The Bridgewater-Raritan High School girls’ cross-country team captured its first state sectional championship since 2006.
On November 1, Bridgewater-Raritan won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 race that was contested at Greystone Park in Denville.
A total of 97 different cross-country athletes competed at the course, with 13 different schools being represented. This competition featured some of the best athletes in the region. Out of all of this competition, Bridgewater-Raritan placed first overall in the section’s Group 4 race with 56 points total points.
The team’s championshio effort qualified Bridgewater-Raritan to now move on to compete at the Group Championship this Saturday, November 8, at Holmdel Park.
Bridgewater-Raritan’s team featured several runners who ran the main course at Greystone: the 5,000-meter run. Four different Bridgewater-Raritan athletes also placed in the top nine—Kaitlyn Chu, Dahlia Adams, Sofia Daniels and Lana Guelich.
Chu, who placed second, Adams, who finished third, Daniels, who ended eighth, and Guelich, who placed ninth, all saw 15, 33, 9 and 58-second improvements in their races respectively. Anabela Mastropasqua, who placed in the top 50, had an 18-second improvement.
The last time such a feat was achieved was in 2006, where the girls won this same sectional title with a team score of 67.
Head coach Dr. Adam Pyle Coach, the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Physical Education Teacher, reflected on the major win.
“This is my first title win, which makes it extra special,” he said, having been the head coach of the girls cross country team for six years now.
Coach Lorena David, a Bridgewater-Raritan High School alum who graduated in 2023 and a current runner at Rutgers University, addressed the achievement.
“This was an incredible group effort. Every single one of those girls worked hard and fought throughout the season to get here. While some teams may just have a number 1 runner, we were lucky enough to have a full group of very talented and tough individuals. I’m so incredibly proud and grateful to be part of this team. And this is only the beginning of what this program can accomplish!” he said.
Coach Mike Paul, another coach for the team, praised the girls’ accomplishment.
“A great accomplishment for Bridgewater-Raritan High School girls’ cross-country,” he said.
Adams, a senior runner, reflected on her experience.
“Everyone did their absolute best to be able to secure the first place title. We couldn’t have done it without everyone on the team; truly, it is a team win,” she said.
Senior runner Anshita Jaiswal, another member of the girls cross country team, commented on her outlook.
“The team did amazing, and we placed first at sectionals for the first time in 19 years. All of the girls’ hard work throughout the season paid off and we’re looking forward to another great performance next week at groups!” she said.
