Capwell Takes 4th at NJAC Championships

Hopatcong cross country runner Dylan Capwell feels like he's right where he needs to be heading into state competition next month.

The junior was definitely where he needed to be Monday.

Capwell's 16:40.89—a personal record—helped him land fourth overall and tops among Sussex County runners in the small schools race at the North Jersey Athletic Conference championships at Greystone Park.

"Dylan had a great day," Oesen said. "He was just very motivated to get out there and show what he could do against the competition."

Capwell said he hoped to just stay with the lead racers. But the Chief passed many of them.

"I know I had a lot of competition in the race," he said. "I knew they were all there, big names. I just wanted to see what I could do. ... I got out with the front guys and kept my own pace after a while."

Capwell, who said he considers himself more of a track runner, said Monday's hilly course didn't pose much of a problem.

"It was pretty big because it was a hard course," he said of his finish. "I'm used to running on more flat courses. I guess because it was a hilly course it was pretty big for me."

Oesen said Capwell went into the race hoping to keep up with Wallkill Valley's James Corti, who bested him at the Sussex County Fairgrounds earlier in the season. But it was Capwell who had the stronger race, as Corti clocked in at 17:01.75 for 10th.

Capwell, who said he's feeling healthy, believes he's peaking at the right time.

"Definitely," said Capwell, who finished 24th at last year's North 1, Group 1 championships. "We're coming up on the most important part of the season and I've been running how I need to run. I guess you could say that I'm right where i need to be."