Red Raiders Boys' Track Finishes Second at Sectionals

It took 6.70 seconds for the Ocean City High School winter track boys' team to realize it wouldn't repeat as sectional championships.

The Red Raiders scored points in more events, and had a better all-around performance at this year's Group III South sectional championships in Toms River than last year, but finished in second place.

Oakcrest, which swept the top three places in the 55-meter dash, won the sectional championship with 70 points. The Red Raiders finished second with 45 points.

The Falcons' sweep in the event meant 24 points.

"I expected Oakcrest to give us trouble," said Ocean City's Miles Schoedler, who set two group sectional records. "I was ready to double, and even triple in order to help my team win a championship.  Overall, our guys ran well. Oakcrest had a great performance today. I congratulate them."

"Oakcrest was too strong," Ocean City coach Bill Moreland said. "They ran exceptionally well. The killer was the one-two-three in the 55. They scored 24 points in one event. That's the best you could do. It was the nail in the coffin."

The Red Raiders were also hurt by a bug that has been spreading through the team in recent weeks. Standout distance runner Erik Johnson, who finished third in the 1,600, couldn't run in the 800 because of illness.

Schoedler won the 800-meters in 1:58.70 and the 1,600 in 4:17.72. which was more than three seconds better than the previous mark of 4:21.12.

The Ocean City senior, who is heading to Georgetown in the fall, was all set to race in the 3,200, but was a late scratch after the Red Raiders were officially out of contention.

"I wasn't expecting to go as fast in the (1.600)," said Schoedler, who will race in the state meet on Saturday.

The Red Raiders liked the versatility they showed this weekend. James O'Connor finished sixth in the 55-meter hurdles (8.30) and second in the high jump (6-2). Bill Dooner was fifth in the shot put (39-7 1/4), and Mike Oberg was third in the pole vault (13-0) and teammate Ed Albright was fifth (12-0).

"We did a lot of good things," Moreland said. "We scored in a couple events we haven't in the past."

The Ocean City girls finished 10th overall with Mary Kate Brelsford winning the 3,200 in 11:53.86.

Brelsford was hoping to also qualify for states in the 1,600, but was knocked down during the race.

Ocean City's Francesa Babore finished sixth in the 400-meters.

Like the boys' team, the girls' squad has also been hit by illness. Kelly Williamson couldn't finish her race.