OCHS Roundup: Runners Fare Well in FL, Soccer Team Racking Up Wins

Cross Country Takes Second in a Fla. Invitational

Kevin Scott finished the 2A Boys race in 16 minutes, 4.88 seconds to take first place at the Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

The Red Raiders finished second overall, as all seven varsity runners finished in the Top 40.

“The team has run well in the past,” Ocean City coach Matt Purdue said. “It’s a neat opportunity to race at ESPN Wide World of Sports and gives the team a chance to compete against competitors out of state and puts the athletes on a nice stage. It gives them a chance to compete in a nationally recognized invitational.”

Scott made most of his opportunity, as the fastest runner in the group, which featured 146 participants. The Ocean City’s junior didn’t get to the front of the pack until the final 150 meters, according to Purdue.

“It was an exciting finish,” Purdue said.

D.J. Gilhooley (17:10), Louis Paone (17:11) and Dan Murray finished 19^th, 20^th and 21^st, respectively.

Erik Johnson (17:33) was 27^th, Eddie Keenan (17:41) was 30^th and Thomas Libby (17:51) was 39^th.

Boys' Soccer Gets Back to Winning Ways

The Ocean City boys' soccer team keeps racking up wins.

Ocean City (10-3) blanked Middle Township on Oct. 8, 3-0, and edged Hammonton, 2-1, on Oct. 7.

Steve Zellers gave the Red Raiders an overtime win over Hammonton. Andrew Kimball tied the game at one in the second half.

Derrick Brewer scored twice against the Panthers, and added an assist on Zack Sakena’s goal.

Girls' Tennis Ready for Sectional Semifinals

The Ocean City High School girls tennis team didn’t even participate in the playoffs last season.

The Red Raiders are making up for lost time.

Ocean City, the No. 2 seed, hosts No. 3 Lacey Township at 2 p.m. on Thursday in the Group III South semifinals.

The Red Raiders have only dropped one match this season – a loss to Holy Spirit – and have cruised to the sectional semifinals.

Ocean City swept Winslow Township in the first round, and defeated Oakcrest, 4-1, in the quarterfinals.

“We want to win and we think we can win,” Ocean City first singles player Gabby DuBrille said. “We hope we can go far in the state tournament.”

DuBrille, Aida Pleho and Carling Mott give the Red Raiders a talented group at singles. DuBrille played doubles last season, but jumped to the top of the ladder this season.

That made the Red Raiders one of the deepest teams in the Cape-Atlantic League. They hope that depth helps them compete for a sectional title.

So far there haven’t been many surprises in the bracket. The other semifinal features top seed Moorestown and No. 4 Seneca.