Colts Neck sweeps Group 3; Gindi beats Grossman

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Colts Neck swept the boys and girls titles in Group 3 at Holmdel Park on Saturday at the NJSIAA Groups Championships.

The Colts Neck boys scored 41 points and put four in the top 14 to beat Indians Hills (67). Jordan Brannan and Anthony Russo went 3-4. Elliot Gindi of Ocean Township edged out Matt Grossman from Millburn as both of them ran 15:27 for the fastest times of the day -- and tied for No. 10 all-time. RESULTS

The Colts Neck girls scored 84 points, led by Coleen Megerle's runner-up finish.

Junior Alyssa Aldridge of Mainland Regional stepped up in a big way to win her second Group 3 cross country title in 18:07. She won by 52 seconds and stamped herself as the favorite for MOC.

Senior Briana Gess of Haddonfield Memorial won her third Group 3 title and led her team the championship, with 18:43.

Voorhees took the Group 3 boys crown with 53 points as senior Michael Ungvarsky of Cinnaminson won in 15:58.

In Group 4, the closest race of the day saw Olympia Martin of Ridgewood run 18:28 to prevail as four girls finished within two seconds.Freshman Grace Yoon of Cherry Hill East also was credited with 18:28, Rachel Vick from Kingsway Regional was third in 18:29 and Niamh Hayes from Howell ran 18:30 for fourth. Ridge won the team title with 59 points and North Hunterdon was second with 79.

Rey Rivera from Old Bridge ran 15:47 for the individual victory, while Princeton got the team title with 69 points.

In Group 1, Metuchen swept the boys and girls team titles. Patrick Walsh from South Amboy ran 16:26 for the boys win and Annika Merkh of Haddon Township ran 20:08 for the girls win.

The Non-Public A meet saw the renewal of the Christian Brothers Academy vs. Don Bosco Prep rivalry. And while Don Bosco put two across before anyone from the CBA, including winner David Rosas (15:54), the Colts went 4-5-6-7 and scored 34 points to win another championship. Bosco was second with 58 points.

The girls from Red Bank Catholic scored 67 to Pope John XXIII's 76 (including a 1-2 finish for seniors Anna Campbell and Abigail Post) to claim the team title.

In Non-Public B, the Bishop Eustace Prep boys (50) and Villa Walsh Academy girls (54) won the team championships. Senior Bill Massey of Montclair Kimberley ran 16:29 for a decisive win in the boys race. Sophie Henderson from Villa Walsh was at the front of a 1-3 finish for her team in 20:04.