2006 Scotch Plains Girls Cross Country Preview

The slender blonde teenager in the Scotch Plains Fanwood Track sweatshirt
watched the girl’s soccer game between the Raiders and Linden with more than a passing interest. Not only had she played on club and high school teams with many of the players but until this year she might have been kicking and heading the ball on the field, but Brittney Veeck is satisfied she made the correct choice when she switched sports.

Her early results have more than verified the decision which obviously thrilled
Cross Country Coach Jeff Koegel who coached her in indoor and outdoor track last year
and saw her put together a record setting freshman season.

Before ever running a cross country meet for the Raiders, Veeck already ran the fastest 5K time in school history when ran 19:17 in a road race on Labor Day in Verona. Her performance, which smashed Mary Shashaty’s school record of 19:36 set at the 2004 Watchung Conference championships, did not shock Koegel.

“She had a phenomenal spring and then a solid summer of training. She's a great kid and works hard. No one can accuse her of being a talented kid who doesn't work for things,” said Koegel.

Veeck already set the school record in the 1600, running 5:14 making her decision easier.

“I have played soccer my whole life and really enjoy it a lot but I have also grown to enjoy running and am very happy with my decision,” said Veeck as she exhorted former teammates.

In her first varsity meet against Linden on Tuesday September 12, Veeck and Valdes ran together and finished tied for first as the Raiders took the top six places in a 15-48 victory. This Tuesday they face their toughest challenge of the young season when they travel to Westfield to take on the always tough Blue Devils.

Koegel has a history of having girls on the team who played Junior Varsity soccer as freshmen and came out for cross country their sophomore year. Liz Elko, Laura Harrison, and Sam Gates all key members of the 2004 Union County Championship team switched to cross country after successful freshman track seasons. Last year’s top runner Junior Cassy Valdes preceded Veeck.

The advent of freshman soccer, initiated this year, may have cost Koegel a few runners as
his current team lists no freshmen among its ten members, but Koegel is hoping that
some of the new soccer players try out for indoor and outdoor track and eventually run cross country if soccer doesn't work out for them.

Veeck and Valdes, who might be known as the “Killer V’s”, give the Raiders one of the strongest 1-2 punches in the area. Valdes, in her first year of cross country, broke twenty minutes for the first time when she finished a surprising second at the Watchung Conference Championships last October.

“Cassy ran some very tough races for us last year. She showed no fear of more experienced runners and challenged them,” said Koegel.

Junior Cathy Harley, a two year letter winner, also had an impressive summer, bouncing back from injuries that hampered her in the spring. Koegel is hoping that Harley can join his top two runners in the sub 20 minute 5K club.

With such a strong threesome, the Raiders will be difficult to beat in dual meets, since a 1-2-3 finish guarantees a victory but Koegel is more cautious on how his team will perform in larger meets.

“We'll win most of our dual meets by going at least 1-2-3, but right now, we don't have the support for the bigger meets,” said Koegel.

Five finishers are needed to win championships and the Raiders have major questions with keeping enough healthy runners. Senior Allie Hoynes-O’Conner, a three year letter winner, has been battling knee problems and senior Sam Carow missed almost all of last season and is struggling to come back. Her sophomore sister Emily was a pleasant surprise as a freshman and is currently the number five runner.

“We need a healthy 4-5-6 for the championship meets,” said Koegel.