NJRunners will be on site in force this weekend as we bring you blanket coverage of the action from South Plainfield (Grps. 1,3 NP "A"). Keep coming back for live updates, video, photos and more.
With about 10 min. to go before the first gun, it's a coolish, overcast afternoon here at S.P. The 400m Hurdles are the first events up and away we'll go.
Ajee Wilson takes very fast G3 1600m 4:43.92 a new MR. and the All Group Record. Frosh Claudia DiSoma also under records at 4:45.57
Joe Rosa wins G3 1600m in 4:11.16. Jim gets 2nd in 4:11.47
Molly McNamara takes the Girls "A" 1600.
So much going on, and not a lot of time to play catch up. Sorry about that. For day 2 I will try to Blog about highlights and not attempt to post top 6 summaries. I think Lambert has a typist on site with him to process agate results on NJ.com.
Tonight's 1600m races were simply nuts! Starting with the G3 Girls race which went out in 69 and finished up with both Ajee Wilson and Claudia DiSoma crushing the "All Groups" record. And not stopping for the rest of the night. The G3 Boys race was a Rosa/Rosa affair with the twins going 4:11.16 and 4:11.47 to defeat 3rd placer Brian Robinson of Millburn by less than a second. And when you thught you saw it all, the "Ecumenical" A Boys went put another 5 guys under 4:15. The MOC 1600m will be one for the ages. Hmm...seems we said that about last years race. Not to be forgotten, though not as quick the Boys G1 16 was thrilling as well with Patrick Rono of Lyndhurst kicking big to take the awaited showdown betweem he, Dae Oster (Verona) and Everett Price from New Providence.
Also, let's not forget the big guy. We have become to used to huge throws in big spots, that we cannot overlook the fact that Morristown Jr. Nick took the shot last night with a 69'10.25 heave. This is the 3rd longest throw in the country this year. He already has the top one.
Nick Vena takes G3 SP with a toss of 69-10.25 (photo by Good Doggie Photo)
Mike Mazzaccaro photo courtesy of MaroonNews
Saturday
It is raining lightly at 6:15 in Lawrenceville, about 45 south of the So. Plainfield site. The national weather service is caling for rain through the afternoon (40%), with a chance for scattered thunderstorms. Plan accordingly as there may be a delay or two if the lightning does appear.
Time for some coffee, a quick perusal of the usual Track sites and then off to day 2 of Groups weekend. If anyone was at The Egg yesterday, please post your observations on our forum. We would love to hear from you.
It's 9:00am and not raining in SP. It is cool and overcast, with a low threatening sky. While waiting for everyone to arrive, a few more thoughts on last night.
* Damiere Byrd turned in a very nice double in the sprints with a 10.68 100m and a 47.88 400. His 4000m time was tied with Claton Gravesend of Franklin (G4) for the fastest time of the day. and with Najee Glass (48,07) and Keith Griffith (47.11) sets up a potentially lethal race on Thurs.
* Ajee Wilson is a force of nature. After shatttering the MR in a close finish over Claudia DiSoma in the G3 1600m, she jumped into the 400m and gave Michelle Brown all she could handle with a 54.51 2nd to Browns 54.49 win. Wilson will be back today in the 800m and might also run a leg on the Neptune 4x4.
* It's not just the boys who are uber deep in the 1600m this year. Along with some very fast young ladies up front, the girls are also showing a lot of depth. There are currently 12 giirls under 5 minutes this season and the 25th ranked runner is at 5:03.99.
First up on the track this morning will be the 800m races.
Shona Potrzuski of Pitman wins the G1 800m in 2:13.76
Ajee Wilson takes the G3 800m in 2:07.28 over the duo from Sparta ( Erika Veidis & Claudia Disomma) who ran 2:08.57 and 2:09.37 respectivly
Molly McNamara of RBC doubles back to take the "A" title in 2:09.63. RBC goes 1-2 as Lindsey Bellaran runs 2:13.07
Patrick Rono wins G1 Boys with 1:54.72
Bradley Paternostro runs 1:51.84 for G3 (NJ #1). Jim Rosa gets 2nd in 1:53.65
Kevin Byrne wins "A" in 1:52.81
This is shaping up as another monster day for NJ T&F after just the 800's!
Hurdle Finals
G1 Boys - Stephon Bell (Penns Grove)14.40
G1 Girls - Alexa Wiilliams (Dayton) 15.29
G3 Boys - Jalen walker (Burl. Twp.) 14.76
"A" Girls - Kelsey Damato (Eustace) 15.27
Megan Flynn of Robbinsville wins G1 3200m in 11:22.52
Oster runs 9:16.73) totally alone in G1 3200. 2nd is Lewandowski i 9:40.80
Collette Whitney sits and kicks on Megen Venables to take G3 10:27.74 to 10:33.25. Chelsea Ley gets 3rd in 10:49.01
Joe Rosa outduels Tyler Udland in around 9:08.07 to 9:10.78 with Jon Squeri 3rd
Keith Griffith avenges his Sectional loss to Rontik sadler with the win in the G1 200m 21.95 to 22.19
Damiere Byrd does it again with the G3 win in 21.80
Najee Glass runs 21.88 for the "A" win.
Michelle Brown takes the G3 200m win over Hoval's Miranda Mackey 24.87 to 25.22
Myasia Jacobs breaks the MR in the "A" 200m w/ 23.75. Jordan Simmons of Bish. Ahr also gets under the old mark at 24.69.
Mike Mazzaccaro completes a monster double with a 9:05.78 PR in the "A" 3200m.Morgan Pearson of Delbarton makes it interesting with the silver in 9:06.79. Don Bosco picks up 12 pts. w/ 3-4-5
Nick Vena doubles back today with the win in the G3 Discus with a 177-05 spin
Kaleb Zuidema tosses the spear a MR 214-07 to take the G1 Jav.
Sparta Girls win big in the G3 4x4. I had them in 3:52.02. Senaca takes 2nd in 3:55.01 and wins the G3 team title.
Teaneck boys atone for a dropped stick at bergen MOC and set County Record at 3:17.19
Molly Mac anchors RBC to the win and her 3rd gold of the meet.