The schedule in Late September - Early October is still relatively light with a weekend trip to Richmond, Virginia for the Maymont XC Invitational (September 25th), the final Batch Meet (September 28th), and the Burlington County Frosh-Soph Meet (September 30th). It toughens considerably as the team looks forward to its first big test, the Olympic Conference Division Championship (October 6th).
On September 25, 2010, Cherokee bussed to Richmond, Virginia for the Maymont XC Invitational, with a side trip to Kings Dominion! It was a hot day in Richmond, humid and in the 90s, grass land so dry it reminded some of their days on the Great Plains of America "where the buffalo roamed . . . and the skies are not cloudy all day:"
Even so, the varsity team competed in the twenty-two team 5K Invitational race, finishing 8th overall. Senior Greg Malloy paced the team dropping 29 seconds off of last year's time and taking 10th place! Greg was followed by scorers Aiden Lynch, Ryan Bobb, Ty Somers,and Eric Birkhead, and then by Matt Venanzi, and Bill Hornung. In the JV Red race, Cherokee runners took 14th -- right behind Ichabod Crane High School of Valatie, NY -- out of 25 schools in the race. Jason Brockman led the scorers, followed by Matt Decker, Jeremy Morgan, Matt Adams and Mike Lowinger; and then Lou DiGeambeardino and Freddy Rasmussen.
Senior Eric Birkhead won Runner of the Meet honors because he stepped-up and became a scorer in this meet and, in the process, dropped 66 seconds from last year's time! GO ERIC! Further details at: Maymont XC.
A crack team of volunteers -- Brian Kwok and Danny Mintzer -- provided a few pictures of the event.
Additional pictures from the event . . . not the masterpieces produced by Brian and Danny:
On October 6, 2010, the team traveled once again to Gloucester County College, this time for the Olympic Conference, American Division Championship. This was a key step towards respectability this season but the Chiefs had to settle for a close second against their cross-district opponent, Lenape High School. Greg Malloy led the team while finishing in 3rd place. Aiden Lynch and Ryan Bobb also finished among the top 10, placing 5th and 8th respectively. Completing the scoring for Cherokee were Billy Hornung in 13th place and Matt Venanzi in 15th. Congratulations to Lenape on their victory!
Runner of the Meet honors go to Ryan Bobb for his medal-winning effort!
