RBC back on top of SC x-country
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Red Bank Catholic's Molly McNamara and below, Rumson-Fair Haven's Hannah Satzke, sprint toward the finish line during the Shore Cross-Country Championships held at Ocean County Park in Lakewood on Oct. 30. McNamara placed 11th and Satzke finished 14th.

After his team won the Monmouth Country Championship, Red Bank Catholic coach Rob DeFilippis was more pleased by the way his girls competed for every position than even the victory. He knew that if his team was going to challenge the likes of Toms River North, Southern Regional and the other top teams in the state, they would need to fight for every position.

Thursday, at the Shore Conference Championships held at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, DeFilippis got that and more from his harriers as they upset Toms River North on its home course by the sixth runner tiebreaker. The teams were tied at 107 through their first five, but, RBC's sixth runner, Keely Eckberg was 48th overall and 44th for team scoring, 11 places ahead of the Mariner's sixth.

Michelle Cappozzi led the Caseys in fifth place (18:09). Molly McNamara was 11th (18:31).

Michelle Savarese, (19:07), Emily Rooney (19:11), and Katie Rochford (19:29) were 25- 28-38 in team scoring, enabling the Caseys to match the Mariners' 107 score and win the title via the tiebreaker.

"They are coming close to the team I thought they'd be," said DeFilippis.

With this signature win, the Caseys have clearly taken their place among the state's best teams in 2008.

RBC's boys came up with a solid effort as well taking third (161) behind Christian Brothers Academy (68) and Toms River North (157).

The boys took full advantage of the flatter, more forgiving OCP course to run some very fast times. Winner Robby Andrews of Manalapan turned in the second fastest time ever, 15:17. RBC's Bobby McGann was in the lead group with Andrews throughout the race and was rewarded with a 15:27 in fourth place. Second among the Caseys was James Galatola (16:15), who was 27th. Kyle Clonan (16:31) and Kevin Byrne (16:33) were 38th and 39th in team scoring and fifth runner Sean Gelson, was 51st (16:45).

Red Bank Regional's boys were seventh (211), led by Matt Melitz's 11th place (15:48). John Arnone was 39th (16:30).

The RBR girls were 13th (336) with Elizabeth Dowdy the first across the line in 23rd overall (19:03).

Rumson-Fair Haven's Max Sparshatt was one of 16 runners who broke 16:00. He ran a 15:50 and finished 12th helping the Bulldogs to finish 17th (397).

Hannah Satzke was 14th for the RFH girls (18:46), who were 14th (340) themselves.

Dylan Cole of Shore Regional was 37th (16:26) as the Blue Devils finished 19th (470).

For the Shore girls, Cameo Kirk was 45th overall (19:34) and the team, 17th (396).

Saturday, the area public schools will go to Thompson Park in Jamesburg for the Central Jersey sectional championships. The top 10 individuals and top five teams will advance to the Group championships on Nov. 15 at Holmdel Park.