High-level achievers and major-meet medalists in all categories highlight the
Honors List of awardees who will be saluted at the annual Shore Athletic Club
Awards Banquet scheduled for March 10 at The English Manor
catering facility, Ocean Township, NJ.

   Michael Kish, double medalist in the M65-division sprints at the
World Masters Championships in Malaga, Spain, has been named winner
of the Johnny Hayes Memorial Award as the club's athlete of the year.

 Newest members of the Shore AC Hall of Fame will be Tony Plaster,
John Soucheck, Larry Scheid and Mike Geraltowski.

 The complete list of honorees:

   SHORE AC 2018
JOHNNY HAYES MEMORIAL AWARD
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
MICHAEL KISH
 
SHORE AC 2018
MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
NATIONAL INDOOR POLE VAULT CHAMPION
SCOTT HOUSTON
 
SHORE AC 2018
WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
KRISTIN ANDREWS
 
SHORE AC 2018
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
MR. TONY PLASTER
 
SHORE AC 2018
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
MR. JOHN SOUCHECK
 
SHORE AC 2018
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
MR. LARRY SCHEID
 
SHORE AC 2018
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
MR. MIKE GERALTOWSKI
 
SHORE AC 2018
WISNE R BROTHERS MEMORIAL AWARD
FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
TO THE SPORT OF TRACK AND FIELD
MR. FRED DWYER
 
 
SHORE AC 2018
MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
LARRY RAMIREZ
 
SHORE AC 2018
WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
PARIIS GARCIA
 
SHORE AC 2018
IRWIN BERNSTEIN MEMORIAL AWARD
MASTERS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
RENO STIRRAT
 
SHORE AC 2018
BOB ROGGY MEMORIAL AWARD
FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
MIKE BRAZZEL
 
SHORE AC 2018
BOB ROGGY MEMORIAL AWARD
FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
ONEITHEA “NENI” LEWIS
 
SHORE AC 2018
DR. GEORGE SHEEHAN MEMORIAL AWARD
MEN’S DISTANCE RUNNER OF THE YEAR
JUSTIN SCHEID
 
SHORE AC 2018
MARY CONRY MEMORIAL AWARD
WOMEN’S DISTANCE RUNNER OF THE YEAR
KELLEE McEWEN
 
SHORE AC 2018
CHRIS MALONE MEMORIAL AWARD
MASTERS DISTANCE RUNNER OF THE YEAR
BOB SKORUPSKI
 
SHORE AC 2018
RODNEY CRAIG MEMORIAL AWARD
YOUTH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
JESSICA ABBOTT
 
SHORE AC 2018
RODNEY CRAIG MEMORIAL AWARD
YOUTH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
KAI’LEEL JEFFERSON
 
SHORE AC 2018
COLLEGE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
ALLIE WILSON
 
 
SHORE AC 2018
COLLEGE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
DYLAN CAPWELL       
 
SHORE AC 2018
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
DEVIN HART           
 
SHORE AC 2018
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
JARED CONTE
 
SHORE AC 2018
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
EMMA VASEN
 
SHORE AC 2018
WILLIAM FUNKHOUSER MEMORIAL AWARD
MEN’S RACEWALKER OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY J. GRUTTADAURO
 
SHORE AC 2018
WOMEN’S RACEWALKER OF THE YEAR
CHELSEA CONWAY
 
SHORE AC 2018
MATTHEW STUPER MEMORIAL AWARD
YOUTH RACEWALKER OF THE YEAR
SAM ALLEN
 
SHORE AC 2018
MATTHEW STUPER MEMORIAL AWARD
YOUTH RACEWALKER OF THE YEAR
GRACE ENDY
 
SHORE AC 2018
DON JOHNSON MEMORIAL AWARD
MASTERS RACEWALKER OF THE YEAR
ERIN TAYLOR-TALCOTT
 
SHORE AC 2018
ELLIOTT DENMAN AWARD
FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
OVER THE YEARS
MR. PHIL HINCK
 
SHORE AC 2018
TOM AND PHYLLIS FYFE AWARD
TO THE FAMILY OF THE YEAR
THE HILL FAMILY
 
SHORE AC 2018
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
TIMOTHY McQUEEN
 
SHORE AC 2018
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
DR. IVAN BLACK
 
SHORE AC 2018
“GET UP AND GO” AWARD
MR. JOSEPH RENZELLA
 
SHORE AC 2018
COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
MR. SCOTT LINNELL
 
SHORE AC 2018
TEAM SPIRIT AWARD
DAN CAMPBELL
 
SHORE AC 2018
TEAM SPIRIT AWARD
SUSAN STIRRAT
 
SHORE AC 2018
TEAM SPIRIT AWARD
NICHOLAS REID 
 
SHORE AC 2018
TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
PENN RELAYS SHUTTLE HURDLES CHAMPIONS
FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR !
 
