RHS boys place 8th

By Sean Moylan, Sports Writer
   In this past Saturday’s NJSIAA Group I State Championships, sophomore Nick Lachman’s personal record 17:16 time was the best time any Robbinsville High runner has ever posted at the Holmdel course.
   Running like a real pro, Lachman mastered the bowl and, as a result, placed 13th as an individual.
   ”He just missed going to the Meet of Champions. I don’t think he could have done much differently,” said Robbinsville High head boys’ varsity cross country coach Mike Walker of Lachman.
   As a team, Robbinsville wouldn’t have changed much about Saturday’s race either, because nearly every boy who ran for the Ravens set a personal record.
   ”We placed eighth, just eleven points away from placing fifth (Shore Regional took fifth with 177 points). Last year we were 15th at States,” said Walker. “Group one is much deeper than it was in the past.”
   Jon Harmon, Robbinsville’s senior standout, ended his excellent career with a bang and a fine 17:54, 29th place time.
   ”Jon Harmon ran a great race — his best race I’ve ever seen him run in cross country,” said Walker. “Harmon was our top guy for a few years and then Nick (Lachman) came along. I’m really happy with the way he finished off his career.”
   Senior Brian Flynn joined the team this year and became an instant star. Flynn ran 18 minutes flat to place 36th at Saturday’s race. Junior Mike Landolfi, who placed 74th with an 18:59 time and senior Zach Matuzsan, who placed 79th with a time of 19:09, were the Ravens next two finishers.
   ”Zach Matuzsan is the poster child of hard work, going from running 30 minute times to the low 19’s. I’m proud of the way he conducted (himself). He wanted to break 20 minutes and we made some adjustments (so he could do it),” said Walker.
   Robbinsville senior Mike Schindewolf captured 97th place with a time of 19:36. Sophomore Tyler Muir placed 108th with a 19:53 mark.
   ”Harmon, Flynn, Matuzsan and Schindewolf, that was their sending off party. It was a great race,” said Walker, who seemed very pleased.
   Last Wednesday, the Robbinsville boys competed in Freshmen and Junior Varsity Invitational State Race at Thompson Park. Nearly 300 runners competed in the JV race and sophomore Tim Brazelton was Robbinsville’s top finisher with a time of 19:12 (128th place). Senior Mike Zapicchi (a 19:15 time for 132nd place), sophomore Ryan Bottin (a 19:18, 140th place time), sophomore Ryan Lee (a 19:50, 170th place time), sophomore Ben Huyhn (a 20:05 189th place time), sophomore Chris Woidill (21:00), sophomore Dan Killeen and sophomore Dan Orlak ran for the Ravens.
   Most of the boys ran in a pack and had similar times, which Walker appreciated as a coach. Killeen was banged up and Orlak, a fine runner, had the flu, but both ran anyway just to get in the workout.
   ”The guys did a good job. There were a bunch of guys who (had personal records),” noted Walker, who sees Huynh developing into a very good distance runner over the next two years.
   Some of the Robbinsville runners, like Brazelton, Zapicchi, Bottin, Orlak and Woidill have already established themselves as solid varsity runners.
   In the freshmen race, Mike Giesler was Robbinsville’s top runner with a time of 19:43, which placed him 69th. Robbinsville’s Andrew Kurzeja placed 110th with a time of 20:49.
   Robbinsville is losing some fine senior runners, and if Gina Norato was the “Mother” of Ravens’ varsity cross country then Harmon was the “Father.” Nonetheless, there are many talented younger kids besides Lachman, Landolfi and Muir who are ready to stand up and make their mark. They are just waiting for their chance to shine in the varsity spotlight.