Week 1 Highlights | New Jersey Opens Season on a High Note

Demarest Invitational

• Photos by Mae Kellert 
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The Demarest Invitational took place on Saturday in Toms River at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex, also known as The Bubble. 

This meet had an interesting note come with many of its event winners, the fact that they had never competed during the indoor track and field season before.

Iyanla Kollock of Our Lady of Mercy Academy won two events, the 300 meter and 55 meter dashes, and despite being an outdoor state champion junior had never competed during the indoor season due to not having an indoor team. Fortunately her school brought back their winter track and field program this year so she can show her talents on the 200 meter track.

Kollock won the 300 meter dash with a time of 42.98 and posted a 7.20 NJ#1 US#15 in the 55 dash prelims before winning finals with a 7.26. Last outdoor season she placed sixth in the 200 meter at the Meet of Champions running 25.32, so keep an eye out for her going forward. 

Another athlete who never competed indoors was Nate Raphan of Rumson-Fair Haven who threw 51-1 NJ#8 in the shot put for the win. Raphan placed fifth in both the shot out and discus last spring at Group Championships, he has decided to concentrate on indoor field and extending his throwing career rather than football. 

And we aren't done with the newcomers, in the high jump Jada Covington of Howell cleared 5-02 for the win. Already a senior this is her first indoor season and she didn't start competing in track and field until last spring when she set a PR of 5-02. 

There were some other great performances from this meet thanks to indoor veterans as well. The Hamilton North boys posted a state leading time in the 4x400m winning with a 3:30.48 NJ#1. Marvin Morgan, the top  state returner in the 55 dash, won the event with a 6.67 in finals and clocked a 6.57 NJ#2 time in prelims. Semaj Willis of Trenton Central cleared a NJ#1 US#5 height of 6-06 in the boys high jump. Matawan's mid-distance specialist Sam Anderson ran to a 1:39.49 NJ#2 win in the 600 meter. Taylor Mulch helped lead Southern Regional to a team victory at the meet by winning the 1,000 meter run with a NJ#2 time  of 3:08.12. 

Lastly in the girls shot put we saw a NJ#2 US#7 and NJ#3 US#9 showdown between Zyra Thomas of A P Schalick and Danielle Notarfrancesco of Jackson Liberty. Thomas took the win with a 41-5.75 and Notarfrancesco second marked at 40-10.75.