No surprises as Cougars, Higginson defend titles
Forys, Krewer go one-two at Monmouth County championships
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

It was business as usual for Colts Neck's harriers at the Monmouth County Cross Country Championships.

Ashley Higginson and the Cougars defended their championships, while Craig Forys picked up his third county title, pacing teammate Brendon Krewer to a Colts Neck one-two finish on Oct. 17.

Despite competing in a driving rainstorm over a slick Holmdel Park course, the Cougar didn't miss a beat. Higginson splashed her way to an impressive 18:28 performance that had her more the one minute ahead of runner-up Marie Walsh of Mater Dei (19:34). The Cougars, the state's top-ranked team, handled the conditions flawlessly, scoring 32 points to easily top Red Bank Catholic (62) and third-place Howell (126).

Forys jogged to his win in 16:42, while teammate Krewer joined the sub-17:00 club in the Freehold District with his 16:48.

It was a great day for Krewer as he turned back the best the county had to offer, outside of his celebrated teammate. The goal all along was for a one-two finish.

"We wanted to go one-two," said Krewer. "For the first mile I ran by his side, and then I tucked in behind him. At the tennis courts, I told him to go to guarantee the win.

"The rest of the course was downhill," he added. "I'm an 800 runner and I was confident I could hold the rest off."

Even making his decisive move, Forys was extending himself. As he eased up at the finish, he took a quick look back to see how his teammate was doing. He was doing just fine. It was a three-way race for second with Krewer's 800-meter speed prevailing over Christian Brothers Academy's Chris Lombardi (16:49) and Shawn Platz of Red Bank Catholic (16:50) in the sprint finish, just as Krewer thought.

"My confidence is way up," said Krewer. "It's great having someone like Craig for a teammate who will go out and help you. This has been my goal since my freshman year, to finish second in this race. It feels like winning with Craig part of the team."

Forys, fresh off his Van Cortlandt Park course record on Oct. 14, was happy to do his part for the team.

"It felt good to just go out and cruise and help the team," he said. "They let us set the tempo."

The one-two finish by the Cougars made them a threat to defending champion CBA, but the Colts were able to place their five scorers from third place to 17th to turn back the Cougars, 54-75.

Jason Weiner continued his fine season for Colts Neck by finishing 14th (17:30). Matt Smutko was 23rd (17:40).

Howell's Matt Cook confirmed that he is going to be a contender in championship races down the road by finishing sixth. The Rebel senior broke 17:00 for the first time, clocking 16:57.

Both Krewer and Cook set their personal bests under less-than-optimum conditions and should be able to lower their marks later in the season.

Manalapan's Rob Andrews continued his comeback, finishing ninth (17:08), one place ahead of teammate Joe Kreppein the Freehold District champion (17:08). The Braves finished fourth (135).

Howell's Tim Holleran was 24th (17:47), helping the Rebels place seventh (262).

Higginson, who had her own special day at VCP, running the ninth fastest time in course history, had no problem getting re-energized for the county championships.

"I was excited to race at Holmdel," she said. "I was just looking to run consistent and treat it as a workout. I'm really happy that I ran close to my best time (18:10).

"Everyone did their job today," she added.

Allison Donaghy (19:44) and Allie Flott (20:01), both of whom are getting better with each race, finished fourth and fifth as the Cougars easily turned back a field that included state-ranked teams in RBC and Howell.

Erin Donaghy was Colts Neck's fourth scorer in seventh place (20:09) and the fifth scorer was Kristen O'Dowd in 15th (20:29).

Howell's Lindsey Lambert has quietly putting together her best cross country season. The junior, who was slowed by shin splints last year, came through with a third place last week, turning in her best time of the year at Holmdel, 19:44.

Lambert is one of the few high school runners who will tell you they prefer cross country to track, and that is why the messy conditions didn't bother her.

Lambert made one concession to her running pattern, and it may have made the difference in her best finish at a county championship.

"I tried to slow down my start," she said. "I usually go out with the leaders because I can't deal with running in the pack."

Lambert let up on the accelerator and found herself moving up throughout the race.

"The roller coaster is my favorite part of the course," she said of the section of the course leading to the top of the park. "I pass a lot of people there."

The Rebel was seventh going into the roller coaster and up to fifth when it was over. She was third leaving the bowl and then held off Allison Donaghy in the final 100 meters to claim third.

"It was a good race for me," she said. "I didn't get passed going up the bowl and I didn't get passed at the end."

Teammate Lauren Wiemken was 16th (20:32), one place ahead of teammate Lauren Rome (20:40), as Howell did nothing to harm its state ranking.

Freehold Township, running without injured Janel Parker, was still able to finish seventh (242). Charlotte Walsh led the Pats with her ninth place (20:18). Allyson Moskal was 14th (20:26).

The top 15 teams and top 25 individuals at the county meet qualified for the Shore Conference Championships Saturday at Ocean County Park.

Freehold Township's boys, 10th (278) and Marlboro's girls, 12th (214), punched their tickets to the SC meet. The first finisher for the Patriot boys was Chris Ernst in 39th (18:02).

Leading the Marlboro girls was Karissa Leary in 37th (21:24).

Looking ahead to the conference championships, the OCP course is flat and fast, having yielded some pretty quick times in the past. Forys is looking to take down the course record of 15:16 and, if all goes right, get under 15:00 again.

Higginson will hook up with Jackson's Amanda Marino for the first time this year. Both should go well under 18:00. The course record 17:32 by Jackson's Jen Clausen is in serious jeopardy.

With Danielle Tauro of Southern Regional not in the picture at the moment (she competed in the World Junior Games in China over the summer and is resting until the state sectionals), Higginson and Marino are the two best runners in the state.

In the team competition, six of the top 20 teams in the state, led by top-ranked Colts Neck, are in the field. The others are RBC, Monsignor Donovan, Howell, Jackson and Freehold Township.

It will be Jackson vs. CBA for the boys title, with Colts Neck a wild card because of the Forys-Krewer tandem.

The Ocean County Championships were held Saturday at OCP with Marino winning the girls crown in 17:51 and Monsignor Donovan the team title (33).

Kris Karle (15:31) and the Jaguars (59) were the boys champions.