November 17, 2024, Clark, NJ: Shore AC harriers sense opportunity at the Last Chance 8K Cross Country Championships. Their premonitions proved accurate! Kneeling, left to right: Andrew Yearsley, Ken Wilson, Danielle Wilkinson, Gary Wiesinger, Rebecca Keenan, Scott Linnell and Eldon Reynoso. Middle row, left to right: Susan Stirrat, Kari Hullen, Suzanne La Burt, Jim Linn, Luz Ravines, Lindsay Bergman, Marc Bloom and Mike O'Connor. Last row, left to right: Reno Stirrat, Jason Bavaro, Dan Campbell, Joe Demetrick, Miles Hersey, Leslie Nowicki and Przemek Nowicki.
Shore AC Results for the 2024 Last Chance 8K XC Race
Race date: November 17, 2024 Full results from Blue Ridge Timing
Link to the race web site.
Photo album here by Jason Timochko.
SHORE AC TEAM RESULTS:
Open Women:
2 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN OPEN 49 3:04:16 AVERAGE: 36:52 SPREAD: 17:43
4.Danielle Wilkinson Blairstown, NJ 34 F 336 318 31:13.42*
7.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake, NY 61 F 336 386 126 32:39.33*
10.Lindsay Bergman Montclair, NJ 43 F 336 386 26 35:16.33*
11.Kari Hullen Belmar, NJ 36 F 336 319 36:09.56*
17.Luz Gladys Ravines Elizabeth, NJ 61 F 336 486 348 48:57.25*
--.Diane Rothman Leonardo, NJ 65 F 336 436 207 DNF
40+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN 40+ 6 1:44:08 AVERAGE: 34:43 SPREAD: 3:33
1.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake, NY 61 F 336 386 126 32:39.33*
2.Lindsay Bergman Montclair, NJ 43 F 336 386 26 35:16.33*
3.Rebecca Keenan Mount Arlington, NJ 50 F 386 436 112 36:12.29*
50+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN 50+ 10 2:04:42 AVERAGE: 41:34 SPREAD: 9:07
1.Rebecca Keenan Mount Arlington, NJ 50 F 386 436 112 36:12.29*
4.Leslie Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 61 F 436 486 169 43:10.04*
5.Susan Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 69 F 436 486 235 45:19.25*
--.Diane Rothman Leonardo, NJ 65 F 336 436 207 DNF
60+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN 60+ 6 1:44:08 AVERAGE: 34:43 SPREAD: 3:33
1.Leslie Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 61 F 436 486 169 43:10.04*
2.Susan Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 69 F 436 486 235 45:19.25*
3.Luz Gladys Ravines Elizabeth, NJ 61 F 336 486 348 48:57.25*
Open Men:
2 SHORE AC "A" MEN OPEN 82 2:48:42 AVERAGE: 33:45 SPREAD: 7:56
11.Jason Bavaro Colts Neck, NJ 42 M 36 86 29:51.74*
15.Andrew Yearsley Holland, PA 44 M 36 86 32:41.84*
16.Daniel Campbell Middletown, NJ 50 M 36 86 32:43.08*
19.Gary Wiesinger Somerset, NJ 66 M 36 187 35:36.22*
21.Scott Linnell Colts Neck, NJ 68 M 36 187 37:48.14*
40+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 40+ 15 [Missing] AVERAGE: 30:50 SPREAD: 4:18
1.Rocky Falcone Madison, NJ 54 M 86 136 28:24.49*
2.Jason Bavaro Colts Neck, NJ 42 M 36 86 29:51.74*
3.Michael O'Connor Spring Lake, NJ 54 M 86 136 30:24.33*
4.Andrew Yearsley Holland, PA 44 M 36 86 32:41.84*
5.Daniel Campbell Middletown, NJ 50 M 36 86 32:43.08*
6.Joseph Demetrick Scotch Plains, NJ 53 M 86 136 33:00.74
50+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 50+ 15 2:42:08 AVERAGE: 32:26 SPREAD: 7:13
1.Rocky Falcone Madison, NJ 54 M 86 136 28:24.49*
2.Michael O'Connor Spring Lake, NJ 54 M 86 136 30:24.33*
3.Joseph Demetrick Scotch Plains, NJ 53 M 86 136 33:00.74*
4.James Linn Harleysville, PA 72 M 136 186 34:40.07*
5.Miles Hersey Hazlet, NJ 62 M 136 186 35:37.83*
11.Rob Neugass Marlboro, NJ 63 M 136 187 41:40.48
