Colts, Caseys run well at X-country MOC
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
The New Jersey high school cross country season concluded Saturday with some small wins for area teams.

Christian Brothers Academy did not add on to its state record for NJSIAA Meet of Champions wins (15), but, the Colts did come up with their best team average of the year at Holmdel Park, 16:50.20, in finishing second to Don Bosco, 69-150.

Tom Heath's Colts emerged from the pack of contenders behind Don Bosco by getting four of its five runners under 17:00.

Vin Ferrer (16:44), Brendon Pierson (16:45), Kyle Havard (16:49) and Ben Horel (16:50) finished 23-25-28-29 in team scoring and fifth runner Rich Grandelli (17:03) was 45th.

There are no moral victories when you are the best high school program in the state, but, the Colts can be pleased by the way they again rose to the occasion. Don Bosco was simply the best team.

Don Bosco dominated the race as expected with Robert Molke (16:08) and Anthony Belgiovine (16:13) starting the victory parade placing fourth and eighth in the team competition. The Ironmen had a team average of 16:25.80.

Mary Banks' Red Bank Catholic girls were sixth (187) finishing one place better than their season-long rivals, Monsignor Donovan (207). Freshman Molly McNamara went out hard with the leaders and paid for it over the second half of the race, but, still finished with her best Holmdel Park time of the year (19:31), She was 28th overall and 16th in team scoring.

Michelle Capozzoi was (19:46), Emily Rooney (20:07), Michelle Savarese (20:32) and Janine Louie (20:35) were 23-35-54- 59 in team scoring for the Caseys.

RBC's team average of 20:06.20 was its best combined effort of the year.

Rumson-Fair haven's Hannah Satzke had the second best finish among area harriers behind McNamara finishing 36th (19:41). Her time was also her fastest of the season at Holmdel.

Red Bank Regional sophomore Mike Metlitz got his first taste of the MOC was 55th (16:52).

For the best runners and teams in the state, the season is not over. Tomorrow, CBA and RBC will compete in the Nike Team National's Northeast Qualifer at Bowdoin Park in Wappinger's Falls, NY. The top two boy's and girl's teams will automatically qualify for the Dec. 1 NTN in Portland, Ore.

Both CBA and RBC have been ranked in the Northeast during the season. They will be again facing the best teams from New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.

For individuals looking for to get to the Foot Locker National Championships, the first steps are Saturday at historic Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y. in the Northeast Qualifer. The top right finishers punch their tickets to the Dec. 8 national championships in San Diego, Calif.

Last year, New Jersey state king Craig Forys won the Northeast qualifier and was second in the national championship race.