Okay, so now all the holiday hubbub has died down, people have already broken their New Year’s resolutions and the Jersey winter is again playing havoc with the indoor schedule. NJRunners asked a group of high school track and field athletes to complete the following sentence: “In 2011 I resolve to…” Their responses are below, some funny, some dead serious and about performance goals. Oh yeah, there are some resolutions from former NJ high school track and field athletes down the bottom of the article.
Anyone who wants to add their input to this list should find me on Facebook and send it. We’ll be sure to highlight new resolutions as we add them.
Joelle Amaral, Randolph, 4:52.29 1600, recovering nicely from hip injury
In 2011 I resolve to
1. Break 4:50 in the mile.
2. Make the most out of my last 6 months in high school
3. Rock the purple. :)
1. Break 4:50 in the mile.
2. Make the most out of my last 6 months in high school
3. Rock the purple. :)
Mackenzie Barry, Morris County XC Champion 2010 as a frosh who will be swimming this winter
In 2011 I resolve to keep in touch with my friends that I just reunited with, stay close with my friends I have now, be nicer to my brother, and keep up with running during this season while I am swimming.
Holly Bischof, Bishop Eustace, 18:09 at XC MOC at Holmdel in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to:
1. Run sub 5:00 in the 1600
2. Qualify for XC Nationals
3. Go to bed earlier
4. Stay healthy
Kevin Byrne Jr, Red Bank Catholic, 1:52.81 to win State Championship in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to help my team qualify for the DMR at the Penn Relays
Edward Cheserek, St Benedict’s, 2nd placer at NXN in 2010 with track PRs of 1:53.64/4:12.80 (full mile)/29:45 (10K)
Maintain the highest standards for myself and my performances.
Cullen Davis, North Brunswick, 16:04 for 7th in tough Group 4 at Holmdel 2010
I resolve to cure my senioritis.
Kyle Davis, North Brunswick, 4:19.75 1600 PR in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to stop drinking so much soda.
Claudia DiSomma, 4:45.57 for 1600 as a frosh in 2010, anchored US #3 (seasonal) sprint medley, recovering from a broken leg
In 2011 I resolve to...
1) Learn how to walk
2) Run again!
3) Cut my mile time down to 4:40!
1) Learn how to walk
2) Run again!
3) Cut my mile time down to 4:40!
Brittany Day, Northern Valley Demarest, Big North National Division 3200 Champion
In 2011 i resolve to...
1.) set new PRs in the 5k and 3200
2.) not get so nervous before races
3.) not be the last one off the starting line in every race I run!
1.) set new PRs in the 5k and 3200
2.) not get so nervous before races
3.) not be the last one off the starting line in every race I run!
Phillip Dowell, 23-2.5/46-2.75 long/triple jumper
In 2011 I resolve to jump 25+ feet and 50ft in the long and triple jump. I also want to help my teammates out in the relays this spring season, we plan to compete with the other ranked teams in the 4x4 around Bergen County since we lost 4 seniors from last years team. One more thing that I want to do is make my school, coaches, and the community proud and put Englewood back on the map.
Jeramy Elkaim, Livingston, 15:29 for 3rd at NJ XC MOC, NXN finalist
In 2011 I resolve to
1) Run a fast mile
2) Talk to my older brother more
1) Run a fast mile
2) Talk to my older brother more
Najee Glass, St Peter's Prep, 21.34/47.32 200/400 meter runner
In 2011, I resolve to train harder to be better than myself.
I was watching Universal Sports a few weeks ago and they were airing stories on past Olympic heroes and I happend to watch Dan Jensen's story. He won Gold in the Winter Olympics as a speed skater in 1994. One of the things he told himself after not being successful at previous Olympic Games was that he would stop trying to be better than everyone else and would train to be better than himself.
