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See what other publications are saying about Mercer County’s track & field athletes.
Boys cross-country Top 20, Sept. 22: Rankings shift as season nears midway point
In NJ.com’s boys rankings for September 22nd, WWP North and Princeton are both “Under Consideration,” just outside the top 20.
Girls cross-country Top 20 rankings, Sept. 22: Group 1 team creates a shakeup in order
Three Mercer County girls teams hold steady in NJ.com’s rankings for September 22nd:
#2 Princeton won the Jerry Hart Invitational last week, led by Kajol Karra’s second-place finish.
#11 Hopewell Valley did not compete last week.
#19 WWP North did not compete last week.
N.J. cross-country star breaks county record, runs third-fastest 5K in state history
NJ.com’s Corey Annan gives Blair Bartlett (Lawrenceville, Jr.) a nice write up after Bartlett ran “one of the greatest performances in N.J. cross-country history” in just her second cross country race at the Jerry Hart Invitational.
Girls cross-country Top 20, Sept. 15: N.J.’s best teams make an early statement
Here are the Mercer County girls teams in NJ.com’s latest ranking:
#2 Princeton (no change)
#11 Hopewell Valley (no change)
#18 WWP North (no change)
Boys cross-country Top 20, Sept. 15: Top teams shine in the season’s first two weeks
Three Mercer County boys teams are in NJ.com’s latest rankings:
#18 WWP North (up from #20)
#20 Princeton (down from #18)
Bubble Hopewell Valley (new)
8 takeaways & observations from the first two weeks of the 2025 N.J. XC season
One major takeaway by NJ.com’s Bakari Rice is that the CVC “is shaping up to be very competitive this fall, thanks to strong early-season performances from several top programs.” WWP North averaged 10:23 at Run the Night with a 41-second split. WWP South averaged 10:49 at the Thompson 2 Miler with a 26-second split. Hopewell Valley won the team title at the TCNJ High School XC Invite with a 17:51 average.
Underrated N.J. boys cross-country teams to watch in 2025: Groups 3 & 4
Hopewell Valley is one of five Group 3 boys teams that NJ.com’s Bakari Tice considers underrated this season. They’re led by Silas Allevik and his Holmdel PR of 17:00, and they get crucial depth from Finnegan Curley, Colin Vickery, Mason O’Connor, and James Damron.
Two of the five most underrated Group 4 boys teams hail from Mercer County. Princeton has a tight 1:07 five-man split at Holmdel, which includes Finn Wedmid, Braedyn Capone, Evan Raphael, Felix Yu, and Harrison Knoch. They boast a 17:39 team average. WWP South also makes the list, with a 1:16 split and a 18:25 team average at Holmdel. They’re lead by Sean Mania Aron Zola, Harsh Sharma, and Aradhya Vijay.
Girls cross-country Fab 50 rankings, Sept. 11: New faces join, including frosh
NJ.com’s girls rankings for week 1 include:
#2 Allison Lee (WWP North, Sr.)
#13 Kajol Karra (Princeton, Sr.)
#21 Grace Hegedus (Princeton, Jr.)
#29 Laura Sallade (Wilberforce, Sr.)
#30 Sydney Young (Hopewell Valley, Jr.)
#32 Eowyn Deess (Princeton, Jr.)
Boys cross-country Fab 50, Sept. 11: Week 1 performances spark major ranking changes
NJ.com’s boys rankings for week 1 include:
#44 Agrim Jha (WWP North, So.)
#45 Paul Wittenberg (WWP North, Jr.)
Young stars, team champions headline top N.J. cross-country performances from Week 1
On the boys side, WWP North “showcased its depth and talent at Friday’s Run the Night meet in Manalapan, with sophomore Agrim Jha and junior Paul Wittenberg delivering standout performances.”
Tolson, Young win girls titles at Cherokee Challenge; Flanagan posts N.J.’s fastest time
NJ.com’s Corey Annan highlights Hopewell Valley’s Sydney Young and her“triumphant return to Cherokee.” She talks about be able to build a good base in the preseason without getting injured and about her in-race strategy of picking up the pace in the last half of the two-mile race. The article features two photos of Young’s race.
Girls cross-country preseason Top 20, 2025: No. 1 team looks to extend dynasty run
In NJ.com’s girls preseason rankings, Princeton starts at #2. After returning six of their top seven, including all-state runner Kajol Karra, they have a shot at making NXN, “but they are much more focused on defending their Colonial Valley Conference & Group 4 championships for the time being.”
