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A showdown between two of the best distance runners in the country produced the fastest girls 1,600m race in state sectional history on Friday night.
Julia Trethaway of West Morris, the winner of the 3,200m at the indoor Meet of Champions, and two-time outdoor 3,200 M of C winner Alexa Westley of Warren Hills hooked up in classic duel over four laps at the North Jersey, Section 2 Group 3 Championships at Middletown North High School.
When the dust settled, Trethaway, a junior, stopped the clock at 4:48.82, the fastest 1,600 in state sectional history for all sections and groups combined. It's also NJ#1 and US#21 this season. The Wisconsin-bound Westley finished second in a NJ#3 4:51.13, a big PR.
Trethaway's 4:48.82 broke the all-time sectional record of 4:49.42 set by Catherine Pagano of Northern Highlands when she won the North Jersey, Section 1 Group 3 1,600 in 2014. Trethaway, whose previous best was the 4:56.62 she ran at the NJAC Championships earlier this month, took over the state lead from Abby Loveys of Randolph (4:48.87).
In addition to her NJ#1 4:48.82, Trethaway is also NJ#2 in the 3,200 with the 10:20.52 she ran to place second at the Morris County Championships behind Loveys, who ran a state record 10:10.24.
Trethaway and Westley are expected to meet again in Saturday's 3,200m, which could produce times under 10:20!!!