Lawrence cross country
By: Jim Green
When the Lawrence High School boys cross country team went up against Notre Dame and Hopewell Valley on Oct. 6, chances were the Cardinals were going to have a tough time competing for a win.
So, instead of worrying about their own times, the Cardinals’ top runners dropped back and helped pace the team’s back two runners, Ben Muzi and Joe Tissot. As a result, Muzi and Tissot set personal bests in that race, and came back again to set personal bests Tuesday in a 19-40 loss to West Windsor-Plainsboro North at Veterans Park.
It’s that kind of teamwork that is keeping Lawrence coach Dave O’Neal upbeat through his team’s difficult start to the season.
"Overall, it’s been a very rewarding season," O’Neal said. "The kids have had very good progression. They’re really working. They all care about what everybody’s doing."
Brendan O’Brien was the Cardinals’ top finisher Tuesday by coming in fourth at 18:08, followed closely by Kevin Raymond in fifth at 18:09.
"I think my young nucleus is starting to step up," O’Neal said. "Brendan ran a career best. That nucleus has the ability to contend with the front-runners of every team in the county, with the exception of West Windsor South."
With Adam Hinson, who has been suffering from a hip injury, rounding into shape he notched a person best Tuesday and John Stever recovering from an arm injury, the Cardinals should be in prime form when they hit the Mercer County Championships at 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at Veterans Park.
"I still think we can go into the county meet and get a top-seven finish," said O’Neal, who also expects to see good things from girl runners Beth Korkuch, Nicole Kelliher and Hannah Adamy.
The Cardinals were looking forward to an Oct. 8 meet against local rival Lawrenceville, but it was rained out.
"I really think we can compete with the prep school this year," O’Neal said. "I want to get that meet rescheduled. That would be a good local win for us."
Regardless of whether that meet is rescheduled, O’Neal feels his team has a good chance to finish the regular season on a high note. The Cardinals face Trenton at 4 p.m. Tuesday and Nottingham at 4 p.m. Oct. 21.
"I hope this is the last loss we’ll see," O’Neal said. "I really think we can win out."

