Kipp, Budd Lead Eagles at Cross-Country Sectionals

Millie Kipp can still remember back to her freshman year when she found herself finishing just shy of earning a shot to compete at the cross-country state championships.

Now a junior, Kipp has no such worries. She ran a blistering time of 19 minutes, 11 seconds to claim third place at the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 Sectionals at Delsea Saturday afternoon.

Kipp was followed by teammate Samantha Budd, who crossed the line in 19:54. As a team, the short-handed Eagles took fourth place to claim a spot in the state field.

“It’s really exciting,” said Kipp. “My freshman year I missed it by one place, and this year to be able to be in third behind both Haddonfield girls is just such a blessing. I’m so thankful.”

The Bulldawgs’ Meghan Mallory won the race in 18:36, with teammate Shelby Cain one second behind her. To give perspective on the performances of Kipp and Budd, consider that both times were under last year’s winning time of 19:57.

“I expected it, especially with the performances they had at Haddonfield at the conference meet,” West Deptford girls’ coach Bob Cooper said.

West Deptford entered the race without its fifth and sixth best runners, due to injuries. Jackie Cooper, who is typically the Eagles’ seventh runner, needed a solid performance Saturday and she stepped in nicely, finishing the race in 26:44 to secure West Deptford's top-five finish.

“It’s really great, because I think she was really nervous,” Kipp said. “We all supported her and she came in and really stepped it up.”

Cooper was hoping his team would finish a couple of spots higher, but given the circumstances, was proud of his team’s result.

“My outlook was second, and I thought we had that locked, but that changes with different runners running,” said Cooper. “But I’m very pleased to be going to states and continuing the season.”

With West Deptford having not qualified for states in a couple of years, and with just two seniors on the squad, next week’s race at Holmdel will be a new experience for the majority of the team. Holmdel is known as one of the hardest courses in the state, and features plenty of hills and a challenging lower bowl.

“It’s the first time a lot of the girls are going to run there, so it’s a good experience,” Cooper said.

Kipp said she is eyeing the challenge and is hoping for quality result.

“My goal is to get to the Meet of Champions,” Kipp said. “I have never ran at Holmdel before, so I’m hoping I can just use the hills to my advantage, because I am more of a strength runner, as opposed to just speed.”

Even she knows that won’t be easy.

“Most people say it is awful,” Kipp said with a laugh. “I’m excited for the challenge, just to see what I can do with it. I will just do my best and whatever happens, happens.”

The West Deptford boys did not have any runners crack the top 10 but did finish fifth in Group 2. Ray Parsons was the top Eagles’ finisher, taking 14th in 16:57. Kevin Ciafarini (17:30) and Leo Impagliazzo (17:33) were 23rd and 25th, respectively.