SJ Shootout: A Big Step Forward

The Shootout continues to get bigger as over 60 teams flocked to our stomping grounds, Gloucester County College, to test out the now well-groomed ‘C’ course. The Eagles were running without everyone again but as the weeks go on, the absences due to injuries continue to dwindle. Tom Hoban was still rested out of precaution, as was freshman Adam Verna, but Brian Walter came back with a vengeance. Even without a full-squad, the guys more than made up for a tough team performance last week at Belmont Plateau. PVIXC took 4th out of 29 boys teams, a great result for this early in the season.  First up was the freshmen on a little less than a 2.5 mile course.

Frosh Race (9:00AM)

Mike Pezzano led the way as the other two Mikes earned a great shot at running JV. Pezzano didn’t let the absence of the other two Mikes get in his way as he worked his way to a 26th place finish and a medal. Alex Munns wasn’t too far off the pace as he looked aggressive in the last 1,000 meters (as we asked him to be). These freshmen – including Patterson, Marino (who was a little knicked up and couldn’t race on Saturday), and Boldurian – continue to impress and I wouldn’t be surprised if they shatter their season goals by season’s end.

(out of 68)
26. Pezzano 15:30 (6:26/mi pace)
39. Munns 16:24 (6:48/mi pace)

JV Race (9:30AM)

Two fantastic performances from a frosh and soph highlighted the biggest race (over 200 runners) of the day. On a hillier course than ‘A’ (which was run in the dual meet almost 10 days ago), Mike Patterson and Chris Booth were able to find 11 and 15 second PRs respectively. Mike Boldurian, Eric Hubbs, and Tim Bretschneider all were on or a little over their season PRs as they put in respectable performances for such a young group. Nick Vadino faded a bit in the last mile but ran real hard for the first two. If we can keep together on that last mile – as the season roles on – he could be threatening Varsity by season’s end.

(out of 221!)
29. Vadino 19:18
44. Patterson 19:41 [-:11 PR]
45. Booth 19:42 [-:15 PR]
68. Hubbs 20:07
78. Boldurian 20:21
92. Bretschneider 20:40
149. Madden 22:28

5,6,7 Race (10:30AM)

The Varsity races started off with almost perfect weather. A boatload of kids crowded the line as Paul Catrino, Stefano Mastrando, and Pete Gallagher looked to build off of a tough week’s effort. Catrino was Top 15 with about 800 meters to go when he started picking people off around the perimeter loop. Mastrando faded just a bit but looked remarkably composed over the last stretches after a quick first two miles. It is certainly nice to see Stef back at 2008’s form and, going forward, he looks poised to continue his improvement. Pete Gallagher stressed consistency on this one and each race is only going to help him from here on out. Sometimes, it’s nice to remember that all these guys will be back next season! A great showing by Catrino and Mastrando. It’ll be nice to see the Paul VI pack in action for the first time this coming weekend.

(out of 93)
8. Catrino 17:57
16. Mastrando 18:08
30. Gallagher 18:56

3,4 Race (11:30AM)

Rich McKean continues to take steps forward after an on-again, off-again summer of training while Nick Lamberto keeps up as well. Both went through two at 5:35 pace and looked strong. McKean started picking people off with about 700 meters to go while Lamberto held on for a respectable 17th place finish. It was nice to see the Rich of old, aggressive to the end, again and I am confident we will see more of it as Rich does – so will Nick, Catrino, Nuccio, Gallagher, and Mastrando.  Overall, this pack continues to become more cohesive which is all we want this early in the season.

