Bernstein to Compete for Monmouth Track Team

Success is nothing new for Montville High's Taylor Bernstein, whether it's on the field, track or mat, the monster Mustang has found a way to blow past the competition.

Bernstein, who finished third in the state at 215 pounds this winter and was named team MVP on the football team this fall, continued his winning ways in the spring compiling monster stats in the shot put resulting in a fourth overall finish in the Meet of Champions and All-American honors.

“Aside from a perfect attitude, a tremendous work ethic and a desire to win like I’ve never seen, he hasn’t shown me much,” Montville track head coach Anthony SanFilippo joked. “Honestly, I’ve never met or coached anyone who lives to compete like this kid.”

With his competitive drive in full force, Bernstein stepped up to do what no other Montville track star has ever done, as he finished sixth overall at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.

“When you’re on that kind of stage, a lot of people tend to struggle with the pressure and don’t fair too well, but he just seems to step up to it,” SanFilippo said. “He threw within an inch of his career best, and that’s what made the difference between him medaling and coming home empty.”

But with all of the accomplishments aside, Bernstein’s work ethic and drive have not only paid divends for himself, but for the entire team.

“He pushed the entire team,” SanFilippo said. “We have a team of about 22 throwers, and they all follow his lead. All of the kids want to be like him and they use his example as a way to push them forward. Over the course of my six years at Montville, I’ve never seen anyone flock to one kid, like they do to Taylor.

He just has this attitude that says, ‘I’m not going to lose, you’re not going to beat me and I’m going to give you everything I’ve got.’ As a coach you have to admire and respect a kid like that. He’s left us a great legacy and a great example for our young kids to follow.”

But the star senior wasn't done yet, as Bernstein headed to the USA Track and Field Youth Outdoor Nationals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in June and added to his impressive resume with two top three finishes.

First, Bernstein finished second overall in the Young Men's Division shot put (17-18 year olds) with a throw of 57-feet-7-inches, followed by a third place finish in the discuss with a toss of 157-feet-7-inches. Both finishes earned Bernstein All-American honors.

“It’s really exciting to be able to go out there and compete with some of the best kids in the nation,” said Bernstein, who added that he plans to compete in track as a freshman at Monmouth University and possibly play football in his sophomore year. “I’d like to hopefully get a GPA of 3.5, and I’m hoping to go in and be the best thrower in that school by the time I’m a senior and be named an All-American."