Girls’ spring track succeeds at Penn and GMC Relays

BY ERIN HELLHAKE

            The girls’ spring track team performed well in multiple events at the Greater Middlesex Conference Relays on May 3 and 4. The team’s 4×1600, 4×800, and high jump groups especially excelled at the meet.

            The two-day event took place at South Brunswick High School and consisted of many teams from around the county. On the first day, even in inconvenient conditions, the team prospered. Julia Garron, Gianna Tusso, Emily Walz, and Victoria Lobrow placed second in the 4×1600 relay. Coach Adrian Cline said, “We have a very strong group of girls that can form some very fast relays.”

            The high jump relay team, featuring athletes Lexi Lau, Kennedy Harden, and Kaien Russell, placed third. “This season we have done very well,” shared Harden. “Our team has been able to compete against high level teams at our meets, and we have done well.”

            On the second day, the 4×800 relay team, consisting of Riley O’Regan, Gianna Tuso, Julia Garron, and Victoria Lobrow, placed second. “Though the weather wasn’t ideal the first day, we made a comeback the second day and placed in almost every event,” said senior Riley O’Regan.

            Prior to the GMC Relays, the team competed in the 4×100 and 4×400 at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia in late April. The 4×400 team, Harden, O’Regan, Sophia Marrone, and Janna Adams, placed third in their section, received a medal, and improved their relay time to 4:14.33. “We were able to go to Penn Relays this year, which is a very competitive track meet for all levels,” said junior Harden. “I have been very proud of our team so far this season.”

            The spring track season started in early March, directly after the conclusion of the winter track season. The season, containing many of the same athletes as the winter track season, will end in mid-June. “Most of the team competed in winter track,” said Cline.

            The team practices with training to improve their personal and relay times and competes in numerous meets to prepare for the Greater Middlesex Conference Championships in May, then the state championships in June. “We all want to get a new personal record and do the best we can,” said freshman Maliha Nurendinoska.

            The remaining competition schedule this season includes the GMC Red Division Championships at St. Joes on May14, the GMC Championships at Old Bridge on May 24 and 25, the Group 4 Central Jersey Sectionals on June 3 and 4, the Group 4 State Championships on June 10 and 11, and the Meet of Champions on June 18. Cline shared, “We do have a very good group of athletes that are showing lots of promise. That is what’s great about track and field – there’s nothing stopping anyone from getting stronger and stepping up into new events. We are evolving every week.”

            The team has achieved many successes so far, but athletes regard that it’s not over yet. “So many people have been improving and setting personal records, and we’re not even in the championship season yet,” said senior Lobrow. “We have a really strong team this year; it’ll be hard leaving my team and the feeling of racing, but I know the memories will stick with me.”

Posted on 5/10/22

Photos by Lors Photography