Ocean City Cross-Country Teams Off to Fast Start

The Ocean City High School boys' and girls' cross-country squads are off to a fast start this season.

The boys' team, the four-time defending Group III South champions, and the girls' squad won their respective season-opening tri-meets, topping Atlantic City and Oakcrest on Sept. 13.

“Our expectations are to be competitive in the Cape-Atlantic League and in South Jersey Group III,” Ocean City boys' coach Matt Purdue said. “We are going to give our best efforts to defend our titles.”

“This team is trying to take it one day at a time and get good practices in,” Ocean City girls' coach Trish Henry said. “When we have the opportunity to compete, we want to leave everything on the course and give 110 percent.”

Kevin Scott led all Red Raiders across the finish line in the meet, finishing the home course in 17 minutes, 14 seconds against the Falcons and Vikings. The Red Raiders defeated the Vikings, 16-47, and the Falcons, 15-48.

Ocean City’s top runner also finished third overall at the Cherokee Challenge last weekend.

“Kevin was consistently in the Top 5 last year,” Purdue said. “We are hoping he will top the group this year. We certainly have a good number of guys to be competitive in the front of the pack.”

That was certainly true against Oakcrest and Atlantic City, as Ocean City swept the top four spots, and placed five runners in the Top 7.

Dan Murray (17:36) finished second, D.J. Gilhooley (17:38) was third and Louis Paone (17:47) came in third. Eddie Keenan (18:09) came in fifth. Thomas Libbey (18:24) finished in 10th place. Paone took 10th in the sophomore race at the Cherokee Challenge.

It’s that kind of depth that has the Red Raiders expecting to contend in both the league and sectionals again.

“Well, in the Cape-Atlantic League, we were undefeated in the American Conference (last year), and usually to win the conference you have to win all the dual meets to do that,” Purdue said. “In South Jersey Group III, we won the last four seasons, and we are anxious to defend it. We are proud of that, and we want to keep the tradition going.”

The Red Raiders girls, who return five of their top seven runners from a year ago, also claimed the top four spots in their meet -- with Mary Kate Brelsford (21:15) leading the pack. Kaylie Gallagher (22:10), Kelly Williamson (22:14) and Maddie Brady (22:59) followed right behind.

Teammates Rachel Stremme (23:19), Kristen Kershbaumer (23:30), Tess Solazzo (23:32) and Emily Duggan (23:38) also finished in the Top 10.

Kelly Williamson, who is a track veteran, is out for the cross-country team for the first team, and along with Brady and Stremme, who are freshmen, gives Ocean City depth.