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SHP WINS ESSEX COUNTY X-C TITLE [Oct. 31]]
Alfano wins Essex title; Seton takes team crown
Saturday, November 01, 2003
BY JIM LAMBERT For the Star-Ledger Dave Alfano charged down the final straightaway with nothing in front of him but the finish line. The West Orange senior was
on his way to the biggest victory of his life, and he marked it by throwing his fist in the air as he came across in 15:02.34 to capture the boys title at the Essex County
Championships yesterday at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield.
What made Alfano's triumph even more impressive was that he dethroned his rival, Oskar Nordenbring of
Montclair Kimberley Academy, who had won the last two county titles. Nordenbring was a distant second in 15:22.34.
"This is the best moment I've ever had
in my running career," Alfano said. "To win the county title and beat one of the best runners in the state is just incredible. This is the first time I ever beat Oskar in
cross-country or track. Before today I was like 0-15 against him, so it's nice to finally do it."
In the team competition, Seton Hall Prep, No. 11 in The
Star-Ledger Top 20, packed its first five runners in the top 15, averaged 16:05.46 over a course that was 80 yards short of 3.1 miles and scored 50 points to win its first title since
1998. Columbia was second with 113.
Seton Hall was led by senior Mike Rolek, fourth in 15:40.92.
Alfano beat Nordenbring by running a
tactically sound race. He had a strong mid-race surge, a great finishing kick and a lot of heart.
When Nordenbring led after one mile in 4:50, Alfano was a few
strides back. But by the end of the second mile, which Alfano hit in 10:03, Alfano was a few strides ahead of Nordenbring. Alfano then put the hammer down and methodically pulled away
from Nordenbring as he roared over the final mile to secure the victory.
Alfano is the first West Orange boy to win the county title since Bob Rothenberger
captured it in 1960. "When I passed Nordenbring just before the two-mile mark I felt like I had so much left in my tank," Alfano said. "I was running the best race I've
ever run and I really felt like after I went by him, I was going to win because of how strong I felt and because of how hard he was breathing."
Nordenbring
was gracious in defeat. "Alfano ran a great race and deserved to win," said Nordenbring, a senior. "He was the better runner today."
Norbenbring said he wasn't upset with having his bid for a third straight title derailed. "I'm more disappointed with the fact that I'm not running as strong as I should be
as the end of the season is approaching," Nordenbring said. "I need to be running better at the state meets and I'm confident I still will."
Seton Hall Prep junior Brian Trembley said his team's victory was especially sweet, as he was on the West Orange team last year that was favored to win and wound up second to St.
Benedict's Prep.
"This is just overwhelming," said Trembley, the son of Seton Hall coach Steve Trembley. "I was so disappointed last year, and
now to come back here and win is such a great feeling."
Trembley also said that being the favorite was something he and his teammates embraced.
"On the starting line it was just such a different feeling," Trembley said. "We kept saying that this must be how the big guns like Christian
Brothers feel. Running when you are expected to win motivates you to prove how good you are."
ESSEX COUNTY TEAMS: 1-Seton Hall 50. 2-Columbia 113. 3-West Orange 128. 4-St.
Benedict's 144. 5-Montclair 156. 6-Caldwell 164. 7-Livingston 225. 8-Verona 241. 9-Millburn 245. 10-Montclair Kimberley 248. 11-East Side 265. 12-Belleville 285. 13-Bloomfield 355.
14-Irvington 359. 15-Nutley 361. 16-Glen Ridge 397. 17-East Orange Campus 406. 18-Newark Academy 518. 19-Montclair Immaculate 568. |