(out of 67)
13. McKean 17:40
17. Lamberto 17:50 [-:02 PR]

1,2 Race (12:30PM)

The Stud Race was eye-opening for many of New Jersey’s best distance runners, the likes of Mike Rankin and a now-healthy Brian Walter joined Shawnee’s Dave Forward, new soph-sensation Connor Herr, Williamstown’s Paul S zulewski, and TRN’s Joe Kotran on the line. Both were ready to roll but neither expected an opening mile from the leaders of a 4:48 (neither did I for that matter). Both Brian and Mike went through the mile about :10 behind leading the chase pack in a sort of “call their bluff” move. Forward and Kotran didn’t come back, Herr and Schoedler did but there was too much of a gap between Mike, Brian and the leaders to make up over the last 1.1. Overall, however, it was a strong showing from Mike – after a tough week of work – and Brian – after a limited past 10 days. Mike PR’d significantly on this course and at this point in the season is showing huge signs of where is he going to be in the coming months. If Brian and fellow Tom Hoban can keep healthy, it could be a fun next two months.

(out of 67)
6. Rankin 16:28
10. Walter 16:40

Congratulations are also in order to captain Mike Rankin for his selection this past week as Courier Post’s Runner of the Week. His win at Briarwood sealed the deal and we couldn’t be more proud. As for the whole team, we asked for a step forward and got one. It’s always hard when you don’t have your full squad but these guys continue to get it done on the course regardless. With October looming and different training phase approaching, both Coach Rankin and I can’t help but to be incredibly optimistic with what is in store for these guys. MVP has to go to the PVI pack – Catrino, Mastrando, McKean, and Lamberto – for great performances. Still a lot of work to be done but they definitely showed something on Saturday.

Next up is the first taste of Holmdel! Shore Coaches Invitational this Saturday.

SJ SHOOTOUT 2009: Itinerary

Another challenging course for a challenging September. We will be running the ‘C’ course – a combination of ‘A’ (the hill section) and ‘B’ course. Race assignments will be up later tonight!

Meet at PVI at 7:00AM (bright and early!).

Bus departs PVI for GCC at 7:15AM.

FROSH RACE – 9:00AM

Pezzano
Marino
Munns

JV RACE – 9:30AM

Vadino
Hubbs
Madden
Bretschneider
Booth
Boldurian
Patterson

5,6,7 RACE – 10:30AM

Catrino
Gallagher
Mastrando

3,4 RACE – 11:30AM

Lamberto
McKean

1,2 RACE – 12:30PM

Rankin
Walter

We will return to PVI around 2-2:15PM.

It will be cool on Saturday with the chance for rain so COME PREPARED! I know we spoke yesterday about the upcoming season – let’s remember what it is we’re working towards and that a lot of the hard work is done during the summer and September in order to make October and November all the better. Even without a “full team” yet, we have the potential to form something really special by the time October rolls around. Also remember, we have had the luxury of only having one dual meet while many teams in SJ have had three or four in the past 2-3 weeks! Let’s be ready to go and take a nice step forward.

Briarwood Invite: Rankin gets prestigious win!

Senior Mike Rankin winning in 16:36 at the Briarwood Invite

This past Saturday was both fantastic and eye-opening. It was a beautiful day at Belmont Plateau and much of our team was looking forward to this race, despite the fact that many of them raced quite a few times this week.  On a course that was supposedly altered – start moved back, finish moved back – to make tougher, we had what you might call a schizophrenic kind of day.

