Andrews set the pace in District X-country
Leininger had breakout season
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
Robby Andrews carried the banner of Freehold Regional District cross country excellence this fall. The Manalapan junior carried the momentum of his 1:52 800 meters on the track over to the 5K cross country distance and took his place among the best in New Jersey. He finished fourth at the season-ending Meet of Champions (MOC), a position topped by only three other runners in the area's history, champions Craig Forys of Colts Neck (2005-06), Manalapan's Tom Fischer (1981) and third-place finisher Jim Casey, also of Manalapan.

With Andrews at the front of the pack, Manalapan repeated as the Freehold Regional District champions and added the Shore Conference A North Division public school title to their résumé.

By season's end, Colts Neck, led by junior Mark Leininger, was healthy and challenging the Braves. The Cougars would be the only team to qualify for the State Group IV championships edging the Braves for the final qualifying place in Central Jersey, fifth, by a single point (158-159). The Braves would go on to finish 13th at the Group IV championships.

Two freshmen, Freehold Township's Eric Dynarski and Colts Neck's Mike O'Dowd, not only made a case for themselves as future stars, but also were among the best in the area this year.

Led by Andrews, what stands out about the Greater Media Newspaper's 2007 All-Freehold Regional District Boys Cross Country Team is its youth. Joining the junior on the team is Leininger, Dynarski, O'Dowd, Freehold Borough's Cody O'Flaherty, Howell's Mike Roberto, Colts Neck's Jason Weiner and Manalapan's Ryan McGilvray.

Andrews had his finest cross country season. Benefiting from a good summerbase buildup, he ran a 15:33 for third place at the Cougar Invitational held at Colts Neck's Bucks Mill Park. He won the Freehold District and Monmouth County Championships, his first individual cross country crowns. In early October, he traveled to venerable Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y., and ran its famous 2.5- mile course at the Manhattan Invitational. He finished fourth in his division and his 12:43.47 put him in the famed "green book'' for fastest times ever run on the course. The mark makes his No. 3 alltime among District harriers.

Andrews was second to Brick Memorial's Andrew Brodeur at the Shore Conference and third in Central Jersey Group IV behind Brodeur and winner Brian Leung from West Windsor-Plainsboro South (they would go one-two at the MOC with Leung winning). The junior was fifth at the Group IV meet and ran the best race of the year at the MOC running a personal best 16:02. He seems certain to become just the fourth District harrier to break 16:00 at Holmdel and will be tabbed as one of the MOC favorites for 2008.

Leininger was a 17:50 runner at Holmdel last year. By November, he had lowered his personal best to 16:22 for No. 6 all-time in the District.

Some encouragement from his coach (Jim Schlentz) who told him if he put in the time, he could be a good cross country runner, and commitment from himself turned the junior into one of the state's best at the end of the season.

The Cougar had a good start at his home Cougar Invitational, running seventh. He was fourth in the county, eighth in the conference, seventh in Central Jersey and 11th at the Group IV meet. Seemingly having peaked at 16:30, Leininger turned in his best race of the year at the MOC where his 16:22 got him 20th place and all-state merit.

Out of state, Leininger was fourth at the Delaware Military Academy Invitational and 31st at the Nike Team National Northeast Qualifier in Wappiner Falls, N.Y.

Leininger could also join the select sub- 16:00 club in '08.

With the exception of Craig Forys, freshmen haven't made much of an impact, but this year the District had two in Dynarski and O'Dowd.

Dynarski made his presence felt from the start of the season in dual meets. By the time of the District Championship he was confident enough to finish second behind Andrews. He was 21st at the county and 34th in the SC. In both races, only Andrews and Leininger finished ahead of him among the District competitors. He had a 17:17 personal best for Holmdel Park.

O'Dowd started slower than Dynarski, but by November he was established as one of the best ninth-graders at Holmdel Park. He was 30th at county, 46th in the conference and 21st in Central Jersey IV. His Holmdel best was 17:21.

Dynarski and O'Dowd will be considered underclassmen to look out for in '08.

O'Flaherty was last year's promising frosh and he backed it up with a solid sophomore campaign. He dueled with Dynarski for second at the District before being outkicked and taking third. He was 26th in the county and 18th in the CJ III.

Manalapan had more than Andrews going for it in its drive to the District and A North championships.

Roberto, a senior, was a steady performer throughout the season. He ranked among the top seven among District harriers at every big meet. He was sixth in the District, 32nd in the county, 58th in the SC and had a big race in Central Jersey IV finishing 18th.

An injury sidelined Weiner for much of the season, but he made up for lost time once he returned to competition. The junior was 17th in Central Jersey (third among District harriers) and 33rd in Group IV running 17:17 at Holmdel Park. Outside the state, he was 28th at the Coaches Invitational in Wappinger Falls. He, Leininger and O'Dowd will form a very strong trio next year.

McGilvray, the only other senior on the squad, has played a big part in Manalapan's resurgence in cross country. He was a consistent scorer throughout the season for the Braves. He was eighth at the District meet and was 28th in the state sectional.

Those earning Honorable Mention for 2007 are: Mike O'Dowd, Colts Neck; Andrew Posen and Marc Mills, Freehold Township; Cody Kulik, Howell; Eric Tymezak, Matt Gabor and Jon Nagel, Manalapan.