File this one under ‘only in Ocean City.”
The Ocean City High School boys Cross Country team had just finished trouncing Absegami 15-50 , and Atlantic County Institutue of Technology, also by a 15-50 count, when something unusual happened.
The Absegami runners jogged of the OCHS track, crossed the boardwalk and ran down to the beach at 5th Street. There, they kicked off their running shoes and bolted into the unseasonably warm surf.
“Well, this is something they couldn’t do anywhere else,” a parent of an Absegami runner said. “The loss didn’t seem to bother them much. I think a few of them are upset they left their surfboards at home.”
The Braves frolicked in the surf, much to the amusement of the Ocean City girls team, which also dominated its tri-meet, beating ACIT 15-48 and Absegami 15-50.
With the wins, Ocean City boys improved their record to 8-0 in dual and tri-meets; the girls went to 9-0 on the season.
Korey Greene was the top overall finisher in 16:48, with Jesse Schmetzer taking second in 17:10. The next six runners to score were also Red Raiders: Gavyn Fox, Anthony Conte, Tyler Greene, Luke Kamer, Steve Gooden and Mike Farley. Esteban Delgado (18:07) was the first Brave to score, finishing ninth, and his teammate Keyshawn Joga rounded out the top 10.
Ocean City girls were just as dominant, earning eight of the top 10 places. Alexa Weber paced the field in 20:03 followed by teammates Casey McLees, Alexa Palmieri, Mickey Baker and Nicki Brady. Ariana Ramirez of ACIT took sixth, followed by Brook Far, Ava Auwater and and Marissa Guido, all of Ocean City; and Absegami’s Sarah Stokes rounding out the top 10.
As the Braves boys took advantage of America’s Best Beach, according to Coastal Living Magazine, a spectator shook his head in disbelief.
“What a bunch of tourists!” one observer was heard to say.
