The Elizabeth boys came storming back from behind to win four races to ignite the Minutemen to its second title in three years, and the Union Catholic girls blew apart the track by running three NJ No. 1 times, smashing a meet record, and winning four races on the way to a 10th straight championship at the Union County Relays on Saturday at the Jersey City Armory.
In the girls competition, Union Catholic left lots of smoke on the track en route to a 66-36 victory over runner-up Rahway.
The biggest highlight came when Rhia Randolph, Taylor Aska, Natalia Thompson, and Sydney Chadwick combined to win the 4x200 with a sizzling NJ No. 1/US No. 2 time of 1:40.70, which shattered the meet record by more than two seconds.
The former record of 1:43.10 was set by last year. This performance was especially impressive because it was run on a flat track! I haven't found a faster time yet in NJ history on a flat track.
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Keep in mind that the state record in the 4x200 is 1:38.60, set by UC last year when the Vikings placed fourth at the New Balance Nationals. There's no doubt that UC has the potential to take that record down when it loads up to run on a banked track.
UC's two other NJ No. 1 times came in the shuttle hurdles (31.84) and the sprint medley (4:16.88), and its fourth victory was in the DMR with a NJ No.2 time of 12:35.75.
Another sensational performance came in the girls competition came from Rahway senior Saniyah Evans, who cleared 5-8 in the high jump to take over the state lead, break her school record, and lead Rahway to its second straight title in the event.
Evans, who had a PR of 5-3 coming into this season, broke the Rahway HJ record of 5-7 that was set by the great LaShonda Carter in 2006. Evans now leads the state in two events. She's also soared a NJ No.1 19-0 in the long jump.
The Elizabeth boys, who won the county relay title in 2022, regained its crown by winning four races, all in come-from-behind fashion, to dethrone runner-up Rahway, 50-39.
The Minutemen, who received strong performances from multiple athletes, won the 4x200 in 1:33.53, the 4x800 in 8:23.97, the sprint medley in 3:44.12, and the 4x400 in 3:34.64. Elizabeth also placed third in the shuttle hurdles, and fourth in the DMR, and also won the novice 4x200 and 4x800!!! What a day for Elizabeth!!!
"Great attitude and effort led to a great performance today,'' said Elizabeth coach Austin Holman coach.
Jason Alvarez was one of many stars for Elizabeth.
The junior ran on the winning SMR and first place 4x400, and ran a leg on the third-place shuttle hurdles.
How about the clutch anchor legs by Joseph Desire (4x200), Francisco Lopez (4x800), Erick Hernandez (SMR), and Juan Guerrero (4x400). who all rallied to bring Elizabeth across the line first.
