Alan Cuthbert coaching Brick Memorial boys

For the first time in 12 years, Brick Memorial cross country boys coach Alan Cuthbert is head coach of indoor track and field again.

Cuthbert, who starts practices Monday, succeeds Chris Valles, who resigned as indoor and outdoor track and field boys coach at the school after the spring season.

“I’m excited. There’s a lot of enthusiasm coming off the cross country season, and I hope to keep the momentum going,” said Cuthbert, an assistant indoor coach at Brick Memorial two years ago, who last served as head coach in 1992 at Brick Township.

Three distance runners who come off a strong cross country season — Mathew Weissinger, Andrew Brodeur and James Giordano — are part of this year’s nucleus. Weissinger and Brodeur, a freshman, qualified for the NJSIAA Group IV championships at Holmdel Park. Brodeur finished 43rd and Weissinger was 133rd.

“I like Mr. Cuthbert. He helped me a lot,” said Weissinger. “He really knows what he’s doing.”

Brodeur’s 16:50 time in the NJSIAA Central Jersey sectionals was good for ninth place, while Weissinger was three seconds behind in 10th at Holmdel.

In the Shore Conference meet at Ocean County Park, Weissinger was 20th in 16:28 and Brodeur was 30th in 16:46.

“We have a couple of prospects, but not the numbers,” said Cuthbert. “We have athletes coming out, so we feel we can put together good relay teams.”

George O’Donnell, a senior, excels at shorter distances, especially the quarter- and half-mile, and also is a good high jumper. Sophomores Sean Tivenan in sprinting events, and John Scott and Robert Kellert in distance events, help provide a solid nucleus.

— Wayne Witkowski