PITMAN --- Runners across the NJAC are back in action as the men’s cross country season kicks off this weekend when four teams take to the course on Friday and another on Saturday.
On Friday evening, TCNJ opens the season hosting the Blue/Gold Invitational, which also includes NJCU among the participating teams. Kean, in its first season back on the course since 2007, heads to Adelphi to start the season. On Saturday, Rowan opens the 2022 season with a trip to Salisbury. The remainder of the teams in the NJAC open the following weekend.
Heading into the fall season, four teams are among the top 10 in the USTFCCCA Metro Region preseason poll. TCNJ enters the season ranked No. 2 in the region and is receiving votes in the national Division III poll. Rowan clocks in at No. 3 in the region. Stockton and Ramapo are both in the top 10 as well, with the Ospreys entering the season ranked No. 7 and Ramapo coming in at No. 9.
The 2022 NJAC Championship is slated for Saturday, Oct. 29, at TCNJ. The men’s 8K is slated to begin around 11:15 AM, shortly after the conclusion of the women’s championship race.
However, most NJAC teams will get a look at each other in a few key regular season meets prior to the championship. Stockton’s Osprey Open (Sept. 9) and the TCNJ Invitational (Sept. 23) will feature several conference teams, as will the annual Paul Short Run at Lehigh (Sept. 30). Rowan will once again host the prestigious Border Battle meet at DREAM Park in Logan Township on Oct. 15, with at least five NJAC teams in action at a meet that will include over 40 teams from around the country.
Around the NJAC
Kean
A new group of Cougars are excited to get on the course as Kean’s program will compete for the first time since 2007. Kean is led by new head coach Danielle Todman, a decorated runner herself who remains in the Bucknell record books in three track events and earned All-Patriot League honors during her time in Lewisburg. She is exceptionally pleased with the leadership and work ethic her group has been showing in getting ready to make a splash on the conference running scene. Her team features over two dozen runners with a solid mix of younger student-athletes and upperclassmen looking to compete.
Among the team’s early leaders is sophomore Corey Rodriguez, who Todman credits for leading the interest in the revival of the Kean program. Rodriguez is a hometown athlete who competed for Union High School.
Todman says, “What I’m looking forward to as a coach is my team seeing the champion in them and growing that champion!”
NJCU
NJCU welcomes back a solid core group of runners from a squad that finished fifth in the team standings at last year’s NJAC championship meet. Two of last year’s top three finishers return, including Jaime Tlatelpa and Jake Sisk. Tlatelpa is the leading returner after finishing in the top half of the field last year. Sisk and classmate Topu Saha competed in their first conference championship last season, so bring a year of experience to 2022. Also returning are Denilson Lopez and Adnan Kpodo. Head Coach Pat O’Neill welcomes newcomers David Velez and Josue Palau, who he expects to make an immediate impact on the Gothic Knights’ top seven.
Ramapo
Ramapo enters the season ranked No. 9 in the Metro Region and looks to be in contention for an NJAC title after finishing runner-up by just four points last year. Although the Roadrunners need to replace the 1-2 punch of Chris Andersen and Steven Fiumefreddo, a strong core from last year’s top seven is back. Mohamed Nidaazzi looks to build upon a terrific rookie season that saw him finish fourth individually and earn NJAC First Team honors. Ian McCauley also earned all-conference honors in his first season on the course in 2021. They are joined by Jason Mercado, who was the next Roadrunner finisher last season. Head Coach Justina Cassavell also welcomes a strong group of newcomers looking to make an immediate impact on the top seven, and expects her talented squad to flourish as the season progresses.
Rowan
Rowan, ranked No. 3 in the Metro Region preseason poll, is poised for a standout season with five of last year’s top seven returning along with a strong group of rookies and a top transfer. The Profs are eager to improve upon last year’s third place conference finish and fourth place Metro Regional finish. Justin Kelly, the Profs’ top runner early last year, returns to the course after being sidelined for illness later last season. Jacob Riley and Noah Cziryak return after both earning all-conference and all-region accolades. Riley finished sixth at last year’s NJAC championship meet and Cziryak was eighth. Brandon Jarrett and Dario Epifania are also back after placing in the top 20 in the conference last year. Matt Conway and Giancarlo Vega are back after big track seasons last year, as the duo went 4-5 in the outdoor 5K. Shane Vostenak will run cross country for the first time this season for Rowan, but is no stranger to NJAC distance after finishing fourth in the 10K at the outdoor championship. Head Coach Dustin Dimit also welcomes a strong group of newcomers, led by Division I transfer Ben Woodward. Woodward is the Rider school record holder in the indoor 5K (14:27).
Rutgers-Camden
Truly an unknown in the conference this year are the Scarlet Raptors, who are under the mentorship of brand new head coach Jill Chestnut. Chestnut is a former Raptor runner and NJAC All-Conference honoree who brings a wealth of experience to build the program. She competed in both track and cross country in Camden and on the local running circuit, and has coached at Camden Catholic, Christ The King, and with the South Jersey Track & Field Club. As a Raptor, she was a two-time cross country team MVP and earned All-NJAIAW honors twice. Coming on board at the very end of August, Chestnut looks to have her team ready to open the season on Sept. 9 at the Osprey Open.
Rutgers-Newark
Rutgers-Newark’s squad looks to work hard and continue to improve and get stronger throughout the season, led by all-conference distance runner Adam Abushanab. He was the top runner for the Scarlet Raiders all last season and holds the freshman 8K school record. He placed 61
st at NCAA regionals last year and also earned all-conference accolades in the 10K at the NJAC outdoor meet. The Scarlet Raiders’ squad also features a strong core of sprint and mid-distance runners getting more experience on the cross country course. Head Coach Juan Edney also welcomes a solid group of newcomers, with Vinnie Marinaro poised to make an immediate contribution to the top seven.
Stockton
Stockton, ranked No. 7 in the Metro Region preseason rankings, looks to be in the top four mix once again. The Ospreys return four of their top seven finishers from last year’s NJAC meet along with 2020-21 NJAC champion Cooper Knorr who missed 2021. Sam Tenebaum was the top Osprey finisher in 2021 with a top 25 outing and Brandon Shymanski returns after finishing 31
st at last year’s conference meet. Clayton Engle and Brenden Heitz are also back from the top seven. Head Coach Nick McDonough also welcomes a large group of newcomers, including Toms River North teammate trio Matt Sabo, Jack Cordiano, and Mike Cordiano, along with Shane McDevitt (Jackson Memorial), Tyler Wells (Audubon), and Dalton Culleny (Cedar Creek).
TCNJ
TCNJ enters the season ranked No. 2 in the Metro Region preseason rankings and picked up votes in the national poll. With five of their top seven who competed at the regional meet back this season, the Lions seek to defend their conference title and contend again in the region. Among the returner are all-conference runners Michael Bond and Ben Fanta, who earned First Team honors last year. Steven Mendez, Kevin Christensen, and Gabriel Calandri are back after picking up Second Team honors last season. Christensen more recently won the outdoor 1500 title and Bond finished runner-up in the 10K during the outdoor championship. All seven scoring runners at last year’s NJAC cross country meet were in all-conference placement. Head Coach Justin Lindsey also expects Mart Villanueva, Matt Smith, and Michael Rodriguez to be in the mix of the Lions’ top seven this year. He also welcomes a solid group of newcomers to give the team depth and possibly crack the top seven, including Matt Granizo (Union Catholic), Kevin Matthews (Pope John XXIII), and Ryan Segalla (Matawan Regional). Based on the early time trial, the Lions are poised for a strong run at both the conference and regional titles.