The Chatham boys won its first title ever, the Pope John girls captured its first trophy in nine years, and Natasha Redmond of Mount Olive and Anna Shaw of Mendham each won three races at the NJAC Large School Championships that concluded on Wednesday at Morris Hills.
In the boys competition, Chatham, which outscored runner-up Morris Knolls, 101-89, picked up points from several athletes.
Senior Filip Gache led the charge in the sprints for Chatham by winning the 200-meter dash in 22.59, and placing second in the 100 in 11.16.
Senior Ryan Beegle won the 1,600 for Chatham in 4:17.77, and was second to Luke Schagelin of Morris Knolls in a red hot 2-lapper. Schagelin edged Beegle, 1:52.30 to 1:52.89, the two fastest times in the state this season, and school records for both runners.
Chatham also picked up a big win from sophomore Finn Valli in the 3,200 in 9:36.76, and from its 4x400 relay squad (3:32.93), and shattered the school record in the 4x100 by finishing second in 43.70.
Senior Ted Joel had a great all-round meet for Chatham. He cleared 13-0 to place second in the pole vault, and was third in the 400 in 50.39.
Junior Jason Meza of Morristown pulled off an impressive double by winning the 400 in 49.42 and the 400 hurdles in 53.65
BALANCED ATTACK SPARKS POPE JOHN GIRLS
Pope John flexed its superior balance to outscore runner-up Mount Olive, 109.25-75, to win its first NJAC title since 2014.
The Lions scored 55.25 points on the track and 54 points in the field! How is that for balance!!!
Pope John's throwers, who racked up 46 points, were led by senior Madison Griffin.
Griffin led a 1-2-5 finish in the discus for the Lions by shattering the school record with a bomb of 126-7. Griffin also won the javelin with a 126-0. Senior Gabriella Labrada earned 10 points for PJ by unloading a 37-8 to win the shot put.
On the track for Pope John, junior Mackenzie Kaiser placed third in the 100, fourth in the 200. Senior Krista Dengler placed second in the 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles, and was fourth in the 400, and junior sophomore Katelyn Nolan finished second in the 3,200 and fourth in the 1,600.
TRIPLE WINNERS
Redmond and Shaw, both juniors, were the biggest individual stars of the meet as they lit up the track with three wins each.