Inside Marlton Sports

Sports and Marlton township have always had a great sports relationship. As the area continues to grow, Marlton and Evesham Township seem to create more than their fair share of talented, exciting athletes. Cherokee High School is one of the more successful athletic programs in the area, producing championship teams in almost every sport — both boys' and girls' teams. The Chiefs' football team is a regular playoff qualifier. The boys' cross country team has become a power in the last decade. The boys' and girls' soccer teams are constantly in the hunt for league and sectional titles. And the field hockey team has produced several all-American players and is also one of the state's elite teams. And those are just the fall programs. Add to that the softball program, which is among the best in the state, plus solid basketball, wrestling and baseball teams, one can see the Chiefs have an athletic program that could be envied by much of South Jersey.

However, Cherokee — and Camden Catholic, Bishop Eustace, Holy Cross and even St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia for that matter — would not be as successful if not for the feeder program, known as the Marlton Recreation Council. With over 7,000 families, the Marlton Rec Council is one of the largest recreational bodies in South Jersey. It has served as the launching pad for professional athletes, college all-Americans, and future coaches and role models.

Recently, Marlton residents, as well as the staff of South Jersey SportsClub, said farewell to a true friend of youth athletics. In December, Vince Catone, a longtime member and one-time treasurer of the Marlton Recreation Council, lost his battle with cancer. As someone whose children grew up playing in the MRC, Catone was constantly spotted at various sporting events involving Marlton, Cherokee, St. Joan of Arc grammar school and Holy Cross. And if not in the stands at these games, he was often on the floor officiating. Catone volunteered his services officiating MRC and St. Joan's basketball games. For his dedication to the youth of Marlton, the MRC honored Catone just before his death by naming a field in his honor. He will be missed.

Cherokee senior Marc Perelin closed out his high school cross country career in style. Perelin captured the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, covering the grueling 5,000-meter course at Holmdel Park in Monmouth County in 15:43 seconds, the seventh fastest time ever on the famed course. He also qualified for the Foot Locker national championship, held in December in Orlando, Florida. Perelin finished among the top eight at the Eastern Regional meet at Van Cortlandt Park in New York to become a part of the 32-runner event. Perelin finished 25th, covering the 5,000-meter course in 15 minutes, 57.31 seconds.

The Marlton Rec Council Web site (www.marltonreccouncil.org) has plenty to offer, including news and information, seasonal online registration, sports clinic schedules, coaching opportunities and links to other sites. The Marlton Recreation Council holds a monthly meeting. On the first Thursday of each month at 8:30 p.m. at the Marlton Rec Council building on Oak Avenue, behind the Evesham Board of Education offices. Come let your voice be heard.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: Joshua McKay-SJ Sports Club