This page provides updates on the running/field accomplishments of our athletes who have graduated from Cherokee High School. Please send additional Alumni information to Coach Shaklee.
"Join your fellow Cherokee Cross Country and Track and Field Alumni in the launch of a new Alumni Association! While in its early stages, the aims of this association include supporting the current men's and women's teams through financial support and scholarships, increasing alumni engagement and presence at meets, and creating opportunities for mentorship of current and former student athletes. Overall, we hope to build a robust community of XC/TF alumni of these storied programs from the 70's to the present. If you'd like to become a member of the association or just be kept in the loop, please fill out the form below to receive future communications regarding alumni association events and initiatives. And do not hesitate to share this link with any XC/TF alumni friends who you think may be interested as well! We look forward to connecting and reconnecting with you all at future events!" Lisa Burkholder
Alumni Association Survey: Link.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
The seasons follow in chronological order. Click on the desired season or on the "most recent entry:"
Summer and Cross Country, 2021Last Fall, the Coronavirus (and the political debates associated with it) ripped the heart out of the nation . . . and, no small thing for us, ruined the Fall Cross Country season and disrupted Track schedules throughout the Winter and Spring Track seasons! This year seems to be different and, at this point, it looks like we'll have a "normal" year of Cross Country and Track competition! So, let's get it going!
-- On July 3, 2021, with the traditional Marlton Mayor's Cup 5K canceled for a second year -- come on, guys! -- five of our Alums went over to Haddon Heights for their traditional holiday race, the Haddon Heights FireCracker 5K, and several left a lasting impression! Alum Jack Shea '17, recent graduate of Northern Arizona University and now "training" on the beaches of Cape May, won the race in 15:09 (4:54 pace)! (Jack will return to NAU in the Fall as a "Redshirt Junior.) Behind him, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, took 3rd in the race, crossing the line in 15:32 (5:01 pace). Both are in excellent shape and no one was surprised by their races but, behind Ethan, however, came a happy surprise: Alum Marc Pelerin '02, teacher at Cinnaminson Middle School and ancient by most standards, took an impressive 8th overall, crossing the line in 17:32 (5:40 pace)! GO MARC! Two other Alums completed the race but in a more leisurely fashion: Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ, finished in 27th, clocking 19:34 (6:19 pace); and Alum Brendan Falzone '17, recent graduate of St. Joseph's University, finished in 117th, clocking 25:04 (8:05 pace). Recent graduate from TCNJ, Alum Mike Zurzolo '17 and new Cherokee Alum Brett Shea '21 were seen on the sideline in the finish line video but did not compete. Picture below provided by a parent onlooker. Complete results including individual videotapes of their finishes at: Run Signup.
-- In mid-August, 2021, one of our readers sent this outstanding publicity pic of Cherokee Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University! I know your first thought is, "he's not just another pretty face" but my thought was, "he makes the kid next to him look like a cross country runner!" Whadda ya think?
-- During the week of August 15, 2021, RunningWorks at Camp Canadensis profited greatly from the outstanding performances of college-age counselors and not the least of whom were Alums Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ and Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University! Both guys received generous reviews from camp administrators, fellow counselors and their own athletes throughout the week! Thanks guys!
-- On September 2, 2021, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, opened his season at Mansfield University in the 5K Mansfield Dual! Mike took 3rd in the race behind two of his teammates in 16:36 (5:21 pace), a PR for him! Interestingly, Mansfield's website titles their article on the meet, "Young Mounties Shine in Season Opener," a HUGE overstatement! Mike's team took the first 7 places and then took 11 of the first 12 places! Yikes! GO MIKE! Alum Matt Campbell '19, also of Bloomsburg, did not race. Picture, not from this race (Matt's in it!), found on BU website. Details at: BU Huskies.
-- On September 3, 2021, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, began his college racing career at the Lehigh Invitational in Bethlehem, PA! Nico finished the 6K/3.73 mile course in 58th/130 overall while clocking 19:44.1 (5:18 pace)! His team finished 4th/8 overall behind traditionally-strong Princeton, Lehigh and Penn; and Nico finished 13th/17 overall on his team! GO NICO! Pictures from Monmouth website. Details at: Monmouth Hawks.
-- On September 3, 2021, Alum Brett Shea '21 of Hofstra University, kicked-off his college racing career at a small 5K, the Hofstra Invitational, held on campus! Essentially a dual meet against St. Francis of Brooklyn, Hofstra took the first five places. Brett finished 5th/11 overall in 16:08.10 (5:12 pace), 4th/5 overall on his team. GO BRETT! Pictures from the Hofstra website. Details at: Go Hofstra.
