Runners Hit the Streets for Youth Sports League

A chilly cloudy morning didn’t stop more than 200 runners from getting their feet in gear for the 14th annual Wrobo Run on Sunday morning in Jefferson.

Top finishers were Jorge Maldonado, 17, of Palisades Park for the men at 17:07.12 and Juliana Lee, 17, of Palisades Park at 21:55.37 for the women.

Several locals finished in the top ten as well: Kyle Jorgenson of Lake Hopatcong was third at 19:19.50, Andrew Felano of Oak Ridge was seventh at 20:48.33, Bill Gahugler of Oak Ridge was eighth at 20:49.06, Thomas DeVries of Oak Ridge was ninth at 20:54.79 and Robby Toth of Lake Hopatcong was tenth at 21:12.18.

John Wroblewski, father of fallen soldier J.T. Wroblewski, for whom the run is named, choked up as he thanked the Junior Women’s Club and the township for its work on the run.

“There’s a saying that goes, ‘A Marine is not dead unless he is forgotten’,” Wroblewski said. “This town has always made sure that my son will never be forgotten, and for that, I thank you very much.”

Wroblewski, who is the athletic director at Palisades Park High School, brought his cross country teams in to compete.

The Jefferson Township Women’s Club sponsors the run, with the proceeds going to a different cause or charity each year. This year’s proceeds will benefit the township’s Challenger League, a sports league for kids in town with special needs.