Throws 61'10 1/4" to Break his Own Frosh Record! It's beena while since the Shot Put took such prominence on the NJ Track & Field stage, but with Nick Vena having this type of rookie campaign and a host of other top throwers out there, you can't ignore it.Tonight at the NJ Metro Invitational (Armory T&F Center the Morisstown yearling continued to produce huge throws as he broke the National Freshman record with a heave of 61'10 1/4". After some concern regarding the weight of the implement (not weighed until after the throw), the powers that be decided that .0002 lbs. light was negligible enough to recognize the mark as the new record. The throw also moves Vena to  the seasonal #1 in NJ and #4 US.Other Flash Results:Allison Linnell 4;56.4MR (1600m) - Colts NeckJaivon Palmer 7.4 (55 HH) - EnglewoodMichelle Favre  11-6 (jumpoff) (PV) Saddle Brook 

TAKES HS GIRLS MILE IN BOSTON  With last nights solid victory by Jillian Smith, Southern Regional High School can now boast that the winners of the last two Boston Indoor  Games (BIG) Girls HS Mile hail from the Ocean County track powerhouse.   Smith,,who follows Danielle Tauro as the BIG champion kicked from about 150 meters from home to take the race in a US leading time of 4:48.83. Canadian Jessica Parry was leading into the late stages of the race when Smith, a junior began her kick to the finish. "I was really hammering that last 150," Smith said. "I'm really psyched."  Jill, 2nd behind Tauro in this race last year reflected on the fast early pace set by Caitlin Lane of NY.  Lane took the 1st 800m through in about 2:25. We ran the first 800 in 2:30 last year," Smith said. "I sat in fourth. There was a big clump of runners behind Lane. She did a good job of going out and making sure the race was fast." Parry took over the lead with approx. 600m to go. and Smith reacted like a pro "I wanted to keep contact," she said, "But conserve energy." Scoring a victory on a national stage like BIG was a huge thrill for Smith. "This was my first win in a big (indoor) race without Danielle, It gives me confidence going into other races." Smith moves on to her next big time race this Friday when she runs in the Invitational HS Girls Mile at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in NY. (Quotes courtesy of The Press of Atlantic City) Southern Regional junior Jillian Smith(Archive Photo by: PM Photographic)      

Morristown frosh Nick Vena is having an outstanding year. Earlier this month Nick broke  the National Freshman Shot Put record. National Page Editor Scott Bush caught up to Nick to talk about the record, his training and the future.Read the interview here: MileSplit US  

Robby Andrews won the New Balance Games Invitational High School Mile Run today in 4:12.48. The junior from Manalapan won impressivly, taking the race by over 3 seconds. Doug Smith was second in 4:15.95 with Brian Leung (sr. WW-P So.) taking 6th in 4:19.7. Ryan Birchmeier of Ocean City, originally an alternate ran 4:38.51. The other NJ entrant, Brandon Jarrett of St. Benedicts Prep did not start.Andrews' time is #1 in the Nation this year and will earn an automatic bid to the HS Mile at the prestigious Millrose Games. In the HS Girls Invitational Mile Lanoe Thompso, the junior from Voorhees toook second in a sesonal #2 time of 4:53.58. Kristen Reese (Carmel, NY) won the race in 4:52.65. The only other NJ finisher was Roxbury's Ariann Neutts who took sixth in 5:06.99. Jillian Smith (So. Reg.) and Chelsea Ley (Kingsway) did not start the race.   

EDITORIAL:NJRunners.com Opposesn the proposal to move the State XC Meets from Holmdel Park.The sentiment against this move is best summed up by Chris Callinan and the SJTCA.  Coaches, This month the NJSIAA is proposing the move of the Cross Country State Championships to Thompson Park . The reasoning of the NJSIAA is two fold. One reason stated is that the move to Thompson Park is necessary because of the desire of Holmdel Park to not have the state championships at Holmdel Park . A number of people have spoken to the people at the park and that is not the case. They are happy to have us there. There are some difficulties in parking but they are minor compared to the history of the park. The second reason is that the move to Holmdel Park would facilitate more teams being able to run in the New Jersey State Meet of Champions. While this second statement is true, it is unnecessary. There are already 20 teams that qualify for the Meet of Champions. This meet is large enough already and the expansion of the field would only water down the meet and not add to its luster. The bottom line is that the history and Holmdel Park needs to be preserved. The great runners from the state of New Jersey have had their day at Holmdel and so should the future harriers of our state. Please ask your AD to vote against the proposal to move the New Jersey State Championships from Holmdel Park . Thank you. Chris Callinan SJTCA President

Southern Regional star joins strong field for girl's mile at Reebok Boston Indoor Games Jillian Smith, who last year took second in this race will be among the favorites at this year's edition on January 26. Press ReleaseBoston (Jan. 17) - Caitlin Lane (Greenwich HS, Greenwich, NY), Jillian Smith (Southern Regional HS/Mananhawkin, NJ), Tori Pennings (Warwick Valley HS/Warwick, NY) and Keely Maguire (Triton Regional HS/Georgetown, MA) will return to compete in the Girls' Junior Invitational Mile at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on Jan. 26, organizers announced today.Since the Reebok Boston Indoor Games began in 1996, more than 90 Olympic and World Championship medalists have competed in the event, which has also played host to five World Records and nine American Records.  The Boys' and Girls' Junior Invitational Miles, which began in 2005, have quickly become two of the most prestigious events of their kind.This is the fourth invitation for Lane, the 2007 NY State Champion at 1500 meters for small schools.  Smith, the 2006 Nike Outdoor Nationals Freshman Mile Champion, was runner-up here last year; while Pennings was a member of the runner-up DMR squad at Nike Outdoors.  Maguire is a 2005 Massachusetts Cross Country champion and 2007 New England champ at 1600m.

