Northeast Regionals

Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 12:16:29 -0500
From: Ryan Grote <runnj@injersey.com>
Organization: Runners Pace
Subject: t-and-f: Jersey Bombards the Bronx Today--Trash Talking from the Favorites

As I type here on Saturday, the Foot Locker Northeast meet is underway at Van 
Cortland Park in the Bronx, a site that I can only dream will soon host the NCAA meet.  
People probably think that I am a brash and outspoken Jersey guy.  If so, they are 
wrong, I pale in comparison to the war of words that has been waged in the papers in the 
Garden State since last Saturday's Meet of Champions.  

     The Star-Ledger's Jim Lambert did the questioning and writing, and I have to wonder 
if he also did some refereeing between the state's top two boys, Steve Slattery (Mt. 
Olive) and Murad Campbell a junior from Overbrook.  After Slattery won his 2nd 
consectutive All-Group Title in 16:09 over Campbell's 16:15, the runner-up did not 
exactly bow in reverence.  

     Lambert's article from Sunday and today featured strong words from Campbell.  
"Slattery was running from me.  He ran scared.  He tried as hard as he could to get away 
from me because he knows I have a stronger kick than he does," quoth Campbell.

     Brilliant stuff.  I always thought that running away from one's competition in a 
race was the general idea.  

     Campbell had more to offer, "I was gaining on him when I came out of the woods.  I 
was walking him down.  Slattery has no kick, he just maintains."  Still keep in mind 
that Slattery won the race by 6 seconds and has never lost to Campbell.

     Furtermore, Campbell had some thoughts on today's Foot Locker race "Wait until next 
week.  Slattery is cocky and he needs to be humbled....I'm letting you know that 
Campbell is going to take the first mile out.  And if he can hang with me all the more 
power to him.  I'm going to go for the lead and run around 4:30 for the first mile."

     Slattery is cocky?  Whoa there big fella!  I think this stuff is great.  I've 
always enjoyed it when people refer to themselves in the 3rd Person.  One thing, though, 
if Campbell has such a lethal kick why does he not just hang onto Slattery, walk him 
down, and blow his proverbial doors off?  Maybe he sees things a different way.

     How about a response from Slattery?  "I guess we'll find out on Saturday, I don't 
think he (Campbell) is the person to key on anyway."  On their rivalry he simply said, 
"I think he's trying to create one."  On his kick Slattery reasoned, "I went from 25th 
with a half mile to go to ninth at nationals last year and passed some four minute 
milers to do it.  So I know I have a pretty good kick."  

     Fabulous stuff.  This is where the excitement lies in sport.  Who needs Allen 
Iverson when we have Murad Campbell?  Who needs Shaq, Jordan, and the rest when there 
are guys like Keflezighi, Wilson, Goucher, and Sullivan out there.  Who cares about the 
Bulls when Stanford and Arkansas are spaced by 3 points and BYU and Stanford are 
distanced by only 2 points.  Most of all who needs the WNBA when we have Carrie 
Tollefsen, Amy Skieresz, Julia Stamps, and above all Marie Davis?  

     Anyway, on today's race, Slattery acknowledged that he would like to win, who 
wouldn't?  He admitted that the man to beat is Abdirizak Mohamud, of course.  Look for 
at least two Garden Staters to make the boys team.  Certainly Slattery should qualify, 
and Campbell, Jon Fasulo (Hunterdon Central), Ricky Gibson (Ridge), Tom Del Sordo 
(Morristown), and Ian Hahn (Manchester Twp.) all have hopes and shots.  

     As for the girls, no big controversy.  Frosh phenom Erin Donohue faded to 10th at 
the Meet of Champions which was won by Ridgewood soph Kelly Behan.  Behan along with 
teammate Celeste Sedo and Brick's K.C. Meehan stand the best chance to advance.  
Possibly one Jersey girl will make it through.  The other states appear to be stronger 
than Jersey on the girls side, while the boys are very deep and talented this year.  

     I just thought some of you may enjoy those quotes, I certainly did.  The results 
should be interesting as well, I'll be reading tomorrow's recap, that is for sure.  
Monday and Tuesday people should be returning to their posts and list activity will 
increase as Blue Lake approaches.
Grote
Runners Pace
"All male writers, incidentally, no matter how broke or otherwise objectionable, have 
pretty wives."  Kurt Vonnegut