The intimidating shadow cast by Colts Neck’s Craig Forys is no longer hovering over the state’s best boy runners. With the Cougar having graduated to the University of Michigan, the race is no longer for second place, but first.
Forys put together the finest season ever by a New Jersey high-school boy in 2006 when he set six course records, including those at Holmdel Park and New York City’s historic 2.5-mile Van Cortlandt Park course, repeated as MOC champion, won the FootLocker Northeast Qualifier, and earned First Team All-American honors after a second-place finish at the national championships in San Diego.
Locally, Manalapan’s Rob Andrews appears poised to step into the void left by Forys. The junior had a late start to his ’06 fall season after recovering from an injury, but finished with a flourish, placing 28th at the MOC with a 16:32 at Holmdel Park. And that was before the outdoor track season, where he won the State Group IV 800- meter title and ran 1:52.56 at the MOC (fourth place). Clearly, no runner wants to have Andrews breathing down his neck at the end of a race. He could well be an MOC contender.
“It’s given me a lot of confidence,” Andrews said of his spring track success. “It pushes me that much harder. It’s made me believe if I work hard, I can do something special.”
With no injuries this time around, Andrews was able to put a full summer of training in.
“I feel pretty strong, but there is always room for improvement,” he said.
Helping him get his base work were his Brave teammates.
“They are phenomenal,” he said of his teammates. “They are very dedicated and hard-working. We all get along.”
Andrews pointed out that he and his teammates went on a three-day camping trip to Bass River for some bonding and workouts.
Colts Neck’s Jason Weiner bears watching as well. The junior had a breakout season in track and seems to have benefited from Forys’ presence. Weiner digested everything that Forys did, learning from the best what it takes to compete at the top. Don’t be surprised to see him running up front with the leaders come championship time.
Freehold Borough’s Cody O’Flaherty was the top frosh in the district a year ago, and it will be interesting to see how far he has advanced.
Colts Neck and Manalapan should be the contenders for the A North Division public schools title won by the Cougars last year.
Besides Weiner, the Cougars have Mark Leininger, Kevin O’Dowd and Matt Smutko returning along with Corey Rubin, Mike Blaskovich and Evan Ralph. Freshman Mike O’Dowd is the key newcomer.
Manalapan has Ryan McGilvray, Eric Tymezak and Matt Gabor back from last year’s district championship team. Jon Nagel and Gary Sparapani round out a very strong junior class. As evidenced by their summer work with Andrews, they are ready to go.
Freehold Township’s Randy Spadola, Howell’s Cody Kulick and Mike Roberto, and Marlboro’s Rich Roman are some of the other runners to watch.
As usual, the first big date on the cross country calendar is the Shore Coaches Battle of Monmouth Class Race at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, on Sept. 22.
The annual Cougar Invitational, hosted by Colts Neck at Bucks Mill Park, is Sept. 28.
The Freehold Regional High School District meet is Oct. 4, also scheduled for Bucks Mill.
The Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park is Oct. 6, with the Monmouth County Championships Oct. 16 at Holmdel.
Holmdel Park will also host the Shore Conference Championships on Oct. 27.
The state championship season begins with the Central Jersey meet Nov. 3 at Thompson Park in Jamesburg. The NJSIAA Group Championships are No. 10, and the MOC is Nov. 17. Both are back at familiar Holmdel.
Out-of-state action includes the Manhattan Invitational on Oct. 13 and the Eastern States Oct. 20, both at Van Cortlandt Park. VCP is hosting the Foot Locker Northeast Qualifier on Nov. 24.

