Winter Track Team Preps for Meet of Champions

If last weekend was a preview of things to come, then the future looks quite bright for the Cranford winter track team.

The Cougars qualified 10 individuals, three boys and seven girls, and the boys and girls 4x400 relay teams for Saturday's Meet of Champions at Toms River.

"It was our best indoor showing at the group meet since I've been at Cranford," said head coach Peter Kane. "I couldn't have asked for much more."

Junior Natalie Englese captured first place in the 400 in a time of 57.49 and was fifth in the 55 meter dash (7.79).

Senior Kelly Burke had a third place finish in the high jump with a mark of 4'10".  The Notre Dame-bound senior was also third in the 55 meter high hurdles (8.86). 

She didn't fare as well in the pole vault.

"Kelly no-heighted at sectionals in the pole vault," Kane said. "The week of snow messed up her training schedule and she was a little out of rhythm. It was tough at the time and Kelly is stronger and more motivated now than ever to get back to into her rhythm and jumping." 

Sophomore Gillian Burke had a sixth place finish in the 400 (64.0), and the 4x4 team of Kelly Burke, Englese and sophomore Kate Evans. Gillian Burke and Englese timed out in 4:16, as first State Sectional Champions.

In the group meet, Englese won the 400 in 59.28, a phenomenal feat, considering she was out of school three days with a stomach virus.

"Natalie was battling with a stomach virus all week," said Kane. "She got it on Saturday at the State Sectionals and fought it off during the meet. She couldn't warm up after the 400, she was turning greenish but would not scratch from any event."

"The great part about our girls is how competitive they are and how much they care about one another," he continued. "The lead-off three girls had to put Natalie in a position so that she could hold on and advance them to the top six to advance to the group meet.  The lead-off three put the team in second place and handed off to Natalie right behind Rahway. Natalie could have sat there behind Rahway and cruised to second and advanced but she is too competitive. Rahway has beaten us several times this year and she wasn't going to let it happen again."

With 150 meters to go Englese kicked it in to the next gear to blow past Rahway's Nichelle Harris and secure a State Sectional victory for the girls 4x4.

"After crossing the finish line she collapsed in tears and holding her stomach," Kane said. "It was an unbelievable moment to see her teammates pick her up and carry her back to our team and get her water. Our coaching staff was so proud of all four girls and impressed with Natalie's toughness."

On the boys side, sophomore Mike Zanfardino ran in the 1600 and finished sixth in 4:45.  Junior Mike Cassidy was fourth in the 3200 (10:22) and senior Jeff Sun finished fourth in the 800 (2:03). The boys 4x4 was led by sophomore Chris Witwick, senior Tyler Ainge, Jr., Dan Cleary, and Sun (3:43, fifth).

The girls had sophomore Megan Byrnes in the 3200 where she placed fifth (11:51) and junior Bridget Miller was third (11:44).

Miller has been outstanding, tearing up the track in workouts and meets so far this indoor season.

"She is consistent and tough," said Kane. "Bridget had a huge breakthrough for us last spring when she placed in the State Sectionals to help us win. Her 3200 was a pivotal point in that meet and she has not looked back since. She is our girls distance leader and helps make everyone around her better. Coach Johnson and her work very well together and we are all excited for the entire distance team to give us great balance this spring."

There's still more to be done at the Meet of Champions which takes place Saturday at Toms River. The boys meet and the boys and girls pole vault is set for noon, while the girls' meet will start at 3 p.m.