Cherokee Track & Field Pictures, 2007, Page VI





The Championship Season, II!


The end of May is the "peaking time" for Spring track athletes. Done right, the top athletes are best prepared to set PR's and win events . . . and Cherokee's athletes hoped to be among them! This page focuses on that quest, highlighting the South Jersey Group IV Sectional Championships (May 25th and 26th) and the State Group IV Championships (June 1st and 2nd), both at Egg Harbor Township HS; and the State Meet of Champions (June 6th) at South Plainfield HS. Also, there is a section on the annual Track Party where team members, parents, friends and coaches enjoy a final meal together and review the accomplishments of the year. GO CHEROKEE!






South Jersey Group IV Sectional Championships

On May 25th and 26th, 2007, a highly select group of team members traveled to Egg Harbor Township High School for the South Jersey Group IV Sectionals! Experiencing the two hottest days of the season, many of the guys still performed well but only four advanced to the State Group IV Championships the following week. Long Jumper Chris Steliga took 1st in the Group IV competition and had the longest jump of the day at the Egg Harbor site! High Jumper Lynell Paine matched his personal best and took 4th; Triple Jumper Steve Watson was the last to qualify in the Trials but came back after the 4 X 400m Relay to take 5th in the Finals; and Alex Yersak outkicked two others through the last 400m of the 3200m Run to take 2nd in the event!


Chris Chen starts in 400HH Mike Schiafone starts in 400HH Lynell Payne in the Shot Kyle Magulick in the Shot Sean Farrow in the 100m Dash Kevin Schickling in the 1600m
Steve Burkholder and Ted in 1600m Aaron DeCaires in LJ Chris Steliga in LJ Aaron DeCaires in LJ Steve Watson in the LJ Joe Gentes in the 400m
Chris Steliga in the LJ Aaron DeCaires in the HH Major Mobley in the HH Matt Adezzio in the Vault Dom Roskoski in the Disc Dan Farid in the Disc
Chris Ratkis in the Disc Mike Medvec in the 800m Bill Iamurri in the 800m AJ Valentine in the 800m Chris Steliga in the 200m Kevin Merrigan in the 200m
Lynell Payne in the HJ Alex Yersak in the 3200m Chris Applegate in the 3200m Alex Yersak in the 3200m Alex Yersak battles at the finish the 3200m Chris Applegate battles at the finish of the 3200m
Coach Shaklee on duty Chris Steliga to Steve Watson in the 4 X 400m AJ Valentine to Kevin Merrigan in the 4 X 400m Steve Watson in the TJ





NJ State Group IV Championships

On June 1st and 2nd, 2007, three of the four team members who qualified at Sectionals traveled once again to Egg Harbor Township High School to compete in the NJ State Group IV Championships, this time hoping to qualify further for the upcoming NJ State Meet of Champions.

On Friday, June 1st, Chris Steliga accomplished that goal by taking 2nd in the Long Jump against the state's best Group IV Long Jumpers!

On Saturday, June 2nd, Steve Watson competed in the Triple Jump and Alex Yersak competed in the 3200m but neither athlete was able to advanced to the Meet of Champions.

The team's fourth qualifier, Lynell Payne, took the SAT's in the morning but hoped to make it to the meet in time to participate. Unfortunately, the competition in the High Jump went so fast that he was unable to do so.


Steliga in LJ at Groups Steliga in LJ at Groups Steliga in LJ at Groups Steliga in LJ at Groups Steliga in LJ at Groups Steliga in LJ at Groups
Steliga in LJ at Groups Steliga in LJ at Groups Cheap seats! Cheap seats! The $7.00 seats!




Watson in TJ at Groups Watson in TJ at Groups Watson in TJ at Groups Watson in TJ at Groups Watson in TJ at Groups Watson in TJ at Groups
Watson in TJ at Groups Watson in TJ at Groups




Yersak in 3200m at Groups Yersak in 3200m at Groups Yersak in 3200m at Groups Yersak in 3200m at Groups Yersak in 3200m at Groups Yersak in 3200m at Groups
Yersak in 3200m at Groups Yersak in 3200m at Groups





Cherokee Track & Field Awards Dinner

On June 3, 2007, following a long-standing tradition, Cherokee's Track and Field team held its annual banquet at the school. There the team, coaches, families and friends enjoyed a meal together, applauded the accomplishments of the team this season, and bid farewell to the graduating seniors. Besides the great food provided by the parents, highlights included the Coach's announcement of the Most Valuable Player in the sprints, hurdles, jumps, distance and throws events, and a special Multi-Event award.

As one of the strongest "dual meet teams" in Cherokee history because of its strength in every area, the team had an undefeated dual meet season and became the American Division Champions! In addition, the team easily won the inaugural Lenape District Championship and became the Lenape District Champions! And while accomplishing this, several new school records were established:



100 Meter Dash: Kevin Merrigan

200 Meter Dash: Kevin Merrigan

Shuttle Hurdle Relay: Chris Chen, Mike Schiafone, Major Mobley, Aaron DeCaires

4 X 100 Meter Relay: Kevin Merrigan, Steve Watson, Chris Steliga, Sam Shapiro



Among the individual honors are:



Olympic Conference: First Team

Aaron DeCaires, 110HH

Chris Steliga, Long Jump


Olympic Conference: Second Team

Major Mobley, 110HH

Alex Yersak, 1600m

4 X 400m Relay: Kevin Merrigan, Steve Watson, Mike Schiafone, Chris Steliga


County Champion

Steve Watson, Triple Jump


South Jersey Group IV Medalists

Steve Watson, 5th Place, Triple Jump

Alex Yersak, 2nd Place, 3200m

Chris Steliga, Champion, Long Jump

Lynell Payne, 4th Place, High Jump


State Group IV Medalists

Chris Steliga, 2nd Place, Long Jump


All-South Jersey Team

Chris Steliga, 1st Team, Long Jump


NJ State All-Group IV Team

Chris Steliga, 2nd Team, Long Jump


Track & Field Most Valuable Player

Alex Yersak, Distance

Steve Watson, Jumps

Kevin Merrigan, Sprints

Dan Farid, co-MVP, Throws

Devin Prate, co-MVP, Throws

Aaron DeCaires, Hurdles

Chris Steliga, Multi-Event Award



Banquet Room Banquet Room Coach Shaklee One of several buffet tables Freshmen Sophomores
Juniors Seniors Special Recognition Group MVP's In stealth gear, he fades from view!





New Jersey State Meet of Champions

On June 6, 2007, the season ended well for Chris Steliga at the NJ State Meet of Champions in South Plainfield when he medalled in the Long Jump! Last year as a Sophomore, Chris was the only Cherokee athlete to qualify for the state's Meet of Champions but he failed to take a medal. This year, again the only Cherokee athlete to qualify for the state's top meet, Chris changed that by jumping 22' 00" and taking 5th in the event! Congratulations Chris!












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