SHORE AC 2018
TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
MILLROSE GAMES
WOMEN’S DISTANCE MEDLEY CHAMPIONS
 
                      
SHORE AC 2018
MOST IMPROVED ATHLETE AWARD
DESMOND HOWELL
 
SHORE AC 2018
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
MR. LESTER WRIGHT, JR.
 
SHORE AC 2018
KEN WILLIAMSON AWARD
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
MR. THOMAS HASSARD
 
SHORE AC 2018
COURAGE AWARD
MR. THOMAS ZARRA
 
SHORE AC 2018
JOURNALISM AWARD
MR. PAUL MULSHINE
 
SHORE AC 2018
SERVICE AWARD
ERIN O’NEILL
 
SHORE AC 2018
SERVICE AWARD
DAWN WILCOX
 
SHORE AC  2018
DEPUTY’S AWARD
DAVID GARRIDO

NEW YORK, January 26, 2019 – Both a world indoor men’s and national high school indoor girls’ record were broken during the 2nd annual Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge Saturday at The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center.

Seattle-based Brooks Beasts 4x1mile men’s relay team blazed the “Fastest Track in the World” with a time of 16:03.68, taking down HOKA NJ-NY Track Club’s previous mark of 16:12.81 that also was set at The Armory in 2017.

North Rockland High School (NY) 16-year-old junior running sensation Katelyn Tuohy set the national high school mark in the women’s 3,000m with a time of 9:01.81. She bested the previous mark of 9:04.51 by Mary Cain (Bronxville High School, NY) in 2013 in Boston. It was the first opportunity for Tuohy, the 2018 national high school cross country champion, to compete against professionals. 

“I was having a great time out there,” said Tuohy who finished third behind winner Amanda Eccleston’s 8:56.68. “I was so close to breaking 9 minutes, but that will give me motivation for the future.

“My goal was to see what it was like to race against professionals, but I had a time goal for a sub-9. It was a little intimidating, but I had a lot of fun. It was so much easier racing with girls who are better than me and I just worked off them.”

Next up for Tuohy is a return to The Armory to compete in the girls’ high school mile in the 112th NYRR Millrose Games on Saturday February 9th.

The Brooks Beasts Team of David Ribich, Henry Wynne, Brannon Kidder and anchor Izaic York ran much of the race toe-to-toe with HOKA NJ-NY Track Club until York took control midway through his mile anchor leg. HOKA NJ-NY finished at 16:16.05.
“I love to have a stick in my hand because that stick represents all four of us,” an emotional York said afterward. “It fires me up. These guys are my best friends, they are like family.”

Brooks Beasts coach Danny Mackey told the four runners in October they would break the 4x1mile record.

York’s three teammates were on the track cheering him on as he headed for the finish line. The team was convinced before they stepped on The Armory track that the record was theirs.

“We had a confidence going into this,” said Kidder, who ran the third leg. “Our whole team is healthy right now. There were three other guys who could have been on this relay (team) right now. We knew we had great milers.

“We were so confident coming into this race. When you visualize a race like this over and over you replay that moment when you break away.”

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Joe Kovacs performed for the first time at The Armory and didn’t disappoint The Armory crowd as he won the shot put event with a 68 feet, 1.7 inches throw. He’ll return to The Armory for the NYRR Millrose Games where he’ll throw in the center of the 200-meter track against a strong field including 2016 USA Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser.

“Being able to be right in the center of the field you can’t beat that,” Kovacs said looking ahead to the shot put setting for the NYRR Millrose Games. “You can’t beat that – all the energy and all the spectators. I was a little bit quiet today, but two weeks from today I promise you I’ll turn the volume up.”

Outstanding USA miler Craig Engels also will return to The Armory in two weeks following an impressive victory. Engels won the men’s 1,000m with a 2:18.98, the fastest time in the world this season, a good tune-up for his NYRR Wanamaker Mile appearance.

“I felt really, really good,” Engels said. “That was a good race and it’s a cool distance and we don’t get to run it often. This track is awesome, and the crowd was awesome – this is one of the best in the world. (The NYRR Wanamaker Mile) will be a good level field with Yomif (Kejelcha) and (Edward) Cheserek and all the U.S. guys in there.”

Jamaica middle-distance star Natoya Goule, owner of the third fastest 800m in the world for 2018, turned in an outstanding performance with a 2:37.55 to win the women’s 1,000m.

