Cherokee runner makes switch pay off at Meet of Champs

LINCROFT - Cherokee junior Shawn Wilson wears a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "Who says soccer players can't run?"

The former varsity soccer player answered that question emphatically Saturday at the NJSIAA boys' cross-country Meet of Champions on the 5-kilometer Holmdel Park course. Wilson turned in a time of 15 minutes, 45 seconds to finish in fifth place, the best of any South Jersey runner.

"After two years of playing soccer, I decided to run cross-country this year," Wilson said. "I had hopes of doing well when I started, but never expected to come this far. This feels amazing."

While Wilson wasn't totally sure of his ability, his coach, Steve Shaklee, certainly saw potential.

"Shawn is just a very good athlete," Shaklee said. "He's a competitive kid and works hard. He set a school record for a junior this year [on Cherokee's home course]. We knew he could develop into a good runner."

Wilson was running on the Holmdel course for only the second time, and his strategy changed during the race.

"In the beginning, I tried to stay in the back of the first group of runners," Wilson said. "As we got to the bottom of the bowl [section of the course], I felt really good and decided to take it out."

Wilson, who is noted for his final kick, realized quickly that his plan wasn't working.

"I had the lead for about 300 meters," Wilson said with a grin. "Then I got caught. After that, I just tried to hold my place."

The 18-second drop in time from his second-place finish at last week's state Group 4 meet, coupled with the realization that he was only 14 seconds out of first place in the Meet of Champs, has instilled a sense of confidence in Wilson.

"Only one non-senior was in front of me in this race," Wilson said. "I'm really looking forward to next year."

And the school record Wilson broke earlier this year? It was held by Marc Pelerin, the 2001 Meet of Champions winner.

The only other South Jersey runner to win a medal Saturday was Shawnee's Connor Herr, who finished 17th in 16:07.

"I just didn't feel it today," said Herr, a senior who will attend Cornell next year. "I tried to stay with the front pack, but couldn't keep up. I've had better times on this course."

In the team scoring, state Non-Public B champion Bishop Eustace finished with 450 points for 16th place. State Group 1 champion Haddon Township was 17th with 454.

The Results

Team scoring: Christian Brothers 45, Don Bosco 111, Westfield 112, West Windsor-Plainsboro South 169, Pope John XXIII 172. (South Jersey teams: 16, Bishop Eustace 450; 17, Haddon Township 454; 19, Haddon Heights 532).

Individual leaders: 1, Tim Ball, Piscataway, 15:31. 2, George Kelly, CBA, 15:37. 3, Ben Malone, Pascack Valley, 15:40. 4, Tyler Gibbons, Ridge, 15:44. 5, Shawn Wilson, Cherokee, 15:45. (Other South Jersey runners: 17, Connor Herr, Shawnee, 16:07. 29, Peter Murray, Shawnee, 16:22. 30, Nick Costello, Delsea, 16:22).