Jessica Abbott, one of the top distance runners in the state while at Toms River North, has transferred to Manalapan and will be eligible to compete right away, Manalapan Athletic Director Beth English confirmed on Friday afternoon.
The addition of Abbott, a rising junior, at the front of an already strong Manalapan pack, which returns its top five, gives the Braves the firepower to be a contender for every major championship this season and be among the best teams in the state.
Abbott built a great resume at TRN the last two years.
Last fall, she ran 17:49 to win the Ocean County XC title, won the South Jersey, Group 4 title, dropped a Holmdel PR of 18:39 to place third in Group 4, and finished 12th at the Meet of Champions in 18:51.
Indoors last winter, Abbott ran 4:55.99 for 1,600 to place fifth at the Meet of Champions, won the 3,200 at the Ocean County and Shore Conference Championships, and captured the 1,600 at the South Jersey, Group 4 Championships.
This past spring, Abbott won the 1,600 and 3,200 at the South Jersey, Group 4 Championships, and ran 4:58.66 to place 7th in the 1,600 at the Meet of Champions.