Ajeé Wilson won the women’s 600m with a 1:25.91 time and will be back in two weeks to defend her women’s 800m American record. Interestingly, Wilson’s 600m was the fastest in the world this season, which is previously held by Goule. Wilson and Goule will be competing head to head in the Jack and Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m at the NYRR Millrose Games.

Saturday’s meet included 14 professional events mixed in with The Armory’s signature college event. The former Armory Track Invitational was renamed last year in honor of longtime Armory president and founder Dr. Norbert Sander, who passed away in 2017.
​
For more meet results from the 2nd annual Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge please click HERE and go to www.ArmoryTrack.com.

ASBURY PARK - After 55 years, new chapters keep adding to the lore of the Asbury Park Polar Bear Races.

The authors include such notable figures on the statewide running and racewalking circuits as Justin Scheid of Succasunna, Beth Marzigliano of Belmar, John Soucheck of Little Silver and Maria Paul of Long Branch.

Their triumphs Saturday in the Polar Bear event - Scheid and Marzigliano in the 5K run, Soucheck and Paul in the 10-mile racewalk - ensured their places in the annals of this longest-going event on the busy-busy, year-round Shore area calendar of footracing competition. 

A year-end feature at Holiday time since their origin in 1964, the Polar Bear Racewalks have endured virtually every form of meteorological extreme over the years - everything from rain and snow to the blizzard of 2010 to the oncoming Superstorm Sandy of 2012.  But after Friday's all-day rain, some 400-plus Polar Bear athletes welcomed the mild (temperatures in the 50's) but gusty conditions on the boardwalk Saturday.

Scheid, the former Georgetown University star, capped it all by racing off with over-all honors in the 5K and crossed the finish line just south of Convention Hall in 15:42, a clocking that moved him to sixth place on the all-time Polar Bear ranking list, a stellar roster still topped by mile great and USA Olympian Marty Liquori's 15:23 dating back to 1975.  In the process, he relegated another USA Olympian, Bill Reilly of Oceanport, who'd run 15:45 in 1971, down to seventh all-time.

"The wind was a little rough at times, but that was not a huge problem, considering all the things that I know have happened here over the years," said Scheid, smiling, after his decisive decision over 2017 champion Joseph Amoresano of Hoboken (who ran 16:34) and third-placer Eric Laurel of Portland. Oregon (16:57.)

Marzigliano, meanwhile was running a brilliant race of her own.  With an 18:13  clocking, she led all women and outran all but the top seven men.  Just one previous Polar Bear women's titlist - ex-Villanova star Amanda Marino, who'd run 17:41 in 2016 - has ever been quicker on the Asbury Park boardwalk.  Her leading challengers were Kiera Russo of Eatontown (18:43) and 8-year-old sensation Ava Johnson of Howell (20:42.)

The co-featured 10-mile racewalk had opened the program at 10 a.m. and multi-past champions Soucheck and Paul were the class of the field.  Soucheck led the men with a 1-hour, 38-minute, 22-second performance and Paul outwalked all the women in 2:02:56.  For both, it meant elevated positions in the Polar Bear archives.

It was an eye-opening 16th all-time Polar Bear walk win for Soucheck, and the fifth Polar Bear win for Paul.  Soucheck now has a wide lead on former Toms River resident Ray Funkhouser (a 10-time past Polar Bear winner, dating back to 1983) while Paul shares the women's all-time Polar Bear lead with Panse Geer of Hazlet and Sherry Brosnahan of Bridgewater.  All three have now walked to five Polar Bear wins.

Special Polar Bear honors were reserved for Middletown's Dr. Harold "Harry" Nolan, and Raritan resident Eliot Collins.   Nolan, who placed 76th in the 5K at 24:42, added to one of the longest-running streaks anywhere in the sport. It was his 55th consecutive Polar Bear completion - he's never missed one - and some of his past finishes included return trips home from Nebraska, Utah and New Hampshire.  

Noted journalist-author Marc Bloom - the former St. Rose High School cross country coach - was the only 70-up runner over the line (in 22:21) ahead of Nolan.

Collins won the Polar Bear "daily double" title, racewalking 10 miles in 2:15:10, then running 5K in 39:53.

Veteran runner Dave DeMonico - adorned as Santa Claus - was a big part of the event again, too.   After his National Anthem trumpet solo at the 5K race's start, his mid-race serenades put added bounce in every runner's stride. And when it was over, he led a small corps of runners in taking a quick ocean dip - the equivalent of a three-meter freestyle.

