Distance Recap - Sectionals
Distance Recap - Sectionals
Recap from the Boys' Distance Coach, Steve Shaklee
The weather was close to perfect for the two days of the South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals at Pennsauken High School on Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June1st, and the Cherokee distance squad came into the meet looking to score points and help the team contend for a sectional title. They did just that, scoring 52 of the team’s 80 points that earned a second place finish!
The 800 was the first distance race of the meet on Friday and Bobby Poplau and Nick Kuenkel got things off to a great start. Bobby, coming back from illness, showed that he is recovered as he took the lead on the backstretch of lap two (into the wind!) and kicked away to a 1.5 second victory in 1:52.57, a new personal record, School record and meet record! Behind him, Nick set a new PR of his own, becoming just the sixth Cherokee runner in school history to run under 1:55.0 with his 1:54.99 clocking for 4th place!
Nick returned a couple of hours later to take the line for the 3200 Meter Run, along with freshman, Ben Realley and sophomore, Logan Bromley. Nick set in the pack for seven laps then blasted a 59.3 final circuit to win the race by seven seconds in 9:28.67! Ben ran a tough race to secure third! Logan, feeling the effects of a contracted base period this winter (due to injury) and too much racing this spring, struggled but never gave in, finishing in tenth.
Day two for the distance squad began with the 4x800 Meter Relay. Logan and Ben were doubling back from the 3200 and were joined by Tate Midora and Enzo Corona. While it did not go as we had hoped, the team still managed to place fourth led by Enzo Corona’s four second PR on leg three!
In the final distance race of the meet, Enzo doubled back from the relay and was joined by Bobby and Nick who came in as the top two seeds and clear favorites. After a slow first lap, the tempo picked up with Bobby going to the lead. Nick took lap three and maintained a respectable pace which still saw a sizable pack together with a lap to go. Bobby went back to the lead and began his kick followed by Nick and Brody Bogos from Cherry Hill East. Bobby opened up a good lead but Nick was trailing Bogos with 100 to go. He then took off down the home stretch, closed the gap on Bobby and put three seconds on Bogus over the last 100 meters! With last laps of 58.53 and 59.00, Bobby and Nick went one-two in 4:19.28 and 4:19.51! Enzo finished a respectable twelfth with a time not too far off his personal best.
Next up, some of the team will race on Tuesday at the Cherokee Night Racer 2 Meet while some of those who advanced to the state meet will train through for that event next Friday and Saturday.
Non-Distance Qualifiers
Fundraising Goals
It is the mission of 4xAlumni to support the current crop of track and field and cross country athletes.
We are focusing on 5 major areas that we feel, with the support of the coaches, are important for this generation of student-athletes:
Offset or completely cover the cost of post-season events not sponsored by the school. This includes National Meets (cross country, indoor and outdoor track) and invitationals (Oregon, etc).
Award scholarships for deserving seniors.
Provide State Champions and School Record holders with gifts.
Support families with athletes who would like to attend a cross country camp but cannot afford it.
Provide funding for athletes needing physiotherapy who cannot afford it.
We currently only have the availability to collect funds via Venmo, but we are actively seeking ways to collect via credit card, Zelle, PayPal, and other forms to accommodate the ecosystem in 2024.
During the months of April, May, and June, we will be collecting funds that will directly contribute to scholarships for graduating seniors. Please consider donating to help fund our scholarship money.
Venmo: @ Cherokee4xalumni
About 4xAlumni
We are a non-profit organization with volunteer board members that seek to help provide funds that go directly to the current team. Our mission is:
to provide funding for travel and lodging to championship meets not covered by the school.
to provide scholarships to graduating seniors.
to provide recognition and awards to State Champion winners and new School Record holders.
to provide funding for current athletes who need assistance attending cross country camp.
to provide funding for current athletes who need assistance seeking treatment from injuries related to track/cross country.
Our Board
President: Jeff Storch ‘99
Vice President: Michelle (Bilicki) Wolosky ‘00
Secretary and Treasurer: Caitlin (O’Malley) Bertheaud ‘05
Social Media & Communication: Lisa Burkholder ‘06
Marketing & Fundraising: Marc Pelerin ‘02
Event Coordinator: Tim Haggerty ‘96
Team Liaison: Dave Sitzer ‘00
Voting Members: Joe Halin ‘00 & Sunny Patel ‘96
Venmo: @ Cherokee4xalumni