The running of the 2024 Penn Relays on April 25 saw a variety of both open
and relay Shore A.C. teams perform very well in both the open 100 meter
dash, along with the 4 x 100 meter relays and 4 x 400 meter relays.   In the men’s
70-Over 100 meter dash, club runner Ivan Black had one of his best races
ever, finishing third in 17.11, while in the women’s 40-Over 100 meter, it
was Murelhena Walles just being nipped at the finish line to place second in
13.74 to the winning time of 13.66
 
The men’s 70-Over 4 x 100 relay ran an excellent time of 1:05.7 to grab a third
place thanks to the explosive anchor leg of Rick Lapp, who passed the fourth
place team runner down the homestretch.  He was proceeded by Dave Gritz,
Ivan Blac, and Kerry Gillespie.  In the women’s 40-Over 4 x 100 meter relay,
the championship went to the Shore A.C. team of Dianne Essilifie, Nichole,
Govan, Eusheka Bartley and Maurelhena Walles in 54.50
 
The men’s 4 x 400 relays saw the SAC enter teams in four different age divisions.
Best finish of the day for the club was the 70-Over team of Kerry Gillespie,
Harry Nolan, Ivan Black and Rick Lapp who finished first in their race in 5:22.48.
The 60-69 team, running in the same race, clocked in with a fine 4:37.32 to finish
third against the other teams in their age group.  Rick Lee, Keith McQuitter,
Rich Alexander and Matt Wallack represented the club in that race.
 
In the 50-59 4 x 400 meter race, the SAC team of Ron Brock, Brian Hill, Greg
Calhoun and Paul Keefe finished fifth in the eleven team race in 4:16.22.  Brocks
time of 59.15 was the best time of the day of all the club entries.  The clubs
kids in the 40-49 ran very respectively against some of the top 40+ teams in the
country, finishing sixth in 4:53.30.  That team was made up of Matt Coleman,
Chris Rinaldi, Michael Connolly and Harris Gibson.  For Rinaldi, it was his first
race back after a serious accident this past December.

By Elliott Denman

More verrry good news by our illustrious Shore AC athletes...  !!!!!


Competing at the University of South Carolina Invitational Meet in Columbia, SC
on Saturday, April 20th, Shore AC stalwart Josh Awotunde unleashed a brilliant winning toss
of 21.80meters / 71 feet, 6.25 inches in his first shot put competition of the year!!!

What a great way to open the season!!
What a great omen of much better things to come this Olympic year !!
I believe it was Number One throw in the world early this outdoor season
 and sixth best in the world this year (five indoor marks on top of a list led by
Olympic champion and world-record-holder Ryan Crouser at 22.80).
Crouser is the only USA athlete ahead of Josh in 2024)

And it wasn't very far off Josh's all-time best of 22.29 he attained
placing third in the 2022 World Championships !!

Josh is a graduate of New Jersey's Delsea High School and the
University of South Carolina.

Take note, too, that Shore AC member C.J. Licata, the Princeton University graduate competing as
a graduate student at the University of South Carolina, placed second with a tremendous/great throw'of his 
own, 67feet, 3.5 inches !!!   Way to go !!

And speaking of USC (South Carolina, not Southern California)
be reminded that Shore AC's (and the state of New Jersey's) longest-ever discus
throw, the similarly illustrious Art Swarts, is a South Carolina, grad, too.

Stay tuned for even better news as the Olympic Year season rolls right alon

Walter MacGowan served as president of The Shore Athletic Club for almost 25 years. He is a dedicated member of the Jersey Shore Running Club and Ocean County Running Club. During his time as president of the Shore A.C.; Walter covered a lot of ground. He competed in local races and USATF long distance running events. He offered his place of business as a home to the club and directed several board meetings annually out of MacGowan Realty in Spring Lake. Walter managed club-hosted events including the Lake Takanassee Summer Series, the Adult XC Series and the Annual Awards Banquet, while also bringing on board Race Directors to assist with the planning and production of each event. He started a club internship program for student athletes part of Monmouth University’s cross country and T&F team. This plan of action gave young adults professional experience in their sport’s industry. Professional runner, Olympic Trialist and All-American Collegian runner, Allie Wilson, was one of his recent interns.

Walter has been a great ambassador of the sport and club supporting youth initiatives, elite, open and masters USATF competition, local community running events and their working committees. Walter’s vision to encourage operational support has positioned the club to grow and impact lives daily. The club is in an effective state of affairs to deliver on its mission “To develop junior and youth, men’s and women’s open and masters track and field athletes, distance and cross-country runners and racewalkers. We strive to activate the human spirit by providing competitive events for all ages and groups, and to promote the entire sport, in all its categories as lifetime activities.” 
​
Walter plans to stay involved and now serves as a Lifetime Trustee on the board. A sincere thank you to Walter for all his time, energy and support over the past two decades. The Shore Athletic Club is and will be forever grateful. 

​