Summer and Cross Country, 2024

-- 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 and generally dominated the race. Indeed, over the past 11 years or so, Cherokee's athletes won at least 11 of the races, taking 1st and 2nd in the bargain! Last year, Alums Mike Zurzolo '17, now coaching at Highland High School, finished in 1st; Ethan Wechsler '19, took 2nd; Mike Iannotta '17, now at Grad School at Drexel and an accomplished marathoner, took 3rd; and Brandon Marks '17 took 4th! Alum Jack Shea '17, now in grad school at St. Joseph's and race course record holder, chose to race the Haddon Heights FireCracker 5K because they award real cash at the finish line! ; < ) (FYI, Jack won the FireCracker and took home the cash with a smile!)

-- On July 4th, 2024, Marlton sponsored their annual 4th of July 5K and an unusually small group of Cherokee Alums -- probably because it was so darn hot! -- showed up for the race! Typically, a Cherokee Alum won the race but, this year, "an outsider," long-ago Moorestown graduate, Kevin McDonneld, (14:47, 4:43 pace) now coached by Cherokee's Steve Shaklee, took 1st; followed by Cherokee's Mike Zurzolo '17 in 2nd (15:47, 5.05 pace), now coaching at Highland H.S,; Conor Jacob '23 of Monmouth University in 5th (17:07, 5:32 pace); Marc Pelerin '02 in 9th (18:34, 6:00 pace); Josh Pawlik '22 in 14th (20:06, 6:30 pace); Joe Hough '23 in 17th (20:24, 6:37 pace); Evan Pawlik '22 in 21st (21:00, 6:47 pace); and Chris Zurzolo in 179th (31:18, 10:06). Details at: Results and excellent finish line video. On June 30th, our photographer fell from his bike and seriously damaged his ribs. As a result, he was unavailable to shoot the race. Sorry.

~~~ Almost a year ago, Bill Shea, father of Cherokee Alums, Jack '17 and Brett '21, outstanding Coach at the Marlton Recreation Council, and the "Running Father" of many of you, suffered a massive stroke. He fought the after-effects of the stroke, and others since then and, just last week, died from his injuries! Say a prayer and pass a kind word to the family when you see them. ~~~

-- On July 18, 2024, our recovering photographer dropped by the team's morning practice and found several Alums doing their own training and stepping into a number of tempo drills with the team. Conor Jacob '23 and Nick Kuenkle '24 both of Monmouth University, took advantage of a bit cooler morning to train and say "hello!" Also, Jack Shea '17, in a grad program at St Joe's University, is volunteering to help coach the team. BYW, Nick's glasses routine was a reminder of a habit we laughed about for years. Competition pic is from Indoor Track!

In mid-August, two Alums, Kevin Cuneo '04 and Kevin Schickling '08, and a wanna-be Alum, Tim Callinan, now Directors of the RunningWorks CC Camp in the Poconos, ably aided by Alums Jack Shea '17, and Mike Zurzolo '17, among others, ran a very successful camp this summer. Traditionally, the temperature at the camp is 10 degrees lower than at home in Marlton but this year, for only the second time in 24 years, the temperature went into the 40's for several nights for a nice change from this summer's hellishly hot temps at home! Congratulations!

After 23 years, our regular photographer was unavailable and these are part of Seawon Park's work at camp.

Also in mid-August, Kevin and Colleen Cuneo had a surprise early visitor, their first child! Reportedly, a tiny little kid, she spent her early days in the hospital's ICU but is said to be looking quite well! Congratulations!

On August 29th, 2024, Alum Mike Zurzolo '17, now coaching at Highland H.S., traveled to CBA for the Monmouth Mile. Running unattached, Mike raced the Mixed 1 Mile Run Community and finished 1st in 4:23.57! Also racing unattached was Alum Jack Shea '17 in the Mile Elite Class where he finished 14th in 4:20.88. Details including vedeos at: NJ.MileSplit

On August 30th, 2024, Alums Nico Grilli '21, and Conor Jacob '23 of Monmouth University, ran their first college races this season at the 6K Temple Owl Invitational in Ambler, PA. Nico placed 12th/40 overall in 19:45.2 (5:17 pace) while Conor placed 23rd/40 overall in 20:42.3 (5:33 pace). Both were their first recorded 6K's. Details at: TFRRS. Nick Kuenkle '24, also at Monmouth University, is scheduled to race in The Jersey Jam next weekend at Princeton! (Picture from Monmouth U.)

On August 30th, 2024, Alum Silas Matteson '24 OF TCNJ, was introduced to college competition at home in their Blue and Gold Invitational, largely an intra-squad 8K Cross Country meet. Silas finished the course in 17th/40 overall, clocking 17:32.8 (5:38 pace). GO SILAS! Details at: TFRRS.

On September 6th, 2024, Alum Nick Kuenkel '24 of Monmouth University and Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, opened their college running careers at Princeton University's The Jersey Jam, competing on their 5600m course. Nick raced the course in 17:22.4, finishing 3rd for his team and 18th/78 overall. Bobby covered the course in 18:40.4, finishing in 60th. Details at: Leone.

On September 6th, 2024, Alum Silas Matteson '24 of TCNJ, traveled to Union Square H.S. for West Chester University's WCU Season Opener. Silas raced the 6K in 20:42.3 (5:33.2) and finished 14th/42 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On September 13th, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Penn State University for the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational. Ethan raced the 5.2 mile course in 25:35.4 (pace 4:55.3) and finished in 23rd/209 overall! Ethan ran the course many times in the past and clocked between 25:53 and 25:29! Details at: TFRRS.

On September 13th, 2024, Alums Nico Grilli '21, and Conor Jacob '23 of Monmouth University, traveled to Penn State University for the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational. Nico covered the 5.2 mile course in 26:56.1 (pace 5:10.8) and finished in 131st/209 overall. Conor was timed in 27:40.2 (pace 5.19.3) and finished in 163rd/209 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On September 27th, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to the University of Wisconsin in Madison for the Nuttycombe Invitational. There he raced the 8K course in 24:45.9 (5:48.9 pace) and finished in 109th/186 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

