2025 Indoor States Recap
We have ourselves another state champion!
Even more exciting news as we’ve added a third new member to our Board. Thank you to Chase, Mike, and Cait for helping us on our mission to provide for the current crop of Cherokee track and field & cross country athletes.
State Group 4 Championship Recap
The Group 4 State Championship took place at the Bubble in Toms River, where we competed alongside Group 1 and were the last group to race. Heading into the meet, we had a good idea of the 12th seed mark required for a wildcard advancement. The task was simple: the top three finishers in each event automatically moved on, followed by the next 12 best performances across all state meets.
1600m: Megan Niglio & Maddie Meder Secure Wildcard Spots
Our first event on the track was the 1600m, where Maddie Meder entered as the 5th seed and Megan Niglio as the 7th. We expected a fast-paced race rather than a tactical one, and Megan positioned herself up front from the start. Maddie settled into a pack just behind. As the laps progressed, both runners moved up, securing 4th and 5th place.
Megan Niglio: 5:08.35 (season best)
Maddie Meder: 5:11.31 (season best, indoor PR)
Both performances earned them wildcard spots for the Meet of Champions (MOC).
800m: Alyssa Suriano Runs #7 All-Time Indoor Mark
Next up was Alyssa Suriano in the 800m, our lone individual in the event. She had set an indoor PR of 2:23.61 at sectionals and entered States as the 8th seed. Executing a well-paced race, she split 32.8, followed by 35.1 and 36.9, before closing in 35.1 to finish in 2:19.95—a 5th-place finish and a #7 all-time indoor mark. Her performance secured another wildcard berth for MOC.
Shot Put: Addie Lore Wraps Up Strong Indoor Season
While the 800m was concluding, Addie Lore was finishing up in the shot put. She threw 31-0.75, placing 21st—her third-best throw of the season and the third time she surpassed 31 feet. This marks a solid end to her indoor season, during which she transitioned from the glide to the spin technique, a change that should benefit her in outdoor competition.
3200m: Maddie Meder & Erin Healy Push Each Other to PRs
In the 3200m, Maddie Meder and freshman Erin Healy faced off against the best in Group 4. Maddie entered as the 8th seed and Erin as the 10th. The race quickly split into a front pack of seven, with Maddie hanging with the top three (5:39 through the mile) and Erin just behind in 6th (5:41). As the race progressed, Maddie found herself in 5th, running solo, with Erin closing the gap. With two laps to go, Erin caught Maddie, and together they pushed to the finish.
Maddie Meder: 11:21.97 (indoor PR, #4 all-time indoor)
Erin Healy: 11:23.27 (#7 all-time indoor, freshman record)
Erin’s time was nearly 20 seconds faster than her Sectionals performance, breaking Megan Niglio’s freshman record of 11:25.70.
4x400m Relay: Rising to the Challenge
The meet wrapped up with the 4x400m relay, where we ran in the second of four heats. After running 4:14.49 the previous week, we made a lineup change, replacing one leg so Maddie could focus on the 3200m. The goal was to break 4:12, and the girls delivered.
Veronica Ashcraft (lead-off): 62.0
Sofia Recinto: 62.7
Megan Niglio: 63.9
Emily Couture (anchor): 62.6
Despite being caught by Manalapan’s anchor, their team was disqualified, securing our 9th-place finish and the final wildcard spot for MOC with a time of 4:11.17. Challenge accepted and delivered.
Looking Ahead to the Meet of Champions
At MOC, our girls will line up against the best in New Jersey—because that’s exactly what they are. The meet kicks off Sunday with the 4x800m showcase event featuring Erin Healy, Sofia Recinto, Emily Butler, and Grace Wojciechowski. Erin’s season-best in the 800m is 2:26, while the others have all run 2:29 in the open 800m.
Later, Maddie and Megan will compete in the 1600m, Alyssa in the 800m, and the 4x400m relay will close out the day.
Overall, our team posted eight marks at the State Meet, and seven were either season or lifetime bests—a testament to their hard work and dedication. Now, it's time to take on MOC!
Boys Distance Recap
Five Cherokee distance runners qualified for the Group 4 State Meet held on Sunday, February 23rd at the Toms River Bubble.
Three were running the 1600 - Logan Bromley, Jack Tindall and Enzo Corona, who had placed 1st, 2nd and 5th at the sectional qualifier a week earlier. Unfortunately, Logan aggravated his achilles tendon in a mid-week workout and it flared up during the race. Although he finished, he was limping coming in and was well off of the pace. Enzo fared a little better but struggled to keep his focus when the move was made by the leaders after the 800. He still managed to finish 6th but missed advancing to the Meet of Champions by less than a second. The highlight was the performance of Jack! Only a freshman, he ran with the savvy of a senior, covering the moves and staying focused throughout. He finished second with a new indoor PR of 4:19.57, breaking his own school freshman record in the event. That time makes him the fastest freshman in the state by a full eight seconds and is the second fastest freshman time in the nation this winter!
Ben Realley and Liam Tindall both had off days in their respective races, Ben in the 800 and Liam in the 3200. They will have to wait until the spring season to show what they can do, but both of them are fit and ready for another good segment of training over the coming weeks.
Jack will be racing in the Meet of Champions at the Ocean Breeze Complex on March 2nd, looking to compete with the best and come away with an even faster performance!
Boys Field Recap
Senior pole vaulter Tobin Horwath led the way in scoring with a 1st place finish. Despite jumping under his PR, his 13’ performance earned him and the Chiefs the program’s first indoor pole vault state title in school history!
Also scoring in the jumps was senior Sam Green, who took 5th with a jump of 6’2”. For their efforts, both Tobin and Sam earned opportunities to compete at Meet of Champions!
Fundraising Goals
It is the mission of the Cherokee XCTF Alumni Association to support the current crop of track and field and cross country athletes.
We are focusing on 5 major areas that we feel, with the support of the coaches, are important for this generation of student-athletes:
Offset or completely cover the cost of post-season events not sponsored by the school. This includes National Meets (cross country, indoor and outdoor track) and invitationals (Oregon, etc).
Award scholarships for deserving seniors.
Provide State Champions and School Record holders with gifts.
Support families with athletes who would like to attend a cross country camp but cannot afford it.
Provide funding for athletes needing physiotherapy who cannot afford it.
We currently have the availability to collect funds via Venmo, cash and checks, and credit card. You also can become a paid subscriber.
During the months of January, February, and March we will be collecting funds that will directly contribute to funding for winter track post-season meets. Please consider donating to help fund our scholarship money.
Venmo: @ Cherokee4xalumni
Cherokee XCTF Alumni Association Venmo
About Cherokee XCTF Alumni Association
We are a non-profit organization with volunteer board members that seek to help provide funds that go directly to the current team. Our mission is:
to provide funding for travel and lodging to championship meets not covered by the school.
to provide scholarships to graduating seniors.
to provide recognition and awards to State Champion winners and new School Record holders.
to provide funding for current athletes who need assistance attending cross country camp.
to provide funding for current athletes who need assistance seeking treatment from injuries related to track/cross country.
Our Board
President: Jeff Storch ‘99
Vice President: Michelle (Bilicki) Wolosky ‘01
Secretary and Treasurer: Caitlin (O’Malley) Bertheaud ‘05
Social Media & Communication: Lisa Burkholder ‘06
Marketing & Fundraising: Marc Pelerin ‘02
Event Coordinator: Tim Haggerty ‘96
Team Liaison: Dave Sitzer ‘00
Voting Members: Joe Halin ‘00 & Sunny Patel ‘96