Hopatcong Girl Fights at Group Championships

Courtney Macaluso had quite a run.

Though Hopatcong High School doesn't have a winter track program, Macaluso raced her way to last weekend's NJSIAA winter track championships. The junior set personal bests in the 400-meter run a 55-meter dash at the Toms River meet.

Macaluso thanked special education teachers McKenzie Norris and Kathy LaRosa for acting as her coach during the state meets. NJSIAA rules stipulate that athletes couldn't perform solo; they need coaches. Norris and LaRosa each served as Macaluso's de facto coaches at the star's biggest races of the year.

Macaluso finished in 1:02.47 in the 400, good enough for 11th place. The Chief was in dead last at the 200-meter mark, but saved her energy, blowing past the pack in the final lap to win her each by more than a full second.

Macaluso ran a 7.68 in the 55, landing 16th—just .16 seconds from qualifying for the finals.