Sister Janet Brings Out the Best at the 2010 Inaugural Kennedy Catholic Fun Run for the Nun

5/23/10, The JFK Roving Reporter, Armory Track

Over 500 people made the pilgrimage to Kennedy Catholic High School, Somers, NY to celebrate the lives of two important members of their community. The two honorees were: Sister Janet Meehan and Marc Napolitano.

Rev. Mark Vaillancourt, Ph. D., President, Principal and Mr. Alexander Malecki, Chief Advancement Officer, began the day with a mass in the auditorium in honor of former model Cross Country and Track athlete Marc Napolitano, killed in a January 10, 2010 crash upstate. Teammates, classmates, friends, and families came together on this Sunday morning to celebrate his life.

The action moved outdoors. There were opening ceremonies with the Star Spangled Banner sung. Then came a special presentation for Marc and his family from his teammates and the Kennedy Catholic community.

Next, the ever popular, Sister Janet Meehan was honored in word and in deed for her 50 years of service to the community. As Sister Janet’s achievements were announced, all present responded with warmth and affection. Sister Janet received numerous gifts and accolades as the crowd showered her with constant applause. Many nuns, Kennedy faculty, former alumni, XC and Track stars that Sister coached past and present, well over a hundred current students, so many of the Kennedy family and so many Kennedy Catholic friends were on hand to wish her well. This event simply further established her as a living legend.

Beth Mannion, organizer of the event, was pleased with the day. The crowd exceeded all expectations. Further, there were over 200 active participants in the Fun Run running and field events.

Nearly 100 runners entered the serious and not-so-serious 5K. Cyclists led the way. The roads were blocked all the way to the Golden’s Bridge train station. The Somers police and ambulance were present to ensure safety.

Approximately 60 walkers completed 2 miles. 50 future stars (children) warmed up with the Kennedy Track team and enjoyed short runs and field events. The Schuck family coordinated the events for children.

Highlights of the meet are summarized below. Somers Coach Tim Fulton, Niko, & staff are responsible for the results. The complete results will be posted on the Armory Track website.

Keith Forlenza, Loyola College (Md) Cross Country and Track standout and Long Island native, won the 5K event in a time of 16:50. Keith had finished 4th in the Long Island marathon with a time of 2:34 earlier this year.

Kennedy Captain Eric DiNome finished second and garnered a silver medal with a time of 18:35.06. Jason Davin won a gold medal, finishing 1st in the under 18 class. He was 3rd overall. Other top finishers included: 4th place - Brian Bagot (20:11.75), gold medalist in the over 50 category; 5th place – Zach Cecere (20:52.23), silver medalist in the under 18 category; 6th place – John Davin in the (20:54.16), bronze medalist in the under 18 category.

Former Kennedy runner and coach, Alicia O’Brien came back to her roots to capture a gold medal and 1st place finish among all women participants with a time of 22:30. Former Kennedy standout, Beth Mobilia, ran an outstanding 22:45 to take second among all women for the silver medal. Current Kennedy Catholic star, Jessica Kendzor, was third in a time of 23:39, good for the bronze medal. She ran with former Kennedy captain, Sienna Cross Country runner, Brandon Wynne. Jessica’s sister, Tina Kendzor, who ran Track & Cross Country for several of Sister Janet’s Kennedy Catholic championship teams & now runs at PACE, also came back to run the Fun Run. She joined former teammates Nick Lopilato (Binghamton), Theresa Tolan (Marquette) and teachers, Mr. Tieber, Ms. White, and others to honor Sister Janet and Marc Napolitano.

Kennedy’s Tara Cremin, Danielle Torcia, and Carolyn Grocia were 1,2, 3, gold, silver, bronze, in the under 18, female category. Tom McCabe and Christina McCabe dominated the 30-39 category for the men and women. Michael Racanello (gold), Anthony Ruvo (silver), and Mike Wynne (bronze) were the top three competitors in the men 40-49 group. Chris Hastings (27.47) finished second and Peter Healy (28:26) placed third to Brian Bagot (see above) in the men 50-60 group. Diane Thomas dominated the women 50-60 category with an excellent time of 25:39.

Team Wynne took home the majority of team/individual awards. Pat Wynne was the gold medalist in the over 60 men’s category with a superb time of 24:24. He was paced by Margaret Wynne Brennen (24:24), former Somers and Yale standout, current Team Wynne family member. Margaret was the gold medalist for the 40-49 women’s division. Nancy Kelly (31:58) was the silver medalist in this division. Christine Juchen (33:51) was the bronze medalist. Mike Wynne also medaled (see above). Maureen Wynne (26.37) was awarded a bronze medal in the 18-29 women’s division. Amanda Granada (24.21) also medaled (silver) in the competitive women’s 18-29, the only category in which 2 silver and 2 bronze medals were awarded for outstanding runs surpassing the standards.

A good time was had by all! The Kennedy Catholic family wishes to invite everyone back to the high school for a monumental event in September, 2010, the 50th Annual Kennedy Catholic Sterling Invitational, the oldest and finest Cross Country Invitational in Westchester County, New York.