The Prep Cross Country team showed its collective strength at Friday’s Essex County Championship at Brookdale Park by winning both the Varsity and JV races. In a style that has become the trademark of the 2021 squad, they came together as a pack and the five scorers finished within an amazing 11 seconds of each other and defeating runner-up Millburn by a score of 58-67.  Knowing it would be the fastest race of the season, the team tucked in behind the leaders in what was a fast first mile. By mile two, sophomore Connor Schmit, senior Anthony Bottino, and seniors Ben Ferrara, Danny Collum and Brady Sheaffer were on the chase heading into the fast downhills of Brookdale. In the final 500 meters Collum would surge and finish in 16:48 (PR) in 9^th place.  In quick succession, he would be followed by Schmit (16:51- 10^th- PR), Ferrara (16:54-12^th), Bottino (16:57-13^th- PR) and Sheaffer (16:59-14^th- PR)- they would turn in a team average of 16:54. The team’s effort was rounded out by seniors Bedros Maldjian (17:29- PR) and AJ Villaruel (17:33- PR). This would be the 2nd time in a row The Prep would win the County Championship (2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19).

 

In the JV race, giving everyone a glimpse of the future of SHP Cross Country, the squad would place an impressive seven runners in the top ten and win comfortable over runner-up Millburn, 23-42- their 2^nd County win in a row.  Through the first mile, junior Russ Webb was tucked in with the leaders and was closely followed by sophomore Ben Brennan and the rest of the JV harriers.  By two miles, Brennan had taken the lead of the race and was closely followed by freshman Carter Herman and Webb.  Brennan would widen his lead and win the race in a time of 17:40 (PR).  He was followed by scorers Herman (18:01-3^rd- PR), Webb (18:07- 5^th- PR), junior Mike Davis (18:23- 6^th- PR) and freshman Brendan Mathey (18:26-8^th- PR)- for a team average of 18:07 and a strong compression of 46 seconds.