A couple of underdogs pulled out huge victories in the relay races to close out Saturday's 51st NJSIAA Meet of Champions at the Bennett Center in Toms River.
In a great baton battle between Union County squads, Westfield rallied to catch Elizabeth in the final straightaway to win the 4x400m for the first time in school history with a school record 3:24.29, which is No. 4 in the state this season and the No. 1 time this season in the Bennett Center.
Elizabeth was second in a NJ#5 3:24.42, and CBA was third in 3:34.48.
Senior Jake Saltzer threw down a personal best 49.4 anchor carry for Westfield to catch Elizabeth. The first three legs were handled by senior Ajay Olson (PR of 51.3), senior Steve Zucker (PR of 51.4), and senior Matt McIntyre (52.1).
Then in the meet-concluding 4x800m, Ridge put an exclamation point on one of the greatest Meet of Champions in recent years by going wire-to-wire for the victory in a meet record 7:56.49. The old record in the 3-year old event was 7:57.34 by Hopewell Valley last year.
North Hunterdon was second in 7:59.47 and St. Peter's Prep was third in 8:01.54.
Ridge's victory avenges its loss to St. Peter's at the Millrose Games earlier this month when St. Peter's was fifth in a NJ#2 US#6 7:54.40 and Ridge was sixth in a NJ#3 US#7 7:55.16.
Ridge's splits were 1:56.4 for senior Ryan Lindrud, 2:01.2 for junior Alex Sargen, 1:59.0 for sophomore Will Pinto, and 1:59.9 for sophomore Luke Roberts.
