2005 Watchung Conference Girls Cross Country

The Watchung Conference Cross country Championships, held last Thursday at Warinanco Park marked the end of one streak for Cranford, the continuation of a shorter one and what the Cougars hope to be the beginning of another.

A strong Westfield Boys team ended the four year run of an injury depleted Cranford squad as the Cougars settled for third, also finishing behind Scotch Plains-Fanwood. The news was much better in the Girls’ division as junior Laura Gallo easily defended her title and the team also won for the first time since 1995 as three finishers in the top four gave them an easy 26-44 victory over Westfield, with defending champion Scotch Plains-Fanwood finishing third.

Gallo used her usual strategy to break away from surprising SPF sophomore Cassy Valdes in the second mile and ran 19:37 for the nearly 3.2 mile course. Valdes easily eclipsed her personal best in 19:55.

https://home.comcast.net/~lazarusd/word_2005/wc_girls_start.jpg

“I usually run how I feel and don’t worry about who else is in the race,” said Gallo.

“She’s a really good runner but I didn’t expect her to stay with me,” added Gallo.

Veteran Coach Ray White was understandably happy about Gallo and the team.
“Laura did her usual great job, but I also want to focus on our other six girls because we couldn’t have won without all of them,” said White, the only coach in the history of the girls’ program.

Juniors Jen Hanke (20:27) and Hannah Van Why (20:34) followed Valdes and defeated Westfield’s first runner Jen Danielson (20:38).

For Van Why, a rising star in the mile last spring, it vindicated her move this fall from Field Hockey to Cross-country.

“I like Field Hockey but I like Cross country even more,” said Van Why.
“We have a really tight team and it’s great to be part of it”

Hanke was buoyed from watching her brother Josh finish third in his race in 17:09.
“I saw him finish and it made me very proud,” said Hanke whose freshman sister Joy was a strong seventh in 20:50. Sophomore Erin Hannen completed the Cougar’s scoring with an eleventh place finish in 21:18. The lone senior Kristen Ford and junior Caitlin Curtis, who ran despite being injured, were 16th and 17th respectively.

In just his second race this fall, Junior Joe McKenney, the defending champion finished well behind Westfield Senior Jeffrey Perrella who led the Blue Devils to the team title.
McKenney, who ran 15:59 a year ago was disappointed with his 16:36 effort but realizes he has numerous chances at vindication this fall.

“I ran a pretty bad race. I should have been fine to go with Perrella,” said McKenney.
“Hopefully, I’ll have a few more chances this fall.” Coach Tim Styler, who held onto his course record of 15:42 by one second, was more philosophical.

Joe was over-amped for the race. A lot of pressure is put on this boy after winning conference, county and state races last year as a sophomore. Joe's training and racing is on track,” said Styler.

Bear in mind that this is only his second race this season and we are preparing for the next few weeks. I think as he moves along in his schedule things will fall into
place and I look forward to more exciting matches between Joe and Perrella.”

The Cougars undoubtedly missed Senior standout Kevin Brown, who is still on the mend from injuries.

“For the moment, we just want Kevin Brown to get healthy, no timetable can
be set for his return and it is going to be left up to Kevin on how he
feels and how he can help the team,” said Styler.

Hanke, a senior, came through with a fine effort to finish third in 17:09, but Westfield and Scotch Plains-Fanwood both brought in their first five runners before the Cougar’s next finisher, Junior Chris Snyder((18:58). Kevin Boyle and Edward Baker were close behind. as the Cougars finished with 53 points.