Megan Lacey from NJ has evidently narrowed choices to Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Villanova.
recruiting 2012
- Thread starter excattyguy
- Start date
EXCATTYGUY,
That is a hell of a list of competitors. Am I correct in thus rule? In all
sports other than BB and FB an outstanding runner/student can be give an academic scholarship and walk on as a athlete without that runner being counted against the scholarship limit? That might apply to other sports.
That is a hell of a list of competitors. Am I correct in thus rule? In all
sports other than BB and FB an outstanding runner/student can be give an academic scholarship and walk on as a athlete without that runner being counted against the scholarship limit? That might apply to other sports.
There aren't any scholarship limits on Ivy schools. They just have to deal with the Ivy's A I and institutional as well as league financial rules. I don't know about Stanford. I've often wondered how Oregon, Stanford, Arkansas, etc. manage to have so many athletes who can score at the NCAA in field as well as in sprints, middle distance, and distance events.
Does distance = good students? In my area the all-scholastic team was like an elite college report. Last year I think four or so national kids had perfect SAT's!
I really haven't put together a list yet of must-visits but this early I think Haley Pierce of Del. should be given strong consideration as well as Samantha Nadal of LI. But we'll know more in a few weeks.
I don't know if the trend is earlier commitments --before the states-- which probably isn't good. But if you feel strongly about a runner and they have the mentality/ body type/ track times, why not?
I really haven't put together a list yet of must-visits but this early I think Haley Pierce of Del. should be given strong consideration as well as Samantha Nadal of LI. But we'll know more in a few weeks.
I don't know if the trend is earlier commitments --before the states-- which probably isn't good. But if you feel strongly about a runner and they have the mentality/ body type/ track times, why not?
It is a terrible thing to lose one's mind; hell, I have known the Ivies don't give scholarships for fifty years or so. In fact I think we have run some fairly good runners who might have received academic scholarships. I think the NY State XCountry Championships will be held near Syracuse; I will probably go up since I live just south of Colgate.
I don't think the complete answer is Phil Knight, nor is it Tyson or the oil guy at Oklahoma State.
Phil Knight, Nike, and the OTC (which virtually controls the USATF) is a very very big part of it.
We're talking about two different things. I know what attracts runners to Oregon. I think we were discussing scholarship limitations and how these programs work around them (at least I was).
Oregon has enough connections to attract good walk-ons and it's cheap enough that it can accomadate those in state who are fast. Villanova doesn't have that luxury, especially with the sorry state of our financial aid system.
Cost of school plays a big part of it. Nova gives a kid a 50% ride and the family is still shellin gout $25K. Ore gives the same 50% and even an out of stater is probably paying 12-15K.
My guess is that the big boys give out a ton of partial scholarhships and spread the $$ around. Gotta the scholly limit, they have to do that to have a broad based program.
My guess is that the big boys give out a ton of partial scholarhships and spread the $$ around. Gotta the scholly limit, they have to do that to have a broad based program.
There's also the question of out-of-staters getting in-state tuition to a state U.
Does the student need to be a full-time resident to get a significant portion off his bill like normal tax payers do? I'd assume the answer is yes but you have to wonder if there's not some accomodation made/
As far as a Merit scholar with SAT's in the 99 percentile getting close to a full ride at VU I really can't think of any off hand but I see no reason why not if the situation came about? Vicki had great grades but she was certainly getting a 'ship.
But it probably wouldn't have the total $$$ value of a full-ride athletic grant in aid.
Does the student need to be a full-time resident to get a significant portion off his bill like normal tax payers do? I'd assume the answer is yes but you have to wonder if there's not some accomodation made/
As far as a Merit scholar with SAT's in the 99 percentile getting close to a full ride at VU I really can't think of any off hand but I see no reason why not if the situation came about? Vicki had great grades but she was certainly getting a 'ship.
But it probably wouldn't have the total $$$ value of a full-ride athletic grant in aid.
They don't "allow" them to do it but they can't stop it. It's sort of like Division III schools giving out "academic" scholarships that seem to only go to athletes.
This goes back about five years ago, but when we recruited Brian Tetreault I recall that someone posted that he was an academic ship. What about the Kerrigan kid from Blair Academy; he went from a 4: 15 miler in high school
to sub 4 for us. Could he have been a walk on?
to sub 4 for us. Could he have been a walk on?
