Shore Conference boys track: Ace sprinter is 'healthy and motivated'; 12 athletes to watch
Cole Cramer was on the verge of rewriting the Shore Conference’s track & field record books last spring when he suffered a sprinter’s worst nightmare.
A hamstring tear.
“Coming back from the injury, I didn’t know if I was going to be the same,” he said. “I was terrified, to be honest, that I wasn’t going to be as fast as I was.”
The Southern Regional High School junior laid those fears to rest during indoor season, breaking the Shore Conference records in the 55-meter dash (6.29) and 200 meters (21.58) and placing second in both events at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
“I’m obviously happy to see that growth,” Cramer said. “I was relieved that I’ve still got it.”
Now comes the fun part for someone who clocked blistering times of 10.60 in the 100 and 21.44 in the 200 last April.
“He is healthy and motivated,” Southern coach Scott Baker said.
Cramer has made some changes to minimize the chance of another injury. He’s getting more sleep and eating better (more protein, less sugar).
“Putting more of an emphasis on my health, and how I take care of my body between meets, has become more of a focus of mine,” he said.
He’ll race judiciously, debuting April 13 at the Colt Team Challenge at Christian Brothers Academy – weather permitting – and mostly saving it for championship meets.
“I’m not going to put him in a spot where there’s crappy weather and he has a chance to get hurt,” Baker said.
The Shore Conference outdoor records are stiff: 10.39 in the 100 (set in 2010 by Long Branch’s Miles Schuler-Foster) and 21.30 in the 200 (last clocked in 1996). Cramer is more focused on winning a Meet of Champions gold medal after three second-place finishes over the past two indoor campaigns.
“If I got first every time, it wouldn’t be fun,” he said. “Since I have to work for first place, it will be three times better when I get it.”
College programs are noticing. Last weekend Cramer took an official recruiting visit to Princeton University, which is a national power in track. He’s the latest Southern star to draw that kind of interest; Fabian Gonzalez is throwing for Stanford and Jackson Braddock is running distances for the University of Texas.
“Cole is going to be amongst those guys,” Baker said. “He’s going to be part of that legacy.”
Shore Conference: 12 more athletes to watch
Nnaemeka Amaechina, Central
The junior finished third in the triple jump at the indoor Meet of Champions (45-6). His best is 46-1 and he’s also gone 21-0 in the long jump.
Joe Barrett, Christian Brothers
The junior and reigning NJSIAA cross country champion has clocked 8:55 for two miles and 4:15 in the 1600.
Conor Clifford, Christian Brothers
The senior has clocked 4:13 in the 1600, 1:55 in the 800 and 9:15 in the 3200. He placed fifth in the indoor and outdoor Meet of Champions 1600.
Patrick Coyle, Red Bank Catholic
The senior placed fourth in the 800 at the indoor Meet of Champions (1:53) and owns a personal best of 4:16 in the 1600.
Mamadi Diawara, Toms River North
The junior placed fifth in the 400 hurdles at the outdoor Meet of Champions (54.17) and clocked 50.22 in the open 400 this past indoors.
Joshua Huisman, St. Rose
The senior won the shot put at the Meet of Champions indoors (67-7, a Monmouth County record) and outdoors (64-7.75). He’s thrown 162-5 in the discus and placed second in that event at last spring’s Shore Conference meet.
Vander McFarland, Manchester Township
The versatile senior owns personal bests of 175-2 in the javelin, 22-3 in the long jump, 43-2 in the triple jump and 6-0 in the high jump.
Joseph Kurak, Manchester Township
The senior placed second in the 55 hurdles at the indoor Meet of Champions (7.30). Last spring he clocked 14.52 in the 110 hurdles and 22.46 in the 200.
Stephen Kyvelos, Manalapan
The senior won the 1600 at the indoor Meet of Champions (4:12) after placing third in cross country. He’s also run 9:14 for 3200 and 1:56 for 800.
Tristian McFarlane, Christian Brothers
The senior cleared 6-6 in the high jump this past indoor season and last spring, winning the Shore Conference and Non-Public A gold medals.
Malakai Pressey, Freehold Borough
The senior won the high jump at the indoor Meet of Champions (6-8), capping a season when he added six inches to his personal best.
Michael Thomas, Donovan Catholic
The junior clocked 10.76 in the 100 dash as a sophomore, placing fifth at the outdoor Meet of Champions. He also went 22.48 in the 200 and 21-2 in the long jump.
Shore Conference top 5 teams
1. Christian Brothers
Until proven otherwise, the Colts are king of the hill. Their distance unit is as good as it’s ever been, and they’ve got the jumps and throws covered. The Colt Team Challenge April 13 at home will be telling.
2. Toms River North
Indoors, the Mariners came within two points of upending CBA for the Shore Conference title and won the 4x400 at the Meet of Champions (3:17). They’re loaded in the middle distances and hurdles.
3. Southern Regional
A healthy Cole Cramer plus a good distance team and some proven throwers will lead to the usual strong showing by the Rams.
4. Colts Neck
The Cougars’ 4x800 won the indoor Meet of Champions (7:58), so that’s a great place to start.
5. (tie) Rumson-Fair Haven
Strong in the middle distances, hurdles and jumps with senior Cole Herman leading the way.
5. (tie) Manchester
Standouts in the hurdles, jumps and throws will have the Hawks in the hunt for more hardware.
Major Meet Schedule
April 25-27: Penn Relays at Franklin Field, Philadelphia
May 2: Monmouth County Relays at Middletown North
May 3: Ocean County Relays at Southern Regional
May 8 & 10: Bill Bruno Ocean County Championships at Jackson Liberty
May 9 & 11: Monmouth County Championships at Monmouth Regional
May 18: Shore Conference Championships at Neptune
May 31-June 1: NJSIAA Sectionals (Central Groups 2 & 3 at Jackson Liberty, Central Groups 1 & 4 at Hillsborough, South Groups 2 & 3 at Delsea, South Groups 1 & 4 at Pennsauken).
June 7-8: NJSIAA State Group Championships (Groups 1 & 4 Franklin, Groups 2 & 3 at Delsea, Non-Public A & B at Stockton University).
June 12: NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Pennsauken
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore Conference boys track & field preview: Cole Cramer is ready
