Freshman runners lead cross country team

Freshman Jason Manwah competes in the Shore Coach Invitational Oct. 5. Photo courtesy of Fred Williams

by Giselle Galarza

Freshman Jason Manwah broke the school’s freshman record in the 5,000-meter set in 2006 by almost a minute and a half, with a time of 18:46, running with the varsity members at the South Hudson Invitational October 22.

Junior captain Abraham Dizen earned a bronze medal and finished 14th in the 5,000-meter with a time of 18:05. He led the varsity members to finish sixth place at the South Hudson Invitational.

Manwah has been a stand-out throughout the season, as he led his freshman team to a second-place finish and silver medals in the Jersey City championships Oct. 15, and to a third-place finish at the Lancer Invitational Oct. 19. Manwah finished fourth with a personal record of 13 minutes in the 2.2-mile course.

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Freshmen Kenny Fernandez, Jhovanni Rodriguez, Ahmed Sheheta and Angel Guzman also ran personal best times, while junior Gus Alvarez finished 15th for a bronze medal in the boys JV race with a time of 20:16.

Junior Abraham Dizen runs at the St. Dominic's Invitational Sept. 14. Photo courtesy of Fred Williams — Junior Abraham Dizen runs at the St. Dominic’s Invitational Sept. 14. Photo courtesy of Fred Williams

According to Williams, junior Abraham Dizen and Manwah have been “providing outstanding leadership” this season.

“In the middle school I came from, I never ran track. It’s been a great experience so far though,” Manwah said.

Twelve freshman runners, seven male and five female, joined the cross country team this year, making 16 cross country members total.

Freshman Brianna Younger has shown promise this season as well, according to Williams. Younger, who finished fourth, and freshman Haydee Soriano, who finished sixth, earned bronze medals at the Jersey City Championships Oct. 15, both running personal best times.

Younger said she is flattered by Williams’ compliments, but prefers her own opinions.

“Williams compliments do help, but most of my pride comes from how I feel I did, not from what others say,” Younger said.

Freshman Brianna Younger competes in the Shore Coaches Invitational Oct. 5. Photo courtesy of Fred Williams

Aside from finding pride within herself, Younger looks to others for motivation.

“I’m motivated when I get to see the other members run; it makes me work hard,” Younger said.

Manwah said working with Dizen motivates him.

“He’s a good captain and has taught me a lot,” Manwah said.

According to Williams, junior Jordan Matos was “outstanding” as he led varsity at the state championship course race, along with Dizen on Oct. 5.

“Dizen and Matos have improved from last year’s progress. They have been showing outstanding leadership as always,” Williams said.

Even with the 12 new freshmen, Williams is searching for new members to join them.

“We are really looking for a fifth man for the freshman team. It would really help add more to the party and get our stats up,” Williams said.

Williams said he still has many expectations for the new runners.

“Since they’re new, I would like to get them all to be as good as the runners that are already on the team,” Williams said. “Of course we always like to end the season of with a good win.”

While Manwah competed with the varsity runners at the South Hudson Invitational Oct. 22, the other freshmen had to step up without him. Sheheta and Fernandez each earned bronze medals, finishing 17th and 22nd, respectively to lead teammates Guzman, Rodriguez, and freshman Julian Alicea to a 2nd place finish. Alicea improved his personal best time by more than two minutes.

The team will travel to Bayonne Park Saturday, Oct. 26, to compete in the Hudson County Championships at noon.