Sports

Cross Country Teams Look to Defend Conference Crowns

Almost 200 students running for Blue Devils this fall.

A popular sports cliché is that championships are built in the off-season.
The Westfield High School boys and girls cross country teams have been building during the summer at Tamaques Park and Echo Lake Park with their seasons fast approaching.

The teams have group runs at the parks Tuesday and Thursday, but are busy the other days of the week, putting in their mileage on other days.

Expectations are high for both teams after strong seasons last year. The boys won the Watchung Conference title, were second in North 2 Group IV and in Union County and were in the top seven in the state Group IV race. The girls were unbeaten in dual meets for the fourth straight year and won the Watchung Conference title and fourth in Union County and the North 2 IV race. The girls have qualified for the state group championships every year since 1984. That’s what can happen when you work had in the summer.

The teams meet with their coaches during the days at the parks. Jack Martin, the longtime boys coach, and assistant Chris Tafelski and longtime girls coach Tom Hornish. The coaches will once again have big rosters. The boys have about 100 runners and 80 girls have signed up.

“We call the summer runs ‘fun runs',’’ said Hornish, in his 38th year. “We have had somewhere of an average of between 10 to 20 kids. It’s one way to develop team relationship. We hand out pretty extensive summer hydration stuff. Hydration is very important. We talk to them about getting good shoes and other training ideas.’’

The boys have a considerable amount of experience back. Senior Ryan Scrudato, senior Mike Kelly and senior Tyler Cusick. The captains ran an average of 17:20 at Holmdel County Park where the state group meet and meet of champions are held. Juniors Andrew Kima and Zach Lizmi will add depth and senior Kevin Ramos, who came on strong at the end of last year.

“We try to get everybody in a meet on Saturdays,’’ said Martin, whose team opens Sept. 12 at the Roxbury Invitational. “We’re very deep. The question is how fast the front guys will go. I think we can contend for the top two or three in Group IV.’’

Martin said that the boys average group 30 a practice.

“It’s a solid group and the kids are good kids who have worked hard,’’ said Martin, who‘s been the coach since 1983. “We have a a pretty good mix of kids.’’

The girls also have a lot of leadership and talent back. Seniors Caraugh Ball, Meg Pulliam, Sharon Faktor and Becky Castaldo will be the captains. The senior boys and girls have made sure that attendance has been strong at the summer workouts. Senior Amy Roggenburg and juniors Tierny Cummings, Alexandra Frankel and Alyssa Hatch will be important to the team. Hatch was either the number one or two runner last year.

"She’s a sweet kid, but tough as nails,’’ Hornish said.


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