Adamovics, Kellner, Cody also reach MOC
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
George Hamilton had always hoped that he would have the chance to run for the West Windsor-Plainsboro South boys varsity cross country team.
The Pirates junior made an encouraging debut last week at the sectional championships and was looking for more in groups.
”I kind of felt we were going to put it out there and try our best,” said Hamilton, who was inserted in the lineup due to injury.
After the Group IV meet Saturday at Holmdel Park, he and the Pirates are looking forward to another race. Despite finishing second in Group IV behind Westfield for a second straight season — and scoring 120 points for the second straight year as well — the Pirates felt they could have run better.
”I did really well last week,” said Hamilton, who ran 17:03 Saturday. “Our practice had been kind of difficult and we worked through it. I thought we’d do a lot better than we did today. That’s our motivation for next week.”
The one big consolation for WW-P South is that they are the lone Packet-area team to advance to the Meet of Champions, which returns to Holmdel this Saturday.
”The kids were pretty emotional and pretty upset after the (group) race,” said Pirates head coach Kurt Wayton. “If they want to run well next weekend, they’re not going to forget the emotion. They’re going to use that in a positive way to really fuel their aggression, determination, everything we lacked today. We weren’t hungry today. It’s tough to know we’re the best team out there, and we got second today.”
Dan Riff was the Pirates’ top finisher, 16th overall. AJ Chavez placed 19th, Jake Riff was 21st, Hamilton ran 33rd and Alex Maeda was 62nd. Tom Vinci and Dan Sheldon were 97th and 98th respectively
”We felt terrible,” Hamilton said. “No one really raced to their full potential. I didn’t. None of the Riffs did. Sheldon didn’t. No one did.
”We’re definitely glad we got second. And we’re going to make the best of it.”
Advancing in a much better mood was Andy Adamovics of the Montgomery High School boys team. He capped his junior year by advancing to his first MOC as an at-large entry. He placed 11th overall in 16:27.
”It’s been very long since a boy went,” said MHS head coach Tim Bartholomew. “It was the ‘80s or ‘90s. It’s been a long time, to say the least. I’m excited for him. He works really hard. It worked out for him today.
”He’s been working hard in the summer,” he added. “He would go to Holmdel once a week, so he’s really familiar with the course. I was more optimistic about this week than last week.”
The only other individuals to move on to the MOC were a pair of senior girls. WW-P South’s Caroline Kellner placed third in the Group IV girls meet, while Princeton High’s Jenna Cody ran to seventh in the Group III girls meet.
”Obviously my goal going into it was to win,” said Kellner, who ran 18:50. “I knew it would be pretty difficult. I’ve been having some pains in my legs. I knew not everything was perfect going into it. I wanted to do the best I could.
”My goal was to try to get out fast and in front,” she added. “There was a lead pack that went out ahead of everyone, and I never really caught up to them. It was a lead pack of four. I caught up with people one by one, but I was never with the leaders. It was a little frustrating.”
Kellner is hoping that she can put together a strong finale to her high school career that has seen her run in each of the MOC cross country races for which she has been eligible. She is feeling better each day, and still feels she has a chance to win if she can get out better than she did at Group IVs.
”I’ll be psyched up for it,” Kellner said. “I’m really sad it’s going to be over. I’m going to leave everything out on the course.
”I still think it’s possible to win. Everyone is pretty close. Generally everyone gets mixed up at Meet of Champions. The results aren’t final. The race hasn’t occurred, and anything is possible.”
Kellner will be running to represent the Pirates girls who placed 18th at the Group IV meet.
”I love my school, and I love my team,” Kellner said. “It’s great to get to represent South.”
Cody came off her sectional championship to place seventh in 19:25 in Group III girls. She was the second senior to finish in her group and makes her third appearance at the MOC. She helped the Little Tigers run to 11th, though they didn’t their full lineup due to injury.
In the Group III boys race, PHS finished 16th overall paced by the 49th and 50th finishers in the race, Kevin Ivanov and Conor Donahue.
Eddie Cunningham was the top finisher in 22nd for the WW-P North boys, who came in 13th in Group IV boys.
Early in the season, it didn’t look like Hamilton would have his chance at contributing to the MOC. He stayed ready and showed consistent improvement to earn his chance in the lineup.
”Wayton has been putting us through a lot of great training,” Hamilton said. “I’ve been getting better since freshman year. I knew it was going to happen.”
With Sheldon slowed by injuries and one of their expected top seven, Markan Patel, out for the year with an injury, it’s Hamilton that has stepped in to keep the WW-P South in contention.
”We’ve had guys that didn’t think it was their year, have the chance to shine,” Wayton said. “It’s a good message for the rest of the team. You never know when it’s your chance. You have to be ready.”