This is the time of year the competition gets markedly tougher, especially for the local cross-country squads, when advancement through the state championship meets means all runners on a team have to pull their weight. If one runner lags, the season could end for the crew as a whole.

Fortunately for Southern Regional’s boys and girls teams, the season will continue at least through this Saturday’s NJSIAA Group Championships at Holmdel Park – both squads placed second in the South Jersey Group IV meets this…