The one indisputable fact about today's Meet of Chmpions at the Old Bridge T & F Complex is that it will be scorchingly hot. Tempatures close to 100 degrees this afternoon are predicted.
The competition will be just as hot as the elite of the elite of NJ High School Track & Field will lace 'em up for the BIG ONE. NJRunners will be at Old Bridge today to bring you as much of the exciting action as possible. Come on back often to check it out.
If your going to the meet, please be sure to dress comfortably for the heat and stay hydrated.
We are here in Old Bridge and the only thing I can say is, I'm glad we're not playing football. I walked across the football field to the press tent and was melting at the 50 yard line. The NJSIAA has made provisions to keep the competitors as comfortable as possible with water / misting stations and access to indoor areas with A/C.
After the presentation of the colors and a great rendition of the National Anthem by the acapella group Evolution, we are just about ready to get underway.
Jermaine Collier (Trenton Central) wins the days first running event, the 400m Hurdles with a 52.78. 2nd was John Porteus of Wood-Ridge at 52.93
We are still waiting on the Girls 400H results. Some very close finishes in the last 2 heats of that event
In the Girls race, Ashley Woodards of Delsea wins by 1/100 of a second over Sparta's Jen Silvestri 62.59 to 62.60
East Brunswick just nipped Oakcrest at the line of the Boys 4x100, but there may be a DQ.
Patrick Rono (Lyndhust) begins his kick with 200m to go and wins in 4:09.9 . Stephen Lewandowski ( Mtn. Lakes) is 2nd followed by Tim Ball (Piscataway)
Splits: 64.6 / 63.8 / 62.5 / 59.2
The 100m Trials are on the track now. Boys qualifiers are now posted below.
Note: We were just told that Patrick Rono who just won the 1600m will be coming back in the 800m later today.
In the Girls 1600m, Joelle Amaral goes to the front and runs largely unchallenged to win in 4:53.high (un). Claudia DiSomma, the 2010 winner was second.
Splits (Courtesy of Joe Lanzalotto)
Amaral: 69.3 / 72.4 / 77.8 / 74.0
DiSomma: 70.2 / 73.8 / 79.1 / 76.3 - 4:59.4
Patrick Rono completes the "JR" Double as he comes from off the pace to win the 800m in 1:50.XX
In a mild upset, Erika Veidis (Sparta) overtakes Molly MacNamara (RBC) to win the 800m i 2:12.xx (very un)
Najee Glass (St. Peter's Prep) blazes 46.43 MR to win the 400m
From the Field, Another minor upset as Rob Weimer (Montgomery) wins the HJ over Summit's Mark Jones. Both @ 6-8
Super Frosh, Olivia Baker, finishes her steller NJ season with the win in the 400m
Kaleb Zuidema continues his dominance of the Jaelin Throw in NJ with the win on a toss of 213-02
A new MR is set in the Girls Shot Put as Theresa Picciallo throws 47-05.5 for the championship
Dominique Irons of Haddon Heights set a new Soph Class record as he wins the TJ with a leap 48-04
Results, especially from the Field are coming in jh0t and heavy as we are on the cusp of a possible weather delay. Stay tuned!
In a pretty incredible turn of events, the seeded section of the Boys 3200m was stopped during the 7th lap of the race.
The race was being led by the Rosa Brothers with Morgan Pearson running gamely just a couple of steps behind.
Not sure what the outcome will be of the aborted race. The race was headed towards an 8:40ish finish. More to come.
The Meet has been closed down for tonight. Details to follow
So, with no power and rain coming down like it;s time to build an Ark, I;m packing up and heading home. We will be posting photos and some audio later. tonight.
LIVE RESULTS
Boys 3200m Run
Girls 3200m Run
Boys 4x400m Relay
Girls 4x400m Relay
Girls Pole Vault
Boys Pole Vault
Boys LongJump
Girls Triple Jump
Boys Shot Put
Wheelchair Discus, Discus, Javelin (Mixed)
Girls Javelin