"Pre-season" Boys' Top 25 Teams

(Published March 28)
PRESEASON BOYS' TOP 25 TEAMS
1.CAMDEN
Long on the prowl, the Panthers appear ready to pounce this season. While team hopes lay at the feet of top hurdler Matt Marshall's, sprinter Terry Alston's and jumper Wayne Walls', the maturation of senior shot putters Aaron Menoken and Je'Eric Pritchett could set them apart. Mid-distance runner Jose Santiago and multi-event sophomore Syteek Farrington also are key to the Panthers' success.

2.WINSLOW TOWNSHIP
Time after winning time this winter, the Eagles showed on the biggest of stages a 4x400 relay team (3:23.24) that could not be touched, indicative of their collective toughness and depth. Leaders on a seasoned cast of 12 seniors, sprinter Barry Cephas and multi-event athlete Darin Washington have to remain dominant for the Eagles to weather a dearth in good distance runners and throwers.

3.HIGHLAND
The most balanced team in South Jersey, the Tartans come equipped with South Jersey's fourth fastest 4x400 (3:25.62), second best pole vaulter in Eddie Zubrycki and great multi-event athlete in senior Jason Howitt. Kyle Gorycinski, a junior, also leads one of the better distance teams in the area. Although deep, the team needs to somehow hide its two Achilles' heels: no top sprinter or shot putter.

4.PLEASANTVILLE
Kenny Davis can't do it all, but his all still might be enough to thrust the Greyhounds ahead of the rest. The multi-event athlete anchored the South Jersey's fastest 4x400 (3:21.49) relay this winter, high jumped 6-2 and bobbed over five hurdles pretty quickly too. But he needs backup. The team lost a lot of key guys last year, but jumper Raymond Wilson is back and joins shot putter Davin Drinkard who is inches away from entering the 50-foot club.

5.WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
Once month-long keepers of the nation's fastest 4x800 relay time this winter, the Minutemen, led by Xavier Fraction, sport the top mid-distance platoon in South Jersey and a good distance crew. Shot putter Kwabena Keene arms the best weights department in the area. But where they're not strong, they're weak. Addressing his lack of sprinters and high jumpers, coach Rich Bostwick has recruited four basketball players.

6.EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP
Stevenson Cajuste is an elite utility athlete and a difference maker, able to score points in where many top teams can't, like in hurdling and jumping events. Cajuste also mans one of the better 4x400 relay teams (3:27.89), along with fellow senior Jared Pagano. Having run a 4:40 mile indoors, long-distance freshman Dustin Roadside may give the Eagles another vital dimension.

7.KINGSWAY
It's not like Kingsway was struggling in its sprints during the indoor season, not with junior Demurri Gaines taking third at the sectional championships' 55 dash (6.67), but the return of RJ Page – who plays basketball in the winter -- will give the Dragons one of the best 1,2 punches in the state and an excellent jumper. With a solid distance team, the Dragons are dangerous.

8.DELSEA
Only until after last spring did then-No.1 ranked Delsea suffer its greatest loss. Yes, graduation was certainly cruel on the Crusaders, turning the tassel on three-fourths of their 4x400, but that remainder, senior Panteleon Okoro, can be counted on for a lot. Terrance Burns can sprint, Joe Gregory can jump and coach Ron Flaim can score in score in various ways, as can Joe Gregory is among the top high jumpers in South Jersey.

9.ABSEGAMI
Geoff Navarro is a sprinter and Ford Palmer is a mid-distance runner. They're both better than good and together can cover seven events. That translates into a lot of scoring for the Braves and, with some added bulk in the weights department, can amount to trouble for other schools.

10.EASTERN
The Vikings made a late surge last season, rising from the unranked to the seven spot in about two weeks. The catalyst was sprinter Cedric Gonnett, who has since graduated. Although still looking for his replacement, coach John Shea is confident that 400 runner Steven Greer, jumper Joe Eggers and his distance runners can carry on.

11.CHEROKEE
You can always count on good long-distance runners to show up under coach Steve Shaklee's watch. But it doesn't end there. Along with their deep distance team led by seniors Alex Yersak and Kevin Schlicking, the Chiefs have ace sprinter Steve Merrigan and South Jersey's top returning long jumper, Chris Steliga.

12.TIMBER CREEK
Thought of as a dark horse since they're not traditionally among the best in track, the Chargers have improved immensely. Then again, landing a blue-chip freshman will do that. Freshman sprinter Damiere Byrd finished with South Jersey's third fastest time in the dash indoors (6.56). He joins elite jumper Montez Blair, runner Saliym Starkey and thrower Xavier Brown to form a team that could swing drastically in either direction.

13.VINELAND
Another team that lost a lot, the Fighting Clan enter their 12th season under coach Elliot DeShields. If it proves anything like the first 11, the Clan will be moving up. Newcomer Jamal Boozer, a sprinter, should help as he did during the winter. Mid-distance runner Anthony Rivera and thrower Travis Douglas will be counted on.

14.MILLVILLE
The Thunderbolts may be heard of in some big meets with sprinters Chris Church and Khalid Cherry and pole vaulters Kevin Dever and Josh Parr, two of the best duos in South Jersey.

15.HADDONFIELD
The Bulldawgs will go as far as their dominant distance team takes them. Led by sophomores Boo Vitez and Colin Baker, the distance crew may need some help in order to succesfully defend the Bulldawgs' conference title.

16.BRIDGETON
The Bulldogs are led by senior throwers Dominique Williams (also a hurdler) and Steven Lane.

17.PENNS GROVE
Sprinter Aaron Haywood, jumper Steven Brown and thrower Ken Jefferson lead the
Red Devils.

18.BISHOP EUSTACE
Mid-distance runner Brian Laskowski shares the track with cross country teammate Andy Arnold.

19.OCEAN CITY
The Red Raiders have a depth in distance led by senior Ryan Birchmeier and Brett Johnson.

20.LENAPE
Don Carfello is back to give the Indians some added depth. Thrower Ray Stinsman should also make an impact.