Young runners race to victory in competition BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD HERNANDEZ Five members of the Elite Runners recreation club went to nationals in Merrillville, Ind., during Presidents Day weekend in February, and all five came back with medals. Coaches Richard Hernandez and Dennis Cordeiro are standing with (l-r) Nathan Walkes, 16, of Carteret, Nadia Hernandez, 16, of Woodbridge, Markus Bagley, 7, of Avenel, Jordyn Smith, 13, of Fords, and Nicole Cordeiro, 15, of Colonia, at the national championship. WOODBRIDGE - Five members of the Elite Runners recreation club went to nationals in Merrillville, Ind., recently and all five came back with medals. The fivemembers participated in the national championships over Presidents Day weekend in February. Markus Bagley, 7, ofAvenel, participated in the 55 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters. He placed third in the 55 meters, second in the 200meters, andwon the national championship for the 400 meters. Nicole Cordeiro, 15, of Colonia, participated in the 3,000meters, where she placed sixth, 1,500 meters, and the 800 meters, where she placed fourth. Nadia Hernandez, 16, of Woodbridge, participated in the long jump and the pentathlon, which involves the 55-meter hurdles, shot put, 400 meters and 800 meters. She placed second in the pentathlon and fourth in the long jump. Jordyn Smith, 13, of Fords, participated in the 55 meters and the 200 meters. She placed second for both. Nathan Walkes, 16, of Carteret, participated in the 3,000meters, 1,500meters, and 800meters.He placed sixth in the 3,000 and 1,500 meters. The club, which is under the umbrella of the USA Track and Field [USATF] and the AmateurAthleticUnion [AAU],was started three years ago. "At the time,we started the club because there was no girls track team during the winter at theWoodbridgeHigh School," said RickHernandez,whose daughterNadia is a member of the team. "There was a lot of interest, and when the Woodbridge High School implemented a winter girls track team, we started focusing on younger kids." Hernandez said that when the club first began, he did not see it evolving into what it has become. "We were just thinking it was going to stay no more than recreational, but we began seeing the maturity of talent in the kids and we knew we had something special," he said. "We are still a recreational club and allow everyone to join and compete." Hernandez said the majority of the 55 members - who range from 5 to 18 years old- of the club are fromtheCentral Jersey area of Carteret, Edison, North Brunswick andWoodbridge. "We don't really advertise…it's all word of mouth," he said. The members run all three seasons of cross country, indoor track and spring track. Hernandez coaches the club with Dennis Cordeiro, Kim Shibata and Carl Smith. "We have traveled all over the country, fromGeorgia,Maryland and Indiana to California and Texas," said Hernandez, who said the events bring well over 1,000 kids from all over the country. Cordeiro,Hernandez, Smith andWalkes also participate in their running teams at school. "Our competition season starts from April to July," said Hernandez. "The kids would just continue competing after their school season is over." The teamsplits practice time at theWarren Park in Woodbridge and the Stelton Community Center in Edison. "We hope in the spring we can utilize the Woodbridge High School track," said Hernandez. The five members who participated in the national championships said they enjoy the traveling. "It's fun to bewith friends and we help each other out," said Nadia, who has been running since she was 10 and is a junior atWoodbridge High School. Cordeiro, who has been running since she was 5 and is a junior at Colonia High School, agreed. "The hotel rooms are fun," she added. Bagley, a second-grader at Avenel School 4 & 5, who was the youngest to travel with the group, was speechlesswhen asked howhe likes being on the team. "I actually signedMarkus up because I didn't like how he ran," said his mother, Lucy,who is the treasurer for the team. "He is involved in [Iselin Giants Flag] football, basketball, baseball, and tae kwon do. He's just really active, and I wanted himto become stronger." Walkes, a sophomore at Carteret High School, began running during his freshman year. "I have always played basketball and football, and my mom, Joyce, introduced me to the club," he said. Smith, who is an eighthgrader at FordsMiddle School, said that becoming a member of the club last year has made her run faster. The club is hosting a two-day state championship June 6 and 7 at the Woodbridge High School. "We have a lot of young kids," said Hernandez. "We are looking to recruitmoremiddle school and high school kids to come join the club." For more information about the club, visit www.elite-runners.net or e-mail eliterunners@comcast.net.