12.Eldon Reynoso Keyport, NJ 63 M 136 186 45:28.80
60+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 60+ 7 1:45:23 AVERAGE: 35:08 SPREAD: 0:57
1.James Linn Harleysville, PA 72 M 136 186 34:40.07*
2.Reno Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 70 M 186 236 35:04.37*
4.Miles Hersey Hazlet, NJ 62 M 136 186 35:37.83*
2 SHORE AC "B" MEN 60+ 18 1:55:05 AVERAGE: 38:22 SPREAD: 6:04
3.Gary Wiesinger Somerset, NJ 66 M 36 187 35:36.22*
5.Scott Linnell Colts Neck, NJ 68 M 36 187 37:48.14*
10.Rob Neugass Marlboro, NJ 63 M 136 187 41:40.48
4 SHORE AC "C" MEN 60+ 32 2:06:08 AVERAGE: 42:03 SPREAD: 5:02
7.Ken Wilson Rumson, NJ 72 M 188 236 39:09.35*
12.Marc Bloom Marlboro, NJ 77 M 188 236 42:45.57*
13.Przemek Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 80 M 188 236 44:12.18*
70+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 70+ 6 1:57:00 AVERAGE: 39:00 SPREAD: 7:41
1.Reno Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 70 M 186 236 35:04.37*
2.Ken Wilson Rumson, NJ 72 M 188 236 39:09.35*
3.Marc Bloom Marlboro, NJ 77 M 188 236 42:45.57*
4.Przemek Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 80 M 188 236 44:12.18*
Link to the race web site.
Photo album here by Jason Timochko.
SHORE AC TEAM RESULTS:
Open Women:
2 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN OPEN 49 3:04:16 AVERAGE: 36:52 SPREAD: 17:43
4.Danielle Wilkinson Blairstown, NJ 34 F 336 318 31:13.42*
7.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake, NY 61 F 336 386 126 32:39.33*
10.Lindsay Bergman Montclair, NJ 43 F 336 386 26 35:16.33*
11.Kari Hullen Belmar, NJ 36 F 336 319 36:09.56*
17.Luz Gladys Ravines Elizabeth, NJ 61 F 336 486 348 48:57.25*
--.Diane Rothman Leonardo, NJ 65 F 336 436 207 DNF
40+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN 40+ 6 1:44:08 AVERAGE: 34:43 SPREAD: 3:33
1.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake, NY 61 F 336 386 126 32:39.33*
2.Lindsay Bergman Montclair, NJ 43 F 336 386 26 35:16.33*
3.Rebecca Keenan Mount Arlington, NJ 50 F 386 436 112 36:12.29*
50+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN 50+ 10 2:04:42 AVERAGE: 41:34 SPREAD: 9:07
1.Rebecca Keenan Mount Arlington, NJ 50 F 386 436 112 36:12.29*
4.Leslie Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 61 F 436 486 169 43:10.04*
5.Susan Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 69 F 436 486 235 45:19.25*
--.Diane Rothman Leonardo, NJ 65 F 336 436 207 DNF
60+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOMEN 60+ 6 1:44:08 AVERAGE: 34:43 SPREAD: 3:33
1.Leslie Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 61 F 436 486 169 43:10.04*
2.Susan Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 69 F 436 486 235 45:19.25*
3.Luz Gladys Ravines Elizabeth, NJ 61 F 336 486 348 48:57.25*
Open Men:
2 SHORE AC "A" MEN OPEN 82 2:48:42 AVERAGE: 33:45 SPREAD: 7:56
11.Jason Bavaro Colts Neck, NJ 42 M 36 86 29:51.74*
15.Andrew Yearsley Holland, PA 44 M 36 86 32:41.84*
16.Daniel Campbell Middletown, NJ 50 M 36 86 32:43.08*
19.Gary Wiesinger Somerset, NJ 66 M 36 187 35:36.22*
21.Scott Linnell Colts Neck, NJ 68 M 36 187 37:48.14*
40+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 40+ 15 [Missing] AVERAGE: 30:50 SPREAD: 4:18
1.Rocky Falcone Madison, NJ 54 M 86 136 28:24.49*
2.Jason Bavaro Colts Neck, NJ 42 M 36 86 29:51.74*
3.Michael O'Connor Spring Lake, NJ 54 M 86 136 30:24.33*
4.Andrew Yearsley Holland, PA 44 M 36 86 32:41.84*
5.Daniel Campbell Middletown, NJ 50 M 36 86 32:43.08*
