West Morris’ Castaneda hopes to defend XC titles with a smile
There’s only one question heading into the Morris County girls’ cross country season. What can Sierra Castaneda do for an encore?
“When I started last year, I just wanted to see how far I could go,” said Castaneda, a West Morris senior. “I had no idea where it would end up.”
Castaneda not only emerged as the premier runner in Morris County, but she also established herself as one of the top runners in all of New Jersey.
In just her second year of competitive cross country, Castaneda started her breakthrough season by winning the Randolph Invitational and just kept running away from the pack from that point on.
Castaneda won the NJAC Large-Schools race in 18:44.53. A week later, she became the first West Morris girl to capture the Morris County Championship in 15 years, winning the county crown in 18:29.76. She then won the NJSIAA North 2 Group III sectional, the overall Group III gold medal and finished fifth at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
Castaneda qualified for the Nike Nationals in Portland, Ore., where she finished 30th overall.
“Definitely, when I still look back, it feels like a dream,” said Castaneda, the 2014 All Daily Record Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. “I couldn’t have asked for a better year.”
Now, with a year’s experience and all that winning under her belt, Castaneda is poised to have an even better campaign this time around. West Morris begins its season at the Randolph Invitational on Saturday night.
“That was the very first eye-opener for me,” Castaneda said. “That’s where I think I proved to myself I could do it. ... I’m more confident heading into this season. I think what I did last year gives me a sense of confidence in training. I can gauge myself better. But I’m going to work as hard as I can and go all out this year, give it all I have.”
Though Castaneda liked being the underdog going into races, she will be a target this fall. No matter what, Castaneda smiles as she competes, every single stride, every step of the way, even if there is a twinge of pain or discomfort.
“(Being favored) might give me the edge mentally that I need,” said Castaneda, who plans to visit colleges this fall, starting with Bucknell.
“I’m healthy. I’m super excited for the season. I think I’ve become a stronger runner than last year. I learned from last year what I need to do. I want to build off last year and hopefully have more of the same things happen for me.”
Mendham head girls’ coach Rob Kertesz would be smiling from ear to ear if his entire team was returning. However, though junior Elizabeth Timoney and senior Defne Sement will lead the way for the Minutemen, sophomore Hope Tiboni, a first-team All Daily Record selection last year as a freshman, chose not to run this season.
Tiboni was second to Castaneda in the Morris County Championships last year and second again to Castaneda at the sectional meet. Tiboni was fifth overall in Group III and finished 14th at the Meet of Champions in 18:52.58, the third fastest time by any freshman in the state.
Sophomore Lucy Jeffs, who was sixth at the state sectionals, should be one of Mendham’s top runners, along with sophomore Erin Torgersen and senior Katie Rundzieher. Freshman Megan Timoney, Elizabeth’s younger sister, is also expected to crack the Mendham lineup.
“When I took over as girls’ coach 10 years ago, we had seven girls on the whole team,” Kertesz said. “Now, we have 46. It’s crazy. The team is huge. The program is well established and so far, I like what I see.”
Alexandra Christian of Mount Olive returns for her senior year. Christian earned All Daily Record First Team honors in 2012 and last year. Christian was sixth at the county meet and fifth at North 2 Group III.
Defending Morris County champion Randolph loses a lot with Liz Lansing, Carole Harsch and Margaret Thomsen graduating. Senior Nora May McSorley and sophomores Brooke Olsen and Kate Gihorski are back.
Chatham should also be among the top teams this season.
Athletes to Watch
Abbie Bigham (Chatham), Alexandra Frenzel (Chatham), Katie Mayer (Roxbury), Therese Olshanski (Mountain Lakes), Ally Schlosser (Parsippany), Dominique Tye (Roxbury), Kyra Velock (Mountain Lakes)
Schedule of events
Sept. 12: Roxbury Invitational 9 a.m.; Randolph Invitational 6 p.m.
Sept. 19: Bernie Magee Invitational
Sept. 26: Stewart Memorial; Passaic County Coaches Invitational
Oct. 3: Shore Coaches Invitational
Oct. 9: Greystone Invitational
Oct. 20: Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference championships
Oct. 27: Morris County Championships
Nov. 7: NJSIAA Sectionals
Nov. 14: NJSIAA Group Championships
Nov. 21: NJSIAA Meet of Champions