Men, Women Go 1-2 in Newport 10,000 in USATF Grand Prix Team Race
Jersey City- When $15,000 in prize money is on the table, big things tend to happen. And, despite the heavy rainfall and some heavy competition, the Garden State Track Club made some very big things happen Saturday morning.
For the first time in USATF-NJ history, a team swept the top two open spots for the men's and women's divisions in a USATF-NJ Grand Prix Race. The women swept the top two teams places for the first time in club history, winning their 8th straight grand prix race. The men, who have gone 1-2 in all three grand prix races this spring, extended their winning streak to 14-also a USATF-NJ record.
A Club First: Golden Girls Go 1-2-8
Last year, the GSTC women averaged 41:19 for their top four women, winning the team title by a mere seven total seconds over RVRR. This year, they finished 1st and 2nd, averaging 38:45 and 39:07, respectively, with RVRR finishing a distant fourth with a 44:31 average.
What a difference a year can make.
Cheyenne Ogletree continued her hot streak, finishing in 36:47 (5:55/mile), placing her 9th women finisher, and the 5th American Elite. For being 5th ($100) and 1st USATF-NJ finisher ($600), Ms. Ogletree had a nice payday of $700--or $112.90 per mile! Greta Sieve ran another incredible race in her first season in Gold and Black, finishing in 36:56. As the third USATF-NJ finisher, Greta pulled in $300. Alyssa Douma (37:23) and Allyson Dublinski (37:53), the 4th and 5th place USATF-NJ finishers, collected $200 and $100, respectively, for their strong performances.
In an effort to finish 1st and 2nd, the teams were split evenly, and the lineup worked perfectly. The Gold Team that finished first included Sieve, Dublinski (who made her GSTC debut, it must be noted), Karen Auteri (40:03; 42:49 last year), Erika Meling (40:07), Cathy Stutzman (46:10; 49:36 last year), and Amy Denholtz (71:03). The Black Team that finished second included Ogletree, Douma, Alexis Patrick (40:54), Sarah Schillaci, and Meghan DeCarlo (41:52).
Ogletree's time broke her own club record from last year of 38:50, lowering it by more than 2:00.
This was also the first time the ladies in gold had three scoring teams, as the White Team of Shanna Beairstro (44:17), Courtney Connelly (44:31), Monika Juzwiak (47:20/ GSTC debut), Brianne Teichmann (55:34), Michelle Tuchol (57:50), Christine Mockenhaupt (58:36), and Arezoo Imani (72:53).
Men Dominate Up Front, Finish 1-2-5 In Team Scoring
The Men in Gold swept the top five USATF-NJ places Saturday, helping the team go 1-2 in the men's team scores. Leading the way was TCNJ alum Rob Nihen whose31:13, while just shy of Jeff Perrella's club record of 31:13, won $600. Former Rider standout Paul Matuszak was the second man in at 31:39, with Steve Mennitt (31:49), Ken Goglas (31:58), and Tim Morgan (32:03PR) bringing home $400, $300, $200, and $100, respectively.
Like the women, the men spread out the talent evenly. The winning team averaged 33:14 for their top scoring five, and it consisted of Mennitt, Goglas, Morgan, Chuck Schneekloth (34:59), John Welsh (35:23/ GSTC debut), and Nick Waclawski (43:12). The silver medal winning team had a top-5 team average of 33:48 and included Nihen, Matuszak, Fonder, Adin Mickle (34:11), Ken Walsh (38:54), and Rob DeCarlo (41:52).
The C Team also ran well, as "Timmy Terrific" Paziora (we love this guy's Facebook name) led the charge in his GSTC debut, rolling to a 35:52 finish, as two Rutgers students, David Fett (36:40) and Robert Klnk (37:20) finished shortly in his wake. Marty Doherty (37:35), Dan Teichmann (37:48), and TJ Zablocki (38:45) rounded out the squad's finishers., as he group finished with a 37:03 average time.
Team results can be found HERE.
More Team Results Flyer Wins Madison 5k
Madison- Kyle Flyer literally won his hometown race last weekend, and our apologies for forgetting to include it in last week's email. Mr. Flyer, a studious junior at Rutgers and in his third year as a GSTC member, won the race in 17:49. He was especially excited because he "outkicked a guy wearing a Sneaker Factory uniform." Hey, either way, we love it when a Gold jersey outkicks any jersey for a gold medal. Nice job Kyle....now get ready for a PR at the President's Cup!
