2004 Watchung Conference Cross Country Girls

It’s not the Yankees and Red Sox or even the rivalry that Scotch Plains Fanwood and Westfield have established in other sports but the Raiders-Blue Devils cross country battles are starting to gain in stature as each recent meeting has been close, unpredictable
and usually decides a title.

The latest installment came at last Thursday’s Watchung Conference Championship race at Warinanco Park, when the team race came down to a sixth runner and SPF sophomore Samantha Carow’s 14th place finish turned out to be the difference as the Raiders defended their title, a crown that Westfield once considered its private domain.
The Raiders, who have also defeated the Blue Devils two straight years in dual meets, hope that history does not repeat itself when the teams meet for the third and final time this fall in the Union County Championships, Wednesday at Warinanco Park. In 2003,the Blue Devils gained revenge on the Raiders, who had earlier ended their 83 meet winning streak, by edging them in the County meet.

A comparison of the coaches’ summations of the conference meet give an idea of their differing expectations as the winning coach, Jeff Koegel of Scotch Plains Fanwood was
a little disappointed and Westfield Assistant Jennifer Buccino was encouraged.
I don't know if I would call it a great team triumph, “ said Koegel.

“ We squeaked it out by the slimmest of all margins. We really didn't run all that well and we gave Westfield a chance to beat us. Luckily for us, we have the depth that we lacked last year, so we were able to displace their fifth runner with our sixth. That helped us in two ways- it pushed their fifth runner back so that the score was tied, and it also got us the tie-breaker advantage.”
“We felt the girls did an outstanding job at the Conference meet. The loss was disappointing however they were inspired by their performances rather than defeated ,” said Buccino.

“ We have several rookies in our line up this year. Their times have been dropping consistently, and their confidence is building along with it. The dual meet was a turning point for them and their performances at the conference meet proves how much they have learned about themselves and their abilities this season. The girls are aware that no one is going to make it easy for them, and that they will have to step things up even more the next time. “

Before they compete in the County meet the teams have far different challenges awaiting them in the section meet tomorrow. While Westfield goes in as the favorite in North Jersey Section I Group IV, Scotch Plains will have to run its best just to make it to the
Group championship on November 13, which takes the top five teams. Included in their section are three teams ranked in the top twenty, Ridge, Voorhees and North Hunterdon and other strong teams like Montgomery and Holmdel. “One coach called it Dante’s .Inferno and that’s pretty close to the truth,” said Koegel.

Referring to the conference meet, Koegel added,
“We can't run like that in the sectional meet or the county meet. Hopefully, that was a wake-up call for us. I was glad to hear the girls talking about their races and why we almost lost without me prompting them to do so.”
Buccino is confident that the Blue Devils can defend their county title.

“The county meet is important to the girls because last year's team worked so hard to regain that title ,” said Buccino.
“ Every member of our team wants to contribute a little piece of history to our program, just like the girls that were here before them. It is the driving force behind our program and the reason for the size and success of our team. .”

Koegel is anxious to finally add a county championship to six runner-up finishes. “I've come as close as two points. It would be extra special to do it this year, knowing how far we have come since two falls ago, when we didn't even get a mention.
“ I've won county and county relay titles in winter track and spring track, but never in Cross country which was always my favorite season, so I think it's even more important to me that we do well in the fall,” said Koegel.

The addition of teams like Oak Knoll and individuals like county favorite Jessica Rodriguez of Roselle Catholic make the county meet different from the conference meet.

“ The conference meet can tend to play out more like a dual meet because there are so few teams competing in our division. Not only will there be a greater number of teams in the county, but the level of competition will be higher because of the addition of teams like Oak Knoll and others. Equally important, individuals from other teams can significantly effect the final outcome in the scoring.,” said Buccino.

Keying the Conference triumph for the Raiders was a crucial third place finish by senior Laura Harrison, who outran top Westfield runner Annie Onishi. Three Westfield runners
Jennifer Danielson, Rachel Barret and Anne Siwulec followed behind. Sophomores Allie Hoynes –O’Connor and Sam Gates. In her first year, Gates has been a key contributor.

“Sam's success isn't that much of a surprise. She's a very athletic girl, and
she is willing to do everything I tell her to do.,” said Koegel..
Chances are the county championships will contain some new highlight to add to the teams’ recent history. That’s how these rivalries are