Hopewell Valley comes in at #11. Led by Sydney Young and Maddie LaChance, they have six girls with Holmdel PRs of at least 21:42.
WWP North makes the preseason rankings at #18. They’ll rely on Allison Lee to be their anchor at CVCs and counties, and her “solid cast of runners behind” — Sara Secora, Juliette Halpin, and Evelyn Yang — boost their chances at a team title.
Boys cross-country preseason Top 20, 2025: Who begins the season atop the rankings?
In NJ.com’s preseason boys rankings, Princeton is #18. The article highlights the sub-18:00 Holmdel PRs of Finn Wedmid, Braedyn Capone, Evan Raphael, and Felix Yu, with Harrison Knoch expected to provide valuable depth.
WWP North also sneaks into the preseason rankings at #20. It has a “promising young core” and is led by Agrim Jha, Paul Wittenberg, Andy Chi, Vibhav Kumar, and Soham Shah.
Girls cross-country preseason Fab 50: N.J.’s individual rankings to begin 2025 season
Here are the Mercer County girls in NJ.com’s preseason rankings:
#2 Allison Lee (WWP North, Sr.)
#12 Kajol Karra (Princeton, Sr.)
#22 Grace Hegedus (Princeton, Jr.)
#33 Laura Sallade (Wilberforce, Sr.)
#34 Sydney Young (Hopewell Valley, Jr.)
#35 Eowyn Deess (Princeton, Jr.)
Boys cross-country preseason Fab 50: N.J.’s top runners to begin the 2025 season
WWP North sophomore Agrim Jha breaks into NJ.com’s preseason rankings at #50.
Cross country preview, 2025: Compelling storylines to watch this season
One of NJ.com’s main girls storylines this fall is “Can Princeton make it to NXN?” The articles is notes that “It’s almost universally agreed upon that Princeton is the best public school team in the state.” Although the program “feel[s] like it still needs to grow more throughout the season to be in a position to qualify for nationals,” it’s on their radar.
When discussing who might challenge Paige Sheppard for the Meet of Champions title this year, WWP North’s Allison Lee “is the first runner that comes to mind.” The article highlights her achievements from last fall, including qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals.
On the boys side, the article asks which “freshman sensations” will be “sophomore standouts.” WWP North’s Agrim Jha is the second runner on that list, given his results at sectionals and groups last fall.
Boys cross country preview, 2025: Who are the championship contenders in Non-Public B?
NJ.com selects Princeton Day as the favorite to win the boys Non-Public B group championship this season, given their “strong returning core and a proven postseason pedigree.” Grayson McLaughlin leads the charge for the defending champions, along with Edward Letko, Alexander Chia, Luke Nolte, and Michael Zhou. (Track Mercer note: Letko will not be returning for Princeton Day this season.)
Wilberforce is one of two teams “Making Their Move” behind Princeton Day. They are led by Elias Edwards, Micah Brox, Cade Wilson, and Henry Jepson.
Girls cross country preview, 2025: Who are the championship contenders in Non-Public B?
Wilberforce is the team “Making Their Move” behind the favorites Villa Walsh in NJ.com’s preview of the Non-Public B girls teams. Laura Sallade, who was 3rd at groups last year, looks like she’ll take an even bigger leap this year after setting big track PRs. Stella Blanchard “was one of Mercer County’s biggest track stars this past spring.” Also highlighted are Emily Prothero, Sophia Vardeman, and incoming freshman Leana Brangwynne.
Girls cross country preview, 2025: Who are the championship contenders in Group 3?
In NJ.com’s preview of Group 3, Hopewell Valley is listed as one of five teams “Making Their Move” behind the group favorites, Middletown South. The article highlights their leading duo of Sydney Young and Maddie LaChance, along with Sophia Pellegrino, Anna Wilson, Elsie Rey-de-Castro, and Lainie Smith. Chelsea Cahall is also mentioned as “another runner that the coaching staff is excited about.”
WWP North also gets included among three other girls teams “Keeping Pace” in Group 3, behind the first six teams. The article mentions Sara Secora, Evelyn Yang, Juliette Halpin, and Prakavi Kumaran as being solid talent in support of low-stick Allison Lee.
Boys cross country preview, 2025: Who are the championship contenders in Group 3?
In NJ.com’s team preview of the Group 3 boys, WWP North is one of three teams “Making Their Move” behind favorites Ocean City. Agrim Jha is “leading the charge” for the Knights, while Paul Wittenberg “adds depth and experience.” Also mentioned in their lineup is Veejhay Roy, Andy Chi, and Vibhav Kumar.