News & Events 2003-2004

Blair Cross Country Has Success at States, MAPL and Peddie

Boys’ Cross Country

11/8 - Blair over Peddie 15-49
Blair runners capped off the season by taking the first six places against arch-rival Peddie at the gala Peddie Day festivities in Hightstown. This ends the formal cross country season with a 6-1 dual meet record, a State Prep Championship and a MAPL Championship. Some Blair runners will participate in the Footlocker Cross Country Championship in NYC during the Thanksgiving vacation.

11/5 - The MAPL Conference Meet (at Peddie School Golf Course)
The Blair pack of runners placed five among the top 10 finishers and ran away with the MAPL championship for the fourth straight year. Leading the Blair harriers to victory were Greg Hagel (fourth place; 17:21), Jamie Connors (fifth place; 17:29), Anthony D’Amato (sixth place; 17:30); Jon Carroll (seventh place; 17:34), Tyler Pruce (11th place; 17:42) and Travis Featherstone (21st place; 18:08). The junior varsity squad provided a glimpse of future MAPL championship level running by taking six of the top seven slots. Blair placed one-two-three with Tommie Huang (18:15), Rick DeFino (18:34) and Anthony Stival (18:44).

Team scores:

1. Blair 31
2. Lawrenceville 47
3. Hill School 74
4. Mercersburg Academy 93
5. Hun School 127
6. Peddie School 147

10/29 - States
Defeating Pingry, Lawrenceville, St. Benedict’s and others, Blair won the team title at the 2003 State Meet held on the Blair Academy golf course. The team’s only dual meet loss in over three years to St. Benedict’s Prep was avenged by this victory. Blair totaled a low score of 37 points, Pingry 55, Lawrenceville 73, St.Benedict’s Prep 87, Hun School 126 and Peddie School 154.

Blair runners included: Greg Hagel (4th place; 17:36), Jamie Connors (5th place; 17:40), Anthony D’Amato (8th place; 17:55), Jay Giuricich (9th place; 18:03), Jon Carroll (11th place; 18:09), Tyler Pruce (12th place; 18:10), Rick DeFino (20th place; 18:51). This has been an memorable day in Blair cross country history!

Girls’ Cross Country

Girls’ Cross Country is currently enjoying their strongest season in many years. Their only dual meet loss has been to Lawrenceville, and they have placed well at several big invitationals (9th/27 teams at Canterbury Invitational and 8th/24 teams at the Shore Coaches Invitational). This past Wednesday the girls placed 4th at the NJ Prep State meet held on Blair’s course. Freshman Gina Giuricich placed 5th overall, while senior captain Molly Kirkpatrick placed 6th (only one second behind). It was a very wet day, but our runners showed a lot of heart with most running their personal record for the course despite the soggy conditions.

The seven varsity runners are captain Molly Kirkpatrick, Gina Giuricich, Jess Young, Brooke Gates, Kath Brandwood, Aurore Dorelien, and Lauren Haselton. In addition to their fine performances, Coach Cogswell is most proud that he has a team of 15 great girls who enjoy each other’s company and who are proud of what they have learned and accomplished this season. The girls still have unfinished business and are looking forward to a tough MAPL race this Wednesday, followed by their traditional rivalry with The Peddie School on Saturday.

Click on the photos above to view larger and go to their team pages in the Athletics section to see more.

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