The Union Catholic girls continued their remarkable streak of dominance by extending their record to 11 straight team titles and the Elizabeth boys won their second straight championship at the Union County Relays on Saturday at the Jersey City Armory.
MINUTEMEN GO BACK-TO-BACK
The Elizabeth boys showed their depth and balance on their way to a 45-35 victory over runner-up Union Catholic.
The Minutemen were able to capture their second consecutive title and third in four years without winning an event. Elizabeth, who also won the title in 2022, scored in seven of the eight events, finished second in five events and third in two other events.
"Great attitude and effort from our athletes, and our coaches did a phenomenal job,'' said Elizabeth coach Austin Holman. "Jason Alvarez was our team MVP. He gave us the lead in 3 events, running a blazing leg in the shuttle hurdles, anD 50.8 SMR 400 leg, and 50.7 split in his lead off 4x400 leg. Newcomer of the day was Jaheed Thomas in the high jump, making 6-0 (tied for the best of the meet). Jaheed has had a great start to his senior season as a first time track athlete. Has been part our 4x200 and SMR teams. Special thanks to our coaching staff Coaches Williams, Penta, Sacca, Regha, Vaughn, Cordova and Castro.''
Elizabeth also received a strong anchor leg in the DMR from senior Max Bonilla, who was making his season debut. Bonilla is coming off a great XC season that was highlighted by victories at the Union County and North Jersey, Sec. 2 Group 4 Championships and a sub 16 time at Holmdel Park.
VIKINGS WIN 5 EVENTS, ROLL TO 11TH TITLE IN A ROW
There was never a doubt about the outcome of the girls competition as the UC Vikings hoisted up the team trophy for a mind-blowing 11th straight time after scoring a 64-38 victory over runner-up Oak Knoll.
UC, behind double-winner Morgan Holley and Taylor Cox, racked up five victories in the 8 events and threw down a NJ No. 1 time in the shuttle hurdles, and NJ No. 2 times in the 4x200 and sprint medley relay.
In the shuttles, Holley (8.6), Sydney Chadwick (7.7), Abriyah Thompson (8.5) and Cox (7.2) combined to run 31.79! Holley cleared a meet best 5-2 and Cox went over 4-10 to give UC the win the high jump. In the 4x200, Maya Wyche, Taylor Aska, Natalia Thompson and Jola Strayhorn teamed up to win in 1:41.46. Kendall Pittman, Jacqueline Williams, Jimmiea King and Paige Sheppard shared the baton on the victorious SMR (4:08.04), and the winning DMR featured Ella Solorzano, Kendall Aska, Jasmine Parran, and Emmy O'Hearn.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS
Oak Knoll broke a pair of meet records by running 9:43.31 to win the girls 4x800, which is the fourth fastest time in NJ this season, and the 4x400 in 4:04.45, also No. 4 in NJ this season.
Union had three guys throw beyond 47 feet in the shot put as senior Caleb Duvelson (48-5.50), Enoch Adeniran (47-7.75) and Babadara Olowe (47-0) combined on the victory.
Union Catholic won three boys races, the DMR (10:49.49), the shuttle hurdles (31.29) and the 4x800 (8:30.26.
The Oratory boys ran 3:41.57 to win the SMR, which is No. 9 in NJ this season.