-- On September 4, 2021, Alum Justin Kelly '18, formerly at Stony Brook University and now at Rowan University, returned to his college racing career at the 25th Annual Salisbury University Fall Classic where he finished the 8K race in 1st Place, clocking a PR 25:07.0 (5:03 pace)! GO JUSTIN! Just thinking, when's the last time a XC coach picked-up a transfer student who took 1st in his first race? NEVER?! Details at: TFRRS
-- On September 4, 2021, Alum John Conn '18, of Rowan University, reappeared after a long hiatus to race at the 25th Annual Salisbury University Fall Classic! John finished the 8K race in 47th/81 overall while clocking 28:14.5 (5:41 pace). GO JOHN! Details at: TFRRS
-- On September 4, 2021, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, opened his season at the Harry Lang Invitational, a 6400m event at Colgate University. Essentially a dual meet, Syracuse ran five guys and they took the first five places in the sixteen-person race! Ethan took 2nd/16 overall in 19:44.2 File picture from the Syracuse website, taken at last year's West Point Meet. GO ETHAN! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 4, 2021, (recently graduated and now a "redshirt Junior") Alum Jack Shea '17 of Northern Arizona University, returned to Cross Country competition in the George Kyte Classic at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, AZ. Jack finished the 4.5 mile race in 11th/24 overall while clocking 24:24.4 (5:26 pace). GO JACK! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 10, 2021, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Penn State University for the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe, a 5.2 mile, 6-team event on the school's golf course. Ethan's team took 2nd, only 7 points behind a strong Michigan team! Ethan finished in 23rd/70 overall in 25:53.6 (pace 4:59)! Ethan finished 7th on his team with he and two other Syracuse runners (5th and 6th) separated by less than 2 seconds! Details at TFRRS.
-- On September 10, 2021, Alum Mike Iannotta '17 of TCNJ, opened his season at home in the Lions Invitational, a grand-sounding name for a dual meet against that powerhouse team, Rutgers-Newark! Mike finished the 6K race in 7th/22 overall in 20:49.7 (5:36 pace). GO MIKE! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 11, 2021, Alum John Conn '18, of Rowan University, stayed at home and competed in the Bill Fritz Invitational, a small 4-team affair. John crossed the line in 28:20.4 (5;42 pace) and finished 17th/47 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 11, 2021, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, traveled to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY for the Ron Stonitsch Invitational. Brandon's team finished 2nd/7 overall in the 6K race, while Brandon finished 16th/89 overall in 19:53.9 (5:20 pace). Brandon was 7th/23 on his team. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 14, 2021, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University received the following recognition on the university website: "NEW ORLEANS, LA - Rowan's Justin Kelly has been named the National Athlete of the Week for Division III Men by the U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). He becomes the first Prof to earn that honor in cross country since 2017, when Kevin Veltre earned the award."
-- On September 17, 2021, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, joined the "bigs" when he raced for the first time at the historic New York cross country course, Van Cortlandt Park! Frequently, when fellow runners want to know how good you are/were, they'll ask, "Whad' ya do at Vanny." Now Nico has an answer for them! Nico raced in the Br. John Paddy Doyle / Iona Meet of Champions in 28:51.1 (5:48 pace) and finished 85th/115 . . . a tough intro, indeed! His team took 4th/10 overall in the race. Details at: tfrrs.
-- On September 17, 2021, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University, apparently raced the same 8K at Vanny as Nico (see above) -- his first time too -- and he was well off his 8K time of the previous week! Justin raced in the Br. John Paddy Doyle / Iona Meet of Champions in 27:17.7 (5:30 pace) and finished 39th/115! His team took 6th/10 overall in the race. Picture from Coach Shaklee. Details at: tfrrs.
-- On September 17, 2021, Alums Chase Miller '19 and Matt Smith '18 of TCNJ, traveled to Northampton, PA for the 6K Moravian Invitational. Chase finished 10th/94 overall in 19:38.5 (pace 5:16), and Matt finished in 34th/94 overall in 20:45.8 (5:34 pace). Their team won the 7-team event. As a result of his performance, Chase was named Rookie of the Week: the picture posted on the TCNJ website may or may not be related to the Moravian race. Details at: LexiconTiming.
-- On September 18, 2021, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Kutztown University for the DI/II XC Challenge. Mike raced the 8K (4.97mi), finishing 32nd/137 overall in 28.23 (pace 5:43). His team finished 3rd/13 overall. Matt Campbell was registered for the race but DNS. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 18, 2021, Alum Jack Shea '17 of Northern Arizona University, competed in the big-time Cowboy Jamboree at Oklahoma State University. The team finished 1st/16 overall! Jack covered the 8K course in 25:20.8 (pace 5:06) and finished 55th/187 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 24, 2021, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown and raced the 8K at Franklin Park in Boston, MA. Ethan finished the course in 94th/167 overall, clocking 26.08 (pace 5:16). His team took 2nd/20 overall, behind Arkansas. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On September 25, 2021, Alum Matt Smith '18 of TCNJ, competed in the NJAIA Osprey Open, an 8K at Stockton University in Pomona. Matt finished 2nd on his team, 23rd/133 overall in the race, clocking 27:07 (5:28 pace). His team finished 5th/13 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On October 1, 2021, several of the "chiefs" from the various tribes -- OK, I'll stop that -- converged on Lehigh University for the 47th Paul Short Invitational. Some raced, some didn't. The final results from the Men's Open 8K, the Men's College Gold 8K and the Men's College Brown 8K at: Mitchell Timing. Picture by Mrs. Miller showing: Lower bench: Matt Campbell '19; Mike Gavio '19; Chase Miller '19; Brandon Marks '18. Upper Bench: John Conn '18; Little bro Zurzolo; Mike Zurzolo '17. Nico Grilli '19 missing.
