Passaic Invite Results

9/24: Garrett Mtn. site of the North Jersey State Sectionals

The boys and girls teams made their annual trip to the Passaic Coaches Invitational on Saturday, September 24, to test themselves out on the North 1 State Sectional course.
The Marauders left with 21 medals overall and competed in all six available races to them at the varsity, novice, and frosh levels.
In varsity action, the girls took 4th, even though holding back for their upcoming race 3 days later back at Greystone Park (NJAC race #2). Marissa Karl was the top finisher in 20th at 22:21, followed by Steph Smith (22, 22:28), Lindsay Schafer (25, 22:34), Mariah Christian (26, 22:35), Danielle Halikias (28, 22:39), Erin Miller (29, 22:40), and Alex Schneeberg (38, 23:13).
The boys placed 6th and were led by Scott Rennalls in 19th at 17:55. Soph Eddie Garcia came next (27, 18:32) and jr. Nick Miele (32, 18:54). Soph newcomer Nick Yanakas just missed a medal in 36th and was followed by sophs Joey Ulbrich (54), Sean Gallagher (61), and Steve Kubicki (62).
The girls novice race was the highlight of the day as M.O. put its 6 runners from 1st to 11th and romped over the field, taking 1st with 26 points. Sara Christian won the race in her first time over the varsity course in 23:21. Newcomer sr. Katrina Laemmerhirt (3rd), soph Erin Schafer (6th), jr. Jackie Pignataro (7th), soph Sarah Miller (10th), and sr. Sam Tavalare (11th) dominated the race to earn the first place trophy. In the boys novice race, Jack Tanenbaum (24), Gennaro Ruggiero (30), Dan Nemeth (32), and Jack Greenbaum (34) all earned medals and brought the boys in 5th.
Katherine Bausch (24) and Jamie Tavalare (29) got medals in the freshmen girls race.

Opening NJAC Action Highlighted by Sulley Girl Win 200

The girls went 3-0 and the boys 2-1 in the opening NJAC race Wednesday, 9/21, at Greystone Park. After just missing the 200 girl win milestone for their coach at the end of last year, the girls began the season by besting Vernon (26-33), Pope John (25-32), and Montville (19-42). Team depth proved the key to all three victories. Against Pope John, MO put four in before the Lions' 3rd and 11 in before their 5th. Against Vernon, Marissa Karl won and then 9 Marauders got in before the 4th Vernon runner. The score against Montville was the most lopsided, with 7 in the first 9 places. Karl also took first in that race. After Karl, the MO varsity was Steph Smith, Erin Miller, Mariah Christian, Lindsay Schafer, Danielle Halikias, and Alex Schneeberg.

The boys got off to a good start. While Montville took 1-2, the male harriers struck back by taking 7 of the next 8 positions to win in 27-32. Vernon, who handily beat MO boys last year, proved to be a weaker team in 2011. The Marauders took places 1-4 and 6-10 to wallop them 16-47. Pope John was too strong as it down the boys 15-49. P.J. would have beaten every team in the race, which included Mendham, Randolph, Roxbury, and Morris Knolls.

In the frosh/j.v. race, 9th grader Katherine Bausch was a close 2nd.

Roxbury Invitational Opener for 2011 XC

The Mount Olive Boys and Girls Cross Country teams opened their 2011 season with a stellar effort at the Roxbury Invitational on September 10. The Marauders came home with a total of 18 medals from the class meet held at Horseshoe Lake Park.

The highest individual showings came in the sophomore girl race in which Lindsay Schafer and Mariah Christian placed 3-4 and led the soph ladies to a 1st Place win! The team, pictured right, also included Sara Christian (10), Erin Schafer(12), Atalia Bermudez (14), and Sarah Miller (30).

In the Jr-Sr girls race, Marissa Karl and Steph Smith went back to back in 7-8 and led the girls to a 6th place showing. Katrina Laemmerhirt (27) and Sam Tavalare (35) were the other scorers in this meet that uses a 4-runner total.

Eddie Garcia was the highest boy finisher for the team, taking 8th in the soph race. Nick Yanakas grabbed a medal in his debut in 25th. The soph teamtook 6th overall. In varsity boys, Scott Rennalls brought his team in 8th with his 22nd place, followed closely by Nick Miele in 27. The frosh girls had several medal winners in Katherine Bausch (16) and Jamie Tavalare (26).