December's state leaders as well as some notes and highlight performances put forth during the past month of December!
█ Union Catholic / NJ / USA Star Sydney McLaughlin is still fast. She opened the season in week 1 by breaking her own state record in the 300 meter with a US#1 38.52 at the Jim Mitchell Invitational. In that same meet she doubled to run a currently US#2 time in the 55 meter hurdles with a personal best 7.94! Again, only December and she is still a sophomore. WOW. 
Sydney awaiting the competition at the Jim Mitchell Invite.
█ Sydney's brother Taylor McLaughlin hasn't had a shabby start to his season either. He holds a US#2 in the 300 meter with a sizzling 33.85 thanks to winning the Marin Corps Holiday Classic in week 3. The Union Catholic senior has chosen to attend the University of Michigan next fall!
█ Catherine Pagano, the senior from Northern Highlands and Stanford University commit, has rebounded with focus from the end of cross country. She blasted a personal best and US#1 time of 2:52.19 in the 1000 meter at the North Shore Invitational during week 2. The week prior at the Bishop Loughlin Games she took second to a Millrose automatic qualifier while running her indoor personal best in the mile with a 4:53.29! That still sits at US#3. More detailed article and interview here.
Catherine Pagano racing at the Bishop Loughlin Games. / Photo by Kyle Brazeil for MileSplit
█ Junior thrower Nickolette Dunbar of Whippany Park may be new to the indoor season, she switched over from basketball this year, BUT she is no stranger to monster throws in the circle. She opened her season with a 45-8! That now sits at US#4 and is still the state leading mark. The measurement was also a Morris County and meet record as well as the best mark the state has seen in two years!
Since that 45-8 she has thrown over 42 two more times to remain undefeated on the season. The potential shot put showdown between Dunbar, Alyssa Wilson, Jessica Molina, and Michelle Mazza at MOCs is looking very exciting!
█ Union Catholic has rose to fame not only with talented individuals but through their strong relay teams and this season has proven no different. The UC boys stole the show at the Marine Corps Holiday Classic with a cool 3:38.38 US#1 in the Spring Medley.
The girls have a US#3 in the 4x55 Meter Shuttle Hurdle with a 33.63 as well.
The Union Catholic boys after winning the SMR at the Marine Corps Classic in NY with a US#1 3:38.38! / Photo by Kyle Brazeil for MileSplit
█ Christian Brothers Academy's Andrew Liskowitz has exploded onto the NJ throwing scene by totally destroying his previous season's personal bests. His best throw of the 2015 season came at the Merli Invitational with a 58-0 mark that sits at US#6. His previous indoor best was 47-3 and outdoor 51-7!
█ By the way in case you didn't see the South Brunswick boys ripped a US#1 in the 4x800m during the Track Universe meet at the Armory in NY!! An impressive early time of 8:01.90.
Nick Neville anchored that relay around 1:55, he also won the 800m at the same meet with a state leading and US#3 time of 1:56.10!
Nick Neville anchoring the US leading relay as he split around 1:55 to bring them home. / Photo by RunningWorksPics
Boys State Leaders through December!
| Track | Time | Athlete/Team | Meet Date | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55m | 6.34h | 1,052 | ||
| 400m | 50.25 | 432 | ||
| 800m | 1:56.10 | 336 | ||
| 1600m | 4:25.40 | 530 | ||
| 3200m | 9:47.90 | 159 | ||
| 55mH | 7.63 | 614 | ||
| Relay | Time | Relay Team | Meet Date | Count |
| 4x400m | 3:28.04 | 274 | ||
| Field | Mark | Athlete/Team | Meet Date | Count |
| High Jump | 6-8 | 296 | ||
| Pole Vault | 13-6 | 137 | ||
| Shot Put | 58-0 | 846 | ||
| Other | Mark | Athlete/Team | Meet Date | Count |
| 60m | 7.28 | 14 | ||
| 200m | 22.74h | 148 | ||
| 300m | 33.85 | 343 | ||
| 300y | 33.94h | 18 | ||
| 600m | 1:23.20 | 412 | ||
| 600y | 1:21.70 | 8 | ||
| 1000m | 2:34.16 | 276 | ||
| 1000y | 2:22.80 | 5 | ||
| 1 Mile | 4:24.34 | 37 | ||
| 3000m | 9:08.56 | 25 | ||
| 2 Mile | 10:13.50 | 1 | ||
| 60mH | 8.83 | 11 | ||
| SHR 4x55m | 31.54 | 68 | ||
| 4x200m | 1:31.77 | 172 | ||
| SMR | 3:38.38 | 89 | ||
| 4x800m | 8:01.90 | 166 | ||
| DMR | 10:51.15 | 71 | ||
| 4xMile | 19:17.68 | 2 | ||
| Long Jump | 22-7.5 | 92 | ||
| Triple Jump | 46-7.25 |
Girls State Leaders through December!
| Track | Time | Athlete/Team | Meet Date | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55m | 7.28 | 1,100 | ||
| 400m | 59.28 | 409 | ||
| 800m | 2:15.95 | 288 | ||
| 1600m | 5:07.32 | 372 | ||
| 3200m | 11:24.14 | 105 | ||
| 55mH | 7.94 | 670 | ||
| Relay | Time | Relay Team | Meet Date | Count |
| 4x400m | 4:08.38 | 241 | ||
| Field | Mark | Athlete/Team | Meet Date | Count |
| High Jump | 5-8 | 312 | ||
| Pole Vault | 11-6 | 126 | ||
| Shot Put | 45-8 | 761 | ||
| Other | Mark | Athlete/Team | Meet Date | Count |
| 60m | 8.25 | 8 | ||
| 200m | 25.48 | 176 | ||
| 300m | 38.52 | 431 | ||
| 300y | 40.14h | 3 | ||
| 600m | 1:38.65 | 378 | ||
| 600y | 1:52.40 | 1 | ||
| 1000m | 2:52.19 | 217 | ||
| 1000y | 3:01.40 | 6 | ||
| 1500m | 5:08.60 | 4 | ||
| 1 Mile | 4:53.29 | 22 | ||
| 3000m | 10:46.30 | 20 | ||
| 2 Mile | 11:37.50 | 1 | ||
| 60mH | 10.01 | 3 | ||
| SHR 4x55m | 33.63 | 6 | ||
| SHR 4x51.5m | 32.24 | 60 | ||
| 4x200m | 1:43.38 | 178 | ||
| SMR | 4:10.32 | 88 | ||
| 4x800m | 9:39.70 | 141 | ||
| DMR | 12:42.47 | 67 | ||
| Long Jump | 17-11.25 | 61 | ||
| Triple Jump | 38-2.5 | 44 |