Summer and Cross Country, 2023

-- For years, on July 4th, the current team and quite a few Alums raced the traditional Marlton Fourth of July 5K (now called the Marlton Mayor's Cup 5K, to distinguish our mayor's contribution from that of the Founding Fathers), and generally dominated the race. Over the past 12 years or so, Cherokee's athletes won at least 10 of the races, taking 1st and 2nd in the bargain! Last year, Alums and TCNJ graduates, Mike Zurzolo '17, now coaching at Highland High School, and Mike Iannotta '17, now in grad school at Drexel, took 1st and 2nd for "The Chiefs!" Missing at Marlton last year, were course record-holder, Alum Jack Shea '17, now in grad school at St. Joseph's University, and Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, who chose to race the Haddon Heights FireCracker 5K because they award real cash at the finish line!

-- On July 4th, 2023, Alum Jack Shea '17 returned to the Haddon Heights FireCracker 5K to defend his course-record time of last year, 14:53 (4:48 pace) and, while he slowed to 15:44 (5:05 pace), he finished in 1st place again! He was the only one of our Alums in the race! Details at: Firecracker 5K.

-- On July 4th. 2023, Cherokee's Alums again dominated the Marlton Mayor's Cup 5K, taking the first four places, with Mike Zurzolo '17, now coaching at Highland High School, finishing in 1st! Last year, Mike clocked 16:34 (5:21 pace) and this year, he dropped his time to 15:47 (5:06 pace)! Behind Mike were, in 2nd, Ethan Wechsler '19, 15:58 (5:09); in 3rd, Mike Iannotta '17, 16:34 (5:21); in 4th, Brandon Marks '17, 17:35 (5:41); in 10th, Marc Pelerin '02, 18:49 (6:04); in 18th, Evan Paulik '22, 19:49 6:24); in 23rd, Josh Paulik '22, 20:37 (6:39); in 33rd, Brendan Falzone '17, 22:02 (7:07); in 35th Bill Hornung '12, 22:07 (7:08); in 36th, Joe Hough '23, 22:18 (7:12); in 63rd, Chris Zurzolo '19, 24:02 (7:46); and in 148th, Matt Powell '16, 30:26 (9:49). Congratulations to Mike on his repeat! There may have been others but our photographer and/or scribe missed them! Our photographer took quite a few Alum pics: he posted some below and they and the others are available on the District's Google site! Race details at: Marlton 5K.

-- On August 4th, 2023, Alums Jack Shea '17 and Mike Iannotta '17 were at Cherokee's track training with Coach Shaklee . . . threshold and speed work for upcoming longer-distance races. Ah, the good old days! In addition, Alum Tommy Bromley '23 of Iona University, ran a tough practice with the young guys. Our photographer was there to shoot the high school guys so he captured some of Jack's and Mike's fun! Tommy's pictures are all over the high school pages as well as here! Very clever of him! He'll miss that attention at Iona!

-- On August 10th, 2023, post-college Alums Jack Shea '17, Justin Kelly '18 and Mike Zurzolo '17 raced the Asbury Park 5K as members of the Shore AC Team and clocked some impressive times! Jack took 1st place while clocking 14:34.3 (a possible race record!) and collected race glory and $150 cash! Justin followed in 5th, clocking 15.18.3 and collecting $50; and Mike finished in 17th, clocking 15.56 and collecting warm handshakes from his friends and family! Pictures are available at the following meet website but they are covered by copyright markings to insure no one like us steals them: race results.

-- On August 13th, 2023, two ancient Alums, Kevin Cuneo '03 and Kevin Schickling 07 and Mercy Catholic Alum, Tim Callinan opened RunningWorks XC Camp for their second year after taking over from the original Directors, Marcus O'Sullivan, Steve Shaklee and Cricket Batz Shaklee. A few of our Alums also served as Counselors, including Jack Shea '17 and Mike Zurzolo '17.

-- On August 27th, 2023, Alum Mike Iannotta '17, now a graduate student at Drexel University (Shaklee's alma mater! Isn't that cool, following his old coach's footsteps?!) and working with Coach Shaklee, raced the Philly 10K and took 19th overall (1529 men) in 34:34 (5:34 pace)! In addition, Camden Catholic Alum Kevin MacDonnell, who is also working with Coach Shaklee, took 1st overall (1529 men) in the race, clocking 30:41 (4:56 pace)! The official results are available at: Run Sign Up.

-- On August 29th, 2023, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth College, learned that Cherokee was going to train at Holmdel Park and set-up a training session for himself! He greeted the Coach, the team and his favorite of them all, the team photographer! Nico had a recent operation to remove a non-malignant bone tumor high on his leg and, judging from his comments and his pace, he is well on his way to recovery! GO NICO!