-- On October 1, 2021, Alum John Conn '18 of Rowan University, competed in the first race of the day, the Open Men's 8K, at the 47th Paul Short Invitational. John clocked 27.02.0 (5:27 pace) on the course, finishing in 171st/380 overall. Details at: Mitchell Timing.
-- On October 1, 2021, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, opened the college action in the Open Men's 8K at the 47th Paul Short Invitational. Nico finished the race in 184th/380 overall while clocking 27.12.6 (5:29 pace). Details at: Mitchell Timing.
-- On October 1, 2021, Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ, competed in the College Men's Brown 8K and finished 128th/340 Overall while clocking 26:32.7 (5:21 pace). His team finished 17th/41 overall. Details at: Mitchell Timing.
-- On October 1, 2021, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, competed in the College Men's Brown 8K and clocked 26:49.1 (5:24 pace), a significant PR! He finished 157th/340 overall in the race. His team finished 29th/41 overall. Details at: Mitchell Timing.
-- On October 15, 2021, Alum Jack Shea '17 of Northern Arizona University, traveled to the FSU Invitational/Pre-Nats at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Jack competed in the 8K Open and clocked 25:51.9 (5:13 pace) and finished 84th/267 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On October 15, 2021, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to State College, PA for the PSU National Open and raced the 5.2K. Ethan finished 15th/109 in 26.06.4 (5:02 pace). Reuben Frank reported on Ethan's race in his blog, SJ Track Blog: From the Backstretch His article is copied on our server at Frank's Blog. Race details at: TFRRS.
-- On October 16, 2021, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, competed in the 8K Connecticut College Invitational in Waterford, CT, where he finished 99th/192 overall in 27:06 (5:27 pace). Details at: TFRRS.
-- On October 16, 2021, Alums Chase Miller '19, Matt Smith '18 and Mike Iannotta '17 of TCNJ, competed in the 6th Annual Rowan Inter-Regional Border Battle at DREAM Park. Chase and Matt raced the Championship 8K, with Chase finishing in 66th/286 overall in 26.55.5 (5:25 pace), and Matt in 151st/286 overall in 28:14.2 (5:41 pace). Mike raced the Open 8K in 30.07.7 (6:04 pace) and finished in 77th/236 overall. Both Jon Conn '18 and Justin Kelly '18 DNF in the Open 8K. Details at: Pioneer Timing.
-- On October 22, 2021, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Kutztown University for the 8K Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships, a 16-team competition. The team took 6th overall but Mike clocked a disappointing 28.54.2 (5:49 pace) and finished 90th/152 overall. This is over 2 minutes slower than a recent PR so something went wrong! Still wondering what's with Matt Campbell '19 who hasn't raced this year . . . have to ask his brother who is on Cherokee's team this year! Details at: Sidearm.
-- On October 29, 2021, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to South Bend, IN for the Atlantic Coast Conference Cross Country Championships! Ethan finished the 8K course in 59th/135 overall while clocking a major PR of 24.46.9 (4:59 pace)! The team took 2nd behind Notre Dame. Interestingly, former Cinnaminson runner, Duke Senior Mike Ungvarsky, was in the race, finishing 41st in 24.32. Ethan's peer from Cinnaminson, Duke Freshman Austin Gabay, ran a PR 24:11 last year at this meet but apparently hasn't been running this season. Picture below sent by Mom who was either very excited or very cold! ; < ) Race details at: TFRRS
-- On October 30, 2021, Alums Chase Miller '19, Mike Iannotta '17 and Matt Smith '18 of TCNJ (and several counselor friends of RW) competed in the 8-team New Jersey Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships at Stockton University in Pomona. Chase finished in 17th/110 overall and clocked 26.23.0 (5:17 pace); Mike finished 47th and clocked 27.28.4 (5:32 pace); and Matt finished 54th and clocked 27.52.6 (5:35 pace). TCNJ won the race with 36 points, only 4 points better than Ramapo College. (Our photographer gave some thought to driving down and shooting the meet but radar showed rain showers over the area as late as 10 AM so he and his cameras bagged it! What a wimp!). Race details at: Leone Timing.
-- On October 30, 2021, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, competed in the 9-team Liberty League Cross Country Championships at Saratoga Springs, NY. Brandon finished the 8K race in 30th/110 overall, clocking 27.17.2 (5:29 pace). RPI won the race, scoring only 2 points less than Vassar (I guess that isn't a girls school anymore)! Details at: Leone Timing
-- On October 30, 2021, Alum Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, "opened" his 2021 Cross Country season when he traveled to Lock Haven University and competed in the 5-team Go Fast River Run. Matt crossed the line on the 8K course in 29.46 (5:59 pace) and finished 29th/56 overall. Details at: Go LHU.
