On Friday night at the John Bennett Indoor Complex in Toms River Niamh Hayes of Howell won the Monmouth County 1600 meter championship with an indoor PR and NJ#2 time of 5:04.14. This was Hayes' opening race for individual competition this season after previously participating on some successful relays.
Photo Album by Mae Kellert
Making the time even more impressive is that the victory came after being sick and out of school the two days prior. This isn't her first county championship either, she won the 3200 meter event two straight years in 2015 and 2016 and plans on returning focus to that distance as the season moves along.
After missing last year's state season due to illness she has her eyes set on competing well at the NJSIAA level. Before she had to bow out early in 2016 she had an undefeated season going with three wins in the 3200 meter and one in the 1600 meter. Her last indoor victory came at Sectionals where she ran an 11:11.61.
Hayes was fifth at the 2016 spring Meet of Champions in the 3200 meter with a 10:37.72 and finished sixth at the Meet of Champions this past cross country season.
Top Six Finishers - Full Results
| GIRLS 1,600 METER RUN FINALS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLACE | ATHLETE | TEAM | RESULT | WIND | H# | |
| 1 | Niamh Hayes | 12 | Howell HS | 5:04.14 | 1 | |
| 2 | Madison Brand | 11 | Middletown South HS | 5:09.03 | 1 | |
| 3 | Colleen Megerle | 10 | Colts Neck HS | 5:09.61 | 1 | |
| 4 | Amanda Stone | 10 | Monmouth Reg. HS | 5:09.63 | 1 | |
| 5 | Rachel Kenny | 11 | Matawan Reg. HS | 5:14.36 | 1 | |
| 6 | Nora Honrath | 12 | St. John Vianney HS | 5:17.84 | 1 | |