-- On August 31st, 2023, Alum Jack Shea '17, now in Graduate School at St. Joseph's University, competed in a very challenging Monmouth Mile at CBA's track in Lincroft, NJ. Jack raced the Mile in a very nice 4:08.22, finishing 15th/17th overall. A unique feature showing the 1500m time of 3:52.44 was also provided. Photographer Tom Smith of NJ.MileSplit provided the pictures, and MileSplit provided videos and results at: NJ.MileSplit.

-- On September 1st, 2023, Alum Conor Jacob '23 of Monmouth College, received a rude welcome to college XC when he competed at the four- team (Princeton, Monmouth, Rider and Rutgers) The New Jersey Jam a 5.6K race at Princeton University! Conor finished 58th/61 overall in 19.56 (5:44 pace). It's tough going from high school racing to college but this race wasn't much longer than high school distances, so we'll wait to hear from Conor on the experience! GO CONOR! Details at: Hawks.

-- On September 1st, 2023, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth College, recovering from an operation, traveled to Princeton University's New Jersey Jam to provide support for his team! At the same time, while many competitors were not pictured, Nico managed to get himself into two photographs! GO NICO! YOU DA MAN!

-- On September 1st, 2023, Alum Brett Shea '21 of Rowan University, competed in the Stockton Season Opener in Galloway, NJ. Brett finished 52nd/94 overall in 20:42 (5:33 pace). GO BRETT! Details at: TFRRS XC.

-- On September 3rd, 2023, Alum Mike Gavio '19 of Bloomsburg University, competed in the 8K DII/DIII Cross Country Challenge at Kutztown University. Mike finished 3rd on his team, 28th/96 overall, while clocking 28.08.4 (5:39.9 pace). His team finished 5th/10 overall in the meet. Details at: TFRRS XC.

-- On September 8th, 2023, AlumEthan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Penn State University in State College for the 5.2 mile Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational where he clocked 25:44.7 (4:57.1 pace) and finished 9th/71 overall! His team finished 1st/6 overall in the meet. Details at: TFRRS.

On September 9th, 2023, Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ, stayed at home to race a 6K Dual Meet against John Jay of New York, the 2023 Herb Lorenz XC Invitational, on Green Lane Fields. Chase finished in 16th/23 overall, clocking 24.12 (6:30 pace). We were told that Chase (Samson?) was influenced by a seductive woman (Delilah?) to cut his hair and severely limit his strength and speed! Someone check on that, please! Details at: TFRRS.

-- On September 17th, 2023, Alum Mike Iannotta '17, now a graduate student at Drexel University, competed in the Half-Marathon in the Philadelphia Distance Run. Mike finished in 57th/2420 finishers, clocking 1:12.56 (5:34 pace), proving once again that he isn't just another pretty face! Two others who train with Coach Shaklee also raced: Kevin McDonnell of Camden Catholic and St. Joe's, finished in 14th in 1:04.53 (4.57 pace); and Jimmy Daniels of Sterling and St. Joe's, finished in 25th in 1:07.40 (5:09 pace). Details at: Second Wind.

On September 23rd, 2023, Alum Chase Miller '19 of TCNJ, raced the 4K Dickinson College Long-Short Invitational in Newville, PA, Chase finished in 90th/139 overall, clocking 13.42.8 (5:31 pace). Not sure what's with Chase. This seems to be his second meet this season, and not listed on Direct Athletics. Details at: Run Sign Up

-- On September 23rd, 2023, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19, both of Bloomsburg University, competed in two separate 8K races at the 22nd Annual Lock Haven University Invitational in Lock Haven, PA. Mike raced the Crimson event, clocking 26.02.6 (5:15 pace) and finishing 87th/265 overall. Matt raced the White event, clocking 27:42.5 (5:35 pace) and finishing 58th/212 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

-- On September 23rd, 2023, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Charlottesville, VA for the Virginia Invitational. Ethan raced the 8K in 24:41.6 (4:58 pace) and finished in 134th/225 overall! Details at: TFRRS.

-- On September 30th, 2023, Alum Brett Shea '21 of Rowan University, competed at Lehigh University's Paul Short Run. He raced the Open 8K in 28:31.7 (5:28 pace) placing 355th/520 overall. Details at: TFFRRS.

-- On October 1st, 2023, Alums Jack Shea '17, now in Graduate School at St. Joseph's University, and Mike Zurzolo '17, now coaching at Highland High School, competed in the Jersey Shore Half-Marathon at Sandy Hook Park in Highlands, NJ! Learning that 1st Place finishers received cash awards, and then learning that record-breakers receive an additional cash award, Jack did both! Jack clocked 1:09:45.23 (5:19 pace)for 1st/777 overall)! Mike followed in 4th/777 overall (cash for top 3! Hurumph!) clocking 1:15:10.02 (5:44 pace)! Details at: Run Sign Up.