6.Joseph Demetrick Scotch Plains, NJ 53 M 86 136 33:00.74
50+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 50+ 15 2:42:08 AVERAGE: 32:26 SPREAD: 7:13
1.Rocky Falcone Madison, NJ 54 M 86 136 28:24.49*
2.Michael O'Connor Spring Lake, NJ 54 M 86 136 30:24.33*
3.Joseph Demetrick Scotch Plains, NJ 53 M 86 136 33:00.74*
4.James Linn Harleysville, PA 72 M 136 186 34:40.07*
5.Miles Hersey Hazlet, NJ 62 M 136 186 35:37.83*
11.Rob Neugass Marlboro, NJ 63 M 136 187 41:40.48
12.Eldon Reynoso Keyport, NJ 63 M 136 186 45:28.80
60+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 60+ 7 1:45:23 AVERAGE: 35:08 SPREAD: 0:57
1.James Linn Harleysville, PA 72 M 136 186 34:40.07*
2.Reno Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 70 M 186 236 35:04.37*
4.Miles Hersey Hazlet, NJ 62 M 136 186 35:37.83*
2 SHORE AC "B" MEN 60+ 18 1:55:05 AVERAGE: 38:22 SPREAD: 6:04
3.Gary Wiesinger Somerset, NJ 66 M 36 187 35:36.22*
5.Scott Linnell Colts Neck, NJ 68 M 36 187 37:48.14*
10.Rob Neugass Marlboro, NJ 63 M 136 187 41:40.48
4 SHORE AC "C" MEN 60+ 32 2:06:08 AVERAGE: 42:03 SPREAD: 5:02
7.Ken Wilson Rumson, NJ 72 M 188 236 39:09.35*
12.Marc Bloom Marlboro, NJ 77 M 188 236 42:45.57*
13.Przemek Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 80 M 188 236 44:12.18*
70+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 70+ 6 1:57:00 AVERAGE: 39:00 SPREAD: 7:41
1.Reno Stirrat Rockaway, NJ 70 M 186 236 35:04.37*
2.Ken Wilson Rumson, NJ 72 M 188 236 39:09.35*
3.Marc Bloom Marlboro, NJ 77 M 188 236 42:45.57*
4.Przemek Nowicki Holmdel, NJ 80 M 188 236 44:12.18*
November 17, 2024, Clark, NJ: A large contingent of the Shore AC delegation gathers along the starting line to await the commencement of the race. Photograph by Jason Timochko.
Shore AC Teams Clean Up Amid Calamity at Last Chance 8K XC Race
There's a golden rule that we harriers often forget: you as a runner are responsible for knowing the course. But there's an unwritten corollary for the course designer: don't make things so complicated that runners have difficulty adhering to their golden rule.
Numerous contestants in the 2024 Last Chance 8K XC race found challenges aplenty. Some went off course temporarily for want of adequate trail markings. Many almost failed to complete the course, stopping after their third big loop only to be told that they needed to run a fourth and final little loop. Not everyone got the message, though, and the unfortunates who didn't run the fourth tiny loop were (mostly) disqualified for not completing the entire 8K course. One athlete even ran too far, being ordered by a course marshal to run what for him was an unnecessary fourth big loop.
But amid all of the calamity, our Shore Athletic Club teams prospered! We won every masters age group. We also placed second in the Men's Open and Women's Open USATF-NJ battles. Read on to discover how we managed this feat!
In a few cases, our Shore AC age group team prevailed simply because there was no other team. That was the case with our 60+ women's team. (But we'd like to think that they would have vanquished any foe!) Leslie Nowicki stepped up and ran a magnificent 43:10 to pace our 60+ gals. Susan Stirrat followed with a mighty fine 45:19 as second scorer. Luz Ravines overcame persistent back problems to gut out a 48:57 and wrap up team scoring. Diane Rothman would have contributed to the team's scoring had she not mistakenly stopped running after her third lap and been disqualified.
