NORTH WILDWOOD — Wildwood Catholic High School’s boys and girls cross country teams swept meets over Lower Cape May and Buena Tuesday afternoon. The races were held on the Crusaders’ home course, which includes the bike path, boardwalk and beach in North Wildwood.
Chris Johnson placed second to lead Wildwood Catholic to close victories in the boys meet, the Crusaders edging Lower Cape May by 26-29 and Buena by 24-31. Lower Cape May got past Buena by 26-30.
Johnson finished the course in 18 minutes, 26 seconds, which was six seconds behind winner Jeremy Haas of Buena.
Lower Cape May freshman Zeb Hinker was third in 19:37, followed by teammate Matt Gibson in fourth in 19:54. Wildwood Catholic’s Cole McIntyre rounded out the top five in 19:58. Lower’s Elijah Jackson was sixth in 20:08.
Other scorers for Wildwood Catholic included Neil McIntyre (eighth in 20:11), John Manera (ninth in 20:42) and P.J. Bogle (11th in 20:53).
Lower Cape May’s Christina Adams blazed to victory in the girls meet, finishing more than two minutes ahead of the competition in 20:59. But Wildwood Catholic runners took each of the next five places to easily win the team competition by 15-27 over Buena and 20-41 over Lower Cape May. Buena edged Lower Cape May by 27-28.
Wildwood Catholic’s scorers were Erin Connolly (second in 23:04), Joelle Osborne (third in 23:13), Sophie Peters (fourth in 23:17), Lauren Sorensen (fifth in 23:28) and Alyia Gray-Rivera (23:50).
Other locals in the top 10 included Wildwood Catholic’s Samantha Andress (ninth in 24:53) and Lower Cape May’s Iris Sanchez (10th in 25:19).
The races were held in warm, humid conditions.
— Brian Cunniff