~~~ On October 1, 2024, Frank Medvec, the father of Alums Andrew Medvec '03 and Mike Medvec '06 died from cancer. Usually, we mention the deaths of only extraordinary parents in the Alums section and Mr. Medvec qualifies as he continued to participate in Cherokee Track and Field l ong after his sons graduated. As both a high school and college official (always at the Penn Relays), he worked mostly in the Field and routinely asked for jobs at Cherokee to stay in touch through the Indoor and Spring Seasons! Say a prayer and pass a kind word to the family when you see them. ~~~

On October 5th, 2024, Alums Nico Grilli '21,; Conor Jacob '23 and Nick Kuenkel '24 of Monmouth University, traveled to Lehigh University for the highly competitive Paul Short Run. In the College Gold 8K, Nick set the standard for our Cherokee Alums, clocking 25:24.7 (5:06.7 pace) and finishing 200th/394 overall and 167th/298 team competitors; and Nico followed in 26:09.8 (5:15.8 pace) finishing 291st/394 overall and 253/298 team competitors. In the Men's Open Race, Conor clocked 26:54.0 (5:24.7 pace), finishing 212th/632 overall and 135th/352 team competitor. Details at: TFRRS.

On October 5th, 2024, Alum Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, traveled to Lehigh University's Paul Short Run and competed as an individual in the Men's Open Race where he clocked 27:04.8 (5:26.8 pace) and finished 234th/632 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On October 12th, 2024, Alum Silas Matteson '24 of TCNJ, traveled to the New Jersey Institute of Technology for their Highlander XC Challenge. Silas clocked 28:09.0 (5:39.8 pace) and finished 52nd/297 overall, 4th on his team that also finished 4th/31 teams! Details at: TFRRS.Alert to everything around them TCNJ's team stands ready at the starting line!

On October 18th, 2024, Alums Nick Kuenkel '24 and Nico Grilli '21 , of Monmouth University, traveled to near-by Princeton University for the 8K Princeton Fall Classic. Nick finished in 24:57.8 (5:01 pace) in 160th place, while Nico clocked 15:26.7 (5:07 pace) and took 187th. Details at: TFRRS.

