Coach Jack Heath: 7th Annual Browning Ross Bob Kupcha "Run for the Fields" Part 1

Start of the 7th Annual Ross Kupcha Run for the Fields

7th Annual Ross-Kupcha 5K Run and 1 Mile RunWalk

"Run for the Fields"

NATIONAL PARK – A perfect day with ideal weather conditions turned into an historic morning for the Annual Ross-Kupcha Race held near the historic Red Bank Battlefield in National Park on Saturday, October 27.

The race, benefiting Gloucester Catholic High School’s Athletic Fields Campaign, attracted 304 registrants for the 5 K run and Mile walk. This turnout easily proved to be the largest field in the seven-year history of the race, which has blossomed into one of Gloucester County’s largest events.

Winner Jason Simon

Gloucester Catholic Principal John Colman with Dave Williams winner Elyse Virella of GCHS

Gibbstown resident Jason Simon, 34, (above) a former Highland Regional High School standout, turned in the day’s overall fastest time in the 5K race with a first place finish in 17 minutes, 30 seconds. The top overall female finisher was Gloucester Catholic standout athlete Elyse Virella, who posted a time of 21:34. Eleven-year-old Brigid Heath won the Mile fun run in 9:38.

In addition, 70-and-over winner Tom Osler is a former AAU National Champion runner, a renowned running author and a Math Professor at Rowan University.

Gloucester Catholic, which had 40 classes of alumni and current students represented, will be the big winner overall. Proceeds raised will be donated toward construction of a new Athletic Fields complex in Deptford Township on a 75-acre site next to Gloucester County College.

“This was a great day for the Ross-Kupcha race with our largest turnout ever, and a great day for Gloucester Catholic,” said Meet Director Jack Heath, the Rams’ cross country and track coach. “We’re excited that so many participants from all over South Jersey came out to support us today.”

The race is named in honor of Browning Ross, two-time Olympian from Woodbury and long-time track and cross-country coach at Gloucester Catholic, and Bob Kupcha, one of Browning’s track athletes at Gloucester Catholic. Bob was an orthopedic surgeon, a war veteran, and a great brother, son, father, and friend who passed away at 42 years old.

Another award within the race is named after Dave Williams, a 1937 GCHS graduate who went on to become one of the best runners on the East Coast before becoming a World War 2 hero with the 10 Mountain Regiment in Italy. The first GC award is named after him.
To read more about Dave Williams: http://ramscrosscountry.blogspot.com/2008/04/dave-williams-gloucester-catholics.html

The race winners may be found below.

Full race results available at http://home.comcast.net/~coachheath

More pictures available on Gloucester Catholic Facebook page. Photos by GCHS Advancement Director Gus Ostrum unless otherwise noted.

7th Annual Ross-Kupcha Race Results

Overall Winners

Top 3 overall males: 1.Jason Simon 17:30 2.Andreas Logothetis 18:13 3.Stan Wileczek 18:34

Top 3 overall females: 1.Elyse Virella 21:34 2.Lauren Wilson 22:27 3.Becky Pund 22:51
Dave Williams award to first GCHS Finishers:
Male: Andreas Logothetis 18:13 Female: Elyse Virella 21:34

Age Group winners:

13 and under male: 1. Sean Ward 20:14 2.Maxwell Ormsby 20:27 3.JD George 21:02

13 and under female: 1. Mia Simila 28:30 2. Elizabeth Heath 32:54

14-19 Male: Sean Simila 19:10 2.Colin Ward 20:26 3.Billy Simila 20:50

14-19 Female: Courtney Stinger 22:57 2.Julia Hickman 22:59 3.Emily Lyons 23:00

20-29 Male: Jeff Sanders 22:04 2.Adam Slusher 27 22:50 3.Jeff Bennett 23:51

20-29 Female: 1.Kathryn Zengel 23:31 2.Julie Briggs 24:17 3.Katie Usher 25:12

30-39 Male: 1. Alex Cristaudo 24:00 2.Joshua Hubiak 25:45 3:Matt Skahill 25:35

30-39 Female: 1.Katie Ormsby 24:27 2.Courtney Murnane 27:09 3.Kristin Quinn 27:09

40-49 Male: 1. Louis Rodriguez 20:21 2.Ed Kelleher 21:18 3.Robert Gambogi 22:16