By Pete Innaurato Correspondent | December 9, 2014
He’s got a chance. To be the best in school history. To be one of the best in the state.
Nick Falk was a year old in 1999, the year Marc Pelerin set the Cherokee school record for a sophomore in the state cross country championships (16:29.8). Fifteen years later, Falk now holds that record with a 16:29 mark in the state Group 4 meet and then a time of 16:27 in the Meet of Champions.
The rising phenom is now 16 and viewed as the team leader. It’s not often a sophomore is the head of the pack. But it’s easy to understand why he is positioned where he is.
“This year was a great learning experience,” said Falk, who relishes the role. “I went from being a follower to a leader. Last year I was a fifth man and there weren’t people looking up at me. This year I was consistently the number one guy and I took over a leadership role.”
Falk’s best time was 16 minutes flat for eighth place in South Jersey Group 4. He then finished 15th at states and 37th in the Meet of Champions. He also took home the Burlington County Open title in 16:42, becoming the first sophomore county champion, and placed sixth in 16:26 in the Olympic Conference meet.
“Everyone I run with is incredible,” said Falk. “It all starts back in June with waking up early to get a run in before it got too hot. My teammates are a tight group. If one guy has a great race on the day, we all feel good about it.
“The coaches are there for us, too. Coach Steve Shaklee and Chris Callinan have won things and they know what it takes. All around it’s a great atmosphere and that has helped me.”
Falk will run track in the spring and looks to translate his success on the course to the track.
“To be honest, I feel like I’m better at track,” said Falk. “I enjoy cross country a lot, but I really learned how to race on the track. I have high expectations and I’d like to run the mile in 4:18 and two-mile in 9:25. I’m going to work really hard.”
December 9, 2014
Justin DeTone
Cherokee, senior
His leadership manifested itself as Cherokee proved to be the top team in Burlington County. DeTone set an example of what it takes to be successful when he finished sixth in 17:05 in the County Open. After placing 11th in 16:42 in the Olympic Conference meet, DeTone ran 16:40 at sectionals to help Cherokee finish third in South Jersey Group 4. He further supported his teammates with a 17:02 mark in the state Group 4 meet.
December 9, 2014
Cherokee, sophomore
He was a solid No. 2 man to Nick Falk in the pack that made Cherokee one of the top teams in South Jersey. Shea reached the Meet of Champions and placed 43rd in 16:34. He earned his spot as a wild card when he ran 16:39 for 28th place in the state Group 4 race. Shea had finished eighth in the County Open in 17:13, 16th in the Olympic Conference meet (16:56) and 14th in South Jersey Group 4 (16:14).