-- On November 6, 2021, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Cross Country Championships at Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, PA. Mike finished the 10K race in 77th/157 overall, clocking 34:00.3 (5:29 pace). His team finished 10th/23 overall, and he was 3rd on his team. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On November 13, 2021, Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ, returned to DREAM Park for the NCAA Div III Metro Region Championships and he finished the 8K race in 16th/163 overall while clocking 26:18.4! His team finished 2nd (their best showing at Regions since 2005) and, while only the 1st place team gets an automatic invitation to the DIV III Nationals in Kentucky next Saturday, TCNJ is hoping for an "At Large" selection. (Failed.) TCNJ picture is from their website; John Conn picture from Rowan website. Details at: Pioneer Timing.
-- On November 20, 2021, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University joined his team at the famous Van Cortlandt Park in New York City for the 2021 IC4A/ECAC Cross Country Championships Nico hasn't raced since October 1st (injured?) and this was an unhappy comeback! He completed the 8K course in 28:16.3 (5:42 pace), crossing the finish line in 92nd/133 overall. His team took 2nd/12 overall in the event! Details at: Monmouth Hawks".
-- On November 25, 2021, Alums Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, Mike Iannotta '17 of TCNJ, and Jack Shea '17, recent graduate of NAU now at Drexel U, raced the 6th Annual Marlton Turkey Trot! Ethan ran like an escapee from a turkey farm, taking 1st in an impressive 14:46 (Pace 4:46 mile), while Mike and Jack ran together and finished 3rd and 4th respectively in 16:32 (5:20 pace) and 16:33 (5:21 pace). Details at: Run Sign Up. Years ago, the West Virginia University CC team raced in a local "turkey trot," where they actually distributed turkeys to the top 50 finishers, and the team took home around 10 turkeys that they ate over the next month! By then they were expert turkey chefs and sick of eating turkey! But just thinking: maybe Cherokee's Alums and current runners should look around for a "Turkey Giveaway" next year?! Isn't that better than a T-shirt?! : < )
-- On December 3, 2021, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, opened the Indoor season at the Bucknell Opener at Bucknell's Gerhard Fieldhouse. Both Mike and Matt competed in the 3K, with Mike finishing in 3rd/12 overall in 9:06.53 (4:53 pace) and Matt finishing in 8th in 9:42.38 (5:13 pace). Details at: Sidearm Stats.
-- On December 4, 2021, Alums Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, began the Indoor season at the 2021 BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener at Boston University's Track Center. Ethan finished a highly-competitive 5K in 65th/137 overall, while clocking 14.31.45 (4:41 pace). Details at: TFRRS.
-- On December 10, 2021, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, competed in the PSU Intra-Squad Blue and White Meet at home. Luch finished 2nd in the competition while throwing 16.63m (54'- 6-3/4"). Details at: PT Timing.
-- On January 15, 2022, Alum Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, competed at the Susquehanna Multi and Invitational Meet at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. Matt raced the Mile in 4:57.82, finishing 17th/31 overall. Details at: Direct Athletics.
-- On January 21, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17 now a graduate student at Northern Arizona University, competed as a Redshirt Junior at home in the Lumberjack Team Challenge! Jack raced the Mile and finished 10th/23 overall in a PR of 4:20.32; and he raced the 3K, finishing 1st/11 overall in 8:42.29 (4:41 pace)! Details at: NAU Athletics.
-- On January 22, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, competed in the Gulden Invitational at Bucknell University. Both raced the 3K with Mike clocking 9:04.49 (4:52 pace) and finishing 9th/16 overall, and Matt crossing the line in 9:35.28 (5:09 pace) and finishing 16th/16 overall. Details at: Sidearm States.
-- On January 22, 2022, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, traveled to Middlebury College for the Middlebury Winterfell In the Mile, Brandon finished in 4:40.61 (?) taking 20th/39 overall. Details at: RPI Athletics.
-- On January 22, 2022, Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ, traveled to Alvernia University in Reading, PA for the Alvernis Winter Invitational. Chase raced the 3K in 9:11.40 (4:56 pace), taking 3rd/28 overall. Details at: TCNJ Athletics.
-- On January 25, 2022, Cherokee hosted a Throws Meet and our photographer noticed yet another girl wearing a T-shirt saying "Embrace the Chase!" Several years ago, the campus was awash with girls wearing a similar T-shirt and they said they were looking for Chase Miller! They were ushered off the campus but each year several girls enter the campus still looking for Chase! Curious, our photographer asked the meaning of the message on girls' shirt and she reported she was looking for Chase Miller on campus. She refused to believe that Chase graduated some time ago and, went on to describe Chase's hair in adoring terms. After that, because of her agitation and size, our photographer withdrew. He did, however, take her picture. for the authorities.
