UPDATE: The 2025 Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park has delivered breathtaking performances and historical milestones, making it one of the most unforgettable girls’ competitions in recent memory. Just moments ago, Blair Bartlett stunned the crowd, clocking a remarkable 17:23 in the Girls Varsity F race, marking the fourth-fastest time ever recorded at Holmdel Park.
The stakes were high as the event unfolded on October 14, 2025. In a thrilling display, three runners broke the coveted 18-minute barrier, showcasing the depth of talent in this year’s field.
In the team category, No. 16 Pingry successfully defended its title, led by Sari Berman, who finished 10th with a time of 20:09. Their impressive teamwork saw seniors and freshmen alike crossing the finish line closely together, solidifying their status as a formidable force in New Jersey’s high school running scene.
The Union Catholic Vikings made headlines in the Girls Varsity E Division, despite missing two key runners. Junior Paige Sheppard claimed her third consecutive title, finishing in 17:37.44, edging out nationally-ranked teams like Shenendehowa from New York.
In the Girls Varsity D race, Leah Starkey joined an elite group of athletes, clocking 17:59.16 to secure her first Shore Coaches title. “I didn’t think I’d be running these times,” Starkey expressed, reflecting on her incredible journey from prior times around 18:40 to now being among the fastest in state history.
Ridgewood High School also made waves, upsetting No. 2 Princeton in the Girls Varsity B race, showcasing their hard work since July. The team’s depth was on full display as sophomore Natalie Knowles and junior Katherine Keating finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively, helping secure a team score of 53 against Princeton’s 70.
Meanwhile, Allison Lee captured her second title in the Girls Varsity B race, clocking an impressive 18:36. Lee shared her excitement, noting how this meet boosts her confidence ahead of the championship season.
As the dust settles on this monumental event, the implications for these athletes and their teams are substantial. With the season progressing, all eyes will be on how these performances will shape future competitions and rankings.
Stay tuned for more updates as we cover the standout stories and results from the 2025 Shore Coaches Invitational!