Unlike the Shore AC 60+ ladies, our women's 50+ team did face competition. Clifton and Fleet Feet/Essex both entered W50+ squads. It took work, but our gals got the job done. Rebecca Keenan led the way, ripping a marvelous 36:12 as first finisher among the three W50+ teams. Her time reflected the effectiveness of her coach, none other than Reno Stirrat! Nowicki and Susan Stirrat followed, scoring 4 and 5 within a field of 10 scorers to secure the team victory. Well done, ladies!
An even bigger field of four teams fought it out in the women's 40+ category. But our Shore AC gals took full command, going 1-2-3! Suzanne La Burt spearheaded the rout with a scorching 32:39. Lindsay Bergman joined in the fun, crafting a superb 35:16 to score second. Keenen then slammed the door on the competition when she crossed a minute later as third scorer. Hooray, team!
As for the Women's Open tussle, this is where Garden State Track Club concentrated all of their female talent. They won handily, going 1-2-3-5-6 for a team score of 17 points. That left Shore AC to skirmish with Raritan Valley for second place. Shore AC got on the scoreboard first when Danielle Wilkinson zoomed across the timing mat in 31:13. (If not for Danielle, Garden State would have made it a clean 1-2-3-4-5 sweep.) After La Burt and Bergman stormed through the finish chute to score 7 and 10 points, respectively, Kari Hullen completed her excellent performance in 36:09 to notch the 11th position. Ravines wrapped a bow around the team's accomplishment with a score of 17. Shore AC's total team score of 49 bested Raritan Valley's 59 points. This was important for the 2024 Grand Prix. Our Shore AC Women's Open team increased its narrow lead over Raritan Valley by 2 points. We now have a 4-point cushion over second-place RVRR going into the final race of the Grand Prix, namely the Ashenfelter 8K on Thanksgiving morning. Let's win GP gold there, ladies!
Numerous contestants in the 2024 Last Chance 8K XC race found challenges aplenty. Some went off course temporarily for want of adequate trail markings. Many almost failed to complete the course, stopping after their third big loop only to be told that they needed to run a fourth and final little loop. Not everyone got the message, though, and the unfortunates who didn't run the fourth tiny loop were (mostly) disqualified for not completing the entire 8K course. One athlete even ran too far, being ordered by a course marshal to run what for him was an unnecessary fourth big loop.
But amid all of the calamity, our Shore Athletic Club teams prospered! We won every masters age group. We also placed second in the Men's Open and Women's Open USATF-NJ battles. Read on to discover how we managed this feat!
In a few cases, our Shore AC age group team prevailed simply because there was no other team. That was the case with our 60+ women's team. (But we'd like to think that they would have vanquished any foe!) Leslie Nowicki stepped up and ran a magnificent 43:10 to pace our 60+ gals. Susan Stirrat followed with a mighty fine 45:19 as second scorer. Luz Ravines overcame persistent back problems to gut out a 48:57 and wrap up team scoring. Diane Rothman would have contributed to the team's scoring had she not mistakenly stopped running after her third lap and been disqualified.
Unlike the Shore AC 60+ ladies, our women's 50+ team did face competition. Clifton and Fleet Feet/Essex both entered W50+ squads. It took work, but our gals got the job done. Rebecca Keenan led the way, ripping a marvelous 36:12 as first finisher among the three W50+ teams. Her time reflected the effectiveness of her coach, none other than Reno Stirrat! Nowicki and Susan Stirrat followed, scoring 4 and 5 within a field of 10 scorers to secure the team victory. Well done, ladies!
An even bigger field of four teams fought it out in the women's 40+ category. But our Shore AC gals took full command, going 1-2-3! Suzanne La Burt spearheaded the rout with a scorching 32:39. Lindsay Bergman joined in the fun, crafting a superb 35:16 to score second. Keenen then slammed the door on the competition when she crossed a minute later as third scorer. Hooray, team!
