2005 Westfield Boys Indoor Track Preview

No boy’s cross-country team in the state was sadder to see the season end than Westfield. Over the last month the Blue Devils had one awe inspiring performance after another that vaulted them past rival Cranford to be the highest rated team in Union County and resulted in star Jeffrey Perrella being named first team all state. Perrella is confident that the success from the fall translates into the indoor track season.

“The momentum we built up during the Cross Country season has really
carried over into the winter season ,” said Perrella.

“Not only are the veteran cross country guys psyched, but incoming athletes from other sports as well as first timers to the high school athletic arena are adding to the excitement.”

Veteran coach Jack Martin takes a more cautious approach. “Winter is a funny time with weather the holidays etc. We will train shorter and
more intensely for a while and see what happens ,” said Martin.

Led by Perrella and senior Rob Broadbent, the Blue Devil distance corps is so deep that they can withstand “losing” one of their top five runners, senior Michael Gorski to the pole vault where along with fellow senior Mike Woods, form one of the most potent pole vault duos in the state. Last season the duo won nearly every pole vault relay they competed in and are strong threats to win the inaugural Group III Relay on January 9.

‘Michael is an outstanding pole vaulter and will concentrate on that event. A
plus this winter is that the state has added the Pole vault to the state championships ,” said Martin.

Juniors Kris Kagan, Ameer Rogers, Jay Hoban, and Raymond Chen,, who along with Perrella will form one of the best cross country teams in the state next fall add the depth that allows Gorski to concentrate on the pole vault.

The Blue Devils may resort to some of their depth behind their top seven in the Union County Relays on January 5 at Dunn Center in Elizabeth, where it is likely that their top rival, Cranford, will rest its top runners in deference to the state meet, four days later.

Broadbent, a 1:59 800 runner last spring, poses the most intriguing situation for Martin after exploding this past fall to drop over a minute from his Holmdel time to finish an astounding 25th in the Meet of Champions. Formerly thought of as an 800 runner, Broadbent could branch into the other long distances this winter where Perrella should be one of the best in the state.

“I hope to be able to remain as lucky as I have been with injuries, few and far between. I will hopefully stay healthy through the cold, hard winter months.,” said Perrella.

“If I stay injury free things should go well, but I know
that isn't very easy. Also, upcoming midterms and late night homework
sessions will make things a little more difficult than in the
beginning of the year and add to the already large amounts of stress.”

Running back Sam Kim, Jake Brandman and John Aleksandravicius are the top sprinters and veteran Tyler MacCubbin returns as the top high jumper and hurdler. According to Martin, the weight team is young and inexperienced and a leader has yet to emerge.


Martin, with the advantage of 35 years of experience, remains on the cautious side. “Hopefully, we will remain healthy ,” said Martin.

“Pretty much the program feels more energetic than it has in past
years. Guys are really getting pumped and are really hungry to turn in
a good performance. A lot of guys are ready to step up and start
running some big times ,” added Perrella.