Kerrigan came to Nova originally as a walk on. Not sure if he was ever put on scholarship? He may have got some $$ his last year or two. His dad was a doctor, $$ was probably not that big of an issue for him as for others.
'90,
Since I think both you and Kerrigan are from the same area, I thought you would know that one. Here is a question about partial ships. Does the percentage of the ship vary from year to year/ It must be a political nightmare for the coaches involved.
New topic: Does anyone know how good Sheridan is now; I remember he was a monster coming out of LI. And I know he has been injured for years. Can he help us?
Since I think both you and Kerrigan are from the same area, I thought you would know that one. Here is a question about partial ships. Does the percentage of the ship vary from year to year/ It must be a political nightmare for the coaches involved.
New topic: Does anyone know how good Sheridan is now; I remember he was a monster coming out of LI. And I know he has been injured for years. Can he help us?
Does the percentage of the ship vary from year"
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It's somewhat tricky. I would think that a "package" is worked out with the family when the student commits. However, all 'ships are renewable on a year-to-year basis at the discretion of the coach.
It causes problems when a walkon out-performs a foreign student on 'ship. Maybe that's why Mahon left Oregon and transferred to Nova. Perhaps they wouldn't boost his aid after his Fr year (or not)?
If you give someone a full ride at a private school it's worth too much money to just say ok you're set four years. I'd demand a certain progression. If I didn't get it, I'd make adjustments.
It may not be a nice process but there's too much money involved to just accept status quo.
--------------------------------
It's somewhat tricky. I would think that a "package" is worked out with the family when the student commits. However, all 'ships are renewable on a year-to-year basis at the discretion of the coach.
It causes problems when a walkon out-performs a foreign student on 'ship. Maybe that's why Mahon left Oregon and transferred to Nova. Perhaps they wouldn't boost his aid after his Fr year (or not)?
If you give someone a full ride at a private school it's worth too much money to just say ok you're set four years. I'd demand a certain progression. If I didn't get it, I'd make adjustments.
It may not be a nice process but there's too much money involved to just accept status quo.
Re: Recruiting 2012 - Angel Piccirillo
Angel Piccirillo (PA) has made unofficial visits to Villanova, Princeton and Georgetown. She plans a visit to Tennessee.
Angel Piccirillo (PA) has made unofficial visits to Villanova, Princeton and Georgetown. She plans a visit to Tennessee.
While Chesnut Hill school distance runner Dustin Wilson (another 4.0 sudent by the way) is getting a lot of attention in E.Pa ...
... Ratings aside, I like what I'm reading about two NE kids.
RI's Mike Marsella from the same area as Andrew Springer/Gtn (a Nova miss) has been breaking his rec's. He's got speed and's a powerfully built kid.
MA's Josh Lapron is a bit faster (Nat. title on track) and maybe not as strong CC.
Both should meet several times over the country in the next 2 months and on the track in '12. They project as sub-4 milers.
Lampron isn't on the lastest top-50 list but we know better.
http://usa.milesplit.com/articles/73166-milesplit-xc-super-50-individuals-2nd-release
I'm sticking with the Delaware girls Pierce and Macedo as my top two: http://rise.espn.go.com/track-and-xc/us/features/misc/Macedo.aspx
This post was edited on 9/29 4:24 PM by Or1on
Lampron
... Ratings aside, I like what I'm reading about two NE kids.
RI's Mike Marsella from the same area as Andrew Springer/Gtn (a Nova miss) has been breaking his rec's. He's got speed and's a powerfully built kid.
MA's Josh Lapron is a bit faster (Nat. title on track) and maybe not as strong CC.
Both should meet several times over the country in the next 2 months and on the track in '12. They project as sub-4 milers.
Lampron isn't on the lastest top-50 list but we know better.
http://usa.milesplit.com/articles/73166-milesplit-xc-super-50-individuals-2nd-release
I'm sticking with the Delaware girls Pierce and Macedo as my top two: http://rise.espn.go.com/track-and-xc/us/features/misc/Macedo.aspx
This post was edited on 9/29 4:24 PM by Or1on
Lampron
Angle P won the PIAA AA title, small schools, fairly easily. She won by 20 sec. To put it into perspective, she was only 3 sec. behind the big schools, AAA, champ. Given how easy she won she may have been able to beat the AAA winner.
