Metuchen High School’s Rachel Suss won the Greater Middlesex Conference Cross-Country Championship at Thompson Park in Jamesburg on Oct. 25. The junior had finished second in 2013. Suss was the only runner under 19:00 for the 5K race, posting a time of 18:49. SCOTT FRIEDMAN The trophy cases that line the hallway at J.P. Stevens High School are filled with multiple trophies that demonstrate how successful the Hawks have been in the athletic arena throughout their rich history. Another will be added following the girls cross-country team’s unexpected victory at the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) championships — the first time the Hawks have captured the title.
In addition to J.P. Stevens’ team crown, Metuchen High School’s Rachel Suss crossed the finish line in 18:49 to win the individual title. Suss’ first-place finish was one better than the second place she managed as a sophomore in 2013.
None of J.P. Stevens coach Dave Allen’s top-five racers finished in the top nine of the event, which was run at Thompson Park in Jamesburg. However, J.P. Stevens’ depth was a major factor in winning the championship, as each runner finished among the top 20. The 69 points garnered by the Hawks enabled them to out-distance the runner-up, Old Bridge High School, by four points. The other area team to place was Edison High School, which finished sixth in the standings and was paced by Renee Osma, who crossed the line in 20:30.9 and placed eighth.
Angelo Cao was the top finisher for J.P. Stevens in 10th in 20:53.11. Brillian Bao was next in 13th place with a time of 21:00, followed by Ashleigh Anderson (16th) in 21:06, Megan Gregory (17th) in 21:06 and Violet Kimble (18th) in 21:07.
In the boys race contested on the same course, the top area team was J.P. Stevens (third) with 114 points, followed by St. Joseph High School of Metuchen (fourth) with 133 points. Metuchen placed ninth with 284 points, and Bishop George Ahr High School finished 16th with 494 points. The area’s individual racers who placed in the top 20 were Daniel Galarza of J.P. Stevens (eighth) in 16:43, Dylan Tyrrell of St. Joe’s (12th) in 16:58, Michael Nitzsche of St. Joe’s (15th) in 17:05, Jack Malague of St. Joe’s (17th) in 17:08 and Aaron John of J.P. Stevens (19th) in 17:23.
Girls gymnastics
The GMC girls gymnastic meet was contested at South Brunswick High School on Oct. 25. Perhaps the most notable news was that a perennial power, Bishop Ahr, placed fourth in the team standings. The Trojans are competing this season without their top two gymnasts from last season, Julianna Drapkin and Casey Sabino. Sabino graduated, and Drapkin transferred to Holmdel High School where she lives.
In individual events, J.P. Stevens’ Shannon Gregory placed third in the all-around competition with 36.475 points, and she managed a fourth place in the uneven bars (8.925 points) and second place in the balance beam (9.6 points). Bishop Ahr’s Sydne Powers placed fourth in the vault (9.25 points) and fourth in the floor exercise (9.15 points). The Trojans’ Samantha Obolsky placed fifth in the floor exercise (9.0 points).
Soccer
The GMC boys and girls soccer tournaments will crown champions on Nov. 1 at Colonia High School, and area teams are serious contenders for both titles.
In the girls tournament, Bishop Ahr (second seed) faced Piscataway Township High School (10th seed) on Oct. 28 in the quarterfinals. If the Trojans got by the Chiefs, they will meet the winner of the match between Old Bridge High School (third seed) and Woodbridge High School (sixth seed) at East Brunswick High School on Oct. 30.
Bishop Ahr coach Jim Tavormina is confident his team is prepared for the task of going against the top teams in the conference as the Trojans attempt to win their first GMC tournament title.
“We’ve been dealing with major injuries to a few starters,” he said. “But at this point, I like our chances. We have a strong bench, and we plan to move forward by remaining focused by blocking out all the distractions. It would also help to have the ball bounce our way and get a few other breaks.”
A benefit of competing against quality competition in the conference tournament is that Bishop Ahr will be well prepared for another run at a state title. The Trojans are defending NJSIAA Non-Public A champions and face the tough task of competing against some of the top teams in the state in order to repeat.
“The GMC is very competitive, so playing the best in the conference will help us get ready to play in our state tournament section,” Tavormina said.
In the boys GMC tournament, J.P. Stevens (10th seed) was the only area team remaining and faced second-seed Monroe Township High School on Oct. 28.
Football
The football season is winding down, and Metuchen and Bishop Ahr are likely to earn spots in the playoffs. St. Joe’s will fight it out with Notre Dame High School for the final berth in its section.
The Bulldogs (4-2) are sixth in Central Jersey Group I and can solidify a spot by defeating Keyport High School (1-6) on Nov. 1. A victory in the last playoff qualifying game against Group II Spotswood High School (4-3) will not only vault Metuchen to a possible firstround playoff game, but also put the Bulldogs in contention for a GMC Blue Division title.
St. Joe’s is just 2-4, but it competes in Non- Public Group IV, home to nine teams. The Falcons are currently in the eighth position, and the team below them, Notre Dame, sports a 1- 6 mark. The Falcons can solidify their position with victories at either Woodbridge on Oct. 21 or New Brunswick High School on Nov. 7.
Bishop Ahr (3-4) hopes to end a threegame losing streak when it hosts Perth Amboy High School (0-6) on Nov. 7. The Trojans currently occupy sixth place in Non-Public Group III.