Most people would think that after losing athletes like Everett Price, Sam Stern, Paige Peterson and Courtney Connolly and Head Coach Mr. Kelly, the boys and girls cross country teams would be decimated. This is not the case as both the boys and girls teams, led by new Head Coach Mr. Arnold, and Assistant Coach Prufer still make very formidable forces for other schools to beat. Both teams are within striking distance to place very well in both the Conference and Sectional Championships.
The boys Cross Country team is led by captains Joe Flanagan, Chris Aresco, Michael Molstad, and Billy Gilroy. Even though Everett Price, Brian Frino and Sam Stern graduated last year the team gained an abundance of new runners from all grades, including freshman Jordan Price, Everett’s younger brother, who already leads the teams with a 5k time under 17:30. Other varsity runners expected to play major roles on the team include seniors Flanagan and Aresco, who is coming off a hamstring injury, freshman John Slater, and sophomore Carmine Boccellari all of whom run in the 18 minute range. Also playing an important role in the team’s results is junior Michael Wolak who runs in the low 19 minute range. Other runners who run times that will impact the team include Molstad, Gilroy, Kevin Urness, Kevin Vass, Don Gomber, and Kevin Maluso.
“The entire boy’s team is really excited to see how we can do as a team at the county and state levels,” says captain Aresco.
The girls team is led by captains Isabella Wilson, Kirstie Peterson, and Megan Sullivan, all of whom run in the 22-23 minute range. Even though the team has lost a lot of talent from last year, like Courtney Connolly and other top varsity runners, they have also gained a lot including Rebecca Blitt and Megan Friscia, who run a 5k in the low to mid 22 minute range. They also gained Sarah Misiukiewicz, Ayleen Solis, and Elizabeth Pagano, who run in the 25-26 minute range. With only two veteran varsity cross country runners, the girls will rely on the experience of Peterson and Sullivan as the team continues to improve.
“The girls cross country team has faced some good competition this year, and it has been good motivation to keep getting better” says Captain Wilson.” Hopefully the season continues to go as well as it has been.”
Both the boys and girls teams will be vying to win conferences. The biggest competition for the boys team will be Oratory and Roselle Catholic and for the girls it will be Kent Place and Oak Knolls. Both teams will also be fighting teams in their sections, like Metuchen and Shore, for placement. Regardless of who the cross country program lost, this year will not be a rebuilding season for either the boys or girls team as they have plenty of fresh talent to make up for what they lost.