Last year, my goal was always to beat someone else's record or to beat this person or beat that person. I did that in some cases but I didn't always do better than my last performance or my best race. I lost a grip on my focus and my training and I kept getting hurt. I went to Singapore to represent the US - my dream - and I wasn't even in shape. I was hurt and only practiced for one week before stepping off the plane. I don't want that for Najee this year. I want to constantly improve my focus, my discipline, my strength, my speed. I know everything else will fall in order. This year, each time I step on the track I want to feel prepared and when I step off the track, I want to know that I've done my best.
Dana Giordano, Bernards, 2010 All-State XC
In 2011 I resolve to-
-PR in the 1600 and 3200
-Get into college
-Be more well spoken in interviews
-PR in the 1600 and 3200
-Get into college
-Be more well spoken in interviews
Tara Hanley, Chatham, 18:30 at Holmdel in NJ MOC 2010
In 2011 I resolve to go to bed earlier!!
In 2011 I resolve to go to bed earlier!!
Levi Jennings, Ridgewood, 16:21 Holmdel PR
In 2011 I resolve to "help make the rest of Bergen County scared of Ridgewood
Samantha Jones, Randolph, 18:28 at Holmdel in 2010, NXN finalist
In 2011 I resolve to:
- run consistently faster than last year
- help a relay place @ nationals
- run consistently faster than last year
- help a relay place @ nationals
Andrew Kirna, Westfield, 16:09 at Holmdel in 2010
In 2011, I resolve to become more dedicated to weightlifting at the gym.
Megan Lacy, Cherokee, Group 4 XC State Champion, #7 on all-time Holmdel list at 17:55
In 2011 I resolve to:
1) PR in all my events
2) survive my physics class
1) PR in all my events
2) survive my physics class
Kristen Landry, Mountain Lakes, 18:46 at Holmdel in 2010
In 2011 I plan to finish out my swim seasons strong and I plan to run more this winter than last year to have a great final high school outdoor season. Also, I want to have fun with the rest of my senior year.
In 2011 I plan to finish out my swim seasons strong and I plan to run more this winter than last year to have a great final high school outdoor season. Also, I want to have fun with the rest of my senior year.
Ben Malone, Pascack Valley, 16:02 soph at Holmdel
But in 2011, I resolve to hopefully make it through the winter in one piece, make it to the state Meet of Champs outdoors and be top sophomore in the state.
Mike Mazzaccaro, Christian Brothers Academy, PRs of 4:09.53/9:02.46/15:20(Holmdel)
In 2011 I resolve to give my best in all aspects of my life
Molly McNamara, Red Bank Catholic, 4:51.13 1600 runner and NXN finalist
In 2011 I resolve to help my distance medley relay to a first-place finish in the Championship of America race at Penn relays.
Stephen Ogochukwu Mozia, Hackensack, 59-9.5/ 177-9 shot/discus in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to have no regrets
Matt Nelson Barnegat
Improve on my endurance and make my coach proud.
Mike O'Dowd, Colts Neck, 15:59 at Holmdel in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to:
1) Run a fast mile and 2 mile
2) Win the 2011 Chocolate Milk Mile.
3) Always remember to bring a left AND right shoe to practice.
4) Beat my older brother's high school 4x4 split before I graduate.
1) Run a fast mile and 2 mile
2) Win the 2011 Chocolate Milk Mile.
3) Always remember to bring a left AND right shoe to practice.
4) Beat my older brother's high school 4x4 split before I graduate.
Morgan Cadwell Pearson, Delbarton, 15:39 at Holmdel in 2010, Footlocker finalist, dancer extraordinaire
In 2011 I resolve to
1) run a fast two mile time in the spring
2) learn how to dougie
1) run a fast two mile time in the spring
2) learn how to dougie
Ben Potts, Haddonfield, Group 2 XC State Champion; 15:43 Holmdel
In 2011 I resolve to have as much fun as possible in the rest of my senior year and also to teach the younger runners on our team everything I've learned about this sport.