-- On January 28, 2022, Alums Chase Miller '19 and Matt Smith '18 of TCNJ, traveled to the Ocean Breeze Athletic Center for the Great Dane Classic. Chase raced the 3K in 9:05.43 (4:53 pace) -- a 5 second PR -- and finished 42/49 overall; and Matt raced the 5K in 16:20.75 (5:16 pace) -- an Indoor PR -- and finished 17th/21 overall. Details at: Sidearm.
-- On January 29, 2022, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, stayed at home for the Sykes and Sabock Challenge and competed as an "unattached" athlete in the Shot Put. Luch took 3rd/23 overall, putting the shot 57' 06.50", his second-farthest ever! Details at: GO PSU Sports.
-- On January 29, 2022, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, traveled to Utica College for their Blue and Orange Invitational. In the 3K, Brandon clocked 9:23.45 (5:03 pace) and finished 25th/36 overall. Details at: Sidearm.
-- On January 29, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, returned to Bucknell University for the 23rd Annual Bison Open. Mike raced the 5K in 16:05.62 (5:11 pace), finishing 9th/13 overall, a 30-second PR over last year; Matt raced the 3K, finishing 11th/14 overall in 9:21.75, an almost 14-second PR over last week! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On January 30, 2022, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, returned to Boston College for the BU John Thomas Terrier Classic and competed in another very competitive race, the 3K. Ethan clocked a small PR as he finished 40th/117 overall in 8:19.17 (4:28 pace)! His time meets the basic qualifying standard for the IC4A/ECAC championships! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On February 4, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, a graduate student at Northern Arizona University, raced at home in the Ron Mann Classic! Jack took 1st/12 overall in the 3K, clocking a PR 8:27.95 (4:33 pace at altitude)! Details at: NAU Athletics.
-- On February 5, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Alvernia University in Reading, PA for the Plex Shootout where both competed in the Mile. Mike clocked 4:35.33 and finished 15th/50 overall, while Matt clocked 4:47.76 and finished 27th/50 overall. Detaisl at: TF Meet Pro.
-- On February 5, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18, of Rowan University, returned to racing after a long hiatus! He traveled to Ithaca College for the Bomber Invitational and competed in the 3K! Justin took 2nd/34 overall in the race, clocking 8:46.06 (4:42 pace). Welcome back! Details at: Rowan Athletics
-- On February 5, 2022, Alums Chase Miller '19, Matt Smith '18 and Mike Iannotta '18 of TCNJ, competed in the Frank Colden Invitational at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. Chase and Matt raced the 5K, chase finishing 2nd/23 Overall in 15:44.34, and Matt finishing 9th/23 overall in 16:16.87. Mike raced the Mile, finishing 17th/41 overall in 4:37.19. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On February 11, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, competed in the Fastrack National Invitational at Ocean Breeze. Mike raced the 5K in 15:40.30 and finished 3rd/21 overall, and Matt raced the 3K in 9:24.48 and finished 43rd/57 overall. Details at: TFRRS
-- On February 11, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, a graduate student at Northern Arizona University, traveled to the Husky Classic in Seattle, Washington, to race the 5K! Jack had a very nice race, clocking 13:55.92 and finishing 21st/72 overall! He also tried the Mile but DNF. Details at: TFRRS
-- On February 11, 2022, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, returned to Boston University for the David Hemery Valentine Invitational where he raced the 3K in 8:21.08, finishing 85th/142 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On February 18, 2022, Alum Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, competed in the Bucknell Tune-Up at Bucknell University in Lewisburg. Matt raced the 3K in 9:30.95, finishing 8th/11 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On February 18, 2022, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, stayed at home for the PSU Warm-Up and competed as an "unattached" athlete in the Shot Put. Luch finished 1st/15 overall in the competition, putting the Shot an Indoor PR 60' 8.5"! Reuben Frank reported extensively on Luch's put in his blog, SJ Track Blog: From the Backstretch and his article is copied on our server at Frank's Blog. Details at: PT Timing.
-- On February 19, 2022, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, traveled to the US Military Academy at West Point for their Army West Point Tune-Up. Brandon raced the Mile in a PR 4:25.82 and finished 5th/41 overall! Details at: RPI Athletics.
-- On February 19-20, 2022, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, made an appearance at the MAAC Championships but not on the track. Yes, we haven't seen much from Nico for months but, perhaps to prove he's still alive and with his team, we copied the team championship picture and we'll leave it up to you to identify Nico in the crowd!
-- On February 21, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University, traveled to the Ocean Breeze Complex for the NJAC Indoor Track & Field Championship and helped his team win the conference championship for the 7th straight season! Racing only his second competition of the season, Justin won the 3K in 8:37.88 (4:38 pace)! Reuben Frank reported in detail on Justin's race in his blog, SJ Track Blog: From the Backstretch and his article is copied on our server at Frank's Blog. Scoring at: TFRRS.
