Hillsborough Boys Relay Track Teams Save the Best for Last

At the start of the 2017 spring track season, not many would have thought multiple Hillsborough boys track relay teams would come together and grow into some of the best squads in the state and in the country. This year’s boys relay squads, including the 4 by 800 meters, 4 by 400 meters, and 4 by 100 meters were some of the most accomplished groups in recent memory.
The wonderful run was capped with an impressive win and meet record of 7:51.48 at the New Balance National Outdoor Track and Field Championship meet in Greensboro, North Carolina on Friday, June 16 in the boy’s 4 by 800 Meter relay race. The squad, consisting of Juniors Dominic DiNardi and Thomas DeLuca; and Seniors Mitchel Baron and Jeremy Shipley. This close-knit group of runners only started running this outdoor distance on May 26 at the Central NJ Group 4 Sectionals. During this string of additional races including the NJ Group 4 Championship and State Meet of Champions, the team’s times progressively dropped. At least one runner had a personal best in each of this string of races. The team came in third place in the New Jersey Meet of Champions and qualified to the Nationals Emerging Elite Championship. In his congratulatory note to the boys, former Hillsborough Boys Track Coach Robert O’Rourke noted he believed that this squad would break the longstanding Hillsborough Raider school record of 7:47.48 minutes if they only had a few more races.
Also running at the Nationals was HHS’ 4 by 400 meter relay squad consisting of Juniors Kennedy Penn and Thomas DeLuca; and Seniors Joe Bevilacqua and Jeremy Shipley. This 4 by 400 meter squad qualified for the most competitive Championship race and came in 24 overall with a time of 3.22 minutes. During the Central NJ Group 4 Sectional meet, they broke the school record for this relay distance with a time of 3:20.00 minutes.
According to Coach Eric Rosenthal, "It has been a phenomenal year for our runners, they worked hard and together as a team - and it is even more meaningful for seniors Baron, Bevilacqua, and Shipley to finish their senior year in such an amazing way." The parents, coaches and fans wish the graduating seniors the best as they move on and look forward to more excitement next year.

The 4 by 100 meter team also broke the Hillsborough High School record for this distance and qualified for the New Balance Nationals. This squad consisted of Juniors Christian Knief, Kennedy Penn, Thomas DeLuca and Tyler Boatwright.

Featured below is:

The 4x800 team of Jeremy Shipley, Mitchel Baron, Thomas DeLuca and Dominic Dinardi.

The 4x400 team of Thomas DeLuca, Joe Bevilacqua, Jeremy Shipley & Kennedy Penn.