For most teams, losing one of the top hurdlers in the country would end any chance of winning a national championship in the shuttle hurdles.
But Union Catholic isn't like most teams.
With star senior Ajanae Thompson, who is tied for No. 10 nationally in the 55 hurdles with a 8.06, nursing a sore hamstring, UC coach Mike McCabe reached into his remarkably deep talent pool and inserted freshman inserted freshman Ebony Turner into his shuttle hurdle lineup at the New Balance National Championships on Saturday in Boston.
Turner came through in the clutch for Union Catholic as she rose to the occasion and combined with senior Alexandra Bonn, junior Leah Gould, and sophomore Taylor Cox to capture the national title in 33.50!
It was all Jersey in the shuttles as the Garden State swept the top four places!!!
Winslow placed second in the 35.09, Washington Township finished third in 35.16, and Point Pleasant Borough finished fourth in 35.46.
Winslow's four hurdlers were senior Janelle Marshall, freshman Ma'Syiah Browner, junior Sierra Handy and senior Kamryn Holness. Washington used Zarria Olphant and sophomores Ella Johnson, Dakota Jones and Meciah Howell, and Point Pleasant Boro lineup consisted of senior Shea Burke, sophomore Jordan Muraglia, freshman Codi Damerau, and junior Sarina Danko.