CN's Meet of Champion (NJ All-Group) Champions

Fun Facts     Team     Individual

 

Team

#1 2006 Girls Cross Country Team, 11/19/06

 

Individual

#1 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 2/27/05

#2 Craig Forys, Outdoor 1600m, 6/08/05
#3 Craig Forys, Cross Country, 11/19/05 #4 Craig Forys, Indoor 1600m, 2/19/06
#5 Craig Forys, Indoor 3200m, 2/19/06 #6 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 2/19/06
#7 Craig Forys, Outdoor 3200m, 6/07/06 #8 Craig Forys, Cross Country, 11/18/06
#9 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 2/25/07 #10 Craig Forys, Indoor 3200m, 2/25/07
#11Craig Forys, Outdoor 1600m, 6/06/07 #12 Ashley Higginson, Outdoor 3200m, 6/06/07
#13 Craig Forys, Outdoor 3200m, 6/06/07 #14 Allison Linnell, Outdoor 1600m, 6/04/08
#15 Jordan Brannan, Indoor 3200m, 2/28/16 #16 Jordan Brannan, Indoor 3200m, 2/25/17
#17 Cole Tucker, Outdoor Shot Put, 6/19/21 #18 Lilly Shapiro, Outdoor 800m, 6/19/21
#19 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 1600m, 3/05/22 #20 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 800m, 3/05/22
#21 4 x 800m relay, Indoor, 3/03/24  

Fun Facts: 

Team: Colts Neck Cross Country/Track has one Meet of Champions (MOC) team title.  The 2006 girls cross country team was the first team in the school to win an Meet of Champions or All-Groups State Championship.  The girls 2005 cross country and the boys 2016 cross country teams are the only teams to finish 2nd at the MOC.

Individual: Colts Neck Cross Country/Track has had 7 different MOC champions and they've won 21 MOC championships.  Craig Forys leads with 9 (tied for State record), 2 in cross country, 3 in winter track, and 4 in spring track.  He was also 2nd one time, in XC.  Ashley Higginson won 4, 3 in winter track and 1 in spring track.  She was also 2nd twice, once in XC and once in the spring.   Lilly Shapiro won 3, twice in winter track and once in spring track.  She was 2nd three times, 2020 winter track 1600, 2021 spring track 1600 and 2021 cross country.  Jordan Brannan won twice, both in winter track and was 2nd in cross country.  Allison Linnell and Cole Tucker won once in spring track and the 4 x 800 relay won once in winter track.  Briana Jackucewicz finished 2nd in the 2006 3200 in winter track and Matt Bogdan was 2nd in 2020 cross country.

The most championships in one day happened twice.  On Feb 19, 2006, Craig won two and Ashley once for a total of three for the day.  They repeated it on June 6, 2007.

Craig has won 2 titles in a single day twice, on Feb 19, 2006 and June 6, 2007.  Lilly Shapiro won twice on March 5, 2022.

There has been one 1-2 finish by Colts Neck runners.  In the 2006 winter track championships, Ashley Higginson was 1st with Briana Jackucewicz 2nd in the 3200 meter run.

MOC Champions by the numbers:

By season: Cross Country - 1 team, 2 individuals, Winter track - 9 individuals, 1 relay, Spring Track - 6 individuals

By individual event: Cross Country - 2, 1600 meters - 4, 3200 meters - 10, 4 x 800 relay -1. 

Championships by gender: 12 boys, 5 girls

 

Team MOC Champions

#1 2006 Girls Cross Country Team, 11/19/06

#1  Meet of Champions (NJ All-Groups Champions), Holmdel Park  Nov 19, 2006  

From the left, Ashley Rizzo, Alyssa Morgan, ??? head, Morgan Clark, Allison Linnell, Briana Jackucewicz, Kristen O'Dowd, Ashley Higginson, Erin Donaghy, Allie Flott, Allison Donaghy

 After winning their 2nd straight State Group Championship the team now wanted their 1st All-Group Championship.  They were ranked #1 in NJ and #5 in the Northeast.  They needed to focus on just winning and not the Nike Team Nationals (NTN) which weighed heavy on their minds.  It went perfect!  Ashley Higginson finished 2nd, just 3 secs out of 1st, becoming the #4 girl in NJ history with her 17:50.  Briana Jackucewicz was 6th in 18:30, Allison Donaghy ran a big PB of 19:31 in 35th, Allie Flott broke 20:00 for the 1st time with her 19:55 in 52nd place and Erin Donaghy ran 20:10 in 5th to complete the scoring.  The team scored 80 pts to win by 66 pts and become the school's 1st All-Groups Champion.  The average time was 19:11.2 which was the 2nd fastest ever for NJ just behind the 19:08.4 by Roxbury the previous year.  More importantly, the team found out the next day that they had moved up to #2 in the Northeast and had been selected to go to The Nike Team Nationals set for two weeks later in Portland, Oregon.  see below

Girls MOC Results: (1st 3 teams)

1 Colts Neck 80 pts   average 19:11.2

2 Voorhees 146 pts   average 19:43.6

3 RBC  159 pts   average 20:01.6

 

MOC 2006 dyestat story CN website race result
MOC full results 2006 season summary
Northeast NTN rankings before Shore Conference 10/27/06 Northeast NTN rankings after State meet 11/17/06
Northeast NTN rankings after Shore Conference 11/3/06 Final Northeast NTN rankings 11/23/06 
Northeast NTN rankings the week before State meet 11/10/06 Final NTN Selections 11/26/06
& 4th place in Nike Team Nationals, Portland, OR  Dec 9, 2006

In Portland, Oregon, from the left, Erin Donaghy, Morgan Clark, Kristen O'Dowd, Ashley Higginson, Allison Donaghy, Allie Flott, Allison Linnell, Briana Jackucewicz

 The first day was hectic.  The team left at 6 am, arrived at Portland, got to the hotel, changed for a run, took a bus to Nike headquarters, ran 3 miles in the dark and then showered and raced to the opening ceremonies, the last team to get there.  The team got back to the hotel around 10 pm (1:00am eastern standard time).  Excited but tired the team jogged the course and then practiced the hay bales.  When they looked up, they realized they were the only team left on the course.  They were focused!  Race day was mid 40s with a cold breeze.  The course was a total mud pit with big puddles (check the pictures)  The team went out slow and after 1000m they were in 12th place (out of the invited 20 teams) with 311 pts.  They were still in 12th at 2000m but had moved up to 7th with 217 pts at 3000m (just short of 2 miles).  At 4000m they were 6th with 206 and then it was time to get tough.  In the last 1000m, Ashley Higginson moved up from 3rd to win the whole race, Briana Jackucewicz moved up 2 into 11th, Allison Donaghy holding her 40th place, Kristen O'Dowd running the race of her life moved up 1 place to 67th and Erin Donaghy moving up 1 spot to 81st for a total of 200 pts and 4th place in the US.  They had moved up 78 places in the last 3000m!  What a team performance!  It is still the highest place any NJ team has finished including boys and girls teams.

Girls NTN Results: (1st 4 teams)

1 Fay-Man, NY 128 pts   average 20:18.02

2 Hilton, NY 178 pts   average 20:32.62

3 Carroll, TX  187 pts   average 20:35.4

4 Colts Neck  200 pts   average 20:33.3 

NTN Northeast Preview   11/30/06
NTN Champs story NTN results
NTN blog of NTN race 2006 NTN full race video
2006 NTN team points at each 1000m 2006 NTN race pictures

The CN girls at NTN skit night.

