DeFilippis, Kelly take first at Monmouth Park Road Race

Staff Writer

By tim morris

Coming at a time of the year when serious college and high school runners are starting to think about the upcoming cross country season, the Monmouth Park Four-Mile Road Race is the perfect opportunity to measure their fitness.

Dover Township’s Scott DeFilippis, a graduate of St. John Vianney, Holmdel, who will be a junior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, used a mid-race surge to pull away from the field and score a 20:15 victory for the race around the Oceanport thoroughbred track. DeFilippis was the co-captain of the Volunteers’ men’s cross country team last fall, and his win in Oceanport is a good indicator that he is ready for a big collegiate season.

Coming in second was Nick Pellegrino (20:40), a sophomore at Monmouth University, West Long Branch. It was an encouraging run for the Marlboro High School grad. After he had a solid freshman cross country season with the Hawks, Pellegrino’s track season was shortened by a stress fracture. His strong run at the four-mile event was a positive sign that he is well on his way back and ready for cross country.

Flemington’s Michael Walker was third (20:43); Matt Kootman was fourth (20:44); and Point Pleasant’s Brian Kerwin finished fifth (21:01). Kerwin, a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, was the 1999 NJSIAA state cross country champion. He is a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.

Kerwin finished just ahead of ex-Ocean High School star Lou Raffetto (21:14).

Fair Haven’s Scott Patterson was seventh (21:54), and Red Bank’s Eric Escorsia was ninth (22:11).

Age group winners were: 14 and under, Tim Riley, North Brunswick (23:546); 15-19, Pellegrino; 20-29, Walker; 30-39, Escorsia; 40-49, Michael Mooney, Jackson (22:31); 50-59, Tim Tidy, Bridgewater (24:51); 60-69, Pat Cosgrove, Elizabeth (26:49); and 70 and up, Len Cheringal, Paramus (37:08).

Spring Lake’s Alicia Kelly proved that the Monmouth Park race isn’t exclusively for college and high school runners. The veteran road racer followed up her win at the Spring Lake Five with a resounding win at Monmouth Park. Kelly posted a 23:09, easily capturing the women’s race.

Danielle Barajas was the runner-up (24:19), followed by an ex-Howell High School star who will be a sophomore at the University of Michigan this fall, Lindsey Gallo (25:07).

Belmar’s Christine Corey was fourth (25:12), and Christy DeFillipis finished fifth (25:33).

Allison Halsey of Middletown was ninth (26:56), and the Highlands’ Dawn Ciccone, 11th (27:33).

Jenny Krystopowicz, who will be a senior at Rumson-Fair Haven High School this fall, was 13th (27:40). The Bulldogs have the potential to be one of the top teams in the state, with Krystopowicz as one of the team’s top harriers.

Age group winners were: 14 and under, Jennifer Clausen, Jackson (28:09); 15-19, Gallo; 20-29, Barajas; 30-39, Corey; 40-49, Ciccone; 50-59, Patricia O’Hanlon, Jersey City (31:25); and 60-69, Gloria Jenkins, Mount Holly (35:26).

In the special one-mile run, Aberdeen’s Thomas Walsh was first in 5:06, while Marie Walsh won the women’s mile with a 6:09.

The big race on the road racing calendar is Saturday’s George Sheehan Classic, the five-mile run through Red Bank that starts at 8:30 a.m.

Running legend Bill Rodgers, a four-time winner of both the Boston and New York marathons, will be the guest sports celebrity and will speak at the Runners Forum tonight in Marine Park at 7:30