Ironman Invitational Results
Ramapo College- Another missed result from last weekend, seven GSTC'ers particpated in the exhibition open events at the Ironman Invite at Ramapo College. In the mile, Alyssa Douma won the women's race in 5:18.62, with Meghan DeCarlo (5:49.80), and Shanna Beairsto (6:11.20) behind her. Marty Doherty (5:11.48) and Rob DeCarlo (5:49.75) ran in the men's race. In the 5k, Mike Belgiovine won the 5k in 15:30.72, with Mike Anis rolling in at 15:48.10--just hitting the 82% PLP mark.
Minervini Wins 5k With a Funny Name
Hopotcong- Recent GSTC member Mark Minervini won the 2nd Annual Dylan's Dinosaur Stomp Race in 19:10 on Saturday morning. Props to big Mark for the win, and props to the race for coming up with one of the strangest race names we've ever heard of. Don't believe us? Check it out here...the GSTC media would never lie, would we???
Quotes of the Week
"Sure...anything to help the team out." -Erika Meling, when asked about serving as a New Brunswick team-run organizer.
"I'm excited about winning these two 'USATF Points.' Perhaps I can use them to get 10% off my next purchase of a USATF hoody on-line--or something?" -Paul Matuszak, after finishing second USATF-NJ finisher, with a bit of sarcasm over the USATF-NJ point system that leads to reduced prices....for on-line USATF apparal.
"Oh I know Edsel! We're in the same class! I used to sit by him and cheat off him all the time in math class." -some girl working the register at the New Brunswick Fresh Grocer. Way to go, Edsel!
"Do I get to wear your guys fresh jersey??" -George Erazo, 46.8 400m runner from St. Thomas Aquinas, getting psyched to run for GSTC this summer at USATF Club Nationals
"Grit, determination, resiliency, fight, heart, passion is a necessity in this game. Without it, we're merely exercising. Without the will to win and be champions what separates us from weekend joggers? I reek of tenacity, spirit, and dedication to the track. Nothing burns in me brighter than the thought of being a champion. I hope Garden State Track Club is ready. I hope our competitors are ready. My body has the mileage of a 92 Honda Civic, but challenge me to a race and I'll push it to the limits. That's what is needed from us to win. I like to rant when I care. And I care to win." -Aaron Lucus, club record holder in HJ and LJ post in Track and Field facebook Group
"You have no idea how anxious and excited I am to start running with GSTC." -Mike Saparito, via text message, who has run 1:51 this year for 800m.
"It's hard to pay attention when you're wearing a hat." -Erin Higgins, at practice last week
"I did not have a computer because of the office move. I am responding to my emails today. The one attached I just responded too. Regards, Lauren Schulz USATF-NJ." -Lauren Schulz, responding to the question, "Can you please confirm our three emails from last week?" We really aren't sure what any of these three sentences mean. We guess she is saying, "I am responding now to your email by responding." ?
"Tim Paziora License to prove that I'm not a Kenyan hiding in an NYC basement to steal prize money." -"Terrific" Tim Panziora's email subject line as he sent in his driver's license picture to verify his NJ residency. Yeah, some of these USATF-NJ rules do seem a bit funny....point well taken.
"Just spreading the word where I can" -48.80 400m runner Kevin Perrson, St Peter's grad, excited about racing and recruiting for the GSTC
Tim Morgan Award
Keeping GSTC Honest Since 2011
We love the guy, and we were so happy for him to FINALLY make his debut a almost a year after joining the team, but John Welsh gets the first nod for his antics on Saturday morning. First he forgets to pre-register, then he's thirty minutes late, then he forgets to bring cash or check to sign up....we handed in our team declaration just eight minutes before the cut off. He's a Dartmouth and Stanford man, so we know he is much better than these pre-race Morgan-esque antics, indeed.
We love this guy too, but the jury votes passionately for Steve Mennitt to get the second nod of the mid-May TMA. Yeah, he arrived late to practice by about ten minutes on Tuesday, and then, after running two miles from the track, he realized he left his keys at the track, and after Tim Morgan himself drove Steve to get them, he ducked out on us for dinner. Ouch! Tim pressed this one hard to get the nomination, so here it is.
Finally, the USATF-NJ gets the final nod of the week. Not only are there serious organizational issues with responding to emails in prompt, coherent ways, there are other serious issues around the haphazard inviting of people onto certain committees. As USATF-NJ officials have agreed, there needs to be an actual vetting/application process for ALL of these positions; they are just too important to invite unqualified people, with no official policy or transparent process, with little experience and divisive behavior. As long as the USATF-NJ keeps the bar low and continues such a "we'll bring on anyone who wants to get involved without a formalized process", the organization will continue to struggle in growth and professionalism. And if you're curious about team growth, there were 13 scoring teams in 2002. A decade later, you got it, 13 scoring teams....an unfortunate yet telling number for a densely populated state with a huge boom of running in high school and college the past two decades.