VU cannot “afford” Megan Lacey. Way too expensive for what you are getting - strictly distance. A waste of resources. Remember there is also a track season and the Penn Relays. VU’s main priorities are: Ajee Wilson (NJ) and Haley Pierce (DE). They already have Angel Piccirillo (PA). After that, it is Olicia Williams (St. Anthony, NY - 400, 800), Kelsey Margey (NY), Kyle Plante (Colonie, NY), Samantha Nadel (NY), Rebekah Greene (NZL). These are possible. An outside bet: Georgia Peel (GBR - 2:05.2/4:16.2/XC), but VU doesn’t seem to recruit in England. Sleeper: Julia Zrinyl (CAN). Wilson, Pierce, Piccirillo and one or two or more from that second set and it is a great recruiting class.
Stanford has already received a verbal commitment from Amy Weissenbach (Harvard-Westlake, CA). Her teammate Camille Campus (the top returning miler) is probably going to Stanford as well. Thus, if VU is to keep pace - remember they lost Cuffie to Stanford, last year - then Wilson is a must. Wilson, Weissenbach and Campus are the top returning women. But it is Wilson who will truly elevate the team. This is a future Olympian.
This is no knock on Pierce. VU should want her. Did you read about her duel with Macedo at the Delaware XC championships? The child has cajones - big ones.
This post was edited on 11/11 11:10 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:12 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:13 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:15 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:16 AM by sebastianc
Stanford has already received a verbal commitment from Amy Weissenbach (Harvard-Westlake, CA). Her teammate Camille Campus (the top returning miler) is probably going to Stanford as well. Thus, if VU is to keep pace - remember they lost Cuffie to Stanford, last year - then Wilson is a must. Wilson, Weissenbach and Campus are the top returning women. But it is Wilson who will truly elevate the team. This is a future Olympian.
This is no knock on Pierce. VU should want her. Did you read about her duel with Macedo at the Delaware XC championships? The child has cajones - big ones.
This post was edited on 11/11 11:10 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:12 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:13 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:15 AM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 11/11 11:16 AM by sebastianc
If Ajee Wilson went to Villanova, that would be the most excited I would ever be about a Villanova recruit.
NY States: I don't know if Kelsey Margey is sick or injured, but her times
have really dropped. The two best runners in NY State are both FM juniors.
Nick Ryan has been dropping his times precipitously; according to the Cuse
paper Jillian Fanning is the fastest girl in the country; her times are getting very close to Cuffe's as a junior.
have really dropped. The two best runners in NY State are both FM juniors.
Nick Ryan has been dropping his times precipitously; according to the Cuse
paper Jillian Fanning is the fastest girl in the country; her times are getting very close to Cuffe's as a junior.
You simply cannot believe how loaded Stanford (women) already are and how much better they are becoming. As mentioned, they received a verbal commitment from Amy Weissenbach. They have just received one from Amy's teammate, Cami Chapus. Google the names to appreciate just how good these two are. Of course, VU can keep pace with Wilson, Pierce and one or two more from the list in my previous email...
Of note, Campus came east for a visit to Georgetown and Princeton; Weissenbach, Princeton. No VU. Interesting ...
On a more positive note, check out the link below. See anyone you recognize in the photo ...?
This is very positive for the men. Marcus is out there. The object of the visit to Whitefield Academy is obviously Cameron Thornton - the tall athletic looking kid standing in the center of the photo. Ran 1:49.63 (800); anchors 4x400; champion XC.
Read the article associated with the photo.
There are a lot of very good athletes out there, this year, that fit the VU profile - middle distance who can do XC or drop down with some speed for 4x400, 4x800.
Whitefield Academy XC & Visitor
Of note, Campus came east for a visit to Georgetown and Princeton; Weissenbach, Princeton. No VU. Interesting ...
On a more positive note, check out the link below. See anyone you recognize in the photo ...?
