Track & Field: LHS Sets National Record

The Livingston boys track team made history on Friday afternoon in the boys distance medley race at the NJSIAA State Relays, running the fastest time of any team this season in the nation.

The Lancers, who were represented in the event by junior Nick Fogarty and seniors Tyler DaSilva, David Coleman and All-American Jeremy Elkaim, were out to prove themselves as they went up against teams from across the state, including North Brunswick, Westfield and Freehold.

The team finished with an official time of 10:23.36 in the event, which was recognized as the fastest recorded time in the United States all season. The Lancers' time also shattered the previous meet record set by Jackson Memorial back in 2007.

The team and Elkaim's success on the track this season is no surprise to one-time LHS Girls Track Captain Mariah Emering, who ran alongside Elkaim for three seasons before graduating last year. "He works hard and is dedicated to his sport and to his team," said Emering.

For those unfamiliar with the distance medley, the race is the ultimate test of speed and endurance as it is a series of relays in which four participants per team run different distances. The first runner must run 402 meters and the distance increases for the next two runners. The race culminates with the final runner, who in this case was Elkaim, making a 1609 meter dash to the finish line.

Livingston's record-shattering victory is impressive in its own right, but the difficulty that comes with the distance medley race only adds to the team's amazing feat. "It's hard because it incorporates a variety of distance races. Each is challenging in its own way and requires speed," said Emering. "It's brutal but awesome to watch at the same time."

In other events at the championships held in Toms River, senior Andy Jung took home second place in the Group 4 Boys Pole Vault Relay, while teammate Michael Lazar finished ninth. The team of Shane Molzer, Mark Battista, Tyler DaSilva and Dan Chi placed second in the 200 meter relay, as well.

As a team overall, the Lancers placed third in the meet and were tied with Dickinson for the nine events that were scored.

NJRunners.com has the complete results from Friday's meet available here.

The new few weeks figure to be a busy time for the entire LHS Track team. The boys varsity team will travel to New York next Saturday to compete in the 16th Annual New Balance Games. A start time for the meet has yet to be announced.

On Monday, Jan. 24, both the boys and girls varsity squads will be in action when they compete at the Varsity State Distance Medley in. The meet is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.