One of most impressive accomplishments in the state this season didn't happen at a county or conference championship meet. And it didn't involve a winning performance.
This gem required some deeper digging.
In happened earlier this week when Rumson junior star Clemmie Lilley stepped up in distance to give the 1,600-meter run a try for the first time at the Holmdel Royal Rumble Invitational on Tuesday night.
Lilley, the Meet of Champions winner in the 800 this last indoor season, absolutely crushed her first 4-lap test, stopping the clock at 4:51.17 to place third among girls behind Shaelan McNally of Paul VI, who ran a PR of 4:45.91, and Villanova-bound Rosemary Shay of Middletown South, who dropped a big PR of 4:48.54. The times by McNally, Shay and Lilley place them No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 in the state this season, not including mile conversions.
Everyone already knew that Lilley was a hammer in the 400 and 800, but now this!!! My goodness! What can't she do?!
With her eye-popping 1,600 debut, Lilley joined a very exclusive club of NJ girls who have run sub 56 for 400/sub 2:10 for 800/sub 5 for 1,600!
How exclusive?
Well, I've only found three other members of that club in NJ history, Ajee' Wilson of Neptune, Athing Mu of Trenton, and Peyton Hollis of Union Catholic. Talk about some fast company!!!
Wilson, a 2-time Olympian and World Champion at 800 meters, has high school PR's of 54.04 in the 400, a state record 2:00.91 in the 800, and 4:43.92 in the 1,600. Mu, the 2021 Olympic gold medalist in the 800, owns high school PR's of 51.98/2:01.17, and 4:59.48 (for the mile). Hollis, a senior at Union Catholic, has PR's of 55.81, 2:06.42, and 4:49.88 in 2022!!!
Welcome to the club, Clem!!!
Congrats!