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The Piscataway boys and girls both ended long droughts with impressive victories at the Greater Middlesex Conference Championships on Saturday at the Bennett Center in Toms River.
In the boys competition, the Chiefs edged Metuchen, 46-40, to capture its first title in 29 years and its fourth overall. Piscataway's other three championships came in 1974, 1992, 1995.
Piscataway's scored 42 of its 46 points on the track.
Junior Noah Grant led the charge for the Chiefs by winning the 55 dash in 6.57 and placing second in the 400 (52.15). Senior DeShaun Stephens finished third in the 400 (52.19), junior Niles Tony finished third in the 55 dash in 6.72, junior Michael Shtelen placed third in the 800 in 2:04.84, junior Bryan Young finished third in the 55 hurdles in 7.88. Senior Skylar McGhee scored six points for Piscataway by placing third in the high jump at 6-0.
On the girls side, Piscataway outscored runner-up South Brunswick, 52-43, to win its first championship in 19 years and its fifth overall, the third most in meet history. Only South Brunswick (15) and Old Bridge (13) have won more. Piscataway's four other titles came in 1995, '96, 97, and 2005.
Piscataway scored 38 of its 52 points in the sprints.
Senior Morgan Jean had a big day for the Chiefs, finishing first in the 400 in 59.38, fifth in the 55 dash in 7.56, and running on the winning 4x400 that ran 4:10.95. Senior Kierstin Ashby also came up big for Piscataway by placing second in the 400 in 59.45, third in the 55 dash in 7.53, and running on the victorious 4x400. Sophomore Taleyah Ferguson added a fifth in the 400 in 1:01.02, and ran on the first-place 4x400.
Piscataway also picked up 14 points in the 800 when seniors Madison Morgan (2:27.59) and Gabriella Freeman (2:28.01) went 2-3. Morgan was also on that winning 4x400m relay!