Another outstanding performance from Columbia’s freshman phenom Olivia Baker led to a second straight Group 4 state championship on Friday and Saturday in Matawan.
It was the girls’ seventh Group 4 championship in school history, tying Glen Rock for the most by a public school.
Columbia posted 54 points, winning the group with a 10-point cushion on second-place Randolph.
Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Baker continued her amazing season, winning the 400 meter and 800 races, while leading off the winning 4x400 team. Baker also placed second in the 200.
Columbia’s freshman ran a personal and state best time of 54.46 in the 400 and then put up a 2:10.41 in the 800. Imani Coleman, Maya Hinton and Kiana Winston joined Baker in the 4x400 win, clocking in at 3:49.72.
Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Whitney Jackson finished behind Baker in the 200 with a 25.28, and also placed fifth in the 100 meter dash. Winston was just edged in the 100 hurdles by Jackson’s Chanel Rogers.
Kayann Richards ended her season on Saturday in the 100 meter hurdles. The defending state champ has battled through injuries since the indoor season and was unable to reach the finals after knocking into one of the hurdles and re-aggravated the injury.
All eyes will be on Baker, Jackson, Winston and the girls 4x400 team on Thursday at Old Bridge High School again for the Meet of Champions.