On October 18th, 2024, Alum Conor Jacob '23 of Monmouth University, traveled to Van Cortlandt Park, New York for the 8K IC4A/ECAC XC Championship. Conor clocked 26.01.4 (5:14 pace) and placed 91st/268 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On October 19th, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Madison, Wisconsin for the Madison Pre-Nationals. Ethan raced the 8K race in 24:16.4 (4:53 pace)! He finished 146th/250 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On November 1st, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to NC State in Cary, NC for the ACC Cross Country Championships. Ethan finished the 8K race in 50th/155 overall, clocking 23:31.9 (4:44 pace)! Details at: TFRRS.

On November 1st, 2024, Alums Nick Kuenkel '24 and Nico Grilli '21 , of Monmouth University, competed in the CAA Cross Country Championship at Elon University in North Carolina. Nick finished 18th/102 overall in 25:37.7 (5:09.4), and Nico finished 38th/102 overall in 26:25.2 (5:19 pace). Details at: TFRRS.

On November 15th, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Hopkinton State Fairgrounds, Contoocook, NH for the 38 team NCAA Division I Northeast Region Cross Country Championships, where the team took 1st in the competition! Ethan took 6th on the team, 51st/260 overall, in 31:09.6 (5:00.9 pace)! Next week, Syracuse will race in the NCAA Championships in Madison, Wisconsin! Details at: TFRRS.

On November 23rd, 2024, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Madison, Wisconsin for the NCAA DIV I Cross Country Championships. Ethan clocked an excellent 30:13.3 (4:51.8 pace) in the 10K event, 6th on his team, finishing 147th/255 overall (119th in the official scoring). Syracuse took 1st in their Regionals but had to settle for 11th of 31 teams in Nationals! Details at: TFRRS. Additionally, Reuben Frank picked up the story at: SJ Coaches Blog.

On November 28th, 2024, a number of our Alums showed up for the rainy-day 9th Annual Marlton Turkey Trot and again made a Cherokee statement! Jack Shea '17 (Jack's 25 already!) and Ethan Wechsler '19 set the pace with Jack in 1st (14:35) and Ethan in 2nd (14:48). Did you see 43 year old Joe Halin '99, Track State Champion back in 1999, and now an ER nurse at Virtua, in 9th in 17:22?! Others were there too and their names are on the Results sheet. Our photographer was unavailable but Mrs Tindall herded together a group of Alums and present-day Chiefs for a picture:

On December 6th, 2025, Alum Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, traveled to the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City for the Holiday Classic. There he competed in his first college Mile and finished 4th/8 overall in 4:15.64. GO BOBBY! Details at: TFRRS.

On December 11th, 2024, while changing the currect program to Track and Field, our editor discovered a "Blast from the Past!" A picture of Shawn Wilson '13 in the NCAA Cross Country Regionals, 11/15/2019! He was struck by the arm action Shawn learned from Coach Shaklee!

On December 13th, 2024, Alums Conor Jacob '23 and Nick Kuenkel '24 of Monmouth University, traveled to the Ocean Breeze Complex for the Seahawk Shootout. Conor raced the 1600m in 4:22.19 and finished 9th/63 overall. Nick was in the 3,000m where he clocked 8:31.89 (4:35 pace) and finished 2nd/46 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On January 11, 2025, Alum Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, had his first opportunity to race on the new banked track at the Ott Track and Field Center on Penn's campus. At a meet identified as the 2025 Penn Select, Bobby raced the 800m in 1:54.57 and finished 9th/36 overall, 2nd/10 section. Bobby also competed as the 3rd man (Brown, Davis, Poplau, Bivins) in the 4 X 400m Relay that finished 6th/10 overall in 3:27.04. Details at: TFRRS.

On January 11, 2025, Alum Nico Grilli '21 and Conor Jacob '23, and Nick Kuenkel '24 of Monmouth University, raced on the new banked track at the Ott Track and Field Center on Penn's campus. At the 2025 Penn Select, Nico completed the Mile in 4:16.61, finishing 10th/42 overall. Conor raced the 800 in 1:56.23 and took 4th/36 overall; and Nick raced the Mile in 4:18.12 and took 12th/36 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On January 15, 2025, Coach Shaklee reported to our editor that the picture of Shawn Wilson '13 above is in fact NOT Shawn but some other Syracuse guy. Well, I'll be damned . . . it sure looks like Shawn! The coach's source is Syracuse runner, Ethan Wechsler and he wouldn't bs the Old Man! Whatever, the editor is leaving it as a source of amusement.

