The Verona High School girls cross country team placed fifth at the Stewart Invitational Meet in a very competitive field on Saturday. Although the sun was out, the course, located at the new Central Park of Morris County, was extremely muddy in many areas due to the recent rain. (Central Park was built on the grounds of the former Greystone Park State Psychiatric Hospital and the course is still called Greystone by many people.)
Julia DiGeronimo led the VHS girls with a 21:43 finish followed by Jenika Ying (22:11), Bridget O’Donnell (22:18), Annalie Ying (23:11) and Veronica Valera (23:12). “Julia, Jenika and Bridget all had medal-winning performances,” says Coach Gene Leporati, “while both Annalie and Veronica were first-time runners at this course, which always creates a leaning curve not knowing what to expect.”
On the boys side, senior Mike Maglione and junior David Navarro both medaled. Navarro ran an 18:16 and Maglione’s time was 18:25. While these leading Verona times were strong, they were not strong enough to get the boys team a team medal. The top boys runner in boys varsity B, from Metuchen High School, finished in 16:41.78.
Congratulations to Senior Mike Maglione & Junior David Navarro🏅 🏅 who medaled at the Stewart Memorial XC Invitational. David ran 18:16 and Mike ran 18:25! Congrats guys! pic.twitter.com/BdyzKPR03c
— Verona Boys XC/Track (@VHSBoysXC_Track) September 29, 2018
The cross country teams’ next meet is the SEC American Division Championship at Branch Brook Park on Tuesday, October 2, which is the strongest of the Essex County Cross-Country Divisions.
Photos copyright Tina Ying. Used by permission.
