RFH Girls X-Country Wins the Meet of Champions

The Lady Bulldogs of the Rumson-Fair Haven High School cross country program claimed the ultimate title in the high school running world and brought home a state championship.

On Saturday, November 19, 2011, in Holmdel Park, New Jersey the RFH Girls cross country team finished in first place to win the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.

The girls scored 126 points to hold off defending champion and No. 3 Hillsborough and No. 8 Mount St. Dominic, both with 142 points. With this win, girls cross country became the first team from RFH to win a state championship against all six Groups in the state including the non-public schools and prep schools. 

Junior, Rachel Christ led the team, finishing in ninth place in a PR of 18:35, breaking her own RFH school record. Senior, Shannon McCarthy ran a PR of 19:33 to finish in 34^th place and Michaella Irvine ran a PR of 19:38 to finish in 40^th place. Freshman, Hannah Anderson held on to give RFH a 4th runner under 20 minutes (19:48) and Junior, Isabella Maita sealed the deal as 5^th runner with a furious finish (20:28). Sophomore, Courtney Howley (20:36 PR) and Senior, Molly Hellman (21:13) completed the team. The team finished for a combined average of 19:36.40, another RFH school record.

Following the awards ceremony where the girls were presented with a large plaque, they boarded the team bus back to the high school. Accompanying the girls was a parade of cars containing family and friends as well as a fire truck, ambulance and some police cars.

When the team arrived at the school parking lot, Coach Mcloone told the girls to “Look at the school buildings and think of all the kids who have walked through those halls and the other teams that have represented RFH.” He said proudly, “There have been other great ones: girls hoops, track, football, tennis, golf, swimming and many others. But none ever did what you did today. Win a state championship!” 

Coach Mcloone thanked all those that supported the team this year including School Superintendent, Peter Righi and all the fans that were lined along the course to cheer the team on, waving flags, wearing capes, painting their bodies, blowing horns and ringing cowbells. He also thanked Co-Coach Henry Mercer who provided the team with unending support and inspiration.