The 20th Sheehan Classic 5K showcased some of the finest recent high school distance runners from the Jersey Shore.
It was like a homecoming for the runners with state championship pedigree on their résumés. They battled it out over the streets of Red Bank on June 15 for the victory in the race named for the late Dr. George Sheehan, who helped shape the running boom with his books and philosophy.
Andrew Brodeur, who starred at Brick Memorial High School before enjoying a career at Duke University, won in 15:12.37 (4:54 mile pace), with ex-Holmdel High School stars George Galasso (15:30.70) and Craig Segal (15:36.04) following in second and third.
Rob Cavanaugh, who starred at Red Bank Catholic High School, was fourth (15:44.01), with Tim Mulligan of Whiting placing fifth (15:53.0).
Completing the top 10 were Brad Quilty, Brick (16:01.67); Ben Hutterer, Carteret (16:06.43); Matt Dahl, New Brunswick (16:29.53); Joe Lesniak, Point Pleasant (16:35.98); and Pete Forgach, Long Branch (16:40.53).
The women’s winner, Jennifer Malavolta from Reeders, Pa., was a Division II college All-American and runs for New Balance Jersey Shore. She averaged 5:44 a mile in clocking 17:48.05 and finished 17th overall. The veteran road racer was seventh in the women’s race last year in 19:17.
Brianna Feerst, who completed her freshman year at Clemson University, was second. The Point Pleasant Beach High School graduate also ran under 18:00 (17:59.11). Jamie Liberti, who starred at Middletown High School South, was third (18:16.14); recent Monmouth University graduate Jennifer Nelson of Barnegat took fourth (28:23.68); and another ex-Middletown South star, Tina Morrison, who now lives in Washington, D.C., was fifth (18:30.17).
Rounding out the women’s top 10 were Caitlin Dorgan, Red Bank (18:37.04); Karen Auteri, Bloomingdale (18:58.10); Sara Amitrani, Red Bank (19:14.06), Leslie Morrison, Bethesda, Md. (19:14.94); and Shannon McCarthy, Fair Haven (19:17.89).
The 5K started and finished on Broad Street. Just under 1,400 runners (1,395) filled the streets of Red Bank for the race.
More than $2,500 was distributed to the top five overall finishers and age-category winners, as well.
The Sheehan is part of the five-race Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix Racing Series that bean with the May 25 Spring Lake Five-Mile Run. Brodeur won the Spring Lake Five, as well, making him 2-for-2 in the series. Former Jackson Memorial High School and Villanova University star Amanda Marino won the women’s race.
The third race in the series is the Belmar Five-Mile Run on July 13. Belmar is followed by the Asbury Park 5K on Aug. 10 and the Pier House 5K in Long Branch on Labor Day (Sept. 2).
Prize money is awarded to the runners who accumulate the most points in the open and age group divisions during the series.
With his two wins, Brodeur has built a lead heading into Belmar.