Varsity, Division I

After watching the Rosa twins from West Windsor Plainsboro-North blaze the storied course (winner shaved 14 seconds off of his course record set last year – 15:19), it was time for the Paul VI pack to be put to the test. Resting Brian Walter and Tom Hoban, we were able to put a bunch of the guys training together in there in an attempt to form that pack we’re looking for in full support of those guys up front. The experiment went well in some regards and a bit dodgy in others. First and foremost, however, once the gun was fired and the race was off – experienced leader Mike Rankin, determined to stave off a “slow start” to his senior year, shot to the front of the Varsity Division I race and put himself right in position for the win. Coming around the first perimeter loop, it was Rankin, in-conference rival Phil Fanz, and Olympic Conference harrier Anthony Dentino all huddled in the top five. Then we lost sight (ie, they disappeared into the woods) as they traversed the famous Parachute Hill loop (a steep incline lasting about 400-500 meters). Exiting the woods, Mike had his plan and he was executing it perfectly. Rounding the final bend of the second perimeter loop, nobody followed as he had put 8 seconds on his opponents to win in 16:36.  He looked poised, comfortable, and fired up. A great win that puts him in the Belmont Plateau history books with three fellow PVIXC harriers. The race behind him, however, was certainly a good test for our talented but inexperienced pack. Nick Lamberto was next in at 39th place, looking great on a tough course in 18:02 with Paul Catrino not too far behind in 44th at 18:10. Belmont Plateau has always been revered as one of the hardest courses on the East Coast so for a first year and second year runner to run those times this early in the season…that’s great progress. Senior Rich McKean looked comfortable early but the hills took its toll and he faded along with sophomore studs, Stefano Mastrando and Pete Gallagher. All three, however, will undoubtedly be back and ready to go this coming weekend at the SJ Shootout. In fact, I would expect huge races from them. Senior Tim Smith, in his first Varsity race, grabbed a 7 second PR on a tough course. We expected more but know that it will come in due time. I look forward to seeing what each of these guys can do over the rest of the season.

(out of 117, 9th team out 17)
1. Rankin 16:36 Paul VI’s second champion at the Briarwood Invite
39. Lamberto 18:02
44. Catrino 18:11
60. McKean 18:43
72. Smith 18:55 [PR]
81. Gallagher 19:06
95. Mastrando 19:56

Frosh Race

The freshmen race was two times around Belmont Plateau’s perimeter loop which is a solid uphill for the first 600 meters and then downhill or flat the rest of the way. Adam Verna, fresh off a great debut at the Cherokee Challenge last weekend, was excited to build upon that. All three Mikes, Dan Marino, and Alex Munns looked ready to go as well. The tactic was the same as Cherokee, establish position and be aggressive over the last half of the race. Not one of them failed. We had three guys in the top 20, 4 in the top 28 (out of 88!) and five in the top half of the race! Impressive to say the least. Verna destroyed his previous 3k PR (set on the track) and is already close to establishing himself as one of the best frosh in New Jersey. Patterson, Boldurian, and Marino took huge steps forward and it was nice to see both Mikes in the top 20 and earning a medal. Dan Marino has come such a long way and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the 5k, along with Mike Pezzano and Alex Munns.

2. Verna 10:12
15. Patterson 10:47
19. Boldurian 10:56
28. Marino 11:13
40. Pezzano 11:37
60. Munns 12:38

JV Race A (out of 180)

The course got to a couple of our JV guys as well but we had some real nice performances too. John Madden PR’ed yet again on a much tougher course and it looks like his goals need to be re-configured for the long run! Eric Hubbs definitely looked like his old self again – coming out of the woods the junior caught a lot of people on his way to a season PR just over 20:00. If he keeps racing like that, we could see significant drops every week. Vadino, Bretschneider, and Booth didn’t see the times they wanted to but they got a first-hand glimpse at a course that will definitely make the Bowl at Holmdel seem a lot less daunting!

74. Madden 19:51
80. Vadino 19:58
84. Hubbs 20:05
104. Booth 20:44
118. Bretschneider 21:05

Overall, some of the guys were definitely thrown off by the difficulty of the course and realize that there is a lot of work to be done. I am confident our depth still exists but it will certainly take time to develop. The individual performances of Rankin and Verna were superb and both Paul Catrino and Nick Lamberto are making early bids to grab those last two spots in the top five but as always, the season continues!! The SJ Shootout awaits and I feel we’re going to see a huge increase in PRs come Saturday. For those of you that didn’t have the race they wanted to, remember there’s always another race on the horizon (and to be honest, I think you know that). A fun Saturday with some real gutsy performances, Mike Rankin and the freshmen get the MVP nod!

