2005 Boys Union County Cross Country
Maybe Mother Nature didn’t know that Wednesday, October 26 was Jeffrey Perrella’s 18th birthday but the elements were not kind in Perrella’s last attempt to break the course record at Warinanco Park. A torrential rain on Tuesday had left the course muddy and the footing treacherous and a gusty wind in the runner’s faces made the open areas of the course “like running into a wall” according to Perrella.
Even so, the Westfield senior left the meet with his first individual Union county title and helped his team end eight years of Cranford dominance as the Blue Devils took the team crown with 46 points, easily outdistancing Summit which scored 95. Scotch Plains-Fanwood was a close third with 98 and the Cougars were fifth with 117.
“I am definitely happy with the race. I took a stab at the record even though I knew it was near impossible for me with the course as it was. If I didn't at least try I wouldn't be able to live with myself,” said Perrella.
A consummate team player, Perrella was more pleased with the performances of his teammates.
“The important thing was scoring the points for the team. I knew we would need every point possible to try and seal the victory. This title is very important for the team.”
“It was sloppy and windy out there today. I’m pleased with the way the team ran,” said veteran Westfield Coach Jack Martin.
Showing their remarkable depth, the Blue Devils got scoring performances from Senior Tyler MacCubbin and Sophomore Evan Friedman, who were the top two finishers in the junior varsity race at the Watchung Conference meet the week before.
Friedman was ninth, in 17:52 and MacCubbin was 15th in 18:08) finishing as Westfield's third and fifth runners, which compensated for an injury to number four runner, Senior Jay Hoban, who was forced to drop out after two miles.
“Our new people really stepped up and ran well today,” said Martin.
“We are fortunate to have a lot of competition on the team for the last few spots.”
Although the conditions were much better the previous week when Perrella just missed the course record with a 15:43, the race was just as one-sided. Unlike the last race however, Perrella’s former nemesis Junior Joe McKenney of Cranford was not runner-up, instead supplanted by Brian Guterl of Union Catholic in Scotch Plains who ran 16:37.
The second Westfield finisher was again Kris Kagan seventh in 17:37 and Ameer Rogers fourteenth rounded out the top five.
Perrella was alone as he cruised through a 4:53 first mile and a 9:50 two-mile just seconds off his conference pace. The final mile, nicknamed “The Alamo” takes the runners uphill into an open area where strong winds can be a factor.
“It was like running on a treadmill,” said JZ Zinman, the Raiders’ top finisher, eighth in 17:41.
Despite not getting the record, Perrella is still optimistic about the championship races in November.
“I hope that I will get some more, but time will tell. As long as I stay healthy and am able to train, I think I might be able to get one or two more.”
What pleased Perrella the most was to hopefully jump-start Westfield into regaining its county dominance that yielded eight straight titles between 1989 and 1996.
“I think we have enough good young runners to start up another streak that can last for a few years,” said Perrella.
Led by defending champion Laura Gallo, Cranford dominated the Girl’s race, placing all five runners in the top thirteen to swamp Westfield 38-88. The Blue Devils had their customary pack spanning from twelfth through 20th but all five Cranford runners finished before the first Blue Devil.
“Cranford ran a tremendous race in very difficult conditions. They are deserving winners,” said Westfield Coach Thomas Hornish.
“We ran well and I expect to keep improving into the state tournament.”
The top area finisher was again sophomore Cassy Valdes of Scotch Plains Fanwood, who finished sixth in 20:30. Competing without six of their top seven runners from a year ago left the Raiders unable to defend their county title and they finished far behind with 190 points in sixth place.
Even so, the Westfield senior left the meet with his first individual Union county title and helped his team end eight years of Cranford dominance as the Blue Devils took the team crown with 46 points, easily outdistancing Summit which scored 95. Scotch Plains-Fanwood was a close third with 98 and the Cougars were fifth with 117.
“I am definitely happy with the race. I took a stab at the record even though I knew it was near impossible for me with the course as it was. If I didn't at least try I wouldn't be able to live with myself,” said Perrella.
A consummate team player, Perrella was more pleased with the performances of his teammates.
“The important thing was scoring the points for the team. I knew we would need every point possible to try and seal the victory. This title is very important for the team.”
“It was sloppy and windy out there today. I’m pleased with the way the team ran,” said veteran Westfield Coach Jack Martin.
Showing their remarkable depth, the Blue Devils got scoring performances from Senior Tyler MacCubbin and Sophomore Evan Friedman, who were the top two finishers in the junior varsity race at the Watchung Conference meet the week before.
Friedman was ninth, in 17:52 and MacCubbin was 15th in 18:08) finishing as Westfield's third and fifth runners, which compensated for an injury to number four runner, Senior Jay Hoban, who was forced to drop out after two miles.
“Our new people really stepped up and ran well today,” said Martin.
“We are fortunate to have a lot of competition on the team for the last few spots.”
Although the conditions were much better the previous week when Perrella just missed the course record with a 15:43, the race was just as one-sided. Unlike the last race however, Perrella’s former nemesis Junior Joe McKenney of Cranford was not runner-up, instead supplanted by Brian Guterl of Union Catholic in Scotch Plains who ran 16:37.
The second Westfield finisher was again Kris Kagan seventh in 17:37 and Ameer Rogers fourteenth rounded out the top five.
Perrella was alone as he cruised through a 4:53 first mile and a 9:50 two-mile just seconds off his conference pace. The final mile, nicknamed “The Alamo” takes the runners uphill into an open area where strong winds can be a factor.
“It was like running on a treadmill,” said JZ Zinman, the Raiders’ top finisher, eighth in 17:41.
Despite not getting the record, Perrella is still optimistic about the championship races in November.
“I hope that I will get some more, but time will tell. As long as I stay healthy and am able to train, I think I might be able to get one or two more.”
What pleased Perrella the most was to hopefully jump-start Westfield into regaining its county dominance that yielded eight straight titles between 1989 and 1996.
“I think we have enough good young runners to start up another streak that can last for a few years,” said Perrella.
Led by defending champion Laura Gallo, Cranford dominated the Girl’s race, placing all five runners in the top thirteen to swamp Westfield 38-88. The Blue Devils had their customary pack spanning from twelfth through 20th but all five Cranford runners finished before the first Blue Devil.
“Cranford ran a tremendous race in very difficult conditions. They are deserving winners,” said Westfield Coach Thomas Hornish.
“We ran well and I expect to keep improving into the state tournament.”
The top area finisher was again sophomore Cassy Valdes of Scotch Plains Fanwood, who finished sixth in 20:30. Competing without six of their top seven runners from a year ago left the Raiders unable to defend their county title and they finished far behind with 190 points in sixth place.
posted by David Lazarus at 8:57 AM
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