As for the Women's Open tussle, this is where Garden State Track Club concentrated all of their female talent. They won handily, going 1-2-3-5-6 for a team score of 17 points. That left Shore AC to skirmish with Raritan Valley for second place. Shore AC got on the scoreboard first when Danielle Wilkinson zoomed across the timing mat in 31:13. (If not for Danielle, Garden State would have made it a clean 1-2-3-4-5 sweep.) After La Burt and Bergman stormed through the finish chute to score 7 and 10 points, respectively, Kari Hullen completed her excellent performance in 36:09 to notch the 11th position. Ravines wrapped a bow around the team's accomplishment with a score of 17. Shore AC's total team score of 49 bested Raritan Valley's 59 points. This was important for the 2024 Grand Prix. Our Shore AC Women's Open team increased its narrow lead over Raritan Valley by 2 points. We now have a 4-point cushion over second-place RVRR going into the final race of the Grand Prix, namely the Ashenfelter 8K on Thanksgiving morning. Let's win GP gold there, ladies!
November 17, 2024, Clark, NJ: Shore AC's first female finisher Danielle Wilkinson (bib #318, 31:13) powers towards the finish line. Meanwhile, second SAC female Suzanne La Burt (32:39) Andrew Yearsley (32:41) and Dan Campbell (bib #322, 32:43)) near the end of their third big loop and the start of their fourth (little) loop. Photograph by Jason Timochko.
Like the Shore AC 60+ women, the Shore AC men's 70+ team ran unopposed. They would have been tough to beat anyway! Reno Stirrat highlighted our elderly quartet with an age-defying 35:04 work of art. Ken Wilson powered his strong triathlon frame through the 8K course to nab second place in a splendid 39:09. Fans then rose to their feet to cheer famous author Marc Bloom as he wrapped up team scoring with a fine time of 42:45. They then leaped for joy when 80-year-old Przemek Nowicki registered a terrific 44:12 as insurance man. With the win, our M70+ squad maintained their perfect record in the 2024 USATF-NJ Team Grand Prix. Bravo, gents!
You could say that the men's 60+ team battle, being 3 versus 1, simply wasn't fair. Yes, Shore AC entered three men's 60+ teams. Among the other clubs, only Fleet Feet/Essex managed to cobble together an M60+ crew. The SAC M60+ "A" team featured 72-year-old Jim Linn in the conductor's seat. With his broken toe apparently healing well, Jim tuned up nicely for the upcoming USATF National Club XC Championships by registering a speedy 34:40. After Stirrat sailed through as second scorer, an ailing Miles Hersey checked in seconds later at 35:37. It was well off his normal pace, but plenty good enough to hand our "A" team the victory! Rookie recruit Eldon Reynoso got stuck with a much slower time than normal and ended up being the team's fourth man rather its front runner. You see, when Eldon finished his third loop, a course marshal inexplicably directed Eldon to run another big loop. As a result, Eldon ran about 6.5 miles. So, when you see his time of 45:28, you'll realize that he was on pace for a sub-35 8K. We look forward to Eldon's contributions in future races!
Suspense suddenly filled the air as the Shore AC "B" team harriers began to appear. Could they also beat the guys from Fleet Feet/Essex? Gary Wiesinger was the first "B" team member to strike, laying down a stellar 35:36 to earn 3 points. Two minutes later, Scott Linnell rumbled down the finish chute in 37:48 and nailed 5th place. For once this year, Scott beat his long-time rival and good friend Charlie Slaughter, who crossed a half minute later as first man for Fleet Feet/Essex. But Charlie's teammates, Randy Miller and Anthony Batson, made SAC partisans anxious as they finished 8th and 9th. Would Shore AC's third man finish better than 15th so that the "B" team would beat Fleet Feet's team score of 23? Indeed he did! Rob Neugass managed to complete the course in 41:40 and celebrate running his first race after several months nursing a back injury. Welcome back, Rob!
What about that Shore AC men's 60+ "C" team? It was an all-septuagenarian show! Wilson, Bloom and Nowicki formed a jolly trio that ran hard and boosted Shore AC's Club Grand Prix total by 7 points with their fourth-place finish. Yippee!!!
