Haddonfield Boys Cross Country Prepares To Defend South Jersey Group 2 Championship

Haddonfield, NJ -- The Haddonfield Memorial High School boys cross country team looks to defend its South Jersey Group 2 championship on Saturday at Delsea Regional.

Last year, Haddonfield triumphed by nearly 60 points over Point Pleasant Boro for their twelfth straight victory in the meet, and a New Jersey state record 33rd overall. This year promises to present much more of a challenge.

The other prime contender for the crown will be the squad from Cinnaminson, Burlington County Patriot Division champions and the last team to defeat Haddonfield at the meet, back in 2003. Strong squads from Point Pleasant, Manchester and Sterling will also be a factor. All will be competing for the top five spots anda chance to move on to the State Championship Meet next weekend.

Cinnaminson also boasts the favorite for the individual crown in senior Michael Ungvarsky, the reigning Burlington County cross country and New Jersey Group 2 3200 champ. Others vying for the top spot include sophomore Devin Hart from Point Pleasant, sophomore Derek Gess of Haddonfield, and seniors Mark Nelson of Lower Cape May and Jimmy Macpherson of Sterling.

Haddonfield's young squad will rely on its depth and close team grouping in seeking the title. Besides Gess, the top seven slated to run Saturday includes four other sophomores, Greg Eisenhower, Griffin Weiner, Ethan Spellmeyer and Sean Campiglia, junior Richie Glennon, and only one senior, Brandon Quanci.

Despite their youth, the Bulldawgs managed to go undefeated in Colonial Conference competition and take the top four spots in the recent Colonial Conference All Star meet, where runners two through seven managed to finish only 47 seconds apart. It will take a similar effort Saturday if Haddonfield is to avoid the upset and continue its winning tradition.