-- On February 21, 2022, Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ, competed in NJAC Indoor Track & Field Championship at the Ocean Breeze Complex where he raced the 5K in 15:26.94 (4:58 pace) and finished 5th/20 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On February 24, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, a graduate student at Northern Arizona University, traveled to Bozeman, Mont. for the Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Championships. Jack raced the 3K in a PR 8:20.11 (4:28 pace), finishing 6th/42 overall, and the 5K in 14:32.84 (4:41 pace) , finishing 5th/24 overall! Details at: TFRRS. Remember those books when you were a kid where you looked at crowded pictures and searched for something specific . . . a tiger, a spoon, etc? Study the crowded picture below and find Jack!
-- On February 26, 2022, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, traveled to Ithaca College for the Liberty League Indoor Track and Field Championships where Brandon raced the mile in 4:27.06 and finished 13th/17 overall. His team took 3rd in the meet. Details at: RPI Athletics.
-- On February 26, 2022, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Blacksburg, VA for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Indoor Track and Field Championships where he raced the 3K in 8:25.96 (4:41 pace), finishing 41st/56 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On February 27, 2022, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, competed in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships at Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA. Mike raced the 3K in a PR 8:58.35 (4:49 pace), finishing 11th/24 overall. Details at: Sidearm.
-- On March 5, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University, traveled to Nazereth College in Rochester, NJ for the All-Atlantic Indoor Track & Field Regional Championships (AATFRC). Justin raced the 3K on a 200m flat track in a PR 8:32.69 (4:35 pace), finishing 4th/29 overall! The team took 1st/35 teams in this regional competition before ECAC DIV III Nats! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On March 18-19, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, a redshirt Junior and graduate student at Northern Arizona University, traveled to the Baldy Castillo Invitational at Arizona State University in Tempe. Jack raced both the 3K and 1500m. In the 3K, he clocked another-PR 8:13.37 (4:25 pace), finishing 3rd/19 overall; and in the 1500m, he crossed the line in 3:56.87, finishing 19th/29 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On March 19, 2022, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, traveled to Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania for the Penn Challenge. Once again, Luch competed as an "unattached" athlete in the Shot Put and, once again, he finished 1st/10 overall with a throw of 18.16m (59' 07"). Details at: TFRRS.
-- On March 19, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University, traveled to Lexington, VA for the Washington and Lee Carnival, where he raced both the 800m and 1600m. In the 800m, Justin finished 22nd/81 overall while "crushing" sub-2, 1:59.97; and in the 1500m, he finished 6th/74 overall in 4:01.23. Details at: Blue Ridge Timing.
-- On March 26, 2022, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Raleigh, NC for the Raleigh Relays. Ethan raced the 10K in a PR 30:07.74 (4:51 pace) and finished 74th/124 overall! (Really? You run 30:07 and get 74th?!) Details at: Flash Results.
-- On March 26, 2022, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, traveled to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville for the NCAA DIV I EAST Preliminary Round and he finished 29th/47 overall, putting the Shot 17.78m (58' 4"). Details at: TFRRS.
-- On March 26, 2022, Alums Chase Miller '19, Matt Smith '18 and Mike Iannotta '18 of TCNJ, traveled to Monmouth University for the 26th Annual Monmouth Track and Field Opener. Chase and Matt raced the 10K and, checking their splits, the two ran together (with two other TCNJ runners) throughout: Chase finished in 10th/21 overall in 33:12.54 (5:21 pace), and Matt finished in 11th/21 overall in 33:13.20 (5:21 pace). Mike raced the 1500m in 4:13.85 and finished 48th/72 overall. Details at: MD Timing.
-- On March 26, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Susquehanna University for the Jim Taylor Invitational. Both competed in the 10K, with Make finishing in 11th/29 overall in 33:57.52 (5:28 pace), and Matt finishing in 25th/29 overall in 35:56.80 (5:47 pace). Details at: Leone Timing.
-- On March 26, 2022, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, saw his team compete at the J. Elmer Swanson Spring Classic at Wesleyan University but, despite the fact that an apparently new track picture of Brandon appeared on the meet feature's page, Brandon did not compete. We're told he's also the website's chief editor? Details at: MileSplit.
-- On March 26, 2022, Alum John Conn '18, of Rowan University, stayed at home and competed in the Oscar Moore Track and Field Invitational. John raced the 3K in 10.02.54 (5:23 pace), finishing 22nd/24 overall. Details at: Pioneer Timing.
-- On April 1, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, a redshirt Junior and graduate student at Northern Arizona University, traveled to the Stanford Invitational where he raced what was, probably, the most interesting track race of his life (up to this point)! Jack competed in the 5K, finishing 1st in his heat in a PR 13:56.52 (4:29 pace)! A remarkable FLOTRACK video is available and, especially the final minute, is well-worth seeing! Unfortunately, our editor can't figure out how to code it here! Reuben Frank reported in detail on Jack's race in his blog, SJ Track Blog: From the Backstretch and his article, "Cherokee Grad Jack Shea of Northern Arizona cracks 14-minute barrier at Stanford 5000!!!," is copied on our server at Frank's Blog. Official results at: TFRRS.