- Coach

BRIARWOOD INVITE 2009: Itinerary

The forecast is a high of 70 with very little wind and lots of sun. Close to ideal temperatures. Bring your hoody regardless and prepare for the worst. RACE ASSIGNMENTS will be posted later tonight!

Meet at PAUL VI HS, 10:30AM.

Bus DEPARTS at 10:45AM.

Arrive at Belmont Plateau (Parents, see Directions tab) at 11:20AM (depending on traffic). Run course, watch races until warm-up for varsity race begins at 1:30.

2:30PM – VARSITY DIVISION I Boys Race

Rankin
Hoban
McKean
Lamberto
Catrino
Mastrando
Gallagher

3:30PM – FROSH RACE (3000 meters)

Verna
Boldurian
Patterson
Pezzano
Marino
Munns

3:50PM – BOYS JV A RACE

Smith
Vadino
Hubbs
Booth
Madden
Bretschneider

4:20PM – BOYS JV B RACE

NONE – yet.

4:50PM – Awards Ceremony

On bus at 5:15PM and back to Paul VI HS by 5:45PM-6:00PM.

Be ready to go!

- Coach

First 2009 Dual Meet a success!

Paul VI 15, Camden 50
Paul VI 15, Penn Tech 50
Paul VI 15, Woodrow Wilson 50

The first dual meet of the season went off with a lot of parental support and some hungry young runners toeing the line for their first 5k. With a little bit of depth this year, we were able to rest our ‘older guys’ and give the young ones a real shot at winning their first dual meet. Rich McKean – coming back strongly from a mid-summer injury – was one of two seniors in the race and led the way most of the race. Nick Lamberto and Paul Catrino didn’t make it easy for him though. All three were together at the two mile mark when Lamberto – a first year runner – made a move for the win. McKean didn’t surpass him until the final 400 meters but ultimately it was a great sign that Lamberto was ready to throw down a move so early in his first season of XC. In the process, he grabbed over a 70 second PR. Freshman Verna, fresh off a great performance at Cherokee Challenge, teamed up with sophomore Stefano Mastrando to put in good times regardless of the fact they added on an extra .1 by doing a second big garden loop. Mastrando, once you get him racing, looks stronger each time out. Senior Tim Smith hit that same snag but still barrelled home in a PR. Nick Vadino grabbed a PR on a hilly course his first time out and the crew behind him – frosh Patterson, soph Madden, and soph Booth are really starting to see what XC is all about. All of them had huge PRs and even more exciting was the fact that ran together most – if not all – of the way. Impressive to both Coach Rankin and I. Frosh Boldurian wasn’t too far off either and after the summer he has had – higher mileage for a frosh and grabbing the preseason Ironman award – he’ll be right up there with them in no time. Freshmen Marino, Pezzano, and Munns all looked fantastic posting huge PRs and there is undoubtedly so much more to come from them. Overall, a fine showing on a tough course (although the new resurfacing is fantastic). It’s hard to believe it’s only the first dual meet of the season…but there is much more in store for these guys. If we can push everyone up a bit – we could have a mighty deep Varsity, JV, and Freshmen squad.

Next up Briarwood!! Details to come a bit later!

1. McKean 17:44
2. Lamberto 17:52 (PR)
3. Catrino 18:05
4. Gallagher 18:52
5. Mastrando 18:54 (ran 3.2!, 18:18 through 5k)
6. Verna 18:55 (ran 3.2!, 18:19 through 5k)
7. Smith 19:02 (ran 3.2!, 18:26 through 5k, PR)
8. Vadino 19:03 (-:04 PR)
10. Patterson 19:51 (-:54 PR)
11. Madden 19:52 (-2:46 PR)
12. Booth 19:57 (PR)
13. Boldurian 20:07 (PR)
14. Bretschneider 20:34
15. Pezzano 20:55 (PR)
16. Hubbs 21:03
17. Marino 21:08 (PR)
21. Munns 22:05 (PR)