Individual MOC Champions 

#1 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 2/27/05

#2 Craig Forys, Outdoor 1600m, 6/08/05
#3 Craig Forys, Cross Country, 11/19/05 #4 Craig Forys, Indoor 1600m, 2/19/06
#5 Craig Forys, Indoor 3200m, 2/19/06 #6 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 2/19/06
#7 Craig Forys, Outdoor 3200m, 6/07/06 #8 Craig Forys, Cross Country, 11/18/06
#9 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 2/25/07 #10 Craig Forys, Indoor 3200m, 2/25/07
#11Craig Forys, Outdoor 1600m, 6/06/07 #12 Ashley Higginson, Outdoor 3200m, 6/06/07
#13 Craig Forys, Outdoor 3200m, 6/06/07 #14 Allison Linnell, Outdoor 1600m, 6/04/08
#15 Jordan Brannan, Indoor 3200m, 2/28/16 #16 Jordan Brannan, Indoor 3200m, 2/25/17
#17 Cole Tucker, Outdoor Shot Put, 6/19/21 #18 Lilly Shapiro, Outdoor 800m, 6/19/21
#19 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 1600m, 3/05/22 #20 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 800m, 3/05/22
#21 4 x 800m relay, Indoor, 3/03/24  

#1  Ashley Higginson (Indoor 3200 meters), Princeton,  Feb 27, 2005 

Ashley (#2) has the lead after one lap.  She would settle back and take the lead much later.  picture courtesy of Gary Glasgall
full race result Ed Grant's meet report
CN website race result 2004-05 season summary

She was a sophomore, coming off her 1st cross country season.  During this magical season, she had become CN's first winter track girl to win a Monmouth County, Shore Conference or State individual title.  She came into the meet seeded 2nd behind Jen Clausen from Jackson, the defending champion who, according to NJ historian Ed Grant, was a sure bet to repeat.  Ashley led the first lap and then Karen Guthrie of Mendham took over.  Jen Clausen took the lead just before the 1200 when the lead pack included 10 runners.  By the mile in 5:31.8 it was down to 5 runners.  The pace continued to pick up until there was only 3 runners left with 4 laps (800m) to go.  With 3 1/2 laps to go, Ashley took the lead and ran 2:37.4 for her last 800 to win by just over 6 secs.  Guthrie would finish 2nd with Clausen 3rd.  Ashley's final 1600 was 5:20.9 for a final time of 10:52.72.  This was the #9 time in the US for 2005 at that time and a new school and Freehold District record.  Click here for a full video of the race.

400m Splits:

81.9 2:44.8 (82.9) 4:09.1 (84.3) 5:31.8 (82.7)
6:53.3 (81.5) 8:15.4 (82.1) 9:35.3 (79.9) 10:52.72 (77.5)
last 800 2:37.4 last 1600 5:20.9
new school and Freehold District records

Ashley would go on and run 10:51.08 for 2 miles at the National Scholastic Champs in NYC which would be good for 4th place to become our 1st individual All-American.

3200 meter run
Meet Record: 10:38.87  2003 Amanda Trotter  Red Bank
1. Ashley Higginson soph Colts Neck 10:52.72
2.Karen Guthrie senior Mendham 10:59.12
3.Jennifer Clausen senior Jackson 11:06.22
4.Erin Reddan senior Brick 11:10.69
5.Kathleen Henry senior Ridge 11:11.64
6. Cathy Van Horn senior Triton 11:14.01
7. Laura Gallo soph Cranford 11:17.29
8.Kristen Stevens junior Roxbury 11:19.56

#2  Craig Forys (Outdoor 1600 meters), South Plainfield,  June 8, 2005 

Craig leads Bryon Williams (Ridgewood) with 300m to go.  courtesy of Toby Nygaard

Boys 1600 meter run
Meet Record: 4:09.20 John Richardson, Ocean City
1. Craig Forys     soph Colts Neck 4:11.27 NJ State sophomore record
2. Bryon Williams   junior Ridgewood 4:12.71
3. Anthony Kelhower senior Lenape 4:15.73
4. Josh Davis senior Phillipsburg 4:17.58
5. Anthony LaMastro junior Pope John 4:17.66
6. James Kavaliaukas senior Highland 4:18.13
7. Kevin Brown junior Cranford 4:18.67
8. Matt Dahl senior Raritan 4:18.73
full race result Ed Grant's meet report
CN website race result 2005 season summary
Craig had finally become a State Group Champion the weekend before.  Actually he became one twice as he won the 1600 meters in 4:17.55 in the rain on Friday and ran a 3200 personal best of 9:11.49 in warm, humid weather on Saturday.  It was now Wednesday.  It was a tough choice of which race to run but it came down to simply wanting to get one last fast individual 1600.  He would be running the 4 x 800 relay on Sat (where they would set a new NJ State record of 7:39.54) and then, the following week, a 2 mile on Friday and a Distance Medley Relay on Saturday at the Nationals.  This would be his last chance at an individual 1600.  Craig came into the race seeded #1 but had to race Bryon Williams of Ridgewood and Josh Davis of Phillipsburg who were big kickers.  He would have to take the sting out of their kicks before the last 200m.  The race went out slow and Craig was forced to lead.  They were only 63.4 at the 400 and 2:08.0 (64.6) at the 800 before Craig started to crank up the pace.  The only person to go with him after the 800 was Williams.  He ran 62.9 for the 3rd 400 (3:10.9) before ratcheting up the pace one more time.  Williams was still there with 150 meters to go but Craig had sapped the kick out of him and pulled away over the last 100 meters to win by 1.5 secs in a new State sophomore record of 4:11.  He had run the last 400 in 60.4 and the last 800 in 2:03.3.

Click here for a full video of the race. (coming)

400m Splits:

63.4 2:08.0 (64.6) 3:10.9 (62.9) 4:11.27 (60.4)
first 800 2:08.0 last 800 2:03.27
new school and state sophomore record

Craig would finish the season running a 1:54.5 800 anchoring the 4 x 800 meter relay team to a state record.  The following weekend he would run a 9:07.38 2 mile with a new state sophomore record of 8:29.85 3000 meters along the way and then come back the next day to run 4:12.8 in the anchor leg of the Distance Medley Relay that would finish 2nd in the National Championships.

#3  Craig Forys (Cross Country), Holmdel Park,  Nov 19, 2005 

Craig sprints to the finish on the way to his first MOC XC title.  courtesy of Toby Nygaard

MOC Results Cross Country - Holmdel Park
Course Record: 15:16 Jason DiJoseph, Paul VI
1 Craig Forys     JR Colts Neck 15:34
2 Ben Massam   SR Chatham 15:46
3 Jeffrey Perrella SR Westfield 15:50
4 Owen Boyle SR Manasquan 15:51
5 Kevin Rogers SR CBA 15:52
6 Chris Horel SR CBA 15:53
7 Brian Dennis SR Cranford 16:01
8 Greg Kremler SR Ocean Twp 16:02
9 Ryan DiOrio SR Bridgewater-Rar 16:03
10 Chris Carle SR Jackson 16:05
After winning the Meet of Champions 1600 meter title in the spring, Craig looked forward to winning his first cross country title in the fall.  The season did not start out on a good note as injuries didn't allow him to race until Sept. 24th, the Cougar Inv at Buck Mills Park, which he won.  He also won the Paul Short Inv at Lehigh University with a new course record of 15:14 but did not look good at the Manhattan Inv in Van Cortland Park, in NYC, finishing 2nd in 12:47 for the 2.5 mile course.  This was 11 secs slower than he had run as a sophomore.  He ran 16:02 to win the Monmouth County Champs at Holmdel Park (HP) and then a new personal best of 15:51 at HP winning the Shore Conference Champs.

Though Craig was the top returner from the previous year, a new star had appeared on the scene.  Ben Massam of Chatham had become the MOC favorite with a smashing win at the Shore Coaches Inv at Holmdel Park in 15:36, one of the top 5 fastest times in course history.  He was known to hammer the middle part of the race but was not a fast finisher.  Knowing this, Craig had worked on his middle mile of Holmdel Park by running 5:05 for that mile before easing off the pedal and running 15:55 in winning the Group III State Champs.  Ben had then won the Group II Champs in 15:45.  