-- On October 7th, 2023, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19, both of Bloomsburg University, stayed at home for the 8K Bloomsburg Invitational Mike finished 18th/89 overall in 27.41.8 (5:35 pace) while Matt finished 55th/89 overall in 29.41.3 (5:59 pace). Details at: TFRRS.

-- On October 13th, 2023, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to the University of Wisconsin at Madison for the Nuttycombe Invitational. Ethan raced the 8K in 25:00.2 (pace 5:02), finishing in 196th/280 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

-- On October 21st, 2023, Alums Mike Gavio '19 and Matt Campbell '19, both of Bloomsburg University, again stayed at home for the 8K Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Mike finished 44th/146 overall in 28:09.6 (pace 5:40), and Matt finished 123rd/146 overall in 31.17 (pace 6:18). Details at: TFRRS

-- On October 27th, 2023, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth College, returned to racing (unofficially), when he competed in the CAA Cross Country Championships at Pole Green State Park in Mechanicsville, VA. Nico finished 64th/99 overall in 27.29.70 (pace 5:32). Details at: Hawks.

-- On October 27th, 2023, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Florida State in Tallahassee for the ACC Cross Country Championships. There his team took 2nd/15 overall and Ethan raced the 8K championships in a PR 24:22.4 (4:54.2 pace), finishing 60th/144 overall! Details at: TFRRS.

On November 23rd, 2023, Thanksgiving Day, Marlton sponsored their annual Turkey Trot where quite a few of our current runners and Alums trotted through the town on a 5K adventure! Alum Jack Shea '17 dominated throughout, taking 1st while clocking 14:32 (4:41 pace); followed by Mike Zurzolo '17 in 5th, in 15:41 (5:04 pace); by Tom Bromley '23, in 7th,in 17:33 (5:40 pace); by Josh Pawlik '23 in 18th, in 18:34 (5:40 pace); and in 19th by Evan Pawlik '23 in 18:41 (6:02 pace). Details including results and finish line video at: Run. Here are some Cherokee pics from the meet and others will be available soon on the District's Google link.

-- On December 3rd, 2023, Alum Mike Iannotta '17, now a graduate student at Drexel University, competed in the California International Marathon in the Sacramento, California. Mike clocked an excellent 2:28.38 (5:40 pace). finishing 185th/5539 men, 18th in his age group of 20 - 24. His page on the site: CIM.

Indoor Track, 2024

-- On December 8th, 2023, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, traveled to the Ocean Breeze Sports Complex to open his Indoor Season at the Seahawk Shootout. He raced the 3K in 8:55.71 (4.48 pace) and finished 8th/33 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

-- On December 12th, 2023, Alum Jack Shea '17, now in Graduate School at St. Joseph's University and running for the Shore TC, jumped into the Mile at Monmouth U. Track Club Indoor Showcase #1, 2024 and took 1st in a leisurely 4:19.25! There's a post-race interview at NJ.MileSplit and results at NJ.MileSplit.

-- On December 28th, 2023, Cherokee's Cross Country and Track and Field Alumni Association held their annual holiday party and fund raiser at The Mile in Runnemede. Over 40 attended, including former and present coaches, athletes, parents, and their friends and spouses.

-- On January 13th. 2024, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19, a Senior at Penn State University, stayed at home for the Nittany Lion Challenge on the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track where he competed in the Shot Put. Luch launched the Shot 59' 09.50" (18.22m) to take 4th/22 overall in the event! Details at: GO PSU Sports.

-- On January 20th. 2024, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, traveled to the Simmons-Harvey Invitational at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Luch competed in the Shot Put, where he threw the heavy orb (really ?!) 58' 4.75" (17.80m) and took 2nd/14 overall! The picture is of this year's Seniors at PSU. Details at: TFRRS.

-- On January 27th, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Boston, Mass for the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic to race the 3K. Ethan finished the race in 39th/200 overall setting a PR of 8:14.32! Details at: TFRRS.

-- On February 9th, 2024, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, traveled to the Ocean Breeze Sports Complex for the Fastrack National Invitational where he raced the Mile in 4:29.95, finishing 55th/107 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

-- On February 16th, 2024, Alum Jack Shea '17 in Grad School at St. Joseph's University and member of the Shore Athletic Club, competed in the Garden State Track Club Invitational at the Ocean Breeze Sports Complex. He raced the Mile, finishing 3rd/43 overall in 4:13.01; and the 3K, finishing in 1st/22 overall in 8:24.36. Details at: MileSplit Live.

