Montville Youth XC Opens With A Bang

The 2014 Cross Country season could not have gone any better for the Montville Recreation Youth Team. The opening race of the day saw the young Mustangs take home three victories while breaking two team records.

Seventh grader Stephen Daly, running his first career Cross Country race, caught heavy favorite Jack Stanley of Mendham at the line by just 22 hundredths of a second. Daly’s winning time of 11:10 for the 3210 meter course is the second fastest time ever run at Greystone Park at that distance. It also set a new Montville record, eclipsing the times of past Montville greats Michael Higgins and Jenks Hehmeyer.

Not to be outdone, returning League Champion Anna George took home gold in the 13-14 girls race in a new team record of 12:28 over 3210 meters. The time bested the team record, formerly held by Cassandra Harasts, by 27 seconds. The 13-14 year old girls took home 1st Place in the team event as well. George was joined by teammates Giovana Angiolini, Samantha Savercool, Faith Dotterweich, Claudia Colatrella, Brooke Savercool, Kim Chang, and Gabby Freitez.

Head Coach Anthony SanFilippo was very pleased with his group of young runners. “Just two years ago, this team had nine kids on it. This year we’re coming to the course with 70. We’ve got full teams at each age level. The kids are learning, improving, and most of all, having fun. I couldn’t have asked for a better first day.”

The 8 and under race provided some fireworks for the young Mustangs as well as 8 year old Katrina Eagan broke the team record on the 1730 meter course with her time of 8:24. Teammate Cassidy Sontz was just 2 places behind. At just 6 years old, Cameron Sontz took home 5th place out of the field of 70 in the second fastest time ever run by a Montville runner.

In all, the young Mustangs placed 12 athletes in the top 20 across the 4 races. If this first race is any indication of what’s to come, Montville is going to enjoy a very successful season. Montville Recreation Cross Country races in the Lakeland League. All Lakeland League meets take place every Sunday at 11:30am at Greystone Park. The League Championship Race is Sunday, October 26th.