The plan was to run with Ben the first mile but to let him have a little margin when he took off during the 2nd mile.  The race went exactly as planned.  Craig and Ben were together at the uphill first mile in 5:16.  Almost immediately after the first mile, Ben through a big surge in and ran the 2nd in the unheard of 4:59.  Craig had let Ben go but only by 5 secs, running the 2nd mile himself in 5:04.  The strategy started to work as Ben's form was starting to break.  Sensing this, Craig picked up the pace and caught Ben as they hit the tennis courts, about 1200 meters from the finish.  As he passed Ben, he threw in a big surge to make sure Ben was unable to go with him and he was off to the finish line.  Craig continued the surge to a 5:14 final 1.1 miles (4:44 pace mile pace) to win the race by 12 secs and run the 4th fastest time ever run at Holmdel Park.  He was CN's 1st MOC XC champion.  His time of 15:34 set a new Shore Conference and Freehold District record.

Mile Splits:

5:16 10:20 (5:04) last 1.1  15:34 (5:14)
4th fastest time in State history for Holmdel Park
previous Shore Conference record holder - Pete Hess (Toms River North) 15:36  2002
previous Freehold District record holder - Tom Fischer (Manalapan) 15:43  1981

Craig would finish his season at the Northeast Footlocker Regional Champs with a horrible race. He felt dead from the first step of the race and finished 28th.  MOC 3rd placer, Jeff Perrella would finish 7th in that race and qualify for the Footlocker Nationals.

full race result 2005 season summary
CN website race result Ed Grant's preview
#4 & #5  Craig Forys (Indoors 1600 meters/3200 meters), Princeton,  Feb 19, 2006 

lcourtesy of Pat Montferrat

Boys 1600 meter run
1. Craig Forys     junior Colts Neck 4:17.11
2. Anthony LaMastro   senior Pope John 4:23.51
3. Kyle Soloff junior Morris Hills 4:25.20
4. Ryan DiOrio senior Bridgewater-Raritan 4:25.55
5. Jayson Decker senior Morris Hills 4:28.07
6. Michael Burke, Jr junior Haddonfield 4:29.24
7. Dale Taylor senior North Hunterdon 4:29.53
8. Chris Choate senior Washington Twp 4:30.58
Boys 3200 meter run
1. Craig Forys     junior Colts Neck 9:15.11
2. Jeff Perrella   senior Westfield 9:22.25
3. Chris Carle junior Jackson 9:26.12
4. Doug Smith frosh Roxbury 9:26.34
5. Matt Mitchell senior Haddon Heights 9:28.51
6. Chris Horel senior CBA 9:29.56
7. Mike Cator senior Ridgewood 9:34.97
8. Simon Gordonov senior Hightstown 9:36.38
Craig was having a nice stretch of healthy running.  He had a successful cross country season and was having a bigger winter track season.  He had already run a 4:09.77 mile against post collegiate competition.  It was a State junior record and it made him, at the time, only the 4th junior ever in the US to run under 4:10 and the 4th NJ runner indoors.  He had also set a new Monmouth County record of 1:54.6 in the 800 meters, a race he seldom ran.  But there was a catch, his main rival in the 1600 meters in the MOC would be Anthony LaMastro of Pope John, who had outkicked him in that 800.  Anthony was known for an outstanding kick so Craig would have to take the kick out of him.

Knowing that Anthony would try to sit on Craig the whole way and try to out-kick him, the plan was to let someone else lead early and then pass the leader just before the turn and pick the pace up notably.  The hope was the leader would then get in Anthony's way on the turn.  By the time the turn ended, Anthony would have to work real hard to catch up.  The increasing pace and the extra energy needed for Anthony to catch up would take his kick away.  

After a slow first 200, Kyle Soloff of Morris Hills took the lead and really picked up the pace.  After the 800, Craig took the lead right before the turn and started his surge.  After getting stuck behind Kyle at first, Anthony ran hard to catch back up.  He stayed close until about 300 meters to go until the pace got to him and he fell back.  Craig continued on his own to win in 4:17.11 by 6.4 secs.  He quickly warmed down to prepare for the 3200. 

Race video of 1600

400m Splits for 1600:

67.1 2:10.8 (63.7) 3:13.8 (63.0) 4:17.11 (63.3)
first 800 2:10.8 last 800 2:06.3

Craig had decided to try to become only the 2nd runner ever to win both the 1600 and the 3200 at the Meet of Champions.  The main opponent was Jeff Perrella from Westfield who had qualified for the Footlocker XC Nationals, which Craig had not.  Jeff's plan was simple, try to set a fast pace and hope Craig would be too tired from the 1600.  With Jeff leading through the 400 at 66.4, which was faster than the 1600 race, the two quickly pulled away from the pack.  The pace settled down and gradually slowed down 400 after 400.  Going into the straightaway with 3 laps to go, Craig surged into the lead and gradually pulled away.  He ran a 32 sec lap and then a 63.1 last 400 to run 9:15.11 and win by 7 secs.

Race video of 3200

400m Splits for 3200:

66.4 2:16.5 (70.1) 3:28.0 (71.5) 4:39.9 (71.9)
5:51.9 (72.0) 7:04.8 (72.9) 8:12.0 (67.2) 9:15.11 (63.1)
first 1600 4:39.9 last 1600 4:35.2

Craig would finish the season running a 4:05.7 (officials) 1600 split in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) at the Eastern Champs, a 4:05.5 (officials) 1600 DMR split at the nationals and then a 8:59.98 for two miles in finishing 2nd at the Nike Nationals.  He became only the 2nd NJ runner to break 9:00 in winter track, missing the State record by .2 secs.  It was also a NJ junior state record.  Forys interview before nationals

Eastern Champs DMR Video         Nationals DMR video         Nationals 2 mile video
full race result Ed Grant's meet report
CN website race result 2005-06 season summary
#6  Ashley Higginson (Indoors 3200 meters), Princeton,  Feb 19, 2006 

Briana Jackucewicz (leading) alternated laps together for 13 laps before Ashley (in 2nd) pulled away.  courtesy Pat Montferrat

full race result

Ed Grant's meet report

CN website race result

2005-06 season summary

 After watching Craig win the 1600 and 3200, it was time to go for a CN 3200 sweep.  Pre-race favorite, Brittany Sedberry had passed up the race to run the 2 mile the day before at the NYC Armory where she set a new State record of 10:19.30 (which Ashley would break the next year).  In the Group III State Champs, Brittany, Briana (10:31.32 - State Frosh record) and Ashley (10:36.64) had finished 1-2-3 with the three fastest times in the nation at that time.  With Brittany not there, it left Ashley and teammate Briana Jackucewicz as the favorites.  Bri had run the National Junior XC Champs at Van Cortland Park the day before so was a little tired.  They decided to set a hot pace and Bri would lead one lap, move over and let Ashley take the lead for two laps and then Ashley would move over and let Bri lead again.  They would continue this rotation of one for Bri and two for Ashley until they had two laps to go and then it would be whoever had anything left.

It had been a really early Group Champs this year due to schedule conflicts at Princeton's Jadwin Gym.  Since the Groups meet, Ashley had set new Freehold District records in the 800 (2:18.9) and the 1600 (4:54.7) so she was in great shape.  She was also the Meet of Champions defending champ in the 3200.

Bri took the first lap in a very fast 37 secs.  They then settled down and they ran all their laps between 39+. and 41+.  The field got spread out very quick but Amy Van Alstine of Midland Park stayed with them until 1200 meters in.  After that, the two teammates pulled away from the field.  With three laps left, when Ashley took the lead, Bri fell back and Ashley went for the meet record of 10:38.87 of Amanda Trotter.  She closed with a big last 400 of 76.2 to beat the record by two full secs.  Bri finished 2nd, 7 secs behind for the unheard of 1-2 finish by teammates.

400m Splits:

76.4 2:35.9 (79.5) 3:55.7 (79.8) 5:16.6 (80.9)
6:38.7 (82.1) 8:01.2 (82.5) 9:22.1 (80.9) 10:36.74 (76.2)
first 1600 5:16.6 last 1600 5:20.1

The two would go on and lead the team to a new state record and a 1st place finish at the Nationals in the 4 x 1 mile relay.  Bri would give the team the lead on the 3rd leg and Ashley would put it away on the anchor leg with a 4:55.7 mile split.  Ashley would then come back the next day and finish 3rd in the 2 mile in 10:44.2 to make All-American for the 3rd time.