"It wasn't so bad going in, but you really felt it when you came out," said DeMonico.  "But that's a big part of the Polar Bear experience, too."

The races were again hosted and organized by Shore Athletic Club volunteers, led by Middletown's Erin O'Neill.  Champions Scheid, Marziigliano, Soucheck and Paul. and super-vets Bloom and Nolan, are all Shore AC members.

By ELLIOTT DENMAN

LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA - The authoritative Track and Field News world and U.S. rankings for the 2018 season have been posted and once again Shore AC "alumni" and current Varsity Team athletes have earned prominent positions of honor.

Once again atop the USA women's 800-meter list is Neptune's own Ajee' Wilson, our distinguished Shore AC alumna.

Already an eight-time USA champion, a 2016 Olympian and past World Youth and Junior champion, Temple University graduate Ms. Wilson is ranked #1 in the nation at the two-lap distance and #3 in the world.   Only her chief rivals on the global circuit, Caster Semenya of South Africa and Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi, are listed ahead of international star Wilson in the World rankings.  Semenya was also named women's athlete of the year by Track and Field News, the publication called "the bible of the sport."

Seven current Shore AC Varsity Team athletes have gained U.S. top-10 rankings in their specialities.

With the wheels in motion - hopefully - to get the women's 50-Kilometer Racewalk onto the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games program, 50K pioneer Erin Taylor-Talcott of Shore AC is ranked #2 in the nation and clubmate Susan Randall #3 over the ultra-tough 31.1-mile distance.  Taylor-Talcott's promotional efforts over a long period of years are now paying off as the 50K seems destined to become the 24th Olympic event for women - matching the men's total - as the IAAF and IOC stride to their avowed goals of assuring total gender equity.

On the men's side of the sport, Shore AC pole vaulter Scott Houston, javelin thrower Mike Brazzel and racewalkers Anthony "A.J." Gruttadauro, Michael Mannozzi and Dave Talcott have all gained top-10 U.S. positions.

Houston, the USA national indoor champion, was ranked #3 in the pole vault, back only of World #1 Sam Kendricks and Chris Nilsen.

Brazzel, the former Georgian Court University star, made his Shore AC debut season a big one and ranked #8 in the javelin, on a USA list topped by another Jerseyan, Curtis Thompson of Florence and Mississippi State University.

The men's 50K racewalk list sees Shore AC's Gruttadauro as #3 and Talcott as #6.   In the men's 20K racewalk rankings, it's Shore AC's Gruttadauro #7 and Mannozzi #9.

Donovan Catholic HS graduate and UCLA sophomore Alyssa Wilson of Howell Township gained a National #10 ranking in the women's hammer throw.  Of course, she's always a triple threat in every major meet - having excelled in the shot put and discus, too at such major meets as the Pac-10, NCAA, USA 20-under and World 20-Under Championships.

Many other New Jerseyans feature prominently in the rankings.   Among them are:

• Mount Olive's Keturah Orji, World #4 and USA #1 in the women's triple jump, and USA #4 in the long jump.
• Dunellen's Sydney McLaughlin, World #5 and USA #3 in the women's 400 hurdles. and USA #7 at 200 meters and #10 at 400 meters.
• Montvale's Zack Bazile, World #10 and USA #4 in the men's long jump.
• Princeton University alumna Imani Oliver, USA #3 in the women 's triple jump. 
• East Brunswick's Sam Mattis, USA #3 in the men's discus.
• Rutgers grad Rudy Winkler, USA #3 in the men's hammer throw. 
• Edison's Monique Riddick, the Fairleigh Dickinson coach and former Monmouth assistant coach, USA #5 in the women's shot put.
• Haddonfield's Marielle Hall, USA #5 in the women's 5,000 meters.
• Deptford's Tim Van Liew, #6 in the men's javelin throw. 
• Old Bridge's Travis Mahoney, #8 USA in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase.
• Dunellen's Taylor McLaughlin - Sydney's brother - USA #9 in the men's 400 hurdles.
• Princeton University's Adam Kelly, #9 USA in the men's hammer throw.

By Elliott Denman

​

NEW YORK, November 26, 2018 – The 112th NYRR Millrose Games are scheduled for Saturday, February 9th, and the Jack and Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m race promises to be one of the highlights of the meet. Four competitors from last year’s world record-setting race in the 4x800m relay are set to return to the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory.

Highlighting the field is local superstar Ajeé Wilson, the 2017 world championship bronze medalist, and the hero of the American relay team that set the 4x800m world record. Wilson is the outdoor American record holder in the 800m, with a personal best of 1:55.61. Wilson will certainly have her eyes set on claiming the indoor American 800m record as her own.
“I’m looking forward to a great race at Millrose,” said Wilson, of Neptune Township, N.J. “I know that it will be a tough race with the talent and strength of the other girls running.”