Joe Cesar Rosa, West Windsor Plainsboro North,
1) Run faster than I did last year in every event.
2) Defend my Chocolate milk mile title and break the world record in July
2) Defend my Chocolate milk mile title and break the world record in July
Pat Rynkowski, Ridgewood, 15:59.1 at Holmdel in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to be on a relay team and get to Penn Relays. Let me know if you get the article out there.
Miles Schoedler, Ocean City, 4:15.76 to win Hispanic Games mile and grab a spot at Millrose
In 2011 I resolve to:
1) Run under 4:10 in the mile and under 9:10 in the two-mile
2) Marry T-Swift
3) Paint up for every Georgetown home basketball game
4) Show Morgan how to dougie
1) Run under 4:10 in the mile and under 9:10 in the two-mile
2) Marry T-Swift
3) Paint up for every Georgetown home basketball game
4) Show Morgan how to dougie
Brian Schoepfer, West Windsor Plainsboro South, PRs of 1:54.87/4:15.87/9:30.33/16:05 (Holmdel)
In 2011 I resolve to graduate from high school.
Paul Szulewski, Williamstown, 15:55 for 8th at XC MOC 2010
In 2011 I resolve to stay healthy.
Megan Tiernan, Washington, 57.80/2:09.56 as a soph indoors in 2010 (does not run XC or outdoors)
I resolve to not stress out about track and have fun. Sorry is it too late? I've been busy and stressing about track.
Blake Udland, Millburn, 4:18.69/9:23.41/16:12 (Holmdel)
In 2011 I resolve to stay healthy and reach the goals I have set for myself.
In 2011 I resolve to stay healthy and reach the goals I have set for myself.
Erika Veidis, Sparta, 55.11/2:08.57, ran 400 leg on US #3 (seasonal) Sprint Medley in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to:
- Run faster
- Sleep more
- Not get as nervous before races
- Not have mono during Meet of Champs
- Take my vitamins
- Relax
- Run faster
- Sleep more
- Not get as nervous before races
- Not have mono during Meet of Champs
- Take my vitamins
- Relax
Megan Venables, Highland Regional, Holmdel course record holder
Break 5:00 min in the mile and 17:00 in the 5k on the track.
Nick Sherwood Ward, Indian Hills, ran 15:21 for 2nd at Bergen XC MOC in 2010
In 2011 I resolve to make my parents proud both in school and in track, my main goal is to break 9:20 in the two mile. I also want to help my team get 1st team all county in the 4x800 and have us travel to Penn Relays for my 3rd year in a row and maybe even qualify for the Millrose Games. This is my last year of high school track and I want it to be a memorable one.
Robert Adrian Andrews, University of Virginia, ranked #9 in US for 800 meters by Track & Field News
In 2011 I resolve to train smarter than ever and listen to my body more attentively.
Gonna be a good year this 2011!
Gonna be a good year this 2011!
Ashley Higginson, Princeton University, ranked 5th in the US in the steeple this year
In 2011 I resolve to: Finish my thesis, graduate! PR in the steeplechase at NCAA nationals. In 2011 I resolve to - never be content and exceed my resolutions.
Mary Bohi, Villanova University, 1:01.49/2:11.56 400H/800 meters
In 2011 I resolve to PR in all my events throughout my freshman year and to maintain a positive attitude and to never doubt myself!
Michelle Brown, Notre Dame, 52.91 400 meter runner
In 2011 I resolve to PR in the 400m dash and have injury free and successful freshman year! In all, I want to exceed all my expectations of myself as both a competitive runner and a student.
Amanda Marino, Villanova University, finished 6th and 10th in NCAA XC the past two years
In 2011 I resolve to have more patience and to appreciate the moment before thinking about the future.
Tyler Udland, Princeton University, 3200 meter MOC champion and Footlocker finalist
In 2011 I resolve to do everything in my power to remain healthy and have successful competitive seasons.