This is very positive for the men. Marcus is out there. The object of the visit to Whitefield Academy is obviously Cameron Thornton - the tall athletic looking kid standing in the center of the photo. Ran 1:49.63 (800); anchors 4x400; champion XC.
Read the article associated with the photo.
There are a lot of very good athletes out there, this year, that fit the VU profile - middle distance who can do XC or drop down with some speed for 4x400, 4x800.
Whitefield Academy XC & Visitor
That one really hurt. VU really needed Pierce - someone who could do distance and run leg on 4x1500 - and right in your own backyard ... Somehow felt she was going to sign with VU. G'town was already ahead in XC. Now the lead is even biggger. There is nothing else on the US scene except Samantha Nadel and Kelsey Margey that is in VU's recruiting territory. Best bet though is Rebekah Greene (NZL) - 57.9 (400), 2:07.7 (800), 4:18.9 (1500), 9:21.8 (3000), two time nat'l XC champion. VU has been following her for past two years. She graduates next month. Turns 18 day after Xmas.
Note: VU is XC champion two years in a row and it doesn't seem to mean anything ... Big names keep going elsewhere ...
This post was edited on 11/24 11:17 AM by sebastianc
Note: VU is XC champion two years in a row and it doesn't seem to mean anything ... Big names keep going elsewhere ...
This post was edited on 11/24 11:17 AM by sebastianc
Re: recruiting 2013 -- Ben Malone (Hillsdale, NJ)
Marcus is evidently interested in Ben Malone, a junior at Pascack Valley HS in Hillsdale, New Jersey. Last weekend Malone finished 7th at the Nike Cross Country (NXN) Northeast Regional (2nd junior), qualifying for a trip to NXN Nationals in Portland, OR. Here's the top 10 in that NXN Regional race and a link below to a story about Malone in which Villanova's interest is mentioned (along with Princeton, Tennessee, and Clemson). On November 19th, Malone was 3rd at New Jersey's NJSIAA Meet of Champions XC in 15:40.
Ben Malone PRs
800 Meter Run: 1:52.17
1600 Meter Run: 4:17.62
One Mile Run: 4:16.56
3200 Meter Run: 9:24.80
4000 Meter Run: 13:03.62
5000 Meter Run: 15:38.00
NXN Northeast Regional 11/26/11
1 1 Jack Leahy SR Blue Devil TC-NJ 16:08.9
2 - Tyler Gibbons SR Ridge Runners-NJ 16:11.5
3 2 Wesley Gallagher SR Titans TC-MA 16:14.6
4 3 Mike Marsella SR Chargers XC-RI 16:14.7
5 4 George Kelly SR Brothers XC Club-NJ 16:15.5
6 5 Jack Boyle JR Brothers XC Club-NJ 16:19.2
7 - Benjamin Malone JR UNA-NJ-River Vale 16:21.9
8 6 Christian Costello SR Bergen XC Club-NJ 16:23.2
9 7 Tim Gorman SR Brothers XC Club-NJ 16:23.4
10 - Colin Bennie JR Pheasant Runners-MA 16:25.9 8:08 8:18
This post was edited on 11/29 10:43 AM by LSU-Nit
Ben Malone article
Marcus is evidently interested in Ben Malone, a junior at Pascack Valley HS in Hillsdale, New Jersey. Last weekend Malone finished 7th at the Nike Cross Country (NXN) Northeast Regional (2nd junior), qualifying for a trip to NXN Nationals in Portland, OR. Here's the top 10 in that NXN Regional race and a link below to a story about Malone in which Villanova's interest is mentioned (along with Princeton, Tennessee, and Clemson). On November 19th, Malone was 3rd at New Jersey's NJSIAA Meet of Champions XC in 15:40.
