Central Regional Girls Track Team 'One of the Best' Coach Says

Boosted by fine early season performances that include a 3-0 record in dual meets in Shore Conference B South and the team title in the Art Madric Meet in Delaware, Central Regional's girls track team is eagerly preparing for the heart of the season that starts on Friday with the Ocean County Relays.

"I expected the team to do well, but they're outperforming teams,"  coach Mark Haug said.

The Golden Eagles are bidding for their fourth consecutive division title this week with a triangular meet against powerful Manchester and Lacey. The team also came in third in the Rebel Relays early in the season, despite missing a number of members.

"The throwers have come a long way," Haug said. "We're better than last year as a whole, more rounded. We do not rely on a couple of people. We scored in every event in the Delaware meet. This is one of the best teams I've seen here in my seven years. Everyone has performed."

Junior Sam Jensen has gotten off to a solid start this season. Jensen worked her way back into shape from a broken ankle suffered during soccer season to medal at the NJSIAA indoor track and field Meet of Champions in the high hurdles. In the Art Madric Meet, she won the 100 meters in :12.8 and the 100 hurdles in :54 in the Art Madric Meet.

Kelly Smith has also come on strong and won the pole vault and high jump in that meet. Ashley Bernuth, a junior who won the long jump in the Delaware meet, at 15-7, also has reached 33 feet in the triple jump and runs the 400 hurdles well.

Danielle Berrios has led the deep group of throwers and has cracked 30 feet in the shot put and 100 feet in the discus. She has gone beyond 103 feet in the javelin. Ashley Bernuth, a junior who won the long jump in the Delaware meet, at 15-7, also has reached 33 feet in the triple jump and runs the 400 hurdles well.

As for distance running events, Sam Farina has led the way in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

Haug expects his team to continue to improve individually as they gear up for the upcoming meets after this weekend's county relays, followed by the Ocean County, (individuals) Shore Conference and state meets.