On January 18th, 2025, Alums Nico Grilli '21, Conor Jacob '23 and Nick Kuenkel '24 of Monmouth University, traveled across the river to new Ott Track and Field Center on the Penn campus for the 2025 Quaker Invitational. Nico raced the 800m in 1:55.13, finishing 9th/19 overall. Conor raced the Mile in 4:31.88. finishing 27th/31 overall; and Nick Kuenkel '24 raced the 3K in 8:34.84, finishing in 9th/29 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On January 18th, 2025, Alum Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, returned to the Ott Track and Field Center for the 2025 Quaker Invitational and raced his fastest 800m so far, 4th/19 overall in 1:52.27! Details at: TFRRS.

On January 24th, 2025, Alum Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, traveled to the Fall Creek Pavilion at Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis for the Crossroads of America Invitational. There he raced both the Mile and the DMR. In the mile, he clocked 4:19.45 and finished 20th/28 overall; and his DMR team of Gavin Richards, Bryce Tucker, Robert Poplau and Brian Pedretti) took 1st/5 overall in 9:58.37. Details at: TFRRS.

On January 24th, 2025, Alums Nico Grilli '21, Conor Jacob '23 and Nick Kuenkel '24 of Monmouth University, competed in the Dr Sander Scorcher at the Armory in New York City. Nico raced the Mile and took 11th/69 overall in 4:16.28; Conor raced the 800m and took 10th/47 overall in 1:57.16; Nick raced the Mile in 4:17.65 and finished 17th/69 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On January 31, 2025, Alums Conor Jacob '23, Nico Grilli '21 and Nick Kuenkel '24 of Monmouth University competed in the Scarlet Knight Open at the NYC Armory. Conor finished the 800m in 12th/51 overall in a gentle 1:59.06. Nico finished the 1600m in 4th/44 overall in 4:14.67; and Nick finished the 5K in 7th/24 overall while clocking 14:51.92 (4:47 pace). Details at: TFRRS.

On January 31st, 2025, Alum Mike Zurzolo '17, now coaching at Highland H.S., was seen at The Bubble in Toms River "encouraging" his runners to improve their speed in a race and our alert photographer caught him in action. When shown the picture, he claimed he was a product of Coach Shaklee . . . and then claimed that the Coach was influenced in much the same way by our photographer! Absurd!

On February 1st, 2025, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston to compete in the 3K. Ethan clocked an 8:24.38 (pace 4:31) and finished 89/247overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On February 8th, 2025, Alum Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, traveled to Boston University for the Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White Invitational where he competed in the 800m and finished 29th/71 overall while clocking 1:52.64! Details at: TFRRS.

On February 14th, 2025, Alum Ethan Wechsler '19 of Syracuse University, traveled to Boston University for the David Hemery Valentine Invitational where he raced the 3K in 14:33.73 and finished 177th/230 overall. Details at: TFRRS.

On February 15th, 2025, Alums Nick Kuenkel '24 and Conor Jacob '23 of Monmouth University, traveled to The Nike Track & Field Center @ The Armory for the NYU Division III Invitational. There, Nick raced the 3K in 8:24.32 and took 1st/44 overall! Conor raced the 800m in 1.59.688 (extended to break a tie) and finished 9th/68 overall. Details at: Runnerspace.

On February 23rd, 2025, Alum Bobby Poplau '24 of Rutgers University, returned to The Bubble to support his former team in the NJSIAA State Group 4 Championships but his support worked in only one race, the 1500m, where Freshman Jack Shea raced the 1600m in 4.19.57 and took 2nd! (Yeah, read that again!) Bobby promised not to talk about the four other Chiefs who "raced" that day! In an interview, Bobby reported he's very happy with both his team and the academics at Rutgers, as well as his girlfriend at a local Penn State campus! Yeah, with that haircut he claims to have a girlfriend! I know, who'da thunk it?!

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