Ben Malone PRs
800 Meter Run: 1:52.17
1600 Meter Run: 4:17.62
One Mile Run: 4:16.56
3200 Meter Run: 9:24.80
4000 Meter Run: 13:03.62
5000 Meter Run: 15:38.00
NXN Northeast Regional 11/26/11
1 1 Jack Leahy SR Blue Devil TC-NJ 16:08.9
2 - Tyler Gibbons SR Ridge Runners-NJ 16:11.5
3 2 Wesley Gallagher SR Titans TC-MA 16:14.6
4 3 Mike Marsella SR Chargers XC-RI 16:14.7
5 4 George Kelly SR Brothers XC Club-NJ 16:15.5
6 5 Jack Boyle JR Brothers XC Club-NJ 16:19.2
7 - Benjamin Malone JR UNA-NJ-River Vale 16:21.9
8 6 Christian Costello SR Bergen XC Club-NJ 16:23.2
9 7 Tim Gorman SR Brothers XC Club-NJ 16:23.4
10 - Colin Bennie JR Pheasant Runners-MA 16:25.9 8:08 8:18
This post was edited on 11/29 10:43 AM by LSU-Nit
Ben Malone article
The top girls on the east coast are all starting to commit. Abbey Leonardi to Oregon and Brianna Nerud to Syracuse.
G'town's having a great couple of weeks at VU's expense. They win the NCAA because VU has no #5 and G'town's #5, Katrina Coogan, runs very well. Note: Coogan was not as good in HS at XC as Venables. Clearly the track gods love G'town. Then they get commits from both Pierce and Nadel. Advantage (in XC): G'town.
Just looked at the XC results. G'town loses their top two runners. Discovered the #2 was a GS. It is like bringing in a ringer for the competition. But that is the way the game is played. Nothing illegal. So it is now a comparison between G'town's 3, 4 & 5 and VU's 3, 4, & 5. Actually VU might be better if one assumes Venables is actually better than Coogan. But G'town just got Pierce and Nadel. VU got Piccirillo. Advantage: G'town. Don't know about Cook, Chapman and company.
Like Margey as a legitimate miler - better than Pierce or Nadel, but I think VU needs to come up with a premier runner with speed and range - a miler who is outstanding at XC. Doesn't seem to be too many left in the U.S.
Again, I like Margey. Did not begin running until indoor 2010. Was a lacross player. She might have been injured during latter part of XC ... And Rachel Paul (NY) is a possibility. But Pierce and Nadel are hard to beat. Besides Washington has the best returning team. And, so far, Stanford has done the best recruitng with Weissenbach and Chapus. Again, check (Google) those two out and you will appreciate what I am talking about.
Best way to counter the competition: Rebekah Greene (NZL) ...
Recruitng class that begins with Wilson, Greene & Piccirillo would be very nice. May not win XC championshihp, but they are definitely contenders and there is the DMR and 4x1500 at Penn for sure.
This post was edited on 12/4 11:02 AM by sebastianc
Just looked at the XC results. G'town loses their top two runners. Discovered the #2 was a GS. It is like bringing in a ringer for the competition. But that is the way the game is played. Nothing illegal. So it is now a comparison between G'town's 3, 4 & 5 and VU's 3, 4, & 5. Actually VU might be better if one assumes Venables is actually better than Coogan. But G'town just got Pierce and Nadel. VU got Piccirillo. Advantage: G'town. Don't know about Cook, Chapman and company.
Like Margey as a legitimate miler - better than Pierce or Nadel, but I think VU needs to come up with a premier runner with speed and range - a miler who is outstanding at XC. Doesn't seem to be too many left in the U.S.
Again, I like Margey. Did not begin running until indoor 2010. Was a lacross player. She might have been injured during latter part of XC ... And Rachel Paul (NY) is a possibility. But Pierce and Nadel are hard to beat. Besides Washington has the best returning team. And, so far, Stanford has done the best recruitng with Weissenbach and Chapus. Again, check (Google) those two out and you will appreciate what I am talking about.
Best way to counter the competition: Rebekah Greene (NZL) ...
Recruitng class that begins with Wilson, Greene & Piccirillo would be very nice. May not win XC championshihp, but they are definitely contenders and there is the DMR and 4x1500 at Penn for sure.
This post was edited on 12/4 11:02 AM by sebastianc
Coogan never ran cross country in high school. She played soccer and ran track in her spare time. So she had alot of upside for college and still does. Georgetown also gets back two redshirt runners who were in their top 5 in 2010. Who else is left on the Villanova recruiting radar? Any other foreigners besides Greene? Top west coast runners are all spoken for too...Cami Chapus and Amy Weissenbach to Stanford, Maddie Meyers to Washington and Carrie Verdon to Colorado.
