Disanza first at Meet of Champions
HOLMDEL _ During the summer of 2010, High Point's Sarah Disanza had a major decision to make.
Stick with soccer, the sport she had played since the age of 6, or pursue running after a freshman spring track season that saw her break a school record in the mile.
Barry, Richter are golden
PARSIPPANY _ While other high school athletes were involuntarily sidelined by Superstorm Sandy, cross country runners adhered to their routines.
Mountain Lakes' Colette Richter ran the day the storm struck and was back at it again the day after. She termed her first run through her town after the storm "a mini adventure."
Barry, Richter are golden
PARSIPPANY _ Mendham's Mackenzie Barry didn't consider herself ill when she came in second at the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Large Schools Race.
It was a shocker when Barry, the favorite, came in more than 14 seconds behind High Point's Sarah Disanza. Barry said she felt like she'd "pass out and throw up at the same time."
Disanza, Curham post upsets
PARSIPPANY _ High Point's Sarah Disanza could hear Mackenzie Barry's spikes. Disanza also could hear the Mendham standout breathing, seemingly inches behind her.
At that point, though, Disanza couldn't see Barry. That's because she passed her with 600 meters to go in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Large Schools Race held on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Central Park.
Bushey makes switch, shines
PARSIPPANY _ Soccer has been part of Emily Bushey's life since she was in kindergarten.
Bushey, however, gave up the sport to run cross country this fall. She wasn't only a two-year starter in the midfield, she would've been a captain.
VW's Curham improves technique
PARSIPPANY _ Until recently, Villa Walsh's Megan Curham would run with her arms up, her elbows to her torso.
Curham's arms were pretty much motionless, preventing her from going her fastest.
NJAC runners excel at MOC
HOLMDEL _ Mackenzie Barry didn't have a time or a place in mind.
All Barry, a Mendham sophomore, wanted to do was stay with the leaders at Saturday's NJSIAA Cross Country Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park.
Deep Lakers win Group I title
HOLMDEL _ Mountain Lakes freshman Jean-Marie Van der Merwe's season was over.
The Lakers' No. 8 runner hadn't practiced for three days when she got the call from coach Sue Bessin informing her she'd be taking part in the Group I race at the Cross Country State Championships at Holmdel Park.
Cope goes the distance for runners
PARSIPPANY _ Mountain Lakes' Colette Richter was uneasy as the Morris County Cross Country Championships drew nearer.
Fortunately for Richter, reassuring words are only a phone call or text away.
Hanley takes Morris title
PARSIPPANY _ Chatham's Tara Hanley could hear herself breathing loudly during the first mile of the girls varsity race at the Morris County Cross Country Championships on Tuesday and it had her concerned.
"I was scared," Hanley said.
