Eliot Gindi delivered the first salvo of the upcoming high school cross-country season in Asbury Park.
The Ocean Township High School senior, who is one the state’s best returning harriers, defeated a class field that included the Shore area’s top road racer, Andrew Brodeur, to win the Asbury Park George Sheehan Classic 5K Aug. 13.
The Spartan turned in a swift 15:22.1, averaging 4:57 per mile, to win the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix race over Brodeur, the former Brick Memorial High School star who now lives in Bethesda, Maryland, but still races in the Shore area. He was just 1.7 seconds behind Gindi (15:23.8) and also averaged 4:57 per mile.
In one of the closest finishes in some time, third-place runner Aaron Leskow of Toms River chased Gindi and Brodeur to the line and was also under 15:30 at 15:27.9.
Stephen Mennitt of North Brunswick (15:56) and Brian Quilty of Brick (15:56.2) were fourth and fifth in the 3.1-mile race that was a two-lap course starting on Fifth Avenue and concluding on the boardwalk near Convention Hall.
Gindi is coming off an outstanding outdoor track season during which he ran personal bests of 1:54.41 for 800 meters, 4:10.93 for 1,600 and 9:17.16 for 3,200. He won the NJSIAA Group III title at 1,600 meters and was runner-up at the Meet of Champions.
The Spartans’ performance and time in Asbury Park is a warning to his rivals that he is going to be a serious championship contender this fall. He’s picked up where he left off in June.
During last year’s cross-country season, he won the Monmouth County and Central Jersey, Group III championships and had a 5K personal best of 15:28.
The women’s race was equally close, with Ciara Peterson from Cortea Madera, California, nipping former Jackson Memorial High School and Villanova University standout Amanda Marino, who now lives in Bradley Beach. Peterson averaged 5:43 per mile in clocking a time of 17:47. Marino posted a time of 17:54.9 in second place.
New York’s Marissa Cummings was third (18:31.5).
In fourth and fifth place were Christy Peterson from North Wales, Pennsylvania, (18:55.4) and Karen Auteri of Belvidere (19:05.8).
Rounding out the overall top 10 were Alex Izewski of Dolyestown, Pennsylvania, (16:17.5); Anthony Dentino of Sewell (16:21.9); former Holmdel High School star Aaron Barlev (16:26.2); Miguel Galvez of Passaic (16:33.3); and Hayrol Alvarez of Passaic (16:40).
Completing the women’s top 10 were Alyssa Douman, Westwood (19:37.9); Beth Marzigliano, Lake Como (19:47.4); Becky Turlip, Dunellen (20:10.1); Jenna Dubrow, Jackson (20:15); and Dactilla Booth, Long Branch (20:17.3).
The Sheehan Classic was the third of the four races that make up the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix. The first two were the Spring Lake 5-Mile Run and the Belmar 5-Mile Run.
The series concludes Sept. 5 with the Pier House 5K in Long Branch.