-- On February 16th, 2024, future Alum John "Jack" Tindall '28, of Marlton Middle School and member of the Marlton Track Club, traveled to the Ocean Breeze Sports Complex for the Garden State Track Club Invitational. He raced the Mile and finished 18th/44 overall in 4:36.96! Details at: MileSplit Live/.

-- On February 16th, 2024, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, traveled to the Ocean Breeze Sports Complex for the Garden State Collegiate Invitational (mixing Club and Collegiate runers) where he raced the Mile and finished 9th/44 in 4:28.43. Details at: MileSplit Live.

-- On February 16th. 2024, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, stayed at home for the Penn State Tine-Up, where he threw the Shot 59' 10.25" 4.75" (18.24m) and took 1st/18 overall! Details at: TFRRS.

-- On February 23rd, 2024, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, traveled to the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, for the Big 10 Indoor Track and Field Championahips. Luch threw then Shot 60' 8.5" (18.50m) and took 8th/19 overall in the competition! He fouled 4 times out of 6, giving you some idea of how much he put into each throw! Late last Spring. he threw his PR of 65' (19.83m) and we're sure he hopes to get back in that range as the weather warms! Details at: TFRRS.

-- On February 23nd, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to the THE TRACK at New Balance in Boston, Mass for the ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships. Ethan raced the 5K in 14:20.38 (pace 4:37), about 2 seconds off his PR, finishing in 29th/42 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

Spring Track, 2024

-- On March 16th, 2024, Alum Jack Shea '17 joined a number of other Alums, parents, friends, RunningWorks Counselors, etc. to re-create the fun they had at the Bancroft-Adrenaline 5K over the years! Jack was Cherokee's first finisher, taking 10th in 15:07; closely followed by Mike Zurzolo '17 in 11th at 15:08; Mike Iannotta '17 in 34th at 15:50; Brandon Marks '17 in 63rd at 16:48; Kevin Schickling '08 in 118th at 18:06 and Marc Pelerin '02 in 356th at 24:57. Have to mention, soon-to-be a Cherokee Chief, Jack Tindall '28, now at Marlton Middle School, finished in 27th at 15:35! Details, including finish line video, at: RunSignUp. Our photographer's pictures of those Alums, friends. parents, etc. that he saw are posted at our Cherokee google site!

-- On March 23rd, 2024, Alum Lucciano Pizarro '19 of Penn State University, traveled to the UCF Knights Invite at the University of Central Florida and competed in the Shot Put. Luch took 1st/37 overall, throwing the Shot 18.03m (59'02"). Details at: TFRRS.

-- On March 24th, 2024, Alums Mike Iannotta '17, a Graduate Student at Coach Shaklee's Alma Mater, Drexel University, and Mike Zurzolo '17, now coaching at Highland HS in Blackwood, raced the Love Run, a Half-Marathon in Philadelphia. Mike Iannotta finished in 5th/7000+ overall in 1:10.25, and Mike Zurzolo finished in 8th/7000+ overall in 1:11.37! In addition, besides now-coaching Mike Iannotta, Coach Shaklee is also coaching Jimmy Daniels, graduate of Sterling HS and St. Joseph's University, who finished the race in 2nd/7000+ in 1:08.26. Details at: xacte.

-- On March 28th, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to the University of NC for the Raleigh Relays and ran an incredible 10K! Ethan clocked a 29:22.69, a hugh PR, running in an insane field to finish only 57th! Yikes! Reuben Frank wrote his usual chock-full article on Ethan's race at SJTCA Blog that includes a tip-of-the-hat to former Cherokee great, Keith Krieger, who clocked 29:53.85 in 2005. Meet details at: TFRRS.

-- On March 29th, 2024, Alum Nico Grilli '21 of Monmouth University, stayed at home for the 28th Annual Monmouth University Track & Field Season Opener, which hosted a 20-team field and featured both Senior and Alumni Days. Nico raced the 5K in 15:45.15 (5:04 pace), finishing 7th/22 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

-- On March 29th, 2024, Alum Brett Shea '21 of Rowan University, traveled to the Danny Curran Invitational at Widener College in Chester, PA and competed in 2 events. Im the 800m, Brett finished in 52nd/72 overall while clocking 2:08.64; and in the 1500m, Brett finished 25th/68 overall in 4:08.25. Details at: TFRRS. If you haven't heard already, Brett's father, Bill, the "Running Father" of many of you, had a severe stroke several months ago and is slowly coming out of it. Say a prayer and pass a kind word to the family when you see them.

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