-- On April 1, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University, traveled to Widner College in Chester, PA for the Danny Curran Invitational. He raced the 5K in 14:48.50 (4:46 pace), finishing in 3rd/58 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 2, 2022, Alum Brandon Marks '18 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, traveled to Hamilton College in Clinton, NY for the Hamilton College Continental Invitational. Brandon raced the 5K in 15:30.07 (4:59 pace), finishing 5th/50 overall! Details at: RPI Athletics.
-- On April 2, 2022, Alum Mike Iannotta '18 of TCNJ, stayed at home for the TCNJ Invitational, where he raced the 1500m in 4:16.85, finishing 12th/47 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 3, 2022, Alum Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Millersville, PA for the Millersville Metrics. Matt raced the 1500m in 4:24.65, finishing 28th/55 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 8, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Lock Haven University for the Elliston Earlybird Open where they both raced the 3K. Mike finished 3rd/7 overall in 9:05.08, and Matt finished 5th/7 overall in 9:38.76. Details at: TFRRS
-- On April 8, 2022, Alums Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ traveled to Stockton University for the Osprey Open and Multi Meet. Chase raced the 5K in 15:25.02 (4:58 pace), finishing 3rd/30 overall. TFRRS
-- On April 9, 2022, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, made a surprise appearance at the Lehigh Track and Field Invitational! (I know, "he's alive, he's alive!") Nico raced "unattached" in the 1500m and finished 11th/26 overall in respectable 4:09.42! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 14, 2022, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, made the short trip to near-by Bucknell University for the Bison Outdoor Classic. Luch competed in the Shot Put as "unattached" and put the shot 18.12m (59' 05.50") for a 2nd place finish! Details at: Go PSU Sports.
-- On April 15, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Bucknell University for the Bison Outdoor Classic. Mike raced the 5K in 16:04.62, finishing 47th/66 overall; Matt raced the 3K in 9:37.34, finishing 48th/55 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 15, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, a redshirt Junior and graduate student at Northern Arizona University, traveled to the Azusa, California for the Bryan City Invitational. Jack raced in the seeded section of about 10 sections of 5K's and he finished 16th/21 while clocking 14.13.04. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 15, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University, traveled to Princeton University for the Larry Ellis Invitational where he competed in the 5K seeded heat, clocking 15:01.51 and finishing in 29th/36 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 16, 2022, Alum John Conn '18, of Rowan University, bussed to Widener University in Chester, PA for the Chester Quarry Classic. John raced the 1500m in 4:32.83 and finished 31st?33 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 16, 2022, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to SUNY Cortland in Cortland, NY for the Cortland Upstate Alternative. CURIOUSLY, Ethan raced the 400m in a blistering 71.53 and got his butt kicked by 22 others while he hammered 3! (No doubt, someone will explain this soon.) Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 16, 2022, Alums Mike Iannotta '18 and Matt Smith '18 of TCNJ, bussed to West Chester University for the Bill Butler Invitational. Mike raced the 1500m in a PR 4:07.78 and finished 6th/31 overall, and he anchored the B-team 4 X 400m Relay in 3:34.88. Matt raced the 5K in 16:08.77 and finished 2nd/19 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 20, 2022, Alum Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University bussed to Shippensburg University for the Shippensburg University College Mid-Week Meet. He raced the 5K in a PR 16:36.69 (5:21 pace). Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 22, 2022, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville for the Open 5K. Ethan clocked 14:37.49 (4:43 pace), finishing 19th/31 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 23, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, traveled to Bucknell University for the Bucknell Team Challenge. Mike and Matt both raced the 1500m, Mike in a PR 4:07.02, finishing 18th/34 overall; Matt in a PR 4:21.31, finishing 29th/34 overall. As an added treat, Matt jumped into the B-team 4 X 400m Relay, running 3rd, with the team finishing in 3:45.70, 6th/6 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 23, 2022, Alum John Conn '18, of Rowan University, returned to Widener University in Chester, PA for the Widener Invitational. John raced the 5K in 16:16.28 (5:14 pace), finishing 72nd/90 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 23, 2022, Alums Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ traveled to Widener University for the Widener Invitational. Chase raced the 5K in 15:01.38 (4:50 pace), finishing 17th/90 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 29, 2022, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University, stayed at home for the Maroon and Golf Invitational. Mike and Matt both raced the 5K, Mike in a PR 15:38.82, finishing 8th/17 overall and qualifying for the PSAC Championships; and Matt in another PR 16:12.91, finishing 13th/17 overall! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 29-30, 2022, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, returned to Lehigh University's track for the Carol and John Covert Classic and raced Unattached/Monmouth in the 1500m and finished 13th/29 in a slightly-improved PR of 4:08.54. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 29-30, 2022, Alums Justin Kelly '18 and John Conn '18 of Rowan University, traveled to TCNJ for the Lions Invitational. Both guys raced the 1500m: Justin took 13th/77 overall while clocking 4:03.74, and John took 61/77 while he clocked 4:27.81. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 29-30, 2022, Alum Mike Iannotta '18 of TCNJ, stayed at home for the Lions Invitational. Mike raced the 1500m and took 43rd/77 while clocking 4:15.33. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On April 29, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, a redshirt Junior and graduate student at Northern Arizona University, traveled to the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford University in Palo Alto where he raced the 5K in an outstanding PR of 13:44.57 (4:26 pace)! Jack finished 3rd/21 in Section 2 of the race! Details at: TFRRS.
