Seniors: Great Showings at Sunken Meadows

After a performance at Parochial States that left all involved a bit unsatisfied, three seniors made the trek up to Sunken Meadows for the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Meet. For those unaware, the Eagles finished 4th at States with no one qualifiying for Meet of Champions. A sure disappointment but definitely a lesson learned.

So the trio of seniors had unfinished business in going to New York. The results? Impressive!

Mike Rankin and Brian Walter toed the line in the Seeded Race, one comprised of the best high school harriers in the Northeast, and both gave it all they had. Mike finished in 24th place, grabbing All-Northeast honors, something Paul VI hasn’t seen in a long time. He ran arguably the toughest course on the East Coast (possibly even in the nation) in 16:37, showing that his State performance was well behind him. He was the 6th fastest from New Jersey, narrowly missing the All-NJ team. Brian finished a respectable 82nd after taking a stab at the top 30 early on. An end to a great season for both. They’ll take this momentum into the winter and spring seasons, both of which are shaping up to be very promising.

Go here for video of the race in which you get more than a couple glimpses for Brian and Mike in action.

Rich McKean then toed the line a couple hours later for the Senior Race. Five-thousand meters later, Rich had himself All-Northeast honors as well, finishing 23rd in a large, competitive field. A fitting end to a strong year for a runner that has done everything he could for Paul VI XC each time out.

Please join me in congratulating all three on wonderful XC careers. We certainly, as coaches, couldn’t be more proud. We only hope that they will continue on in college!

ON TO TRACK!

Please join me in saying congratulations to Mike, Brian, and Rich.

State Squad and Itinerary

Here’s the seven that will represent PVIXC up at Holmdel this Saturday:

Rankin

Walter

Lamberto

McKean

Hoban

Mastrando

Nuccio

Alternates: Vadino, Gallagher

BUS FOR EVERYONE AT 10:15AM on Saturday. Race 2:10PM. Back by 5:30PM the latest.

 

South Jersey Parochials: Overcoming Adversity

Paul VI 47, Saint Augustine 51, Camden Catholic 75, Bishop Eustace 108

Your Eagles won a hard fought battle in the SJ Parochial Meet this past Saturday, grabbing their second consecutive championship by four points. Since taking over, it has been amazing to watch the impressive improvement of each team (including ourselves) within the South Jersey Parochial spectrum. Three teams averaging below 17:30 a man is not customary and it certainly was a hard-fought battle between us and Saint Augustine. Seniors Mike Rankin and Brian Walter – a little set back from sickness – showed well though not falling where they wanted to in the grand scheme of things. Junior captain Tom Hoban and senior Rich McKean stayed pretty close to each other most of the way and with four in averaging around 16:40, it looked like a lock. Saint Augustine, however, packed their next four guys in front of fifth man Stefano Mastrando to make things very close in the last 200 meters. Soph Mastrando hung in there for a respectable 17:52. Hoban and McKean won MVP honors for the day after overcoming much adversity this season (McKean had an injury that kept him out a month, Hoban the same – except his came about mid-season) to help solidify the win. As a runner, that’s the hardest thing to do – come back from injury after weeks of lonely pool workouts, bike rides, watching your teammates race. These guys fought all season and were able to muster up a great performance. Same goes with Brian Walter fighting sickness to a Top 10 finish. Ten guys finished in the top half of the race showing significant depth as the 5-6-7 spot on the State team is far from decided but whoever races will prove to be a crucial part of this Saturday’s race!

2. Rankin 16:24
7. Walter 16:46
8. Hoban 16:50
9. McKean 17:05
22. Mastrando 17:52
25. Nuccio 18:08
31. Gallagher 18:18
34. Vadino 18:23
35. Lamberto 18:24
37. Smith 18:29
46. Catrino 18:50
51. Booth 19:11

Please join me in congratulating these guys as their hard work this season continues to pay off!! McKean’s 17:05 was 10th fastest on the Delsea list. We’re proud of all you guys for sticking it out.

Next up is Parochial A States up at Holmdel this Saturday. The race is scheduled for 2:10PM, more details to come.

Tomorrow night is also the last night of the Race to College Series with many new speakers coming to help us out. 7PM, Mount Laurel. E-mail Coach if you need directions!

South Jersey Parochials: Itinerary

MEET AT PAUL VI HS – 10:45AM – Everyone shows, injured or healthy!

Bus leaves from Paul VI – 11:00AM

South Jersey Parochial Championship Race – 1:45PM

(12 runners)
Rankin
Walter
Hoban
McKean
Lamberto
Mastrando
Catrino
Nuccio
Gallagher
Vadino
Smith
Booth

2:15PM – After the cool down, Post-race cookout!!!

4:00-4:30PM – return home at Paul VI HS (Everybody returns on the bus!)

Please take some time tonight to really take in all the improvement each of you have had over the past 6 months. It has been a bumpy but fantastic ride – you guys have brought back a sense of true expectation to this team!! Both Coach Rankin and I only ask that you go out there – whether you were sick all week, a bit banged up, or mentally drained – and give it everything you have tomorrow. I am confident that if we do that we can come away not only successful but extremely proud and happy with the way we performed!

Most importantly, let’s get ready to have some fun. It’s going to be PERFECT weather out there. 53 degrees, sunny, minimal wind. Let’s come overprepared though!

Coach Bonnette and Coach Rankin

New Tab

For results and “history” of the Blue and White – check out the new Blue & White tab!

It’s 3-2 Yanks, Pedro on the mound, who takes the game tonight?? Score predictions?