Both boys and girls cross country teams went to Holmdel Park to compete in the Group 3 Championships this past Saturday, making history as the first cross country teams to make it to States.

Out of the 20 schools competing against each other the boys placed thirteenth  and the girls place twentieth.  

Going to states was an amazing experience for the coaches of both teams. Although, it wouldn’t have been achieved if they had not done good during the County Championship meets and Sectionals.

Arguably, the defining moment for each team was the Atlantic County Championships, at the Hammonton Lake course. The boys won first place; meanwhile the girls placed third.

For some runners, like senior Joe Dougherty, the county meet was one stop on the road to bigger and better things, like the Meet of Champs.

Dougherty, who placed first at the county meet with a time of 15:19, went onto  States, where he placed fourth and secured a place in the Top 20 for the Meet of Champs held on November 21. For the Meet of Champs only the top 10 individuals  and the top 3 teams go that competed at states.

Michelle Wolosky, who coaches the girls team, was pleased with the team’s progress.

“I think once the championships season started we had really good  races at the Atlantic County Championships, Tri County Championships, and at Sectionals. With Sectionals placing fourth we made it to the championship meet and that was just an awesome experience,” she said.

Achieving more than last year, the girls moved up four places at Sectionals this year.

Fulfilling their goals of the season both teams hope to go back to states and accomplish more.