Irish beat Eagles 21-36

By Kevin Cranston
Runningco.com Writer

DEPTFORD

There have been years when there was talk of the streak being broken. There have even been a handful of close outcomes.

But no matter what the circumstances, the Paul VI High School boys’ cross country team has won every dual meet it has lined up for dating back to 1979.

That was until Wednesday afternoon.

By taking places 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, Camden Catholic, ranked No. 15 in Runningco.com’s Top 20, beat unranked Paul VI 21-36 at Gloucester County College to snap the Eagles’ unbeaten dual-meet streak, which was one of the longest in the nation. In the process, Camden Catholic claimed the Olympic Conference National Division title with a 6-0 record.

Paul VI entered Wednesday’s race with 244 straight dual-meet victories.

“We knew on paper we had a better team, but you don’t win races on paper,” Irish coach Dennis Quinn said. “We knew we had to come out and do it on the course and the guys performed.”

Said Camden Catholic senior Kevin McDonnell, who covered GCC’s 5,000-meter A course in a fast 15:51 to win the race by 1:21: “This is just awesome. We all came together and worked hard for this all summer. We deserve this.”

Camden Catholic also defeated Pennsauken Tech 17-46 and Camden 15-50. Paul VI beat Pennsauken Tech 18-45 and Camden 15-50.

Said first-year Paul VI coach Breton Bonnette: “The streak was definitely something that we thought about heading into the race. We wanted to continue it, but just because we lost doesn’t mean this program still hasn’t accomplished a lot over the years and still isn’t a storied program. We just need to get it back to the level of where it was because we’re not there right now. I’m looking forward to bringing it back.”

The Irish were in control of the race the entire time. After the first mile, Catholic held places 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 to Paul VI’s 3, 6, 8, 9 and 11. The Eagles came back a little bit on the Irish during the second mile, but still trailed 23-34 at the two-mile mark. And over the third mile, the Eagles were unable to make it any closer.

“We’ve been tapering for this race for the last week,” Camden Catholic assistant coach Ralph Harris said. “I felt the guys were ready to have great races.

“I’m not shocked we won, but knowing they haven’t lost in so long, I wasn’t going to take anything for granted.”

Crossing the line for the Irish after McDonnell were sophomore Walter Cantwell (17:17), sophomore Alex Licorish (17:41), senior Scott Knight (18:13) and sophomore Joe Bujak (18:32). Camden Catholic ran without junior John Jaskel, a usual top-five runner for the team. Quinn didn’t disclose why Jaskel wasn’t in the lineup.

“I didn’t sleep last night,” said Quinn, referring to his anticipation for Wednesday’s race. “This feels really good. Today isn’t just about breaking the streak, but it’s also about winning the division. Hopefully this is a stepping stone for the program.”

The top three finishers for Paul VI were sophomore Mike Rankin Jr. (second, 17:12), freshman Tom Hoban (fifth, 17:53) and senior Tom Norris (ninth, 18:52).

“We were in the shape to make this happen, but racing is a totally different beast,” Bonnette said. “The guys were thinking about the streak and racing like the world was on their shoulders and I think that affected them. But you have to give credit to Camden Catholic because they ran a great race.”

Race Results

Camden Catholic 21, Paul VI 36
Camden Catholic 17, Pennsauken Tech 46
Camden Catholic 15, Camden 50
Paul VI 18, Pennsauken Tech 45
Paul VI 15, Camden 50

1. Kevin McDonnell, Camden Catholic, 15:51
2. Mike Rankin Jr., Paul VI, 17:12
3. Walter Cantwell, Camden Catholic, 17:17
4. Alex Licorish, Camden Catholic, 17:41
5. Tom Hoban, Paul VI, 17:53
6. Webb, Pennsauken Tech, 18:12
7. Scott Knight, Camden Catholic, 18:13
8. Joe Bujak, Camden Catholic, 18:32
9. Tom Norris, Paul VI, 18:52
10. Caffey, Camden Catholic, 19:03