More success on track for Mustang boys
Host of locals fare well at GMC Championships
BY MIKE McDONALD
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Above, J.P Stevens' Tom Urbanowicz competes in the 110-meter hurdles during Saturday's GMC Championships at South Plainfield High School. At left, Colonia's Nna Ibeh wins his heat in the 400 meters.

The John F. Kennedy High School boys track team seems to be peaking at the right time.

The Mustangs are 5-0 on the dual-meet season and just finished sixth in the Greater Middlesex Conference Championships this past Saturday at South Plainfield High School. Old Bridge was the boys champion (134.5 points), followed by South Brunswick (55), East Brunswick (38), St. Joseph (36 and 1/4) and Metuchen (35).

JFK finished with 34 team points.

Head coach Brad Altland came into this season hoping for a repeat of the success of last year's team, which finished 7-0 and was the White Division champion.

"We want to repeat as the White Division Champions, while also doing something in the state tournament. We want to make some noise in the states," said Altland.

The team seems to be on pace to do just that.

Altland was extremely pleased with how his team performed in the GMC Championships.

"Last year, we finished ninth and scored less points. I thought we made a very good showing," said Altland.

Terell Cheatham led the way, taking home the 800-meter title. In doing so, the senior did something no other runner for Kennedy has done since the year 2000.

"Terell became the first county champion for Kennedy since 2000," Altland said. "That is a major accomplishment, which he should be awfully proud of."

Cheatham used his dazzling kick to pull away from the field with 200 meters to go, crossing the line in 1:57.6, well ahead of second-place Zach Theinert of Monroe (1:58.38).

Cheatham, who also ran under two minutes to lead the Mustangs to the title in the sprint medley relay at the recent GMC Relays, has emerged as the top 80 runner in the conference over the last few weeks.

Sophomore Derrick Jordan also ran well on Saturday, finishing third in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.41. Eat Brunswick's Jeremiah Lachaud won the race in 11.25.

"[Jordan's] success is a good thing. He has tried to push other kids and has become a great leader," said Altland.

Senior Cory Rosenbaum, who took fifth in the long jump on Saturday (290-7.5), likes to do a number of events for the Mustangs, and his versatility has been a weapon for Altland the entire season.

"Cory is a great sprinter, throws shot put, does jumping events and is one remarkable athlete," the coach said. "However, for the state meets, we want him to focus on the high jump and long jump," said Altland.

Jonathan McElroy is a strong discuss thrower, who finished fourth in this year's county tournament with a throw of 139-2. Old Bridge's Jamaar Figueroa won the event with a mark of 170-0.

"Jonathan is undefeated since sophomore year in dual meets throwing the discuss. Jon, now a senior, hopefully can continue his success," said Altland.

The 4x400 relay team also had a good showing in the county tournament, finishing third behind Metuchen (3:28.06) in a time of 3:27.2.

"That team placed third in the county tournament and will only get better," Altland said of the team comprised of brothers Jon and Bobby Ruggiero, Joe Stabile and Cheatham."

Now, all the Kennedy boys team can do is practice and try to improve individual times and distances.

"We have two weeks until the state meet," Altland said. "This means we need to practice a lot and try to improve ourselves without risking injury. However, we cannot overlook our two remaining meets because, with two more victories, we will finish this season with a 7-0 record and win the White Division for the second straight year."

Locals make their mark

at GMC meet

JFK's Cheatham wasn't the only local to bring home a county title this past weekend.

Metuchen's Kyle Edmonds entered the 400 hurdles as the favorite and did not disappoint, winning the event in 54.96. Edmonds also teamed with Steve Thomas, Dujuan Miller and Mike Saunders to win the 4x400 relay, and took second in the 110 hurdles, where he was just behind Piscataway's Jon Francois (14.72-14.99).

St. Joseph's Carl Luxhoj was one of just two athletes (along with Old Bridge's Bryant McCombs, the 200 and 400 winner) to claim two individual titles. Luxhoj, a junior, won both the long jump (21-7 and 1/4) and the triple jump (43-6 and 1/4), spurring the Falcons to their fourth-place team finish.

Eric Plummer also claimed an individual title for the Falcons, winning the shot put with a personal best distance of 53-7.

Other local boys who posted strong finishes were Colonia's Nna Ibeh (fourth in the 200, 22.28, and third in the 400, 49.79); Metuchen's Stephen Thomas (sixth in the 600, 50.81), Ilya Karpusyuki (fourth in the javelin, 164-1) and Joe Stabile (third in the 400 hurdles, 56.73); Bishop Ahr's Ted Brinkofski (fourth in the 3,200, 9:50.49); J.P. Stevens Tom Urbanowitz (fourth in the 110 hurdles, 15.51) and Brent Scott (fourth in the 400 hurdles (57.04); Woodbridge's Dan Lynch (sixth in the 400 hurdles, 58.23, and fifth in the triple jump, 42-5); St. Joseph's Albert Bastien (sixth in the 110 hurdles, 15.98), William Woodae (sixth in the pole vault, 11-0), Brad Moran (fifth in the shot put, 47-1.5) and Miguel Perez (fifth in the javelin, 160-5); and JFK's Jonathan McElroy (fourth in the discus, 139-2).

In the girls competition, J.P. Stevens was the top local finisher in seventh place (31), while Metuchen and Bishop Ahr finished tied for 11th with 18 points.

Steven's Lataya Dixon was a double-winner, taking home both the 100 hurdles (14.55) and high jump (5-4) titles. Dixon also took third in the triple jump, jumping 36-6 and 1/4.

Among the other top local finishers were Colonia's Rosalyn Martin (second in the discus, 119-7); Bishop Ahr's Monique Riddick (second in the shot put, 37-11.5, and fifth in the javelin, 110-7), Jessica Heimall (third in the javelin, 117-7) and Alyssa Bannon (sixth in the 800, 2:25.75, and 1,600, 5:34.98); Metuchen's Diedre Lippay (third in the 1,600, 5:28.55), Victoria Shersick (fifth in the pole vault, 7-6) and Lauren Pisano (fifth in the triple jump, 34-6); Edison's Kari Coffman (fifth in the 1,600, 5:34.47), Shana Cerullo (fourth in the pole vault (7-6), Emanshir Doe (fourth in the discus, 107-5) and Sabrina Taylor (fourth in the 100 hurdles, 15.63); J.P Stevens Yasmin Parks (fourth in the high jump, 5-0); and Woodbridge's Theresa Allen (sixth in the discus, 102-5).

- Doug McKenzie contributed to this story