3200 meter run
Meet Record: 10:38.87  2003 Amanda Trotter  Red Bank
1. Ashley Higginson junior Colts Neck 10:36.74 new meet record
2. Briana Jackucewicz frosh Colts Neck 10:43.93
3. Molly Kempton soph Msgr. Donovan 11:03.27
4. Lindsey Pierret senior Morristown 11:05.48
5. Laura Gallo junior Cranford 11:07.83
6. Nicole Traynor junior Ridge 11:08.09
7. Amy Van Alstine senior Midland Park 11:12.30
8. Katrina Spratford soph Voorhees 11:18.41

#7 Craig Forys (Outdoor 3200 meters), South Plainfield,  June 7, 2006 

 

looking for a picture, can you help?  courtesy of 

 

Boys 1600 meter run
Meet Record: 8:58.72 Murad Campbell, Overbrook  1999
1. Craig Forys     junior Colts Neck 8:56.14 new meet record
2. Ben Massam   senior Chatham 9:07.28
3. Jeff Perrella senior Westfield 9:08.16
4. Doug Smith frosh Roxbury 9:14.61
5. Chris Horel senior CBA 9:17.87
6. Michael Cator senior Ridgewood 9:18.65
7. Andrew Hanko junior Trinity Christian 9:19.37
8. Nicolai Naranjo senior Mont Kimberley 9:20.52
After a magnificent indoor season, Craig had high hopes for spring track.  After running a strong 5000 meters race against college and open competition to open the season, he started feeling very tired in practices and meets.  He didn't have that normal zip and so he had some blood tests and found his iron stores (serum ferritan) were low.  He stopped doing hard workouts and just did some races, as low key workouts and tons of 150s at 800 pace, which kept him out of oxygen debt but kept his ability to turn over.  He managed to finish 2nd at the Penn Relays but would recover slow from hard races.  Coach Schlentz and Craig decided he would run the Sectionals and the State Group meet and then decide if he would run the MOC or the nationals.  After winning the Group III State Champs in the 1600 4:15.58 (2:14 - 2:01) and then the 3200 in 9:14.85 (4:46 - 4:28), despite easing back the last 800, he felt he was feeling better.  Craig and Coach Schlentz felt he was still short on speed so decided he would run the 3200.  The race went out very slow as the 1600 was hit in almost 4:40.  Everyone thought there was now no chance for a sub 9:00 3200 but then Ben Massam picked up the pace to start what would become the fastest last 1600 in NJ history.  It was so fast that it would have finished 2nd in the 1600 race.  Each lap got faster.  Craig finally took over with a 600 to go and ran the last 600 meters under 1:30.  It was so fast that he put 11 secs on Ben in the last 600 to break the meet record of 8:58 with his 8:56.14.  His last 1600 was 4:16.7.  This was only the 2nd time a runner had ever won the MOC titles in cross country and the indoor and outdoor 3200 meter titles but he became the first to win 4 distance titles in one year as he had also won the indoor 1600. 

400m Splits:

67.7 2:17.8 (70.1) 3:38.7 (70.9) 4:39.4 (70.7)
5:47.1 (67.7) 6:52.7 (65.6) 7:56.1 (63.4) 8:56.14 (60.0)

last 1600 4:16.7, 1200 3:09.0, 800 2:03.4, 400 60.0
new school, meet, Freehold District, Shore Conference and state junior record

Craig would finish the season running the mile at the nationals.  Hoping for a fast, steady pace, he instead got an extremely slow pace and was able to get 6th in 4:11.30.
full race result Ed Grant's meet report Ed Grant's Preview
CN website race result 2006 season summary State Group III Champs Results

#8 Craig Forys (Cross Country), Holmdel Park,  Nov 18, 2006 

Craig with leaders at mile mark.  All three pictures courtesy of John Napolitan/dyestat.

Forys
Craig all alone at 2 mile mark. Craig breaks the course record.
John Napolitan's meet report on dyestat Ed Grant's meet report
full race result 2006 season summary
CN website race result
Coming into the MOC, Craig had put his greatest season ever together with 5 new course records.  He had set records at Penn State, Bucks Mill Park, breaking the 15:00 barrier, legendary Van Cortland Park (where his record was broken by .2 secs 15 mins later), Ocean County Park, and Thompson Park, where he ran just to win.  He had gone for the prestigious Holmdel record at the Group IV State Champs the week before but the heat and a too fast early pace had stopped him well short of the record.  The plan for the MOC was to run the race just to win.  He would push the 2nd mile and try to pull away from there.  After reading an interview mid-week where contender Doug Smith said "if you can stay with Forys when he surges you have a better chance to beat him," he knew the surge would have to be big.  After a comfortable mile of 5:15 (his 1st mile the week before had been 5:06), he took off on the downhill part of the course and the lead just kept getting bigger.  After a 2nd mile of 4:55, he was now on pace for the record.  With 1200m left he hit a faster gear as he took off after the record.  He could see the clock as he got to the last 100 meters and gave it everything he had, finishing at 15:15.2, which gets rounded up to 15:16.  the record was 15:16.2 and had been rounded down to 15:16.  At first they announced he had tied the record before moving Jason DiJoseph's record to 15:16.2.  He would end up winning the race by 30 secs, possibly the largest winning margin ever at the MOCs.

Mile Splits:

5:15 10:10 (4:55) last 1.1  15:16 (5:06)
State Record for Holmdel park

Craig would finish his season at the Northeast Footlocker Regional Champs where he would run the 3rd fastest time ever on Van Cortland Park, setting a new NJ State record of 15:15 in winning the race.  He would then finish 2nd at the Footlocker National Champs in San Diego, California.

MOC Results Cross Country - Holmdel Park
Course Record: 15:16.2 Jason DiJoseph, Paul VI
1 Craig Forys  SR Colts Neck 15:16
2 Matt Ciambriello  SR Old Bridge 15:46
3 Doug Smith SO Gill St Bernards 15:47
4 Tom Poland SR Delbarton 15:48
5 Christian Gonzalez SR Franklin 15:55
6 Kris Carle SR Jackson 16:00
7 Brian Leung JR West Wind South 16:01
8 John Fennekohl SR Ocean City 16:02
9 James Grimes SR Chatham 16:05
10 Andrew Hanklo SR Trinity Christian 16:07
#9 Ashley Higginson (Indoors 3200 meters), Toms River,  Feb 25, 2007 

Ashley finishes her 3rd straight indoor 3200 MOC title.  picture courtesy of The Track Junkie/dyestat
full race result dyestat headline
CN website race result dyestat's meet report
2006-07 season summary

Ashley was in the midst of a dream senior year.  In cross country, she had finished 2nd in the MOC, won the Nike Team Nationals and led her team to 4th place in the nation.  In winter track she had continued where cross country had left off.  She had set personal bests in the 800, 1000 and 1600 (Monmouth County records for both), and had anchored her Sprint Medley team to a County record.  The only thing left she needed to get done before the Easterns and Nationals was a personal best in the 3200.  She had run near her personal best in the Group IV State Champs in pacing her teammate, Briana Jackucewicz to a 1 - 3 finish.  With Bri injured, it would be Ashley against the rest and the goal was to win and beat her own meet record.  

At the gun she took off with only Theresa Cattuna (Cherry Hill East) and Laura Heigus (Pope John) trying to stay close.  They fell off shortly after 800 meters as Ashley was on her own against the clock.  She hit 5:13.5 at the 1600 and was able to come back in 5:13.0, thanks to a last lap of 73.0.  It was the #1 time in the US for 2007 at that point, was a Shore Conference and new meet record, and she became only the 2nd girl to win three indoor MOC 3200 titles.  

400m Splits:

77.7 2:35.1 (77.4) 3:53.9 (78.8) 5:13.5 (79.6)
6:33.8 (80.3) 7:53.7 (79.9) 9:13.5 (79.8) 10:26.53 (73.0)
3000 meter split 9:51.6 last 1600 5:13.0

Ashley would finish the season by anchoring the Distance Medley Relay to a 2nd place finish at the Easterns with her 4:52.2 anchor leg.  The team's time was the #6 in NJ history.  She followed that up with her finest weekend.   In the Nationals, she anchored the 4 x 1 mile relay to a new NJ State record by anchoring the team to 1st place to repeat as National Champs.  She ran her fastest split ever, a 4:49.1 for the full mile (4:47.4 for 1600).  The next day she came back in the full 2 mile and set a new NJ State record of 10:16.75 and 3000m in 9:37.1 on the way to win.