Victory will indeed not come easily for Wilson, as she will be challenged by Jamaican standout Natoya Goule. The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist had a tremendous 2018 season, running a Jamaican record of 1:56.15 at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco, a race where she bested Wilson. Goule will look to continue to establish herself as one of the best 800m runners in the world at Millrose.

Also in the field is Charlene Lipsey, who ran on the record-setting relay team, and is also Wilson’s training partner and the current indoor American record holder. Lipsey ran her record-setting time of 1:58.64 at Millrose in 2017, and built off that momentum to make the world championship final that summer, where she finished seventh. Another American name to look out for is 2018 breakout star Ce’Aira Brown. Brown ran a terrific third leg on the runner-up relay team at Millrose last year, and later went on to break two minutes for the first time, running 1:58.01 in Sweden.

The Rudin family has a long and distinguished history supporting the sport of running and New York City. During the 111th NYRR Millrose Games the Rudin family sponsored the women’s 4x800 relay which culminated in a world record.
“We are excited to again be a part of this iconic sporting event in New York City, the 112th NYRR Millrose Games at The Armory,” said Eric and Bill Rudin. “We believe the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m in a few months will match the excitement of last February’s world-record breaking performance by a superb USA team.

“Our fathers were extremely devoted to New York City and the sport of running. What better way to add to their legacy than for their names to be associated with this prestigious indoor track & field meet.”
“The Armory is delighted to announce the continued generous support by The Rudin Family- New York City's First Family of Running, for the Jack and Lewis Rudin Women's 800m featuring many of the most renowned runners in the world, during the 2019 NYRR Millrose Games,” Armory Foundation Co-President Rita Finkel added.  

The Jack & Lewis Rudin’s Women’s 800m is just one of many loaded events at the 112th NYRR Millrose Games, the most historic indoor track meet in the world. The men’s shot put will feature Olympic gold and silver medalists Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs throwing from the center of the track. Top athletes for the Men’s 800m were recently announced, including the dynamic trio of Clayton Murphy, Michael Saruni and Donavan Brazier. The night’s signature events are the prestigious NYRR Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile.

Entry announcements will continue leading up to the February 9th event and high school and youth qualifiers are determined during the January 9th NYRR Millrose Games Trials at The Armory.
For more information on the 112th NYRR Millrose Games and to purchase tickets please go to www.nyrrmillrosegames.org.
Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc, or go to ArmoryTrack.com or Armory.NYC.
​
About the NYRR Millrose Games
With a storied history that spans more than a century, the NYRR Millrose Games is one of track and field’s most prestigious and enduring annual events. A New York City sports staple, the meet moved to the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory in Washington Heights in 2012 after having called Madison Square Garden home from 1914 to 2011. The Games—established by employees of Wanamaker’s Department Store—features track and field’s most prolific male and female stars as well as collegiate, high school, club and youth competitors. More than 200 athletes share the distinction of being both Millrose and Olympic champions. In November of 2013, New York Road Runners became the title sponsor of the NYRR Millrose Games, which is owned by The Armory Foundation. The NYRR Millrose Games is a USATF television series event and The Armory Foundation appreciates the support of USA Track and Field.

About The Armory Foundation
The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of "Keeping Kids on Track." Each season The Armory— the proud home of the NYRR Millrose Games — hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 athlete visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meet with the Dr. Sander Invitational, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with this year's 25th Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, and the New Balance Nationals Indoors.  The Armory also runs NewYork - Presbyterian ColumbiaDoctors Indoor Marathon presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.com.

About the Rudin Family
The Rudin family has long supported running in New York City and is best known for its Samuel Rudin Trophy, presented since 1976 to the winning male and female runners in the TCS New York City Marathon. Samuel Rudin was an accomplished runner and member of the Class of 1918 at City College, not far from The Armory in Washington Heights where the Millrose Games takes place. His sons, Jack and Lewis, honored their late father by becoming the first sponsors of the five borough New York City Marathon. Now their sons, Eric and Bill, along with their children and grandchildren, carry on this tradition by naming the Women’s 800m for Jack and Lewis Rudin at the 112th NYRR Millrose Games. The Rudin family’s real estate holdings are comprised of 16 office towers with more than 10 million square feet of Class A space, and 18 apartment buildings, all in New York City.
--
Erin O'Neill

Director, Shore Athletic Club
Facilitator, The Suppers Programs