Clauhs qualifies for state XC meet

LOGAN TWP.—Natalie Clauhs qualified for the State Group 3 Championships, placing ninth overall at the South Jersey Group 3 cross country sectionals on November 2 at Dream Park.

Clauhs, a senior and Hammonton’s top runner this season, posted a season-best mark of 19:14.36 at the meet, by far the best time for any Blue Devils runner. She becomes just the second runner in Hammonton history to qualify for the state meet, and her time was a school record on the course at Dream Park.

Ava Salita ran the course in 22:28.54, while freshman Riley Raffensperger had her best time of the season, 22:53.19.

Also competing for Hammonton were Corinne Egan (24:39.17), Lillian Reigel (25:23.66), Kaitlyn Falconi (25:37.63) and Isabella Esposito (25:59.69).

Hammonton’s boys also ran at sectionals, with several runners turning in season-best times.

Senior Sean Fudala capped a strong career at Hammonton with the personal-record time of 17:36.90. Justin Prince had his best mark of the season, 18:53.98, and Jeffrey Sole also had a season-best time of 19:00.83.

Stephen Mahon’s finish in 19:27.67 was his best this season, and Andrew Hoover, who has battled injuries all season, finished in 19:59.52.

Also turning in his best time this year was Sean Heinz (20:23.87). Dylan Tollefson also competed for the Blue Devils, finishing in 20:39.82.