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Being county champions for the second time feels a little different.
The Salem Tech boys cross country team made its debut Thursday at the Salem County Championships in Pittsgrove Township.
Two years ago, the Chargers accomplished the feat for the first time in the program’s short history. After last year’s loss to Woodstown, Salem Tech is back on top after a short hiatus.
“Last year we went into a soft rebuild with two key seniors graduating,” head coach Matt DiTizio said. “There were new guys coming in this year to fill those spots. Like I said last time, I’ll say it again, it comes down to what you do in the offseason.
“These guys all come together on their own. They train together. They’ve done the job. I want to wish them a good year this year. I really don’t want to take too much credit. I have a great team. This is just the beginning. We’re young. Next year, everybody will be back, hopefully.”
Salem Tech defeated Shalick 40-46 for the team championship.
“Shalik’s is tough,” DiTizio said. “They gave us a very good fight. I think we will have a good little rivalry with all the regional schools. All seem to be difficult next year. It’s fun; I’m just excited.”
Shalick’s Gavin Thompson finished first in 18:01 to win the county title. The senior crossed over from football and was crowned the county’s best player in his one and only academic season.
Schalick junior Charles Fuernesen was second in 18:09. Salem Tech sophomore Dominic Miletti was third in 18:09. Salem Tech junior Colton DiRenzo took fourth place in 18:37. Woodstown freshman Carson Chew (18:44) rounded out the top five.
“I’m feeling great,” Militi said. The fact that we are winning so much makes me very happy. I am amazed at how far we have come. At first I really didn’t expect much. As the season progressed and we kept winning and undefeated, I knew we could do it.
Also scoring for the Chargers were freshman Larry Pomper (ninth in 19:32), junior Colin Feeney (10th in 19:38) and sophomore Tyler Zampino (14th in 20:10).
“The key is hard work and consistency,” Militti said. “We had a lot of people last year. We started with a lot of people this year. We built it. We worked hard. We came out with what we have now.
Salem Tech won the Tri-County Conference Classic Division title this season.
“Things are looking good,” DiTizio said. “Dominic ran hard today. It has a really strong kick at the end of the run. So the game plan was to try and get him to hang on to the son of Shalik who was in the lead and beat the sprint winner at the end. It didn’t work like that today, but it hung the whole race up there. The men were beaten a little today, but they fought. I’m glad everyone ran so well today.
Salem County Champions
Group results
1-Salem Tech 40. 2-Shalik 46.
Individuals
1-Gavin Thompson, Schalick, 18:01. 2-Charles Fuerneisen, Schalick, 18:09. 3-Dominic Miletti, Salem Tech, 18:09. 4-Colton DiRenzo, Salem Tech, 18:37. 5-Carson Chew, Woodstown, 18:44. 6-Logan Sanchez, Woodstown, 19:09. 7-Noah Flitcraft, Pennsville, 19:11. 8-Jacob Marino, Woodstown, 19:31. 9-Larry Pomper, Salem Tech, 19:32. 10-Colin Finney, Salem Tech, 19:38. 11-Landon Truesdale, Salem, 19:55 12-Wyatt Juczak, Schalick, 19:57. 13-Nathan Hubbard, Shalick, 20:09. 14-Tyler Zampino, Salem Tech, 20:10. 15-Gary Schwegel, Pennsville, 20:17.
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