This post was edited on 12/4 12:51 PM by SleepyJackson
This post was edited on 12/4 12:51 PM by SleepyJackson
Here's what LetsRun message board is reporting:
Women
Haley Pierce - Georgetown
Samantha Nadel - Georgetown
Angel Piccirillo - Villanova
Carrie Verdon - Colorado
Julie Macedo - Florida
Brianna Nerud - Syracuse
Cami Chapus - Stanford
Amy Weissenbach - Stanford
Abbey Leonardi - Oregon
Maddie Meyers - Washington
Molly Seidel - choosing between Gtwn, Stanford, ND, Duke, Wisco and Harvard
Katie Sischo - Providence
Robyn Reynolds - Florida
Megan Moyer - NC State
Samantha George - NC State
Men
Ahmed Bile - Georgetown
Daniel Vertiz (2nd at NXN) - Texas
Craig Novak (3rd at NXN) - Oklahoma State
Drew Magaha - Penn
Tony Smoragiewicz - Michigan
Malachy Schrobilgen - Wisconsin
Women
Haley Pierce - Georgetown
Samantha Nadel - Georgetown
Angel Piccirillo - Villanova
Carrie Verdon - Colorado
Julie Macedo - Florida
Brianna Nerud - Syracuse
Cami Chapus - Stanford
Amy Weissenbach - Stanford
Abbey Leonardi - Oregon
Maddie Meyers - Washington
Molly Seidel - choosing between Gtwn, Stanford, ND, Duke, Wisco and Harvard
Katie Sischo - Providence
Robyn Reynolds - Florida
Megan Moyer - NC State
Samantha George - NC State
Men
Ahmed Bile - Georgetown
Daniel Vertiz (2nd at NXN) - Texas
Craig Novak (3rd at NXN) - Oklahoma State
Drew Magaha - Penn
Tony Smoragiewicz - Michigan
Malachy Schrobilgen - Wisconsin
Marcus is evidently interested in Jaimin Vekaria (North Hunterdon High School, NJ). He was 28th at recent Footlocker Northeast Regional. Here's a story from Dec 7th:
Jaimin Vekaria of North Hunterdon High School is the 2011 Express-Times Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year
Published: Wednesday, December 07, 2011, 4:55 AM Updated: Thursday, December 08, 2011, 2:48 PM
Bruce Buratti | The Express-Times By Bruce Buratti | The Express-Times
It was the fall of 2008 and a tiny, obscure cross country runner from North Hunterdon High School drew some of the largest cheers from the small crowd that had gathered near the finish line.
Not because he won the race. Jaimin Vekaria didn't win any races he entered as a freshman cross country runner for the Lions that season.
By his own admission, Vekaria would finish last not only among his teammates in junior varsity races he competed in but last in the entire race.
That's why the crowd cheered him on enthusiastically. He always finished, and the last-place finisher always draws the largest fan reaction.
"In a lot of races, I had to stop running and walk for a while because I was so tired," said Vekaria, a senior now. "But I finished all my races even if I was last in just about all of them."
Vekaria is still getting cheers from the crowd after finishing races. But not because he's a last-place finisher anymore. It's because he's one of the best cross country runners in New Jersey.
In one of the most startling -- and inspirational -- athletic ascensions in region history, Vekaria finished 13th in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions this season and nearly broke the hallowed 16-minute barrier at Holmdel Park (16:00.21).
He also finished eighth (16:24) in the Group 4 state championships at Holmdel, seventh (16:26) in the North 2 Group 4 sectional championships at Warinanco Park, seventh (16:19) in the Skyland Conference Championships at Natirar Park and sixth (15:44) in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Championships at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.
He also placed 28th in the Footlocker Northeast Regional at Sunken Meadows, N.Y., on Nov. 26, the top finish by any runner in the region.
For these achievements, not to mention his spectacular improvement over the last four seasons, Vekaria is the 2011 Express-Times Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.
The award did not swing in his direction without competition from two other Skyland Conference rivals. Jon Harper of Phillipsburg, whose late-season leg injury caused him to miss the Meet of Champions, and Voorhees' Harry Brakewood also gained serious consideration for the award.
