B Central Preview (Sort Of)
If the season already started, can I really call this a preview? I say yes, because the three contenders for the division crown have yet to face off against one another.
Shore returns a strong core of athletes, headlined by senior sprinter Derek Schultz and is always one of the deeper teams in the division. The Blue Devils' relay team, which finished seventh at last year's MOC, lost three of its four members (Taylor Kirk, Matt Villane, and Matt Reidy) to graduation, but Schultz's return will provide Shore with some stability in the event.
Rumson looks to have the pieces in place to steal the division from the defending champion Blue Devils if everything falls into place. The Bulldogs boast a strong set of sprinters that may be able to take advantage of Shore's losses in the sprints if they can't replace the three relay members. Ryan Kirchner, John Brodsky, and Jake Hepler are Rumson's top three sprinters to start the season, and top hurdler Christian Pettineo could also contribute in sprints. Robbie Doran will be the team's top jumper and is also a sprint candidate. The Bulldogs are a confident bunch and according to coach Jerry Beaver, expect to win B Central.
The other contender for the B Central crown is Mater Dei. The Seraphs usually don't go as deep as their two division rivals, but that may not be a problem this year. Coach Mike Tursi says he has the largest team in his 18 years at Mater Dei and he believes its the most athletes on a Mater Dei track team since the 1970s. Out of the 50-plus athletes that Tursi says came out this year, there are some good ones that could go a long way in securing another Non-Public B State Championship, and perhaps a division crown. Patrick O'Boyle scored significant points at the Non-Public B Championships as a freshman last year, and Ryan Lino is likely the divisions top thrower. Mater Dei and Rumson tied last year, and when they meet on April 25, those newfound numbers will have to shine in order to beat Rumson.
Asbury Park has some hidden gems on a team that can't run out the numbers to compete with other area teams. Demetrius Barkley is one of the top hurdlers around he should do nothing to dispell his current standing. The more interesting prospect is junior Avery Taylor, who according to coach Mark Gallup, has talent comparable to that of the Cox brothers at Monmouth. Taylor can win his fair share of races on his raw speed, and a little refinement could pay dividends. But is as so often the case with Asbury Park athletes, Taylor's off-the-track situation serves as a sobering reminder that the surrounding environment can hinder an otherwise promising career.
"I just hope we can get him to come to practice,'' Gallup said. "It's been a struggle in the first two years he tried to come out, but he seems like he wants to give it a real shot this year. He's shown similar interest in the past, but the streets really pull at him.
"We're trying to tell him the opportunity he has, and if he comes to practice and buys into what we're telling him, he has a chance to become something special."
Being from Mercer County, I don't have any rooting interests in the Shore Conference. But here's hoping Avery Taylor has a brekaout year.
Potential Group/State Champions: O'Boyle (Mater Dei) - 1600, 3200; Lino (Mater Dei) - throws; Schultz (Shore) - sprints; Robert Rogers (St. Rose) - hurdles/pole vault.
Shore returns a strong core of athletes, headlined by senior sprinter Derek Schultz and is always one of the deeper teams in the division. The Blue Devils' relay team, which finished seventh at last year's MOC, lost three of its four members (Taylor Kirk, Matt Villane, and Matt Reidy) to graduation, but Schultz's return will provide Shore with some stability in the event.
Rumson looks to have the pieces in place to steal the division from the defending champion Blue Devils if everything falls into place. The Bulldogs boast a strong set of sprinters that may be able to take advantage of Shore's losses in the sprints if they can't replace the three relay members. Ryan Kirchner, John Brodsky, and Jake Hepler are Rumson's top three sprinters to start the season, and top hurdler Christian Pettineo could also contribute in sprints. Robbie Doran will be the team's top jumper and is also a sprint candidate. The Bulldogs are a confident bunch and according to coach Jerry Beaver, expect to win B Central.
The other contender for the B Central crown is Mater Dei. The Seraphs usually don't go as deep as their two division rivals, but that may not be a problem this year. Coach Mike Tursi says he has the largest team in his 18 years at Mater Dei and he believes its the most athletes on a Mater Dei track team since the 1970s. Out of the 50-plus athletes that Tursi says came out this year, there are some good ones that could go a long way in securing another Non-Public B State Championship, and perhaps a division crown. Patrick O'Boyle scored significant points at the Non-Public B Championships as a freshman last year, and Ryan Lino is likely the divisions top thrower. Mater Dei and Rumson tied last year, and when they meet on April 25, those newfound numbers will have to shine in order to beat Rumson.
Asbury Park has some hidden gems on a team that can't run out the numbers to compete with other area teams. Demetrius Barkley is one of the top hurdlers around he should do nothing to dispell his current standing. The more interesting prospect is junior Avery Taylor, who according to coach Mark Gallup, has talent comparable to that of the Cox brothers at Monmouth. Taylor can win his fair share of races on his raw speed, and a little refinement could pay dividends. But is as so often the case with Asbury Park athletes, Taylor's off-the-track situation serves as a sobering reminder that the surrounding environment can hinder an otherwise promising career.
"I just hope we can get him to come to practice,'' Gallup said. "It's been a struggle in the first two years he tried to come out, but he seems like he wants to give it a real shot this year. He's shown similar interest in the past, but the streets really pull at him.
"We're trying to tell him the opportunity he has, and if he comes to practice and buys into what we're telling him, he has a chance to become something special."
Being from Mercer County, I don't have any rooting interests in the Shore Conference. But here's hoping Avery Taylor has a brekaout year.
Potential Group/State Champions: O'Boyle (Mater Dei) - 1600, 3200; Lino (Mater Dei) - throws; Schultz (Shore) - sprints; Robert Rogers (St. Rose) - hurdles/pole vault.
posted by Matt Manley at 12:49 PM
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