3200 meter run
Meet Record: 10:36.74  Ashley Higginson, Colts Neck 2006 
1. Ashley Higginson senior Colts Neck 10:26.53 new meet record
2. Theresa Cattuna senior Cherry Hill East 10:46.85
3. Laura Heigus senior Pope John 10:57.25
4. Amanda Goetchius senior Delsea 10:59.92
5. Erin McKenna soph Ramapo 11:00.84
6. Chelsea Ley frosh Kingsway 11:02.60
7. Nicole Traynor senior Ridge 11:03.39
8. Erin Lunny senior Red Bank Catholic 11:06.78
#10 Craig Forys (Indoors 3200 meters), Toms River,  Feb 25, 2007 

Craig sets a new meet record to win his 7th MOC title.  picture courtesy of The Track Junkie/dyestat

dyestat headline dyestat meet report
full race result CN website race result
2006-07 season summary

After a sensational cross country season, Craig tweaked his upper hamstring on the downhills in the Footlocker Nationals.  After taking a short break he started up again, only having to take more time off.  His first race was the Boston Indoor Games (1/27), even though he was not fit, but did, as he said "be sure they knew I was here," by running a blazing 400 between 600m and 1000m in 61+ before dying to a 4:16.92.  He didn't race again until two weeks later and that was the Shore Conference Champs.  He tried to make it a workout to get used to hurting again.  He managed a 9:29 3200/4:26 1600 double win.  His next meet was the Group IV State Champs where he ran 4:21 and then 9:28 to win both.  He was now going to have to defend his 3200 title, seeded 5th, with a season best of 9:28 against Doug Smith's 9:08.  The race started it was a very slow pace.  Doug would have to take the lead and try to take the sting out of Craig's kick.  After an 800, he did just that.  He dropped it to 69s for two 400s and then 68s for the next 800.  It was soon a two man race with Doug leading and Craig sitting on his prey.  Coming out of the first turn with 3 laps (550m) to go, Craig accelerated and it was over quickly.  He ran a 1:33 last 600 to pull away by 8 secs to run the fastest US time for 2007 at that point.  It was a meet record, his 7th MOC title, 3rd indoors and his 2nd straight indoor 3200 title.  

400m Splits for 3200:

69.8 2:21.5 (71.7) 3:30.9 (69.4) 4:40.6 (69.6)
5:48.6 (68.0) 6:57.0 (68.4) 8:02.6 (65.6) 9:03.58 (61.0)
3000 meter split 8:33.3 last 1600 4:23.0, last 800 2:06.6

Craig would finish the season running a 4:10.7 1600 split in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) at the Eastern Champs, a 4:05.8 1600 DMR split at the nationals and then a 9:01.57 tactical two miles in winning the Nike Nationals.  It was his first individual national title.  He also set a new senior state record of 8:30.35 for 3000m enroute to the 2 mile.  

Boys 3200 meter run
Meet Record: 9:07.8  Chris Inman, Essex Catholic 1973 
1. Craig Forys     senior Colts Neck 9:03.58 meet record
2. Doug Smith  soph Gill St Bernards 9:11.39
3. Brian Leung junior West Wind South 9:20.12
4. James Grimes senior Chatham 9:22.74
5. Matt Ciambriello senior Old Bridge 9:24.92
6. Zach Bahor senior Randolph 9:26.03
7. Kyle Soloff senior Morris Hills 9:26.52
8. Tom Poland senior Delbarton 9:26.94
#11 & #13 Craig Forys (Outdoors 1600 meters), South Plainfield,  June 6, 2007 

Craig wins the 1600, the first leg of the 1600/3200 double.  both pictures courtesy of Toby Nygaard

Boys 1600 meter run
meet record: 4:09.20  John Richardson, Ocean City
1. Craig Forys     senior Colts Neck 4:09.56
2. Dennie Waite   senior Red Bank 4:15.48
3. Andrew Brodeur junior Brick Memorial 4:15.82
4. Brian Guterl senior Union Catholic 4:16.11
5. Christian Gonzalez senior Franklin 4:16.62
6. Brian Tetreault junior Cinnaminson 4:17.44
7. Tony Salvatore senior Wayne Valley 4:18.95
8. Mike Soroko senior Kinnelon 4:19.24

almost 3 hrs later, the 3200m completes his #9 MOC title

full race result dyestat meet report
2007 season summary CN website race result
Craig was having a great spring, healthy and running fast. He had opened the season with a too aggressive but decent 5000m against college competition at Princeton, running 14:28, just secs away from the state record.  He had run 4:04.2 1600 split at the Penn relays in wet, cold weather, the #4 time in Penn relays history, then 3 state records in one race at the Henderson Inv, setting new NJ records for 3000m, 3200m and 2 miles. (8:15.5, 8:46.04, 8:48.99)  He followed that with a 1600-800-3200 triple against CBA (4:26.7-1:55.4-9:48.4), all within a total of 35 mins, to help the team beat CBA, their first loss in 11 years.  He won three events in the Shore Conference over two days (4:13, 1:54, 9:23) and anchored the school record winning 4 x 1 mile relay at the East Coast Relays in 4:07.0.  After winning his 11th (4:07.36 1600) and 12th (9:14.93) Group State titles, he was ready to try what only one person had accomplished, the outdoor 1600/3200 double.  He would be the only one to accomplish both the indoor and outdoor doubles. 

In the 1600, the plan was to sit for an 800 and then move.  Brian Guterl (Union Catholic) changed the complexity of the race by running the first lap in 60.  It was a faster start than anticipated but it quickly slowed to a 65 for the 2nd lap.  Craig took over after the 800 and he still had company at the 1200.  He then started to kick and it was over.  He ran the last 400 in 58.9 to win by 5 secs and miss the meet record by .36 secs.

400m Splits for 1600:  

60.0 2:05.4 (65.4) 3:10.7 (65.3) 4:09.56 (58.9)
first 800 2:05.4 last 800 2:04.2

It had been rumored that Andrew Hanko (Trinity Christian) was going to set a torrid pace in the 3200 to break the fatigued Forys.  The first lap was a quick 67.4 (just under 9:00 pace) but it quickly slowed to a 71.2.  At this Andrew took over and tried to break Craig.  He picked it up to 68 and then 67 at the 1600 but the couldn't pick it up any further.  After another 67 and then a slower 68 Andrew was in trouble.  With 600 to go, Craig took the lead and started the drive that NJ had seen for three straight years.  He accelerated to sub 30 for the next 200 and then simply held the pace for another 400 before easing in the last few steps to acknowledge the crowd and set a new meet record of 8:52.58.  He had run the last 1600 in 4:18.0 and the last 800 in 2:02.1, after running a 4:09 1600 earlier in the evening.  It was the greatest double in NJ history and one of the finest in US history.  He became the only NJ boy to win the MOC cross country title and the indoor and outdoor 3200 in one calendar year twice and the only one to win  four distance titles in one year and he had now done this twice, as well.  Finally, he tied the record for most MOC titles won by any track & field athlete, but the most by any track athlete. 

400m Splits for 3200:

67.4 2:18.6 (71.2) 3:27.4 (68.8) 4:34.6 (67.2)
5:41.8 (67.2) 6:50.5 (68.7) 7:52.7 (62.2) 8:52.58 (59.9)
1st 1600 4:34.6, 2nd 1600 4:18.0, last 800 2:02.1, last 600 1:29.8, last 400 59.9.

