Red Raiders Running for CAL Championships Today

Kevin Scott was quick to answer what school he expects to be the Ocean City High School boys' cross-country team’s main opposition in Thursday’s Cape-Atlantic League Championships.

“Pleasantville,” the Red raiders’ top runner said.

If you ask the Greyhounds, they probably would answer Ocean City just as quickly.

Both squads are coming off county victories and will take on each other and the rest of the CAL at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Scott recorded a personal-best time and course record of 15 minutes, 49 seconds in last week’s Cape May County Cross-Country Championships to lead the Red Raiders for their 13^th straight title.

Scott’s time beat out several legendary runners in Ocean City history.

“It felt really good, and I worked hard for it,” Scott said. “I didn’t know if I could beat the record, but I felt good that way, and I just went for it.”

"He has been running well this season, and we went in thinking he would have a good performance,” Ocean City coach Matt Purdue said. “We didn’t know he would set a course record. Some impressive runners held that record. Miles (Schoedler), Brett Johnson and John Richardson held it. It’s impressive that Kevin beat these guys. It’s a nice accomplishment.”

Ocean City swept the county meet for the second straight year. Ocean City’s Mary Kate Brelsford repeated as champion with a time of 18:43.

"Mary Kate did a real nice job last week and she always gives her best effort on the course,” Ocean City girls' coach Trish Henry said. “We expect the same thing (Thursday). She always tries to do everything she can individually because she knows her performance helps the overall team. She is all about the team.”

Both Ocean City programs have a talented and deep team. Both squads will have their work cut out for them in the CAL meet.

Pleasantville won the boys' Atlantic County meet with Jacob and Isaac Clark taking first and second place. Jacob won with a time of 14:59.83 and Isaac finished second in 15:00.

“I noticed their times,” Scott said. “The two top guys are pretty good. I’ve been following the times. They are pretty good runners.”

Like Ocean City, Pleasantville is a deep team, and it will be that depth that will crown a champion.

The Red Raiders’ Dan Murray, D.J. Gilhooley and Lou Paone took second, third and fourth respectively at the county race. Teammate Ed Keenan finished sixth.

“We will try to keep as many guys together and work with each other throughout the race,” Scott said.

“The team has to run like a pack,” Purdue said. “Our sixth and seventh guys will be significant in the next couple of meets.”

The Ocean City girls will also rely on its depth at the CAL meet. In the county meet, Kaylie Gallagher was fourth and Kelly Williamson finished fifth. Maddie Brady was seventh and Rachel Stremme was eighth.

“Honestly anybody can win and any team can win this race,” Henry said. “It depends which team has the best day.”