Vekaria, 17, a resident of Clinton, is the fourth athlete from North Hunterdon to win the award since its inception in 1993. Matt McDonald was selected in both 2010 and 2009, Nathan Sisco was named in 1996 and Chris Robinson was chosen back-to-back in 1993-94.
Vekaria, of Indian descent, was introduced to distance running by his father, Nitin, a competitive runner himself. Jaimin (pronounced JAY-man) went out for his eighth-grade team and even though his struggles began, his passion for running never wavered.
"What Jaimin did here in the past few weeks was positively unreal," said Tom Higgins, North Hunterdon's first-year coach. "At Holmdel (Park), he goes 16:50 at the Shore Coaches Invitational at the beginning of October. Then he goes 16:24 at the Group 4 race and then 16-flat in the Meet of Champions. That's a phenomenal drop and it's all because of his focus and hard work."
Part of Vekaria's difficulties as a first-year varsity runner was his size, or rather lack of it. He stood 5-foot-2 and weighed around 100 pounds at age 14. He's now six inches taller and tips the scales at 120.
"When I was a freshman, I can still remember my dad telling me, 'as long as you enjoy what you're doing, don't quit.' That always stayed with me."
During the spring of his freshman year, Vekaria went out for the North Hunterdon track team as a sprinter, thinking that the shorter races might be more his style. They weren't, so the coaches moved him up to the 800. After a few races, he was able to get down to 2:15, a promising start.
As a sophomore, Vekaria got injured early in the cross country season and hardly ran any competitive races at all. But that spring, the dynamic changed. He showed surprising progression and he continued to work over the summer months, allowing him to hit the ground running for his junior year.
Vekaria quickly assumed the team's No. 2 spot behind McDonald last fall. He not only became a consistent scorer, he became an inspiration not only for his teammates and fans who remembered him from his freshman year.
"Sometimes, guys on the team will bring it up about how I always used to finish last in practically every race I was in," Vekaria said. "It kind of became a joke among us."
It also served as inspiration for his teammates. McDonald, North Hunterdon's top runner and an eventual All-American, became good friends with Vekaria, who saw up close how hard McDonald worked to become successful. If Vekaria were looking for a role model, he could not have picked a better one in McDonald, who now runs at Princeton.
"He's my closest friend," Vekaria said of McDonald. "We still talk and text back and forth."
Picking his college is the next order of business in Vekaria's busy schedule. An outstanding student who carries a 3.68 GPA, he's considering Boston College, Villanova, Rutgers and Connecticut, all Division I schools.
Whatever college he decides to compete for, the coaching staff should realize it's getting a runner who's not afraid of starting in the back of the pack.
? 2011 lehighvalleylive.com. All rights reserved.
Jaimin Vekaria of North Hunterdon High School is the 2011 Express-Times Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year
Published: Wednesday, December 07, 2011, 4:55 AM Updated: Thursday, December 08, 2011, 2:48 PM
Bruce Buratti | The Express-Times By Bruce Buratti | The Express-Times
It was the fall of 2008 and a tiny, obscure cross country runner from North Hunterdon High School drew some of the largest cheers from the small crowd that had gathered near the finish line.
Not because he won the race. Jaimin Vekaria didn't win any races he entered as a freshman cross country runner for the Lions that season.
By his own admission, Vekaria would finish last not only among his teammates in junior varsity races he competed in but last in the entire race.
That's why the crowd cheered him on enthusiastically. He always finished, and the last-place finisher always draws the largest fan reaction.
"In a lot of races, I had to stop running and walk for a while because I was so tired," said Vekaria, a senior now. "But I finished all my races even if I was last in just about all of them."
Vekaria is still getting cheers from the crowd after finishing races. But not because he's a last-place finisher anymore. It's because he's one of the best cross country runners in New Jersey.
In one of the most startling -- and inspirational -- athletic ascensions in region history, Vekaria finished 13th in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions this season and nearly broke the hallowed 16-minute barrier at Holmdel Park (16:00.21).
He also finished eighth (16:24) in the Group 4 state championships at Holmdel, seventh (16:26) in the North 2 Group 4 sectional championships at Warinanco Park, seventh (16:19) in the Skyland Conference Championships at Natirar Park and sixth (15:44) in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Championships at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.
