Westley Runs 17:01 5K, Plenty Impress at Metuchen Relays

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What a meet at Metuchen on Saturday! It was filled with impressive performances, not only for opening day but for season long marks. 

Before the sun came out the start of the meet had some cloudy, wet, cool weather which was great for the 5K and we definitely saw some hot times there. One of the biggest performances of the day was Alexa Westley's 17:01.82 run in the 5K, despite how early we are in the spring this was already faster than her previous PR of 17:03 which earned a third place All-American finish at New Balance Nationals Outdoor last spring. Claire Chapeau of McNair Academic second at 18:13. 

Watch the Race Videos Here

While the early morning weather was perfect for the distance race, it was less than optimal for the 400m hurdles but that didn't stop Liam O'Hara of Christian Brothers Academy who hit a major PR of 54.85 to lead the event and the state through week 1.  His teammate Rafael Coppola won the 400m dash as well running 51.25 NJ#1.

The girls 400m saw a defending Meet of Champions winner open her season, Kaira Brown of Kent Place posted an early 56.85 NJ#1. A full second ahead of the rest of the state right now. 

Another early season mark that really impressed was put forth by Bridgewater-Raritan freshman Marco Langon who won the 1600m with a 4:21.71. Langon is coming off a Freshman Mile win at New Balance Nationals Indoor, a performance that convinced him that track is where he belongs and was enough to switch from lacrosse to running in the spring. 

While we are only a week in there were quite a few NJ#1 performances.

Including those mentioned above. Jaheem Hayles of Roselle won the 110 meter hurdles with a 14.59. The boys 5K went to Bridgewater Raritan's Foster Boone. In the boys field Chris Salkowski of Watchung Hills won the javelin at 175-04, Michael Whitehead of Colts Neck the triple jump with 43-11. Hamilton West leads the 4x200m at 1:30.47, they also sit NJ#2 in the 4x100m with their 42.95 victory. 

For the girls Carly Tarentino of A. L. Johnson is in a three-way tie for the state lead thanks to her 5-04 clearance. Jamie Tomassetti of Watchung Hills won the 1600m running 5:19.42. 

Other winners and notables: Uchenna Duru of Union Catholic led both the boys shot put and discus with marks of 52-11.75 and 153-02, Adonis McGee of St. Peter's Prep won the high jump clearing 6-02 and his teammates won the DMR at 10:41.12, Rahway won the 800m SMR with a 1:35.82, the Sayreville boys took home gold in the 4x400m with 3:29.17 and 1600m SMR at 3:37.23, Juwon Jackson took home the long jump at 21-01.5. 

Metuchen swept the 4x800m on their home turf winning the boys race with a 8:28.11 and the girls 9:35.62. 

Girls winners not mentioned as of yet, Piscataway won the 4x100m and 4x200m at 49.80 and 1:43.80, Alexus Smith of Rahway led the 100H with a 15.21, Kailah Turner the discus at 105-09, and their teammates also won the 800m SMR 1:51.41, Watchung Hills found gold in the 4x400m running 4:08.94 and Mahogany Jenkins led both the long jump and triple jump at 17-06 and 36-03, the DMR was won by Voorhees at 13:09.22, Adelaide Asante of North Brunswick the 400H at 1:07.22, Sayreville's Adijah Simmon led the javelin at 109-10 and Samantha Kamara the shot put at 35-05.5.  

Plenty of great stuff from Metuchen Relays, check out all the National Elite Standard performances below. 

National Elite Performances

39 performances met the MileSplit US Second Team standard.

Girls Elites

400 Meter Dash Finals	56.85	Kaira Brown	Kent Place School
4x800 Meter Relay Finals	9:35.62	Relay Team	Metuchen HS
5000 Meter Run Finals	17:01.82	Alexa Westley	Warren Hills HS
5000 Meter Run Finals	18:13.68	Claire Chapeau	McNair Academic HS
5000 Meter Run Finals	18:52.65	Yashika Chidirala	South Brunswick HS
5000 Meter Run Finals	19:09.65	Lia Acosta	Bishop Ahr HS
High Jump Finals	5-4	Carly Tarentino	A. L. Johnson HS
Long Jump Finals	17-6	Mahogany Jenkins	Watchung Hills Reg. HS
Sprint Medley Relay Finals	4:18.48	Relay Team	Piscataway Twp HS
Sprint Medley Relay Finals	4:19.75	Relay Team	Mount Olive HS
Sprint Medley Relay Finals	4:24.45	Relay Team	Voorhees HS
Sprint Medley Relay Finals	4:27.44	Relay Team	North Brunswick HS
800 Meter Sprint Medley Relay Finals	1:51.41	Relay Team	Rahway HS
Triple Jump Finals	36-3	Mahogany Jenkins	Watchung Hills Reg. HS

Boys Elites