Ridgewood looks to rule New Jersey and continue state’s run of NXN appearances following 2019 breakthrough, with programs from Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont also capable of earning automatic berths 

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Girls NXR Northeast Preview

New Jersey already boasts three of the top girls cross country competitors nationally in seniors Charlotte Bednar of Lawrenceville School, Angelina Perez of Lakeland Regional and Lilly Shapiro of Colts Neck, and the state has also been on its strongest run in the history of the Northeast Regional by having a trio of teams – Kingsway Regional, North Hunterdon and Ridgewood – produce a total of six appearances from 2016-19 at Nike Cross Nationals.

Even with the absence of NXN last season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ridgewood still finds itself in a strong position to qualify again to race in December in Oregon, an even more impressive achievement considering Furman-bound senior Camryn Wennersten – who finished 69th at the 2019 meet in Portland – has chosen to compete again for Garden State Track Club this season, making her only eligible to participate as an individual at any national championship meet.

Ridgewood is looking to join North Hunterdon and Voorhees as only the third New Jersey girls program to make multiple appearances at Nike Team Nationals or NXN, and should be pushed by Middletown South, which is seeking its first national berth.

Only twice in regional history has New Jersey produced a pair of girls qualifiers – 2017 and 2019 – and this could be the third occasion, with West Morris Mendham also in contention to challenge for one of the two automatic berths at Bowdoin Park.

Although East Greenwich lost to LaSalle Academy at the Rhode Island championship meet last season, the Avengers have the potential this year to become only the second girls program in state history to earn a trip to nationals.

LaSalle Academy has made three appearances at NXN in 2009, 2014 and 2015, although the state hasn’t been represented in the girls championship race in Oregon since, but junior Reese Fahys is the reigning individual champion and should give East Greenwich the necessary low scorer to help the group challenge the top programs in New Jersey, along with Pennsylvania power North Allegheny.

The last Pennsylvania girls qualifier to NXN also came in 2015, with Pennsbury making its third appearance during a four-year stretch. North Allegheny, the three-time Class AAA state champion, is looking to end that drought and become only the third girls program from the state to race in Oregon, with Unionville also advancing in 2013-14.

Even with four-time NXN qualifier North Hunterdon faced with a rebuilding year following the graduation of four athletes, New Jersey still remains the deepest state in the region. But there are also programs from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont capable of earning automatic berths if their young competitors can improve throughout the season.

1. Ridgewood NJ.  The good news for coach Steve Opremcak is even without Camryn Wennersten – who has decided to only race in club competition again this fall – in the lineup, the Maroons still boast one of the most veteran rosters in the state, with several athletes gaining valuable experience competing at Nike Cross Nationals in 2019, as the group placed 20th overall. Seniors AnnaMarie Tretola, Olivia Shattuck, Lily Williams, Caroline Deiss and Lucia Rabolli all placed in the top 10 last year in North 1 Sectional competition and contributed to a second-place finish at the Holmdel Invitational in the absence of the Meet of Champions and regional competition last season. Sophomore Celina Rabolli and junior Eva Jacqueline will be key components for Ridgewood during the postseason, when lineup depth is magnified even more at Bowdoin Park. 

2. Middletown South NJ.  The promising young group from last year will finally have an opportunity to showcase its development and maturity in the quest to qualify for NXN for the first time in program history. The Eagles had a pair of competitive matchups last season against Colts Neck at the Monmouth County Championships and Colt Invitational, demonstrating the potential of sophomore Rosemary Shay, senior Lexi Dean, junior Lauren Hutson and sisters Lucy Afanasewicz and Gwen Afanasewicz. Sophomore Skylar O’Keefe and junior Emma Buthorn also return for coach Bill Clifton, providing meaningful experience for the Eagles at the Meet of Champions and regional competition.

3. East Greenwich RI.  When Reese Fahys transferred last year from Middletown South High of New Jersey to compete for the Avengers, it wasn’t quite enough to shift the balance of power and knock off LaSalle Academy at the state final. But her presence established a foundation that could help East Greenwich earn its first trip to NXN this year, which would help the Avengers join LaSalle Academy as only the second Rhode Island girls qualifier in meet history. Fahys is the reigning state champion and fellow junior Rylee Shunney gives coach Erin Terry the necessary strength up front for East Greenwich to become a strong contender at the regional meet. Sophomores Ava Peters, Alicia Chen, Ava Bradshaw and Ella Maybaum have all improved significantly during the past year, with senior Anna Durfey providing a necessary veteran presence for a team that will receive a good indication of its postseason potential Oct. 2 at the Great American Cross Country Festival in North Carolina.

4. North Allegheny PA.  The Tigers remained the state’s elite program in Class AAA last season, holding off several quality challengers at the championship meet, with the top five teams all separated by less than 25 points. Replacing graduate Keeley Mistuka, who finished fifth at the state final, will be a significant challenge for coach John Neff, but North Allegheny has continued to rise to the occasion in the postseason and the return of a balanced trio of athletes in sophomore Eva Kynaston, senior Maura Mlecko and junior Alexa Sundgren provides the necessary stability to allow senior Rachel Hockenberry and sophomore Erin McGoey to close the gap on their teammates come November. North Allegheny earned a trip to NXN to compete in the boys final in 2008, but the girls are still seeking their first opportunity to race in Oregon.

5. West Morris Mendham NJ.  The senior trio of Madison Orlins, Megan Smith and Grace Vives helped the Minutemen dominate New Jersey North 2 Group competition last season and then earn valuable experience in preparation for this year by competing in the Oak Ridge Invitational along with the East Coast Cross Country Championships. Coach Robert Kertesz should benefit from the additional veteran presence of seniors Ava Augustine and Emma Barcelona, but in order for Mendham to find itself in contention at the Meet of Champions and regional final, its spread will need to remain compact to offset several opponents with elite frontrunners.

WATCHLIST

Burlington VT

Colts Neck NJ

Haddonfield Memorial NJ

Harwood Union VT

LaSalle Academy RI

Pine-Richland PA

Ridgefield CT

Souhegan NH

State College Area PA

Wellesley MA