The high school cross country season is just around the corner, and Colts Neck’s Israel Payan figures to be a contender for major wins this fall. Last year he was the Central Jersey Group I champion as he helped the Cougars capture the state sectional title.
Payan jumped into the Freehold Area Running Club’s Summer Race Series 5K last Wednesday night and showed that he hadn’t forgotten how to win. The Colts Neck senior easily won the 3.1 mile race, posting an 18:50 at the Battlefield State Park course in Manalapan.
East Windsor’s Danielle Soldo was the women’s overall winner, running a 20:11. She finished just ahead of ex-Manalapan High School star Tina Strauss, who now lives in Toms River. Strauss clocked a 20:15 behind Soldo.
Marlboro’s John Weitz won the racewalking division in 30:32.
The age group winners for the men were: under 15, 1. Eric Johnson, Freehold (19:41), 2. Jairo Payan, Freehold (21:27), 3. Nick Bond, Middletown (24:20); 15-19, 1. Jeff Sovern, Manalapan (20:02), 2. David Curren, Manalapan (21:16), 3. Chris Reed, Freehold (22:20); 20-29, 1. Thomas Wilson, Willingboro (19:38), 2. Urbon Floris, Lakewood (24:35), 3. Kerry Drexler, Cranford (26:25); 30-39, 1. Joe Higley, Holmdel (19:58), 2. Javyer Culderon, Lakewood (20:53), 3. Jeff Meltzer, Freehold (21:34); 40-44, 1. Mark Leary, Roselle Park (19:55), 2. Bruce O’Connor, Freehold (24:17), 3. Arturo Gonzales, Lakehurst (24:23); 45-49, 1. Bruce McCulloch, Freehold (19:52), 2. Jim Hill, Spring Lake (22:07), 3. Bo Saa, Howell (22:26); 50-59, 1. Mark Slutzky, Edison (22:39), 2. Paul Fitch, Freehold (22:41), 3. Davie Friedman, Monroe Township (24:18); 60-69, 1. Ben Ottmer, Howell (32:08); and 70-79, 1. Jim Robbins, Eatontown (30:21).
Women’s age group winners were: under 15, 1. Erica Weitz, Morganville, (25:38), 2. Lisa Riccotene, Manalapan (27:40), 3. Alexis Roy, Old Bridge (28:02); 15-19, 1. Nicole McDonald, Marlboro (23:3), 2. Becky Miller, West Windsor (23:50), 3. Alyssa Passeggio, Marlboro (24:07); 20-29, 1. Strauss, 2. Kelly Korz, Freehold (22:21), 3. Liz Spector, Manalapan (22:22); 30-39, 1. Deb Lurie, Morganville (22:13), 2. Dorothy Peterson, Manalapan (22:22); 3. Dominique DeVito, Freehold (25:11); 40-49, Pat Coyne, Freehold (26:05), 2. Eileen Korz, Freehold (26:56), 3. Leann Thornton, Howell (29:22); and 50-59, 1. Kathy Kennedy, Freehold (26:59), 2. Shirley Sullivan, Jackson (27:04), 3. Carolyn DeLuca, Manalapan (34:09).
The Summer Race Series continues tonight with the 5K starting in the park at 6:50, and the children’s races preceding at 6. Tonight’s 5K will be a predicted time race with the winners being those who come closest to matching their predicted time for the race. For more information on the series or upcoming FARC events, call the club’s hot line at (732) 431-2627, or visit its Web site at www.farcnj.com.