Advancing to younger age groups, we spotlight the Shore AC men's 50+ team. It was stocked with great talent, as we anticipated a brutal showdown with Clifton Road Runners. However, Clifton lacked the minimum of 5 runners for a men's 50+ XC team. Among the opposing clubs, only Raritan Valley Road Runners was able to muster the required headcount. They were no match for our Formula 1 racers. Wearing a Shore AC singlet for the first time, Rocky Falcone debuted spectacularly, dynamiting the 8K course in 28:24 as our #1 guy. Two minutes later, Mike O'Connor proved that his heroics in the Shore AC XC Series were no fluke. Mike ripped an incredible 30:24 and secured the #2 spot for the team. Sophomore sensation Joe Demetrick motored down the finish chute next with an emphatic 33:00 as third scorer. With Linn and Hersey serving as #4 and #5 scorers, our M50+ stars achieved a perfect 1-2-3-4-5 finish for 15 points. Neugass and Reynoso provided all-important backup. Way to go, team!
As for the men's 40+ category, Shore AC was the only club to amass enough bodies for a team. And what a tremendous team it was! Falcone led the way in blazing fashion. Freshman phenom Jason Bavaro demonstrated he's as good at cross country as he is on the track, crushing the course in 29:51 as #2 man. After O'Connor grabbed the #3 position, the steadily improving Andrew Yearsley posted a superb 32:41 for the #4 spot. Longtime Shore AC warrior Dan Campbell completed team scoring when he blew through the chute just 2 seconds later in 32:43. With Demetrick as backstop, the team looked absolutely spiffy! Bravo, lads!
We come at last to the Men's Open domain. Being devoid of U40 men, and having devoted our 50-59 aces to the M50+ and M40+ squads, we scraped together a mix of 40-49 hotshots and 60+ duffers and called it an Open team. Wonder of wonders, we took second place out of four teams! Our lineup consisted of Bavaro, Yearsley, Campbell, Wiesinger and Linnell. Awesome, boys!!!
You could say that the men's 60+ team battle, being 3 versus 1, simply wasn't fair. Yes, Shore AC entered three men's 60+ teams. Among the other clubs, only Fleet Feet/Essex managed to cobble together an M60+ crew. The SAC M60+ "A" team featured 72-year-old Jim Linn in the conductor's seat. With his broken toe apparently healing well, Jim tuned up nicely for the upcoming USATF National Club XC Championships by registering a speedy 34:40. After Stirrat sailed through as second scorer, an ailing Miles Hersey checked in seconds later at 35:37. It was well off his normal pace, but plenty good enough to hand our "A" team the victory! Rookie recruit Eldon Reynoso got stuck with a much slower time than normal and ended up being the team's fourth man rather its front runner. You see, when Eldon finished his third loop, a course marshal inexplicably directed Eldon to run another big loop. As a result, Eldon ran about 6.5 miles. So, when you see his time of 45:28, you'll realize that he was on pace for a sub-35 8K. We look forward to Eldon's contributions in future races!
Suspense suddenly filled the air as the Shore AC "B" team harriers began to appear. Could they also beat the guys from Fleet Feet/Essex? Gary Wiesinger was the first "B" team member to strike, laying down a stellar 35:36 to earn 3 points. Two minutes later, Scott Linnell rumbled down the finish chute in 37:48 and nailed 5th place. For once this year, Scott beat his long-time rival and good friend Charlie Slaughter, who crossed a half minute later as first man for Fleet Feet/Essex. But Charlie's teammates, Randy Miller and Anthony Batson, made SAC partisans anxious as they finished 8th and 9th. Would Shore AC's third man finish better than 15th so that the "B" team would beat Fleet Feet's team score of 23? Indeed he did! Rob Neugass managed to complete the course in 41:40 and celebrate running his first race after several months nursing a back injury. Welcome back, Rob!
What about that Shore AC men's 60+ "C" team? It was an all-septuagenarian show! Wilson, Bloom and Nowicki formed a jolly trio that ran hard and boosted Shore AC's Club Grand Prix total by 7 points with their fourth-place finish. Yippee!!!
Advancing to younger age groups, we spotlight the Shore AC men's 50+ team. It was stocked with great talent, as we anticipated a brutal showdown with Clifton Road Runners. However, Clifton lacked the minimum of 5 runners for a men's 50+ XC team. Among the opposing clubs, only Raritan Valley Road Runners was able to muster the required headcount. They were no match for our Formula 1 racers. Wearing a Shore AC singlet for the first time, Rocky Falcone debuted spectacularly, dynamiting the 8K course in 28:24 as our #1 guy. Two minutes later, Mike O'Connor proved that his heroics in the Shore AC XC Series were no fluke. Mike ripped an incredible 30:24 and secured the #2 spot for the team. Sophomore sensation Joe Demetrick motored down the finish chute next with an emphatic 33:00 as third scorer. With Linn and Hersey serving as #4 and #5 scorers, our M50+ stars achieved a perfect 1-2-3-4-5 finish for 15 points. Neugass and Reynoso provided all-important backup. Way to go, team!