COLLEGE AVE MILE UPDATE
The Race To $200 Continues
With four weeks to go, we currently have 29 College Ave Mile Registrations. Remember, GSTC members get half the entry fee for every person who signs up using YOUR code. And, in addition, we are offering a $200 grand prize to the GSTC member who recruits the most runners under their code. Need a code? Email us for one! Meanwhile, here are your leaders...
Current Leader Board
4- Karen Auteri
2- Erin Blum
2- Rob DeCarlo
1- Mike Anis
1- Jeff Blough
1- Kelly Polisin
In Case You Missed It...
Team Runs
Monday- 5:30 @ Rutgers Student Center
Tuesday- 5:30 @ RSC (RUN TO FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL....NOT HPHS)
Wednesday- 5:30 track workout at Highland Park HS
Thursday- 5:30 @ RSC
Friday- 4:30 @ RSC
Saturday- 10:00am track workout at HPHS
Sunday- MORRISTOWN TEAM RUN
We are hosting a GSTC Water Station at the SuperHero Half Marathon close to the start/finish area. We are in need of folks to do two things:
- help us hand out water to the runners,
- help us promote the College Ave Mile at our table with the GSTC wheel!
We need to be parked at 435 South Street, Morristown by 7:45, and at the start/finish line by 8:00. Folks can do their team run in waves as we work together to help the race and promote our race simultaneously! Please email us if you are able to help us out!
Steady Striders and Couch to 5k
Congrats to all the Newport 10,000 runners, including Steady Striders Michelle, Arezoo, and Amy! This week the steady striders and couch to 5k runners will have a track practice, led by GSTC founder and coach Chuck Schneekloth, at the Highland Park High School at 9am on Saturday, May 18th. The address for the HPHS is 102 North Fifth Avenue, Highland Park. Parking is available behind the school by the track. Email Amy at adenholtz@gmail.com with any questions or to RSVP.
Gold Star: Recognizing Our Awesomeness by Ashwin Anantharaman
Dennie Waite
Dennie joined GSTC a couple weeks ago after talking to Chuck at the Lions Invite and realized he was missing something important with his running...a team atmosphere. Before races he does a 2-3 mile warmup, drills, spikes up and does strides. He tries to stay as relaxed as possible as he is more of a middle distance runner. Outside of running he works in a physical therapy clinic with a goal of getting his masters in it or exercise physiology. He is a normal guy though as he loves video games and reading. He has Prs of 154 in the 800, 353 in the 1500 and 410 in the mile with the ultimate goal being a sub 4 mile!!!
Allison Dublinski
Allison joined GSTC this month after meeting some GSTC runners and hearing about how amazing our coaches were(props to Chuck Schneekloth, Chris Tafelski, and Rob DeCarlo for their amazing and effective training programs). She also felt that a very important aspect of her running was missing as she didn't have a team to bond with or train with. She is a big coffee drinker before races(Steve Mennitt and Allison Dublinksi road relay partners next year possibly....) and get pumped up with some music. Depending on the race she does a simple warmup and strides to loosen up. She is a landscape architect meaning she obviously love sketching and photography. She loves to read and volunteer to help others plus she used to be a big soccer player. Eventually after college she decided that she should become a competitive runner. She finished her first race in the Newport 10k with GSTC and said she went out too fast and the rain and potholes weren't helpful. The best part of the race though she said "meeting other GSTC members: priceless, you guys are an awesome dynamic group loaded with talent and potential. Her Prs include 1645 in the 5k, 3557 in the 10k, 1 hour 17 mins in the half marathon and 2 hours 42 mins in the marathon.
Final Homestretch: Spring Racing Schedule
If you want to jump in one of these races please let us know! Everyone is welcome to join us, but email us if you want to run so we can make plans accordingly!
Saturday, June 15: USATF East Regional Track and Field Championships: Icahn Stadium
Friday-Saturday, June 28-29: USATF Club National Track and Field Championships: Icahn Stadium
Masters Grand Prix Team Races
This Week in Training We're looking ahead to 5k racing next! We're going to progress the pace down to some faster stuff in the the next 5-6 weeks before we take a break and start the summer buildup.
Monday - comfortable run + 6-8x 8-10s hill sprints OR 4-6x in-and-out 150s
Tuesday - 2x2k at T pace with 2:30 rest, followed by 2x1200 @ 5k pace with equal rest, 2x400 @ 3k pace with 1:30 rest
Wednesday - steady-state distance run of 75% long run duration
Thursday - super easy 40-60 mins + strides
Friday - tempo run of 25-40 mins at T pace. Follow it up with 4x200 @ Mile pace with full recovery
Saturday - same as Monday
Sunday - long run
