There’s still some kick left in the Verona High School girls and boys cross country teams this season: Both squads are headed to the State Group Championship at Holmdel County Park on Saturday.
The girls came in fourth at the recent State Sectional meet and are making their first trip to the Group finals since 2012. Ava Anderson was VHS’ first finisher at the sectional meet (23:41), followed by Emily Petermann (24:37), Julia DiGeronimo (24:55), Gabrielle Horton (25:20), Julia Capuano (26:02) and Adrianna Fierro (26:06).
The boys meanwhile placed fifth at the North 2 Group 1 State Sectional meet. Senior Dino Calandra finished in the top 25 runners in a time of 19:01. Sophomore Mark Walsh ran a personal best this season in 19:26 and junior Jake Parent ran a personal best time for the season in 19:30. Rounding out the boys team heading to Holmdel are senior Ryan Ramsthaler and freshmen Mike Maglione and Philip Chivily.
Photo copyright Treesh Ramsthaler. Used by permission.