Howell Meet Demonstrates Small Sample of What is Expected at County Relays

Howell, NJ – Not only are runners, jumpers and pole vault athletes trying to set PRs in 2013, but so are the warriors on the field, better known as the shot putters.

            Shot putters from across New Jersey rallied upon Howell High School on Friday night to partake in the 9^th Annual Rebel Indoor Shot Put Series. Friday marked the first of three planed meets specifically for the winter throwers. These meets have the competitors seeded normally, by least distance to greatest. However, the medals are awarded separately to each high school grade. This evens the competition field for each grade and increases the chances of placing. The other two meets will be held on January 16, while the last is marked for February 1.

            The series opening meet started and finished rather quickly. Only twelve schools competed but it is speculated that more will compete over the next two meets. The reason for this is that the next day marks the Ocean County and Monmouth County Relays at the John Bennett Indoor Sports Complex in Toms River, New Jersey. All of the local teams are expected to attend their respective relay.

            Both men’s and women’s divisions each had a clear cut pull-away athlete competing. The men’s division was led by Long Branch junior, Saquan Gwaltney who nailed a 49-4 ½. While the women’s division, which was led by Lacey senior, Zakiya Thomas who reached 37 ½. Each of these two defeated the rest of their respective competition within their grade by around nine feet each.

            Other notable winners in the male division includes Newark Academy’s senior, Carter Beardsley who tabulated a 45-2 1/2. Along with Brick Memorial’s sophomore, Tyler McKelvey, who edged out his competition by just over a foot with a throw of 37-3. Closing out the men’s division at the freshman level was Tom Stroychowski of Lacey who earned 1^st with a 34-5.

            The women’s division other winners include Taylor Thrunk, a junior from Point Pleasant Boro who threw a 30-10. While the sophomore segment, was won by Brick’s Amber Meyer with a throw of 29-1. The freshman victory would go to Howell’s own Taylor West with a distance of 25-5 ½.

            Overall, Howell and Lacey each had five athletes place within the top three in each of their respective divisions. Brick Memorial was not far behind with four, and cross town rival Brick, along with Point Pleasant Boro each had three athletes in the top three.