Vuojolainen and Gensib Advance in Track

For the third year in a row, Rebekka Vuojolainen will be competing in The Meet of Champions.

This year the Princeton High senior is thrilled to bring one of her teammates with her.

Vuojolainen and Elyssa Gensib both qualified for The Meet of Champions while competing at the Group III finals, held Friday and Saturday at South Plainfield High School. The top six finishers in each event advance to The Meet of Champions.

"I"m thrilled (Gensib also advanced)," Vuojolainen said. "We can use each other's support."

The Meet of Champions, which will decide the state's individual champions, will be held at Old Bridge on June 9.

Vuojolainen qualified in the pole vault by placing fifth at 10 feet. Mary Kennedy Moore also competed in the pole vault and placed eighth at 10 feet. The difference was the number of earlier misses.

Vuojolainen said both she and Moore qualified for The Meet of Champions in the pole vault in the winter. 

"The pole vault is a nerve-wracking event," Vuojolainen said. "It's such a mental event. You have to be confident you can make the height."

Vuojolainen also qualified to compete in the long and triple jumps at the Group III meet. She decided not to participate in the long jump to concentrate on the other two events. Vuojolainen was seventh in the triple jump at 34' 8". Madeline Lea was 10th in the triple jump (34' 4").

Elyssa Gensib placed fourth in the 3200 with a time of 11:03.72.

Jenna Cody (16th in 11:48.49) and Ameila Whaley (16th in 11:53.93) also competed in the 3200 for Princeton.

Michelle Bazille competed in the shot put and discus. She was 14th in the discus (100' 9") and 21st in the shot (31' 11").

Fortunately, the Princeton season will be extended a few more days.

"I'm really looking forward to The Meet of Champions," Vuojolainen said. "There's nothing else like it. These are the best girls in the state."