Results
Seton Hall Prep completed another triple crown, and the Columbia girls won a one-point thriller over defending champion Montclair to return to the winner's circle for the first time in five years at Sunday's Essex County Track and Field Championships at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island.
TRIPLE CROWN
For the second straight year, Seton Hall Prep's victory at this meet finished off the triple crown for the Pirates, which consists of victories at the Super Essex Conference Championships, the Essex County Relays, and the Essex County Track and Field Championships in the same season. Pretty awesome!!!
The outcome was never in doubt as Seton Hall Prep rang up 108 points, more than double what runner-up Livingston (50 points) scored, and received red hot NJ No. 1 performances from senior Ryan Matulonis and Xavier Donaldson.
The UPenn-bound Matulonis, who false started in the hurdles, rebounded with a sizzling victory in the 400 in 48.42, the fastest time in the state this season ad No. 10 in the US!! Right behind him was teammate and fellow Penn-bound stud Nicholas DeVita, second in a NJ No. 6 49.54. DeVita also own the 800 in 2:01.15.
Donaldson, who is headed to Princeton, burned a 21.55 in the one-lapper, the No. 1 time in the state and No. 10 in the US this season. He also won the 55 dash in 6.47, which is the 4th fastest in the state. Earlier this season, Donaldson ran 49.05 in the 400, which places him No. 4 in NJ.
Several other athletes contributed to Seton Hall Prep's dominating performance.
Senior Russell Webb won the 1,600 in 4:38.14 and was fourth in the 800 in 2:04.48. Darren Burton finished third in the 55 dash in 6.64 and was second in the high jump (6-0). Stephen Niamke won the high jump by clearing 6-4, Tyler Dunn (48-9.50) was second in the shot put, Leo Avigliano was fourth in the shot (46-6), and Matt Oess made 10-6 to place third in the pole vault.
BACK ON TOP BY A WHISKER
Columbia, one of the greatest programs in state history, won its first title since 2018 in heart-pounding fashion as the Cougars edged defending champion Montclair, 66-65.
Columbia's attack featured 40 points on the track and 26 in the field, and the Cougars won four events.
Senior Emma Friedrich and junior Mae Dowling were the catalysts on the track for Columbia, combining for 34 points!
Friedrich finished first in the 1,600 in 5:17.33 and was second in the 3,200 (12:12.32). Dowling won the 800 in 2:24.13 and was third in the 1,600 in 5:19.61.
Columbia also received victories from junior Giana Green in the high jump (5-2), and from junior Madison Stevens in the shot put (37-3.25). Sophomore Penda Fall was third for Columbia in the high jump (4-10), and the 4x400 relay team secured the team title by placing third in 4:16.86.