP - MALE 7-8 GRADE
7. Alexander Aranas 10:31.00
43. Liam Curran 11:25.00
74. Christopher Ticas 11:57.00
80. Brandon Woods 12:02.00
134. Jared Beaudoin 13:48.00
157. Ben Faxon 15:43.00
160. David Forrester 16:17.00
The Berkeley Heights PAL youth running program has offered area students the opportunity to learn about fitness, competition and hard work. One of the goals is to provide a sound feeder program for high school varsity programs to succeed. For inquiries about the Berkeley Heights PAL Youth Running Program, visit the WolfPack Track Club website at www.wolfpacktc.org.
