Spadola, Kellner among FARC's Stuper winners

Ryan Spadola, who anchored Freehold Township High School's record-setting 4x400-meter relay team in 2009, heads the list of winners of the Freehold Area Running Club's 2009 Matthew Stuper Scholarship Award.

This award is given each year to FARC members who will be continuing their education in college, vocational or technical school, or graduate school.

Katie Kellner of West Windsor-Plainsboro South High School, Jason Weiner of Colts Neck High School, Allyson Moskal of Freehold Township High School, and Melissa Provost of The Peddie School are the other 2009 award winners,

Spadola, who is headed for Lehigh University, was a standout 400-meter runner for the Patriots. Throughout the winter and spring, the Patriots' 4x400 relay team continually set school and Freehold Regional High School District records, lowering the mark to 3:18.42 outdoors.

Indoors, the Patriots were the first FRHSD team to win a state title (NJSIAA Group IV), and outdoors they ruled the Shore Conference and won the Central Jersey state sectional title.

Kellner was one of the state's best distance runners in 2008-09, winning group state titles in cross country and track. She finished third at the NJSIAA Cross Country Meet of Champions and qualified for the Foot Locker National Championships in San Diego. She was second in the 3,200 at the outdoor Meet of Champions. She will continue her running career at Cornell.

Moskal ran cross country and track for Freehold Township and won the Eastern States championship at 1-mile indoors. She will continue her career at Ursinus College.

Weiner ran cross country, and indoor and outdoor track at Colts Neck. He earned All- American honors as part of the Cougars' 4x1-mile relay team. He will attend Rutgers University.

Provost ran cross country and track for The Peddie School in Hightstown. She led the cross country team to the Mid-Atlantic Prep League championship last fall. She will continue her running career at Elon College in North Carolina.

The FARC's Summer 5K Race Series will begin its 27th year tonight at 6:45 p.m. at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan. The series takes place on Wednesday evenings through July 29. Registration begin at 5:45 p.m.

In addition to the 5K race, the club's 16th annual Kids' Summer Nights Running Series will get under way at 6 p.m. The children's series includes a 25-yard Toddler Trot for those 18 months to 3 years old; the 50-yard dash for age 4 and up; the Monmouth Battlefield 100-yard charge for age 5 and up; and a half-mile race and a 1-mile race for children age 8 and up.

For more information about the FARC Summer Series or other club events, call 732-431-2627 or visit www.farcnj.com.