VIDEO, PHOTOS: Three from Wildwood, one from Cape Tech qualify for state meet

Posted: October 28th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

LOGAN TOWNSHIP – Macie McCracken’s performance in the Group I race highlighted local runners’ efforts at the sectional championship meets at DREAM Park Saturday.

McCracken placed second in the South Jersey Group I meet for the second year in a row. The Wildwood High School junior posted a time of 19 minutes, 49.13 seconds. In third place as the runners entered the final strides of the race, McCracken passed Haddon Township’s Genvieve Gentlesk over the final 30 meters to secure second place.

Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield ran away with the Group I title by winning the race in 18:33.39.

McCracken has qualified for the state championship meet for the third straight year as the top five teams and the top 15 individuals in each sectional meet earn the right to compete at the state meets next weekend at Holmdel Park.

McCracken’s teammate, junior Leiah Pawlus, also qualified for states by placing seventh in 21:33.9.

Cape May Tech Kirstyn McHale was also a state qualifier out of the Group I place. The sophomore finished 13th in 22:56.36.

On the boys side, Wildwood’s Jorge Cruz Valle qualified for the state meet for the fourth straight year, the senior placing 11th in 18:04.88.

Evan Feliciano led Cape May Tech’s effort in the Group I race with a 39th-place finish in 19:44.33.

In Group II, Middle Township freshman Jamar Mack placed 20th in the boys race in 17:56.03, while Lower Cape May sophomores Jenna Hill (23:39.69) and Hannah Souder (23:39.72) finished 21st and 22nd, respectively in the girls race. Senior Julianna Frame was the top Middle girls finisher in 28th place in 24:13.01.

Ocean City had a tremendous showing at the meet. Maeve Smith won the Group III girls meet in 18:08.09, leading the Raiders to a narrow team victory over rival Mainland (48-51). The Raiders’ Chloe Care was fifth in 19:37.85 and Frankie Ritzel placed 10th in 20:36.87.

On the boys side, Matt Hoffman’s second-place finish in 16:02.59 led the Raiders to the team title with 42 points. Shawnee was second with 71 points. Ocean City’s Ethan Buck finished fifth in 16:10.99 and Erik Preisner placed ninth in 16:30.59.