Skyland Recap: Ridge Boys Repeat, Hillsborough Girls Win

Feb 02, 2026

The Ridge boys repeated as champions and the Hillsborough girls returned to the top at the Skyland Conference Championships on Sunday at the Bennett Center in Toms River.

GIRLS RECAP

The Hillsborough girls made a powerful statement, capturing its first championship since 2023 with a dominant, well-rounded performance across sprints, distance events, and in the field as the Raiders rolled to a 101-75 victory over defending champion Ridge, 101-75.

Hillsborough's depth proved to be the difference, as athletes consistently placed near the top in multiple events. From explosive sprint finishes to strength in the throws and clutch relay execution, the Raiders showcased balance and resilience throughout the meet.

Senior Emma Stibitz played a major role in the title run, soaring to a meet record in the long jump with a huge PR of 18-0.50 (never hit 17 feet before), and she finished second in the 55 dash and the 400. Freshman standout Luciana Damiano continued her breakout season with a win in the 55 dash and a podium finish in the 400. In the hurdles, senior Stella Martinez delivered a championship performance, taking first place in the 55 hurdles with a PR of 8.63.

The field events were another key scoring area, led by junior Peyton Wallace, who captured the shot put title with a PR of 39-6, while teammates added crucial points behind her. Hillsborough capped off the meet in style by winning the 4x400 relay, sealing the championship and signaling a return to the top of the podium.

RED HOT 3200

Three of the four fastest time in NJ were run in this race as senior Lexie Mizzone of Voorhees led the charge with a winning time of 10:.42.22 , which is NJ No. 2 time this season. Mizzone won a thriller over senior Molly Domurat of Hunterdon Central, second in a NJ No. 3 time of 10:42.75. Rising star Jennifer Friedman of Ridge was third in 10:46.48, which is NJ No. 4. Look out for Friedman, her 10:46.48 makes her the seventh fastest freshmen in NJ inmdoor history!!!

Hillsborough Girls - Top 6 Finishers & Marks

Girls 400 Meter Dash

2. Emma Stibitz (12) - 1:01.20
3. Luciana Damiano (9) - 1:01.59

Girls 55 Meter Hurdles

1. Stella Martinez (12) - 8.63
3. Emma Burd (12) - 9.00

Girls 55 Meter Dash

1. Luciana Damiano (9) - 7.40
2. Emma Stibitz (12) - 7.46

Girls 800 Meter Run

2. Ava Lucariello (12) - 2:27.06
3. Jessica Reji (9) - 2:28.41

Girls Long Jump

1. Emma Stibitz (12) - 18-0.50

Girls Shot Put

1. Peyton Wallace (11) - 39-6
2. Daberechi Ozokpor (11) - 35-0.50
6. Isabella Ruffa (12) - 33-6

Girls 4x400 Meter Relay

1. Hillsborough HS - 4:10.61

BOYS RECAP

The Ridge boys track and field team continued its run of dominance, repeating as champions and securing the program's fifth overall title with another composed, high-scoring performance across the meet as the Red Devils outpointed runner-up Hunterdon Central,91-50.

Ridge's success once again came from balance and depth.

The Red Devils pick up 4 wins an piled up points in the distance races, sprints, hurdles, and field events, consistently putting multiple athletes into scoring positions. Their ability to finish strong in championship finals separated them from the rest of the field and confirmed their place as the top boys program once again.

Distance standout Owen James led the way as the junior won the 3,200 and placed second in the 1,600, while teammates added crucial points around him.

Senior Jake Dolan scored a big win in the 55 dash in 6.70, and Ridge also showed its strength in the jumps and vaults, led by senior Will Ligos and junior Jacob Medenilla. Ligos won the high jump (5-10) and placed second in the long jump with a 21-7.50, No. 2 in school history, and Medenilla won the pole vault by clearing 14-0 and was fourth in the LJ.

On the track, Ridge sprinters and hurdlers delivered when it mattered, including a championship performance in the 55-meter dash and double top-six finishes in the hurdles. Even in events without wins, Ridge's consistent presence in the top six kept the scoring momentum rolling throughout the meet.

By the final event, Ridge had done enough to lock up the team title, repeating as champions and adding yet another trophy to a growing tradition of excellence.