Ocean Township High School’s Elliot Gindi is all smiles as he approaches the finish line for his victory at the Monmouth County Cross-Country Championships Oct. 20 at Holmdel Park. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR After consecutive second-place finishes at the Monmouth County Cross-Country Championships, Red Bank Regional High School’s Lauren Sapone was not going to leave anything to chance.
“I was going to make sure that I ran my own race,” she said.
Unlike Sapone, Ocean Township High School’s Elliot Gindi admitted he had no plan going in.
Plan or no plan, things worked out for both runners at the county championships Oct. 20 at Holmdel Park.
Sapone outdueled Howell High School’s Niamh Hayes to win her county title in 18:44.
Gindi followed Colts Neck High School’s Jordan Brannan and then outkicked him on an uphill in the last halfmile to win the boys championship in a personal best time of 16:21.
In the team competition, Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) and Red Bank Catholic (RBC) High School held onto their firm grasp of the championships. The Colts won the boys championship with a low score of 28 points — 58 head of runner-up Colts Neck (86). RBC bested the girls field with 78 points.
With this being her last chance to win a county crosscountry championship that had been so elusive to her, Sapone stayed in control of the race. The senior ran up front from the beginning of the race.
“I was going to make the jump early,” she said.
By the mile mark, it was down to Sapone and Howell’s Hayes. Between the first and second mile, Sapone threw in another surge that shook Hayes.
From Sapone’s standpoint, the front-running was an example of how she has grown as a runner over the years. She was confident enough in her talent that she could push the pace hard enough to prevent anyone from outkicking her at the end.
“I’m a more mature runner,” she said. “I’ve learned race strategies. Each race is different according to the course and the competition.”
The experience of the last three seasons made the difference, as the Buccaneers’ standout was able to finally experience the thrill of winning the county championship.
“It’s awesome, really cool,” she said.
Sapone rolled her ankle following last year’s county meet and had to sit out the Shore Conference meet at Lakewood’s Ocean County Park. Ocean County Park is flat and fast and a course where harriers can put down a swift 5K. Sapone is anxious to take her shot at smashing her personal best of 18:44.
Gindi gave full credit to Brannan for making the boys race. It was the Cougars’ standout who made the first big move of the race when he surged out of the bowl, breaking away from CBA’s pace. Gindi followed, and the two juniors dueled over the final mile.
Brannan, more comfortable running downhill, surged ahead on them. Gindi proved stronger on the uphills, and it was on an uphill in the backwoods near the half-mile to go when he attacked. Brannan could not counter Gindi’s final surge, and the Spartans’ runner pulled away for a 10- second victory.
“This meet was amazing,” Gindi said. “I felt amazing.”
Gindi pointed out his second-place mark of 12:50.9 on Van Cortland Park’s 2.5-mile course at the Manhattan Invitational gave him tons of confidence.
“I ran 13:11 the year before and 12:50 this year,” he said.
Gindi is also looking forward to the chance to put down a quick time in the Shore Conference Championships at Ocean County Park on Oct. 29.
Other high finishers at the county meet were Shore Regional High School’s Drew Maher, 16th (17:13); Long Branch High School’s Danny Mullan, 21st (17:29); and Red Bank Regional’s Tyler Schwin, 28th (17:37). CBA stacked its runners behind Gindi and Brannan with Genaro Anzalone (16:42) and Brian Dengler (16:43) finishing third and fourth. Behind them came Brian Hill (16:45), Drake Anzano (16:46) and Noah Yuro (16:50) in sixth, seventh and eighth. Only eight seconds separated the state’s top ranked team’s five scorers.
Only 29 seconds separated RBC’s scorers for the girls. Sophomore Caitlin O’Hare led the Caseys in 11th place (20:30). Emily Dunn (20:44), Gabrilella Ferrigine (20:49), Luisa Guminski (20:56) and Melanie Cronk (20:59) went 12th, 14th, 19th and 23rd.
With sophomore Charlotte Cochrane running a strong sixth (20:10) behind Sapone, Red Bank Regional’s girls were the county’s top public school. The Buccaneers’ 112 points were ahead of rival Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, which was third with 126 points.
Also scoring for Red Bank Regional were Heather O’Donnell, 17th (20:54); Bridget Kelly, 39th (21:43); and Edith Torres, 49th (21:59).
Even though Sapone will attend Dartmouth College next fal, the future is bright for the Buccaneers.
Morgan Steinhacker led Rumson-Fair Haven in 18th (20:55).
Emily Hellman (21:03), Sarah Nelson (21:04) and Ryanne Mulligan (21:10) finished 25th, 26th and 27th. Julia Tambaro took 30th (21:21).
The future is bright for the Bulldogs as well with Mulligan and Tambaro being freshmen.
Other high finishes were turned in by Monmouth Regional High School’s Kristen Molloy (20:57) and Gabby DeVito (20:59) in 21st and 22nd, as well as Shore Regional’s Sarah George in 29th (21:11).