Craig would finish the season finishing 2nd in the National 2 mile Championship.  He set new NJ State records in the 3000m (8:09.9) and 2 mile (8:44.53) which was the #9 time in US history for high school boys.  He then came back the next day to anchor the Distance Medley Relay team to a 2nd place finish.  His split was 4:04.0 and the team set a new Shore Conference record.  He then ran the US Junior Nationals (19 and under) which includes college freshman and he finished 8th.  He set a new Shore Conference record of 3:51.45.

boys 2 mile video flocast     boys 2 mile video dyestat     Boys 2 mile preview

Craig race story     boys DMR video          

Boys 3200 meter run
Meet Record: 8:56.14  Craig Forys, Colts Neck 2006
1. Craig Forys SR Colts Neck 8:52.58  meet record
2. Andrew Hanko SR Trinity Christian 9:00.50
3. Kyle Soloff SR Morris Hills 9:01.76
4. Doug Smith SO Gill St Bernard 9:04.52
5. Daniel Emont SR Ridgewood 9:08.82
6. Tom Poland SR Delbarton 9:13.13
7.Brian Leung JR West Wind South 9:14.54
8. Zach Bahor SR Randolph 9:15.27
#12 Ashley Higginson (Outdoors 3200 meters), South Plainfield,  June 6, 2007 

Ashley wins her 1st outdoor 3200 MOC title and 4th MOC title overall.  picture courtesy of Toby Nygaard
full race result dyestat's meet report
CN website race result 2007 season summary

Ashley had gathered an amazing portfolio of career accomplishments but there was one thing missing, an spring track MOC title.  She had finished 6th in 2004, 2nd in 2005 and 3rd in 2006.  She had opened her spring season competing against college athletes, including some of her soon to be Princeton teammates, by running 16:38.31, destroying the State record.  It was also the #11 time in US history for high school girls.  She then won the Penn Relays 3000 meter race in 9:37.92 for the 2nd year in a row, the first NJ girl to do so.  video of 3000m  It was also a Shore Conference record and 3rd fastest NJ time ever.  She followed that with a State record in the 2000 meter steeplechase, her first one ever.  She won the 1600, 800 and 3200 in the County meet (4:55.21, 2:15.32, 10:57.66).  She then ran a 2:11.9 800m anchor leg on the Sprint Medley relay team that broke the County record.  She had run a personal best of 4:47.71 in the 1600 at the Group IV State Champs in finishing 3rd and despite winning the Group IV 3200, she was the 3rd seed in the MOC 3200.  She decided to take it from the start and go for a big time to prepare for a fast pace at the nationals.  She led from the start and was 5:08.9 at the 1600 and all alone.  Feeling the fast early pace, she started to slow after 2000 meters.  With the chase pack starting to cut into the lead, she closed in 76.3 to win her first spring track MOC title, winning by 9+ secs.  It was the #4 time in NJ history and a new Shore Conference record.

400m Splits:

75.9 2:32.8 (76.9) 3:50.7 (77.9) 5:08.9 (78.2)
6:27.7 (78.8) 7:47.2 (79.5) 9:07.0 (79.8) 10:23.28 (76.3)
first 1600 5:08.9 last 1600 5:14.4

Ashley would finish the season by winning the 2 mile at the Nationals with a new State record of 10:17.44, running a leg in the 4 x 1 mile relay and then finishing 4th in the 2000 meter steeplechase in a new State record (6:46.67), all within 18 hours.

girls nationals 2 mile video     Ashley nationals race story

3200 meter run
Meet Record: 10:36.74  Ashley Higginson, Colts Neck 2006 
1. Ashley Higginson senior Colts Neck 10:23.28 
2. Nicole Traynor senior Ridge 10:32.86
3. Theresa Cattuna senior Cherry Hill East 10:34.79
4. Amanda Goetchius senior Delsea 10:35.59
5. Laura Heigus senior Pope John 10:40.57
6. Chelsea Ley frosh Kingsway 10:41.41
7. Lauren Penny junior Roxbury 10:44.84
8. Amanda Marino senior Jackson 10:48.18
#14 Allison Linnell (Outdoors 1600 meters), South Plainfield,  June 4, 2008 

Allison wins her 1st MOC title with a huge move over the last 500 meters.  picture courtesy of Toby Nygaard
full race result dyestat meet preview
CN website race result dyestat's meet report
2008 season summary

Allison had finally had the big breakthrough she had been training so hard for.  She had finished her best cross country season ever and had then had a simply great winter track season.  She had won the 1600/3200 double at the Monmouth County Champs, ran a 4:56.4 1600, won the 3200 at the Shore Conference Champs, and then won  the 1600 and finished 2nd in the 3200 in the Central Jersey Group IV Champs.  This led to an upset win in the Group IV State 3200 Champs, over teammate Briana Jackucewicz, in a personal best 10:48.33.  She finished indoors with a stunning 4:55.56 4th place finish in the nationals, to make All-American for the 1st time as an individual.  She continued running at this new level in spring track with an early US #1 in the 2000 meter steeplechase (6:57.63) in NYC and a new County 1500 meter record (4:37.47) in the 1 mile at the Penn Relays.  After winning the 1600/3200 double at both the Monmouth County and Central Jersey Group IV Champs, she was 2nd in the 1600 and 3rd in the 3200 at the Group IV State Champs.  Seeded 8th in the MOC 1600, she spent the first 800 relaxing in the pack and the next 200 moving into position.  With 500 meters to go, Allison threw in a huge burst to immediately open up 5 meters.  She increased the lead to 15 meters at 300 meters to go as she had run that 200 in 33.5.  At 200 to go, she had about a 20 meter lead but the pack was starting to make their move.  With 100 to go, having run that previous 400 in 67.5, the lead was shrinking.  Ashley Cromartie of Roxbury, who had anchored her team to a stunning upset win in the Distance Medley Relay at the Penn Relays, had closed to 10 meters with 50 meters left, but would get no closer.  Allison, though not even mentioned in the meet preview, had pulled off the upset win by stealing the race with 500 meters to go to win by 1.5 secs.  She finished the race and then put her face in her hands in disbelief.  The dream had come true.      video of girls 1600  (coming)

400m Splits:

73.3 2:30.7 (77.4) 3:46.1 (75.4) 4:54.87 (68.8)
1st 800  2:30.7 last 800 2:24.1

Allison would finish the season by making All-American by finishing 5th at the Nationals in the 2000 meter steeplechase in 6:56.72, the #2 time in NJ history, behind only her old teammate, Ashley Higginson.

1600 meter run
1. Allison Linnell senior Colts Neck 4:54.87
2. Ashley Cromartie senior Roxbury 4:56.38
3. Elizabeth Campbell senior Mt St Mary's 4:59.14
4. Sophia Ginez soph South Brunswick 4:59.38
5. Trish Reilly junior West Wind North 4:59.89
6. Maria Ruiz junior Williamstown 5:00.70
7. Sarah Cariati junior Pope John 5:00.72
8. Casey Doyle frosh Shawnee 5:02.55
Group IV 1600 video Group IV 3200 video
#15 Jordan Brannan (Indoors 3200 meters), Toms River,  Feb 27, 2016 

Jordan wins his 1st MOC title with a huge move over the last 800 meters. 
full race result Jim Lambert race story
CN website race result 2016 season summary
 


One week before, Jordan had won the Group III 3200 title after finishing 3rd in the 1600 earlier in the day.  He had run 9:19.60, an indoor personal best by 11 secs despite the fact he was exhausted.  He was the 3rd seed in the MOC but felt that he had a move that he could use 600 - 800 meters from the finish that could allow him to create a gap over the others.  He stayed in 2nd/3rd for the first 2400 meters (the 1600 was passed in a slightly slow 4:41.5).  He went to make a move with 750 meters to go but was surprised when Aaron Groff (Cherry Hill East) surged instead.  Groff would move for 100 meters before slowing slightly.  Jordan used that moment to make a move with 650 meters to go.  Each of the last 4 laps would get faster (34.2, 33.8, 33.2, 31.3) as he slowly opened a gap on the two chasers, Groff and Matt Grossman (Milburn).  As the two chasers raced each other during the last lap, they closed the gap to Jordan until 20 meters to go, where Jordan realized he would not be caught.  A big smile crossed his face as his arms went up in victory and he celebrated. 

