October 31, 2011

Heavy snow didn't stop the running of the Hudson County Championship Meet. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson County Championship Meet Photo Gallery

BAYONNE – The track at Steven Gregg Park provides plenty of obstacles for runners on a normal day. But on Saturday morning, the many participants would encounter one they never could have envisioned - a driving snow storm.

Running in weather conditions more suited for cross country skiing instead of running, the Memorial boys and St. Dominic Academy girls emerged victorious in the Hudson County Cross Country Championships.

For both the Tigers and Blue Devils, the victory was a testament to the depth of both squads.

Memorial would place four runners in the top eight and six among the top 16 finishers. Bernie Joa led the way with a 17:17 time for third place, followed by Luis Pariol (fifth, 17:36), Roy Bautista (sixth, 17:42) and Guillermo Reynoso (eighth, 17:50). Behind the quartet, the Tigers distanced themselves past North Bergen and McNair in the team standings even though McNair would produce the two best individual times.

Kevin Ratigan took home the individual crown with a time of 17:16 and Omar Opez followed with a mark of 17:13 for the Cougars, but were the only members from the Jersey City school to place within the top 19 overall.

On the girls side, the Blue Devils continued their dominance of Hudson County cross country by placing three runners in the top five in Sarah Sisk (third, 20:50), Cecilia Sabbers (fourth, 21:06) and Raygine Crespo (fifth, 21:32).

It marked the second-straight top five finishes for Crespo and Sisk as they finished third and fourth respectively in last year's championship.

Behind the contributions of the trio and Sabrina Campos (16th, 22:46), St. Dominic Academy was able to hold off second place North Bergen, which placed seven of the top 21 finishers.

Snyder Kali Kendall continued her reign as the county's premier runner as the junior cruised to a time of 19:43, crossing the finish line 46 seconds before her nearest challenger. Dickinson's Fawzia Kheir finished in second place for the second-straight year as she clocked in at 20:29.

Cecilia Sabbers was one of three St. Dominic Academy runners to place in the top five. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson County Championship Meet Photo Gallery