Hudson Catholic now has a state champion in cross country.
Fabulous freshman Crystal Ortiz added the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship to the Hudson County Track Coaches Association and Catholic Track Conference titles she won earlier this year.
Ortiz romped home to the state title Saturday at Holmdel Park, crossing the line in 19:20.29, an incredible 33 seconds faster than runner-up Mary Lynch of Villa Walsh.
Ortiz was unfazed by the frigid temperatures and stiff wind of the Jersey Shore.
“Once I started going, I was automatically warm,” Ortiz said. “I felt in good shape. I felt fine.”
Ortiz said that a good start dictated the rest of the race for her.
“I went out strong, so that was a good sign for me,” Ortiz said. “I was at the opposite end of the line, so I had to run a little extra to get to the lead. But once I got out there, I just kept going. I never wanted to settle for the lead, because you never know who’s behind you. Once I stepped forward, I knew I had to keep going.”
When Ortiz started her way down the hill at Holmdel Park, hearing the roar of the crowd and the encouragement of others, that’s when she realized she was on the throes of something special.
“It was pretty exciting,” Ortiz said. “I was pretty happy with the way I ran.”
Ortiz said that she is proud to be Hudson County’s lone representative in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
“There are going to be more fans, more supporters,” Ortiz said. “It gets me a little more amped up.”
And how about being the first-ever state champion from her school, male or female?
“It’s a great feeling,” Ortiz said. “I never thought any of this could happen.”
Honestly, nor did anyone else – until about seven weeks ago, when Crystal Ortiz first made her mark on the Hudson County and New Jersey cross country scene…
Others who finished at the NJSIAA Group championships at Holmdel last Saturday include Camille Bertholon of St. Dominic Academy (15th in Non-Public A girls), Rachel Prendergass of McNair Academic (21st in Group I girls), Rafael Hernandez of Memorial (24th in Group IV), Brandon Parrado and Will Delaney of St. Peter’s Prep (26th and 27th respectively in Non-Public A) and Roshni Patel (30th in Group I girls) and Samantha Neshiewat (37th in Group I girls)….
Of the performances last weekend on the gridiron, Josh Mercado of Hoboken is proving to be a big-time performer, rushing for 214 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown in the Red Wings’ 28-3 win over Glen Ridge in the opening round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I state playoffs last Friday night.
St. Anthony standout Eli Terry motored for 186 yards on 17 carries and scored four touchdowns in the Friars’ 40-0 victory over Marist last week in the opening round of the Non-Public Group 1 playoffs.
Union City’s terrific twosome of Jonathan Castellano (nine carries for 129 yards and two TDs) and Nawell Rojas (13 carries for 107 yards and three TDs) both eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the Soaring Eagles’ huge win over Ridgewood in the North 1, Group V quarterfinals.
Lincoln’s Tyquan Simmons had 123 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown in the Lions’ 36-21 win over Bernards in North 2, Group II Saturday afternoon.
In the passing game, St. Peter’s Prep standout Brandon Wimbush had yet another brilliant performance, completing 18-of-21 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns in the Marauders’ rout of Seton Hall Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 quarterfinals.
Lincoln’s Zymiere Gordon passed for 122 yards and three touchdowns in the Lions’ win over Bernards, while Hoboken’s Elijah Mercado passed for 102 yards in the Red Wings’ win.
It’s not a coincidence that all of the aforementioned players were on teams that won their respective state playoff games last weekend…
How about this note that might go unnoticed in most circles? Last weekend, Jersey City’s Caven Point Cochrane Stadium became a piece of state history, when it was the home site for four NJSIAA state playoff games in a span of 30 hours.
That’s right, it started with St. Peter’s Prep-Seton Hall Prep on Friday night, then St. Anthony-Marist on Saturday at noon, followed by Lincoln-Bernards at 4 p.m. and topped off with Hudson Catholic-Immaculata at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
That’s a credit to both the Jersey City Board of Education staff and Department of Recreation staff for getting eight teams in and out of Caven safely and getting the facility ready for four games. It has never happened before – and quite possibly could never happen again.
Except, of course, for MetLife Stadium, Kean Stadium and Rutgers Stadium in a few weeks. But that’s not one municipally-run and organized facility getting four games in a span of less than two days. Bravo, guys, on a job well done…
Now, it’s time for the old wide one, wearing the turban, waving the wand over the crystal ball to return for a second week.
That’s right, The Great Hagueini, the pigskin prognosticator par-excellence, made a triumphant return last weekend, correctly picking six of seven games last weekend. Only the Hawks of Hudson Catholic prevented it from being a perfect weekend. Hagueini is now an astounding 21-2 over the last two seasons.
And remember, don’t use these predictions for any wagering, unless it’s for a turkey and provolone on a Kaiser and a bottle of Coke Zero with your Uncle Looie.
Passaic Tech at Union City, North 1, Group V:Well, this is a game and a date that the Soaring Eagles have been wanting for over two years, making preparations for a state championship showdown at MetLife Stadium with Montclair. Well, here it comes. Here’s a stat that boggles the mind. The Soaring Eagles have amassed 3,800 yards on the ground in 10 games. Here comes some more. Union City 35, Passaic Tech 14.
Hoboken at Dunellen, North 2, Group I: In 2012, in the first of what they hope to be a “three-peat,” the Red Wings faced Dunellen, a team that had put up 61 points the week prior against Weehawken. The Red Wings shut them out, 35-0. Now, can history repeat itself? Why not? Hoboken 21, Dunellen 0.
Bergen Catholic at St. Peter’s Prep, Non-Public Group 4: Well, the last time the two teams met in September, the Marauders were winning 49-0 before the Crusaders woke up. Not going to say that it’s going to be as lopsided this time as last one, but…St. Peter’s Prep 42, Bergen Catholic 14.
Lincoln at Madison, North 2, Group II: Now, the test really begins for the Lions, who defeated the Dodgers in the opening round last year in Jersey City, but now have to travel on the road to get a chance to make it to MetLife Stadium. The Lions have been playing all season for this chance and Zymiere Gordon and Tyquan Simmons have been the mainstays in recent weeks.
Lincoln 28, Madison 21.
St. Anthony at St. Mary’s (Rutherford), Non-Public Group 1: The Friars won their first-ever NJSIAA state playoff game last weekend by defeating Marist and for the second straight year, they take on the leading rusher in the state. This year, it’s Keon Banks of St. Mary’s and he’s a tough nut to crack, even for the experienced Friars, although Eli Terry has proven to be no slouch. St. Mary’s 35, St. Anthony 14.—Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.