SOUTH JERSEY CHAMP: McCracken breaks through for sectional title; Middle enjoys success, Tech runner advances

Posted: November 2nd 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Macie McCracken further cemented her status as one of South Jersey’s best all-around high school athletes Saturday morning.

McCracken, a Wildwood High School senior, pulled off a stunning upset in winning the South Jersey Group I cross country championship at DREAM Park in Logan Township.

McCracken finished the course in 18 minutes, 38.27 seconds, a time that represents the best of her career on any course.

McCracken broke through for her first sectional championship after finishing second or third in the race in her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

“It’s definitely the best I’ve run all season,” McCracken said. “The fact that it was more important, that it was for a championship, I know I had a lot more motivation.”

McCracken had to overcome her biggest nemesis – Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield. Hadfield had finished ahead of McCracken in every race in which they competed together over the past two seasons. One of those races was at last year’s sectional meet, in which Hadfield beat McCracken by more than a minute. 

That all changed Saturday morning.

“It was definitely very exciting,” McCracken said. “I wasn’t expecting it, which makes it that much better.”

McCracken ran behind Hadfield for the first two-thirds of the race before making a move over the last mile. Once she took the lead, she never lost it. She ran comfortably in front over the final quarter mile and eased through the straightaway that led to the finish.

“When I got to that last part where I could see the finish line, that was when I realized that I was definitely going to win,” McCracken said. “I’m very excited and happy to finish where I did.”

McCracken ran the course 1:11 faster than last season.

McCracken, also a standout basketball player who recently committed to Division II West Chester, advances to the state Group I championship meet next weekend at Holmdel Park. She’ll be joined by senior teammate Leiah Pawlus, who placed eighth in 21:01.76.

The top five teams and the top 15 individuals in each sectional race advance to state championship meets.

McCracken and Pawlus are state meet qualifiers for the fourth straight year.

A GOOD DAY FOR MIDDLE

Middle Township also enjoyed some success at the sectional meet.

The Panther girls finished fifth as a team in the Group II meet to qualify for states, while Jamar Mack placed 10th in the boys race to also check into the state championship meet.

Olivia Orton led the way for Middle with a 17th-place finish in 21:00.27. Eden Geisel (29th in 22:34.25), Ciara Jonassaint (36th in 23:14.65), Isabella Frame (41st in 24:17.30) and Reagen Powell (49th in 25:37.87) were the team’s other scorers. Sydney Carlson (63rd in 30:37.07) also ran for Middle.

Mack, a sophomore, posted a time of 16:41.24 in the Group II boys race.

TECH RUNNER QUALIFIES FOR STATES FOR SECOND TIME

Cape May Tech’s Kirstyn McHale has also qualified for the state meet, doing so for the second straight year. McHale, a junior, placed 14th in the Group I meet in 21:36.51.

Middle Township's girls cross country team has qualified for the state championship meet after placing fifth as a team at sectionals. Pictured are (from left): Reagen Powell, Olivia Orton, Ciara Jonassaint, Isabella Frame, Sydney Carlson and Eden Geisel.

JAMAR MACK