Westfield Boys Cross Country States 2004

Two seconds between five runners is an incredibly minute difference but that is what enabled the Westfield Boys Cross Country team to continue their season tomorrow at the Meet of Champions as they edged section rival Bridgewater-Raritan for the coveted final wild card spot. Led by junior Jeffrey Perrella and senior Rob Broadbent the Blue Devils averaged a season best 17:12.24 per runner to finish fifth in Group IV behind top ten state powers Old Bridge, Toms River North, Cherokee and Ridgewood.

“We ran well but I believe we have the potential for a faster team average. Rob (Broadbent) was huge. Michael Gorski continues to be a very consistent performer. Kagan ran well early but twisted his ankle,” said veteran coach Jack Martin.

Perrella overcame physical problems to finish ninth in 16:36.87 one of his slower times this fall.
“It just seemed like my legs were tired for the whole race. Then, to make matters worse, I cramped up in the middle of the second mile. My stomach was killing me, but I just tried to keep running because I knew that the only way the team would make it to the Meet Of Champions would be if we all did our jobs. And I wasn't about to let everyone down and give up,” said Perrella.

“He cramped up before the race. Also he did not get out, the race went out slow
and he was not there for the break. Hopefully he'll be ready next Saturday, “ said Martin.

Although the course was muddy and it was extremely windy, Perrella refused to make excuses.
“Conditions didn't affect me at all. Thus far in the season, I have been running shirtless in the cold so that my body would be able to face the kind of conditions we had on Saturday. I figured that if I
ran shirtless in really cold weather, that when we entered the latter part of the season, when it gets really cold, I wouldn't have to worry about the temperature affecting my performance ,” aid Perrella.

The star of the day was Broadbent, who has been setting one personal best after another and was only two places behind Perrella in an astonishing 16:40.93.

“Rob’s time and place speak for themselves ,” said Martin.
“I knew before the race that he was trying to run in the 16:30's, and knew that he was ready to do it,” said Perrella.

Gorski followed in 46th in 17:21.13 and Kagan 63rd in 17:37.58. Although the fifth and sixth Westfield runners Jay Hoban and Ameer Rodgers were three places apart, they were separated by .76 of a second meaning either time would have been good enough to edge Bridgewater. The difference between exhilaration and frustration was that close.

And though Perrella would have qualified for the Meet of champions as an individual(The top ten runners in each group make it), he is happier to have his whole team there.

“ My goal is to help the team win the state championships, and since the team qualified for the MOC, well lets just say that makes it easier. But it also motivates me to run faster because I'm not just
running for me, I'm running for my teammates too, and I have no intention of letting them down again”

Adding to the Blue Devils’ incentive is one last chance to beat their rivals, Cranford. The Blue Devils actually ran faster than the Group II champion Cougars.

We have wanted to beat them for a few years now. Hopefully in next week's head
to head we can turn the tide, “ said Martin.

“ They are a good team so it won't be easy.”