Holmdel State Park in Holmdel, New Jersey provides one of the most demanding cross country courses in the country, and Cherokee runners meet that challenge year after year. In 2001, Cherokee's Marc Pelerin ran the the seventh fastest time in the 29 year history of the Park's championship course (15:43), winning both the Group IV and All-Group State Championships; and, in 2002, Keith Krieger clocked a 15:45, taking second in both the Group IV and All-Group State Championships, and placing ninth on the list of top Holmdel Park times.
In 2003, while no Cherokee athlete challenged the incredible times run by Pelerin and Krieger, three -- Tom Yersak, Sean McLaughlin and Greg Bredeck -- ran PR's that placed them among Cherokee's top ten performances at Holmdel Park. In 2004, Yersak and Bredeck continued their attack on the school records at Holmdel. Tom moved to 4th on Cherokee's All-Time list, while Greg moved to 5th! Also, Junior Vin Marziano made the list for the first time, taking 11th place!
These athletes are part of a long tradition of excellence established by Cherokee runners at Holmdel Park, as the following lists demonstrate: