Some of the area’s top cross country performers will head to Holmdel Park this weekend for the NJSIAA Group championships. One of those who will compete with the state’s best is McNair Academic’s Rachel Prendergass, who finished seventh at the North Jersey Section 2, Group I championships at Greystone Park in Morris Plains last Saturday.
Prendergass, a junior, has improved dramatically all season, capped with Saturday’s performance, crossing the finish line in 20:52.96.
“I did better than what I expected,” Prendergass said. “It was a big doubt in my mind. I was pretty nervous before the race. I couldn’t sleep or eat. I was training pretty well, but I could have prepared a little better.”
But it was a goal for Prendergass to make it to Holmdel.
“Definitely, it’s what I wanted to do,” Prendergass said. “It’s pretty nice.”
Prendergass’s teammate, Eileen Flood, finished fifth in the race in 20:32.58, also punching her ticket to Holmdel.
McNair Academic head coach Matt Hogan was pleased with the placing of his two runners.
“I thought the course would run fast, so they placed well,” Hogan said. “Rachel had a tough time in the [Hudson County Track Coaches Association] meet and hurt her hip. I told her she could be in the top 10. She had a great outdoor season and had been training really hard. She had been training like a champion. She just needed to see better results.”
Secaucus finished second as a team, as Roshni Patel, Samantha Neshiewat and Mehek Parikh ran ninth, 10th and 11th respectively. The Patriots will compete as an entire team in Holmdel…
Among the boys, Shaun O’Brien of Secaucus (seventh in 17:41.44) and Chris Brumfield of McNair Academic (eighth in 17:41.78) will also compete in Holmdel.
In North 1, Group IV, held at Garret Mountain in Woodland Park, Rafael Hernandez of Memorial (sixth in 16:50.55), and Mathew Gonzalez (seventh in 16:51.10) and Ramses Leon (10th in 17:02.19) of North Bergen will compete in Holmdel Park.
The Non-Public school runners got ready for their respective state meets at the Catholic Track Conference championships, also at Greystone Park. Hudson Catholic’s sensational freshman Crystal Ortiz continued her breakthrough campaign by winning the CTC varsity girls’ championship in 18:32.81, with Camille Bertholon of St. Dominic Academy third in 19:26.85. Both young ladies have a chance to do well this weekend in Holmdel with a chance to move on to the NJSIAA Meet of Champions the following weekend.
St. Peter’s Prep sophomore Brandon Rossi finished sixth in the CTC boys’ varsity race in 16:22.59…
There were some great gridiron performances last weekend, other than Eli Terry’s 255 yards that earned him Co-Athlete of the Week honors with his brother.
Weehawken’s Javier Lopez had 204 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown; North Bergen’s Axel Fuentes had 131 yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown; Josh Mercado of Hoboken had 110 yards on just eight carries and a touchdown and Torrence Williams of St. Anthony added 101 yards and a score in that win over Hudson Catholic.
Bayonne had two running backs eclipse the 100-yard mark in Paris Crawford (115 yards on 12 carries and one TD) and Algenis Baret (105 yards on 10 carries and two TDs)…
The top passing performance came from St. Peter’s Prep senior QB Brandon Wimbush, who threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the Marauders’ 41-14 win over Eastern Christian of Maryland last weekend, a win that catapulted the Marauders back into the No. 1 spot in the entire state as the state playoffs begin this weekend.
Ah, with that in mind, it’s time for the old wide one, wearing the turban, waving the wand over the crystal ball to make his triumphant return.
That’s right, state playoff time can only mean the return of The Great Hagueini, the pigskin prognosticator par-excellence, who will take a look at the area teams and their respective chances in the NJSIAA state playoffs that begin this weekend. And remember, don’t use these predictions for any wagering, unless it’s for a roast beef and Swiss sandwich and a bottle of sparkling flavored water with your Uncle Looie.
Hackensack at North Bergen, North 1, Group IV: The Bruins had a great season, qualifying for the state playoffs once again and getting a home game. But the Comets come in like a rocket and the Bruins won’t keep up. Hackensack 28, North Bergen 7.
Ridgewood at Union City, North 1, Group IV: The Maroons (yes, that’s Ridgewood’s nickname) will come from Bergen County and be so impressed with the field on the roof that they will bow down to the Soaring Eagles (yes, that’s Union City’s nickname), especially the feared U’s rushing attack of Rojas, Castellano and Boyd. Union City 28, Ridgewood 17.
Glen Ridge at Hoboken, North 2, Group I: Two weeks ago, the Red Wings were left for dead, but they’ve found life again at the right time, trying to get the elusive “three-peat.” Josh Mercado has healed tremendously in recent weeks. He’s the key. Hoboken 21, Glen Ridge 7.
Seton Hall Prep at St. Peter’s Prep, Non-Public Group 4: Yeah, sure, OK, right. The Marauders, now No. 1 in the state, will not come close to losing this one. It’s more of Brandon and Minkah Show. St. Peter’s Prep 42, Seton Hall Prep 7.
Bernards at Lincoln, North 2, Group II: Bernards has a good program, but they’re facing a skilled team like the Lions that they haven’t seen all year. Plus, they have to get on the bus for over an hour and come to Jersey City? Hagueini thinks that’s a huge edge for Nevell Jones, Darius Wade and the Lions. Lincoln 28, Bernards 20.
Marist at St. Anthony, Non-Public Group 1: It’s a rematch of the Oct. 24 game that the Friars won, 48-20. Marist has to be thankful to just be in the state playoff mix with a 2-7 record. The Friars have bigger fish to fry. St. Anthony 35, Marist 7.
Immaculata at Hudson Catholic, Non-Public Group 2: This is not your old man’s Immaculata. The Spartans are 2-7 and have lost five of their last six. The Hawks might have dropped two straight, but Syhiem Simmons and Khashawn Decker aren’t about to lose here. Hudson Catholic 35, Immaculata 14.
Just remember that Hagueini was an amazing 15-1 with his playoff picks a year ago. Just sayin’….—Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.