400m Splits:

69.2 2:19.8 (70.6) 3:30.3 (70.5) 4:41.5 (71.2)
5:51.7 (70.2) 7:02.5 (70.8) 8:10.5 (68.0) 9:14.96 (64.5)
1st 1600  4:41.5 last 1600 4:33.5   last 800 2:12.5

At the New Balance Scholastic Nationals, he would run a personal best of 9:10.22 for 2 miles, about 9:06.9 for 3200 meters.

3200 meter run
1. Jordan Brannan junior Colts Neck 9:14.96
2. Matt Grossman junior Milburn 9:15.99
3. Aaron Groff senior Cherry Hill East 9:16.57
4. Alex Roth junior Princeton 9:19.32
5. Brian Dengler senior CBA 9:20.39
6. David Rosas junior Don Bosco 9:20.86
7. Gerard D'Ambrosio senior Old Bridge 9:22.01
8. John Flavin senior Toms River North 9:24.06
   
#16 Jordan Brannan (Indoors 3200 meters), Toms River,  Feb 25, 2017 

Jordan wins his 2nd MOC title with a big move over the last 800 meters, just like the previous year. 
full race result nj.com race story
CN website race result 2016 season summary
 


One week before, Jordan had led a 1-2-3 finish in the 3200 in the Group III meet, after losing the 1600 title by just .16 secs. He had run a season best of 9:17.70.  He was the top seed and the defending champion.  The main competition would be Alex Roth (Princeton) and his teammate, seeded 4th and 5th.  Jordan and Alex decided to help share the pace for the first 1600 to ensure a good pace.  Alex would lead the 1st and 3rd 400s and Jordan had the 2nd and 4th 400s.  After the 1600, it would be every man for himself.  They followed the plan and went through the 1600 a little slower than the agreed 4:35 to 4:36, by hitting 4:39.  Jordan continued to lead until Alex took over with 1200 to go and the pace quickened slightly.   Jordan took the lead with 4 laps to go (800 meters) and made a strong move.  With 600 meters to go, he picked the pace up even more and finished that 400 in 64.4, a big leap from the previous 400 of 70.1.  He still had to hold on for another 400 but had a 3 meter lead.  Jordan continued to press the pace and was able to increase the lead to 8-10 meters with 200 to go.  Into the last lap, he started to show fatigue from both the pace and the extreme heat in the bubble (it was 70 degrees outside).  He was unable to increase the pace but was able to maintain it and the lead over the last lap as he defended his title to win his 2nd MOC title in 9:08.32, a 6.6 sec improvement over the previous year.  Anthony finished 5th as Kevin had a bad race and finished 17th.

400m Splits:

68.0 2:18.5 (70.5) 3:28.3 (69.8) 4:39.1 (70.8)
5:49.9 (70.8) 7:00.0 (70.1) 8:04.4 (64.4) 9:08.32 (63.9)
1st 1600  4:39.1 last 1600 4:29.2   last 800 2:08.3

Jordan would move on to the National Scholastic Champs and anchor the 4 x mile to a 2nd place finish with a time of 4:15.6 on Saturday and then come back on Sunday for the 2 mile.  He would run 9:04.60 (about a 9:01.3 for 3200) to finish 6th to make All-American.

3200 meter run
1. Jordan Brannan senior Colts Neck 9:08.32
2. Alex Roth senior Princeton 9:10.09
3. Will Hare junior Princeton 9:13.66
4. Joey DeFeo senior Delbarton 9:17.00
5. Anthony Russo senior Colts Neck 9:19.13
6. Brian Hill junior CBA 9:23.92
7. Devin Hart soph Pt Pleasant Boro 9:28.38
8. Malik Kosanovich senior Seton Hall Prep 9:30.44
   

#17 Cole Tucker (Outdoors Shot Put), South Plainfield,  June 19, 2021 

Cole Tucker wins the Shot Put. courtesy nj.milesplit.com 
full throw result nj.milesplit meet story
CN website race result 2021 season summary
Prelims Video Finals Video

Cole threw the #1 throw in the US during winter track, a monstrous 65' 04" at the Shore Conference Champs.  He was 2nd in the Adidas Indoor Nationals in an earlier winter track meet but there was no Group or Meet of Champions titles indoors, due to the pandemic.  Cole went into spring track having a best finish of 5th in the 2020 winter track MOC, his junior year, right before the pandemic.  He had only one chance, his senior year, to win a Meet of Champions title.
Leading up to the MOC, he won the Monmouth County Champs in a spring track best of 65' 04.75" and continued on, winning the Shore Conference, Central Jersey Group III and Group III State titles.  He was over 60' in every championship meet he competed in.  He had two other Shore Conference throwers who were also over 60 feet and had pushed him all season.  They would be his main competition in the MOC. 
The throwers get 3 throws and then the 8 throwers with the furthest throws, move on to the final and get 3 more throws.  He fouled his 1st throw.  His 2nd throw moved him into first but was only 58' 00.75".  Now he could go for a big throw and he hit 64' 10.5".  It would hold up as the best throw of the day as Cole was the only thrower to go over 60'.  He was the Meet of Champion winner, the first field event MOC champion for Colts Neck.  The pressure was now off.

Cole would go on to the Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon and have his first bad day of the year.  He threw only 56' 09.25" and did not make the final.  He then moved on to college at Boston University.

Shot Put
1. Cole Tucker senior Colts Neck 64' 10.5"
2. Robert Babson senior Toms River South 59' 10.5"
3. Tyler Konopka senior Toms River South 58' 09"
4. Joe Licata junior Gill St Bernard 58' 03"
5. Chris Huisman senior St Rose 58' 01.25"
6. Joe Metzger senior Delsea 58' 00.5"
7. Braden Stryker senior Westfield 54' 06.25"
8. Andrew Krall senior CBA 53' 04.5"
   
#18 Lilly Shapiro (Outdoors 800 meters), South Plainfield,  June 19, 2021 

Lilly Shapiro wins the 800 meter after finishing 2nd in the 1600. courtesy nj.milesplit.com 
full race result nj.milesplit meet story including interview
CN website race result 2021 season summary
1600 video 800 video

After having finished 2nd at the 2020 winter track Meet of Champions 1600, Lilly had to wait 16 months to take another shot at a MOC title.  She had run the fastest 1600 in the state during the winter season 4:49.52.  This would be her 1st spring track season.  She had not run spring track as a freshman and then the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season.  She opened with one of the fastest 3200 times ever run in NJ.  (10:18.36)  At the Holmdel Twilight Royal Rumble, she broke the NJ 1600 record, running 4:40.15.  After winning the 1600 and 800 as well as anchoring the winning 4 x 800 and 4 x 400 at the Group III Champs, she was ready to attempt the 1600/800 double at the Meet of Champions.  The plan was to stay in the pack for the 1st 900 and then run a big 3rd 400.  The pace was crazy slow as they hit the 800 in 2:36.83.  She ran the 3rd 400 in 69.75 but she was hoping for something faster, plus Kate Hamilton (Westfield) was still on her back.  Hamilton would go by in the last 100 meters as Lilly was 2nd after running the last 800 in 2:16.06.
Coming back in the 800, again, no one wanted to lead.  She was 70.3 at the 400, boxed in and in about 6th place.  The runners were 3 runners wide.  She was in lane 2, in 4th with 300 to go and then 2nd with 200 left, on the shoulder of Caroline Donohoe (Shore).  She was shoulder to shoulder with Donohoe with 100 to go as they kicked for the finish.  She was not able to get by until 50 meters to go and then gradually pulled away for her 1st MOC title, a well earned one!

1600m (400 Splits):

77.66 2:36.83 (79.17) 3:46.58 (69.75) 4:52.89 (66.31)
1st 800  2:36.83 last 800 2:16.06 

800m (400 Splits):

70.3 2:13.05 (62.7)    

Lilly would run the 2 mile in the Brooks PR meet in Seattle, WA.  She would then drive 5 hours down to Eugene, OR and the following day run the Distance Medley Relay and then anchor the Sprint Medley Relay to a 3rd place finish to make All-American.