As for the men's 40+ category, Shore AC was the only club to amass enough bodies for a team. And what a tremendous team it was! Falcone led the way in blazing fashion. Freshman phenom Jason Bavaro demonstrated he's as good at cross country as he is on the track, crushing the course in 29:51 as #2 man. After O'Connor grabbed the #3 position, the steadily improving Andrew Yearsley posted a superb 32:41 for the #4 spot. Longtime Shore AC warrior Dan Campbell completed team scoring when he blew through the chute just 2 seconds later in 32:43. With Demetrick as backstop, the team looked absolutely spiffy! Bravo, lads!
We come at last to the Men's Open domain. Being devoid of U40 men, and having devoted our 50-59 aces to the M50+ and M40+ squads, we scraped together a mix of 40-49 hotshots and 60+ duffers and called it an Open team. Wonder of wonders, we took second place out of four teams! Our lineup consisted of Bavaro, Yearsley, Campbell, Wiesinger and Linnell. Awesome, boys!!!
November 17, 2024, Clark, NJ: First Shore AC male finisher Rocky Falcone thunders across the finish line in 28:24.
SHORE AC INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:
While the results might not yet show it, we believe that one of our Shore AC stars earned third place overall. So, holler with passion for this SAC speedster!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
Despite the calamity, we had a bunch of Shore AC athletes score among the top 3 in their 5-year age groups at this USATF-NJ 8K Cross Country Championships. Yell a country shout-out to these wonderful harriers:
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
Our hit parade continued, as these Shore AC harriers placed among the top 10 in their age groups!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
While the results might not yet show it, we believe that one of our Shore AC stars earned third place overall. So, holler with passion for this SAC speedster!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
- Danielle Wilkinson 34 3rd FOverall? 31:13 76.55%
Despite the calamity, we had a bunch of Shore AC athletes score among the top 3 in their 5-year age groups at this USATF-NJ 8K Cross Country Championships. Yell a country shout-out to these wonderful harriers:
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
- Jason Bavaro 42 2nd M40-44 29:51 74.30%
- Lindsay Bergman 43 1st F40-44 35:16 70.97%
- Rocky Falcone 54 1st M50-54 28:24 86.14% <== #3 age grading among men
- Michael O'Connor 54 2nd M50-54 30:24 80.48%
- Daniel Campbell 50 3rd M50-54 32:43 72.31%
- Rebecca Keenan 50 3rd F50-54 36:12 73.89%
- Rick Lee 63 1st M60-64 29:40 89.33% <== #1 age grading among men
- Miles Hersey 62 3rd M60-64 35:37 73.74%
- Suzanne La Burt 61 1st F60-64 32:39 93.36% <== #1 age grading overall
- Leslie Nowicki 61 3rd F60-64 43:10 70.62%
- Gary Wiesinger 66 1st M65-69 35:36 76.62%
- Scott Linnell 68 2nd M65-69 37:48 73.56%
- Susan Stirrat 69 1st F70-74 45:19 74.87%
- James Linn 72 1st M70-74 34:40 83.79%
- Reno Stirrat 70 2nd M70-74 35:04 80.89%
- Ken Wilson 72 3rd M70-74 39:09 74.19%
- Marc Bloom 77 1st M75-79 42:45 73.48%
- Przemek Nowicki 80 1st M80-84 44:12 75.65%
Our hit parade continued, as these Shore AC harriers placed among the top 10 in their age groups!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
- Andrew Yearsley 44 4th M40-44 32:41 68.93%
- Joseph Demetrick 53 4th M50-54 33:00 73.50%
- Rob Neugass 63 7th M60-64 41:40 63.63%
- Eldon Reynoso 63 8th M60-64 45:28 58.30% (ran an extra 1.5-mile lap)
- Luz Gladys Ravines 63 4th F60-64 48:57 63.89%