He also placed 28th in the Footlocker Northeast Regional at Sunken Meadows, N.Y., on Nov. 26, the top finish by any runner in the region.
For these achievements, not to mention his spectacular improvement over the last four seasons, Vekaria is the 2011 Express-Times Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.
The award did not swing in his direction without competition from two other Skyland Conference rivals. Jon Harper of Phillipsburg, whose late-season leg injury caused him to miss the Meet of Champions, and Voorhees' Harry Brakewood also gained serious consideration for the award.
Vekaria, 17, a resident of Clinton, is the fourth athlete from North Hunterdon to win the award since its inception in 1993. Matt McDonald was selected in both 2010 and 2009, Nathan Sisco was named in 1996 and Chris Robinson was chosen back-to-back in 1993-94.
Vekaria, of Indian descent, was introduced to distance running by his father, Nitin, a competitive runner himself. Jaimin (pronounced JAY-man) went out for his eighth-grade team and even though his struggles began, his passion for running never wavered.
"What Jaimin did here in the past few weeks was positively unreal," said Tom Higgins, North Hunterdon's first-year coach. "At Holmdel (Park), he goes 16:50 at the Shore Coaches Invitational at the beginning of October. Then he goes 16:24 at the Group 4 race and then 16-flat in the Meet of Champions. That's a phenomenal drop and it's all because of his focus and hard work."
Part of Vekaria's difficulties as a first-year varsity runner was his size, or rather lack of it. He stood 5-foot-2 and weighed around 100 pounds at age 14. He's now six inches taller and tips the scales at 120.
"When I was a freshman, I can still remember my dad telling me, 'as long as you enjoy what you're doing, don't quit.' That always stayed with me."
During the spring of his freshman year, Vekaria went out for the North Hunterdon track team as a sprinter, thinking that the shorter races might be more his style. They weren't, so the coaches moved him up to the 800. After a few races, he was able to get down to 2:15, a promising start.
As a sophomore, Vekaria got injured early in the cross country season and hardly ran any competitive races at all. But that spring, the dynamic changed. He showed surprising progression and he continued to work over the summer months, allowing him to hit the ground running for his junior year.
Vekaria quickly assumed the team's No. 2 spot behind McDonald last fall. He not only became a consistent scorer, he became an inspiration not only for his teammates and fans who remembered him from his freshman year.
"Sometimes, guys on the team will bring it up about how I always used to finish last in practically every race I was in," Vekaria said. "It kind of became a joke among us."
It also served as inspiration for his teammates. McDonald, North Hunterdon's top runner and an eventual All-American, became good friends with Vekaria, who saw up close how hard McDonald worked to become successful. If Vekaria were looking for a role model, he could not have picked a better one in McDonald, who now runs at Princeton.
"He's my closest friend," Vekaria said of McDonald. "We still talk and text back and forth."
Picking his college is the next order of business in Vekaria's busy schedule. An outstanding student who carries a 3.68 GPA, he's considering Boston College, Villanova, Rutgers and Connecticut, all Division I schools.
Whatever college he decides to compete for, the coaching staff should realize it's getting a runner who's not afraid of starting in the back of the pack.
? 2011 lehighvalleylive.com. All rights reserved.
Julie Macedo - Florida"
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^TY for the above list.
I guess Macedo's ill/inj as she didn't run at Nike where she qualified I believe. This isn't the greatest group of Srs. and I think she's the best (CC) but we'll she in college? Angel finished out of the top-10 (13) but you have to be impressed with the time 17:46
The two milers from NE still hold the greatest interest for me but Dustin Wilson (Phila) has such great grades --reportedly--that maybe maybe something can be done with an academic partial I don't know. He had a good Footlocker today --#13-- and would add some depth as a strength runner.
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^TY for the above list.
I guess Macedo's ill/inj as she didn't run at Nike where she qualified I believe. This isn't the greatest group of Srs. and I think she's the best (CC) but we'll she in college? Angel finished out of the top-10 (13) but you have to be impressed with the time 17:46
The two milers from NE still hold the greatest interest for me but Dustin Wilson (Phila) has such great grades --reportedly--that maybe maybe something can be done with an academic partial I don't know. He had a good Footlocker today --#13-- and would add some depth as a strength runner.