The cross country season ended on a high note for runners at both North and South. North’s Jim Rosa took home the crown at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on November 20, helping his team finish in fifth place this year.
He went on to race at the Nike Cross Northeast Regional Meet on November 27, where he not only took first place but also broke the 10-year-old course record with a time of 15:39.7 — 13 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.
In last year’s appearance at the regional meet, he was runner-up to his brother, Joe, who won two straight regional titles, but who was sidelined this year by injury.
Joe reportedly has had surgery to repair what is called the calcaneonavicular coalition — a genetic condition — in his right foot, which was originally thought to be a stress reaction. He has been going through physical therapy and is able to swim and bike to try to stay in shape before running again, reports stated. He is expected to return sometime during the winter indoor track season.
Next up for Jim Rosa is an appearance at the national Portland Meadows race in Portland, OR, on Saturday, December 4, marking his third straight appearance. In 2008 he finished 45th, and last year he finished 18th.
Heading into the Meet of Champions, the North boys were coming off their fourth straight state Group III title earlier last month.
Meanwhile, South’s Caroline Kellner, a junior, placed third individually, while South’s boys finished third place as a team, behind Jake and Dan Riff, who were the team’s top finishers.
Kellner’s accomplishments also carried over past the Meet of Champions. She finished 7th overall, with a time of 18:27.6 at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional on November 27. Her top-10 finish automatically qualified her for the Foot Locker National Championships on Saturday, December 11, at Balboa Park in San Diego, CA.
