Congratulations to Meralis Mendez (Girls Cross Country) and Alejandro Ibarguen (Boys Cross Country) on being named October’s Student Athletes of the Month!
Meralis Mendez is a two-year varsity starter who:
Has had a tremendous sophomore season as a compliment to the Girls Cross Country team. Meralis finished eleventh at the prestigious Greystone Invitational, fourth place in the Big North Championship meet, fourth place in the PCCA County Championship meet, and third place in the NJTAC Tech Tournament Championship. She was selected as a First Team All-Big North Conference-Liberty Division nominee and a First Team All-Passaic County nominee. PCTI Coach Weinpel said, “What makes Meralis so impactful to the team is how she has developed athletically. Last season Meralis was our 6/7th runner and now she has emerged as one of the top runners on our team and in the county. It should also be noted that because of her efforts, along with those of her teammates, the Girls Cross Country team has earned their first-ever (in school history) invitation to the NJSIAA State Group Meet to be held November 14, 2015.
Alejandro Ibarguen is a four-year varsity starter who:
Has had a tremendous senior season as the leader of the Boys Cross Country team. As captain of the squad, Alejandro has both the fastest and best average time of the 2015 Boys Cross Country team at Garret Mountain. He finished in third place at the prestigious Greystone Invitational and led the team to a fourth place overall finish. Alejandro led the team to a Big North Conference-Liberty Division Championship title in the 2015 season. This is the first time that the Boys have won “Back to Back” titles in the past 25 years! He earned 1st Team All Big North-Liberty (6th overall in the entire Conference) and 1st Team All Passaic County (4th overall in the County). Alejandro also led his teammates to the 2015 Team Title and received 2nd place overall at the NJTAC Vo-Tech Team Championship.