Parsons Sets New Record in "Unbelievably Fast" XC Meet

Ray Parsons broke his own school record on the home course, and West Deptford came within 5 points of a quad-meet sweep Tuesday, as the boys’ cross-country team jumped out to a 2-1 record on the season.

Parsons blazed through the course in 17:24, smashing his old course record by 30 seconds. Teammates Kevin Cianfarini (17:33), Dale Johnson (17:49) and Jon Ladner (17:53) all went under Parsons’ old mark, in what head coach Mark Drummond called an “unbelievably fast race,” no doubt helped by cooler weather and a dry course.

Faster still was Sterling’s Jimmy Daniels, who posted a 16:41 to set the all-time fastest mark at the Eagles’ home course.

The Eagles easily handled Lindenwold, 15-48, and edged Sterling, 27-30, but lost to Haddon Township—the defending state champs in Group 1—by a 30-25 margin.

On the girls’ side, the Eagles could only field three runners, meaning they weren’t able to post a score against any of their opponents. Millie Kipp, in her first race of the season after an injury-plagued winter and spring, ran a 22:28 to finish third overall.