800 meter run
1. Lilly Shapiro junior Colts Neck 2:13.05
2. Caroline Donohoe junior Shore Reg 2:13.39
3. Peyton Hollis frosh Columbia 2:14.31
4. Cate DeSousa soph Red Bank Catholic 2:15.05
5. Grace Wassell soph Highland 2:15.18
6. Amanda Mircovich senior River Dell 2:15.44
7. Kaleigh Gunsiorowski soph Union Cath 2:15.82
8. Lindsay Colflesh senior Haddonfield 2:15.98
   
#19 Lilly Shapiro (Indoors 1600 meters), Toms River,  March 5, 2022 

Lilly Shapiro wins the 1600 meter before coming back to run the 800. courtesy nj.milesplit.com 

 
full race result nj.milesplit meet story
CN website race result 2022 season summary
1600 video interview

Lilly was coming off of a monster cross country where she established herself as one of the greatest NJ XC runners ever.  She had run 17:35, 4th fastest NJ time at Holmdel Park and made the Eastbay Nationals in San Diego, CA.  Indoors, she had run the 2nd fastest NJ 1 mile ever in a college meet in Boston (4:45.39).  She had also run the 2022 #1 NJ 800 in 2:10.11 at the NYC Armory.  She was ready to try to become the 1st NJ girl to win the 1600/800 double in the indoor Meet of Champions.  The plan was to win the 1600 as easy as possible and save something for the 800, which would be 45-50 minutes later.
As they came through the 1st 200, they were four wide so Lilly decided to take the lead, to run the shortest distance possible.  From the 200 through the 800, she led with a huge pack sitting right behind her.  She hit 74.7 and 2:29.9 for the 1st two 400s, just fast enough to fatigue them for the move she had planned after the 800.  Knowing they all wanted to wait until the last 200, Lilly ran the 3rd 400 in 70.5 and continued that pace to open up a 4+ second lead with a lap to go.  She was able to back off on the last lap and save some energy for the upcoming 800 and still win by 1.5 secs.  She had a short turnaround to cool down and then warm up again for the 2nd race.  No celebrating or interviews until after the 800.

1600m (400 Splits):

74.7 2:29.9 (75.2) 3:40.4 (70.5) 4:51.71 (71.3)
1st 800  2:29.9 last 800 2:21.8 

She would have a 45 minute rest and then run the 800 to try to become the first girl to win the 1600/800 indoor double.  Read below to see the 800 results and story.

1600 meter run
1. Lilly Shapiro senior Colts Neck 4:51.71
2. Christina Allen soph River Dell 4:53.39
3. Cate DeSousa junior Red Bank Catholic 4:53.83
4. Emma Zawatski soph Freehold Twp 4:56.32
5. Caroline Schleif senior Metuchen 4:57.13
6. Lily Oliver junior Toms River South 4:57.95
7. Aubrey Pierontoni junior Kingsway 5:00.17
8. Lucy Afanasewicz senior Middletown South 5:01.21
   
#20 Lilly Shapiro (Indoors 800 meters), Toms River,  March 5, 2022 

Lilly Shapiro wins the 800 meter after finishing 2nd in the 1600. courtesy nj.milesplit.com 

 
full race result nj.milesplit meet story
CN website race result 2022 season summary
800 video interview

50 minutes later, with the reminder of losing the 1600 at the spring track Meet of Champions, that keep her from winning that double, Lilly went to the line, attempting to make history, as the first ever to win this double in winter track.  She got out well and settled into 2nd place behind Lucia Rabolli (Ridgewood).  Lilly was expecting a fast pace to tire her out, but instead, got an even pace.  The first 2 laps were exactly the same, 33.6.  The pace remained the same on the 3rd lap as the field was spread out in single file.  As they entered the final straight with 250 meters to go, Lilly started to go wide and passed Rabolli with 210 meters to go.  Lilly accelerated and ran a rare negative split race (2nd half of the race faster) for a 800, which is rarely done.  She ran away from the field on the backstretch to win by almost 2 secs.  The pressure and the disappointment over, she threw her arms out and was ecstatic as she crossed the line.  She had made history and won her 3rd Meet of Champion title.  Not a bad day!!

800m (200 Splits):

33.6 67.2 (33.6) 1:40.6 (33.4) 2:12.66 (32.1)
1st 400  67.2 last 400 65.5 

Lilly would go on to anchor the Distance Medley Relay at the New Balance Nationals to a 4th place finish to make All-American and then come back to run the 1 mile two days later.  She went out too fast and paid for it the rest of the race.  In Spring track, she would break the NJ State record in the 2000 meter steeplechase and run 2:06.94, at the time, 9th fastest all-time in NJ before getting hurt and missing the rest of the season.

800 meter run
1. Lilly Shapiro senior Colts Neck 2:12.66
2. Lucia Rabolli senior Ridgewood 2:14.63
3. Kaleigh Gunsiorowski junior Union Cath 2:15.56
4. Caroline Donohoe senior Shore Reg 2:15.68
5. Kelsey Niglio junior Cherokee 2:15.73
6. Olivia Takla senior Toms River North 2:16.01
7. Cara Hilboki senior Old Tappan 2:17.45
8. Maameyaa Nyinah junior Union Catholic 2:18.10
   
#21 4 x 800 Relay (Indoors), Ocean Breeze, Staten Island,  March 3, 2024 

Andrew Krok anchors the team to the Meet of Champions title.

 
L to R: Jay Adimala, John Shapiro, Coach Schlentz, Andrew Krok, Jacob McNamara
full race result nj.milesplit meet story
CN website race result 2023-24 season summary
Video interview

The season started with great promise with 5 guys returning at 2:03 and under and several others under 2:08.  It would allow for many different lineups.  The season started with a 2nd place finish at the STCA Season Opener to get the State qualifier time with only one of the MOC members.  They won the Millrose Games Trials in 8:04.42 with Hunter Celkupa joining the team and then won the Group III State Relays with Lucas Sanginari.  They won the prestigious Eastern States Champs in 7:57.17 with Hunter anchoring in 1:54.56.  The Meet of Champions would be their 5th different lineup.  They would be running without Hunter as the #3 seed in the field.
Soph Jay Adimala led off and was 3rd at the 200.  He took the lead at 350 and held it until 600 and handed off in 3rd, 2 meters behind the leader, Bernards.  John Shapiro stayed in 3rd, falling back to 8 meters behind before closing strong the last lap to hand off in 2nd place, 5 meters behind Bernards.  Jacob McNamara fell back to 3rd, about 10 meters behind at the 400.  He moved up with a big move on the 3rd lap to take the lead with a lap to go.  He handed off to Andrew Krok with a 2 meter lead over Ridge and a 10 meter lead over Bernards.  Andrew took it out fast with Ridge on his back.  He had opened up a 4 meter lead at the 400 and it was a 3 meter lead at the bell.  He extended it to 6 meters down the backstretch before it going back to 4 by the finish as Andrew started to feel the fast 1st 600.  With Jay, John and Jacob going under 2:00 for the first time indoors, it was the first time CN had ever had 5 under 2:00 in a season.
  

4 x 800m relay (200 Splits):

Jay A         28.7 58.3 (29.6) 1:29.0 (30.7) 1:59.97 (31.0)
John S        28.4 58.1 (29.7) 1:28.7 (30.6) 1:59.90 (31.2)
Jacob M     28.7 58.7 (30.0) 1:28.7 (30.0) 1:58.97 (30.3)
Andrew K   27.5  656.2 (29.2) 1:26.5 (30.3) 1:59.22 (32.7)
Final Time  7:58.03  

The team would use it's 6th different lineup at the New Balance Indoor Nationals and finish 10th as Hunter was coming off a virus and was unable to run near his 1:54.  Jacob took his personal best down to 1:57.07.

4 x 800 meter relay
1  Colts Neck 7:58.03    
2. Ridge 7:58.68    
3. Bernards 7:59.16    
4. Demarest 8:02.65    
5. Summit 8:04.67    
6. Westfield 8:05.02    
7. West Windsor-Plainsboro 8:08.29    
8. Hillsborough 8:08.94