-- On May 1, 2022, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, returned to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville to race the 5K in the Virginia Grand Prix! About 3 weeks ago, he raced the 5K there and clocked 14:37.49 (4:43 pace). This time, he clocked 14:33.74 (4:41 pace) and finished 9th/13 overall! This time meets the qualifying standard for the IC4A/ECAC's. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On May 6, 2022, Alum Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University traveled to Lock Haven, PA for the Lock Haven Qualifier, a last- chance meet to qualify for upcoming championships. Matt raced the Mile in a PR 4:46.87, finishing 10th/17 but failed to advance. Details at: TFRRS
-- On May 7, 2022, Alums Chase Miller '19 and Matt Smith '19 of TCNJ stayed at home for the NJAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Both raced the 10K! Chase clocked a 32:43.03 (5:16 pace), finishing 7th/18 overall and advancing to the AARTFC Outdoor Track & Field Championships! Matt clocked 33:34.55 (5:24 pace), finishing 11th/18 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On May 7, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University traveled to TCNJ for the NJAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Justin took 2nd/22 overall in a relatively slow 15:13.34 but advanced to to the AARTFC Outdoor Track & Field Championships! Details: TFRRS.
-- On May 11- 14, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, traveled to Idaho State, in Pocatello, ID with 4465 ft. elevation, for the Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships where he raced both the 10K and the 5K! In the 10K, he clocked 30:41.19 (4:56 pace) and finished 6th/21 overall; and in the 5K, he clocked 14:30.12 (4:40 pace) and finished 11th/36 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On May 12, 2022, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, took the two-hour ride to Millersville University for the PSAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships where he raced the 10K in a PR 33:16.34 (5:21 pace) and finished 16th/27 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On May 15, 2022, Alum Jonathan Conn '18, of Rowan University, upped the ante a tad when he went from racing college 5K's to competing in the marathon at the Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival in Jim Thorpe, PA! John finished 4th/381 overall in 2:45.46 (6:20 pace). Further details at: Second Wind Timing.
-- On May 17, 2022, Alum Tyler Ortiz '19, formerly of UNC, Ashville, stopped by the track to see Cherokee win the CH East Dual Meet and catch-up on old times! Last reported as a multi-event athlete at Ashville in March of 2020, Tyler quietly reappeared as a Junior at Ursinus College in January of 2022 and competed as a Multi-event athlete there. Unknown to us, he competed in many events through 2022 and his summarized competition is at Direct Athletics. Welcome back, Tyler!
-- On May 18, 2022, Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ traveled to Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA for the AARTFC (All-Atlantic Region) Outdoor Track &amd; Field Championships. Chase competed in the 10K, finishing 7th/27 overall in a PR 32:09.70 (5:11 pace). "Miller's time was a career best by more than 30 seconds and moved him . . . into eighth in program history." Details at: TFRRS.
-- On May 18, 2022, Alum Justin Kelly '18 of Rowan University also traveled to Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA for the AARTFC (All-Atlantic Region) Outdoor Track &amd; Field Championships. Justin competed in the 5K, finishing 3rd/27 overall in 14:50.04 (about 2 seconds off his PR). Details at: TFRRS.
-- On May 25, 2022, Alum Jack Shea '17, traveled to Fayetteville, AK, for the NCAA West Preliminary Round where he raced the 5K in 14:27.57 (4:39 pace), finishing 41st/46 overall. Details at: TFRRS.
-- On June 4, 2022, Alums Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ and Matt Campbell '19 of Bloomsburg University traveled to Buena to cheer the team at Sectionals. As you can see, Matt looked his same charming self but Chase sported an entirely new look! Several observers said he looked like "a French Pimp" (really, who knows what a French Pimp looks like?!) and "an Austrian Psychologist" . . .. You decide!
-- On June 7, 2022, a number of Cherokee's athletes stopped by to say hello and watch Cherokee Night Racing # 2! The younger ones included Matt Smith '19 and just-graduated Mike Iannotta '18 both of TCNJ, and several older but well-remembered alums because of their accomplishments, Aaron Boucher '99, Joe Halin '00 and Dave Sitzer '00! The picture below includes Coach Jarvis, Caitlyn O'Malley, Coach Michele Wolosky (Hammonton), Lisa Burkholder, Aaron Boucher, Joe Halin, Dave Sitzer, Coach Shaklee.
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