Jarrett / Thompson Are Gatorade Top HarriersVena Gets USATF Athlete of the Week  Lanie Thompson, a junior from Voorhees HS and St. Benedict's Prep senior Brandon Thompson have been recognized by Gatorade as the top Cross Country performers in NJ for the 2007 season.  Continuing his outstanding Freshman Indoor Season, Nick Vena of Morristown has been honored by the USATF as their Athlete of the Week. Recognized for his National Freshman Record throw of 61' 1.5" heave on 1/7 at the Morris Co. Relays, the 14 year old Vena bested the previous record of 60' 0" set by Kevin Bookout (OK) in 1999. 

New Jersey should be well represented this Saturday as stellar fields in both the Boys and Girls Mile Runs will headline the NEW BALANCE GAMES at the Armory Track and Field Center (NY). The 2 races feature some of the best milers out there right now and should produce some very good times as the season starts to move to the Championship segment.Representing New Jersey on the boys side will be junior Robby Andrews of Manalapan (4:17.94*), Brandon Jarrett, senior of St. Benedicts Prep ( 4:13.06*) and Gill-St Bernards junior Doug Smith (4:18.3). Brian Leung of WW-P So. , winner of the Invitational 2 Mile  Run at the Hispanic Games rounds out the NJ entry. Ocean City senior Ryan Birchmeier is listed as an alternate to the field.On the Girls side, Ariann Neutts (5:01.96*), ajr. from Roxbury will bwe joined by Southern Regional's jr. Jillian Smith (4:46.87*) and junior Lanie Thompson of Voorhees (4:54.31*).The 2 alternate entries will be Ashley Cromartie of Roxbury and Sarah Cariati of Pope John XXII. For Complete Entry Lists go HERENote: All times are for 1600m (Outdoors) except for Doug Smith. Mark is full mile set 1/10/08  

14 Year Old Blasts 61'1 1/2" For RecordMorristown Freshman Nick Vena, who broke the state freshman record in December, broke the national mark for Frosh tonight with a throw of 61'1 1/2" at the Morris County Relays being held at Drew University.Vena's throw also solidifies his NJ #2 rank behind Mike Alleman of Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwho threw 61' 5 3/4" in December (Drew Invitational)To See Video of Vena's NJ Frosh Record Throw at Leary Lid Lifter in DecemberClick on Headline    Video Courtesy of Steve Busch

LEUNG TAKES DEUCE IN 9:22.92 Taking control after the 1st lap, Brian Leung motored away from the field to take the 2 Mile in 9:22.4. WW-P No. frosh Joe Rosa goes 9:45.99 for 7th. Brandon Jarret - DNS  Camden Girls - 1:42.21 (NJ Seasonal #1)Winslow Boys - 1:30.38 (NJ Seasonal #1)Jamar Linn (Ewing) 22' 7" (NJ Seasonal #1)7:08 Takes the 55m Dash for English Gardner (Eastern HS)  EARLY RESULTS - NJ Athletes  55H (G): 1. Samantha Sharper (Wilson) - 8.27 (NJ Seasonal #2)             4.  Briana Barlow (New Bruns.) - 8.39             5.  Azudei DuBois (Irvington) - 8.6055m (G): 1. English Gardner (Eastern Reg.) - 7:08               2. Audrey Wilson (Deptford) -  7.13 55H (B):1. Devon Hill  (Trenton Central) - 7:37             4. Ameer Wright (Irvington) - 7.68            5. Matt Marshall (Camden) - 7.74P V (B) 3. Matt Kirbos (S. Bruns) - 13-0           4. Nick Henderson (Hunt. Central) - 12-6           5. Andy Morris (Hunt. Central) - 12-6For More results, Click  Armory Track Devon Hill of Trenton Central Wins the 55HH in 7:39        

With the Indoor Track and Field season moving into high gear, NJRunners presents the Elite performance standards and the first installment of the 2007-2008 Leader Board.As always additions and correctins are always welcome. Also, individual Field event marks set as part of a relay will be accepted. EMail me at Pfm724@comcast.net with the details.ELITE PERFORMANCE STANDARDSEventBoysGirls55m HH8.209.2060m HH8.609.8055m 6.757.5060m 7.258.05200m23.3026.30300m38.3043.20300y35.3040.10400m52.001:04.0500m1:10.01:20.0600m1:31.01:43.0600y1:21.11:34.5800m2:01.02:24.01000y2:23.02:53.01000m2:47.03:10.01500m4:12.05:10.01600m4:28.05:21.01 Mile 4:30.05:23.03000m9:20.011:00.03200m9:50.011:50.02 Mile10:03.511:54.55000m17:25.020:30.0   Long Jump21' 0"16' 06"Triple Jump43' 0"35' 0"High Jump6' 03"5' 02"Pole Vault13' 03"10' 03"Shot Put50' 0"35' 0"Weight45' 0"25' 0"   Heptathlon4000 pts.XXXPentathlonXXX2700 pts.   4x200m Relay1:34.01:50.04x400m Relay3:32.04:11.04x800m Relay8:19.010:00.0SMR (800m)1:40.01:55.0SMR  3:50.04:33.0DMR11:15.013:15.04x1600m Relay18:16.022:00.0SHR (55m)34.0038.00 

The early part of the '07-'08 Indoor season has seensome notable performances in the field events as well as on the track. The first installments of the Elite Performance lists can be viewed by clicking on the linkd below, as well as clicking on the Rankings tab on the top Navigation Bar. Performances and rankings will be updated every time the results from a meet are posted. Your feedback is most welcome.Girls Leaders BOYS LEADERS  Click on Event Name to View Entire List