Track Teams Compete in State Competition

Westfield's runner-up at this weekend's North 2 Group IV track and field championship is exactly what longtime head coach Jack Martin wanted.

The Blue Devils scored 49 ½ points behind champion Franklin's 59 at Ridge High School. Junior Jon Henry led the way, winning the 800 meters in 1:54.84, finishing second in the 400 in 48.21 and anchoring the Blue Devils' first-place 4x400 team with senior Jhakyse Williams, senior Brian Henry (no relation) and senior Pat Gray that won in 3:21.00.

"We had a plan and we followed that plan,'' said Martin, whose team will now prepare for the NJSIAA State Group IV meet in Egg Harbor this coming weekend.

Henry should be right in the mix for state championships in his events, according to Martin.

"He's on his way,'' said Martin. "He's a hard-working kid. He can run anything from the 100 up.''

Henry might have been nipped by Franklin senior Clayton Gravesande 47.58-48.21, but held off the Warrior down the stretch in the 4x400.

"I guess you could say its redemption,'' said Henry, referring to his 400 showdown with Gravesande. "But I know it's not an actual race between me and him, so as a team effort I'm pretty satisfied with what we did.''

Westfield led Franklin through 13 events.

The Blue Devils will challenge the top Group IV teams around the state next weekend.

Senior Jhakyse Williams was third in the sectional meet in 11.11 in the 100 meters and Gray was third in the javelin in 180-10. Senior Dave Fishman was fourth in pole vault, clearing 12-foot-6.  Senior Connor Shields was fifth in the long jump in 20-11 and sophomore Mike DiPaola was fifth by clearing 5-foot-10 in the high jump. Senior Tyler Cusick was fifth in the 800 at 1:57.40

The top six in each event qualified for the state group meet. The top six in each event next week will qualify for the Meet of Champions. The objective for the blue Devils will be to send as many athletes as they can to that meet.

"I think Jon will have an excellent chance of winning the 800 and maybe the 400,'' Martin said.

The Westfield girls finished 10^th with 10 points as senior Claire Stevens-Haas cleared 10 feet in the pole vault to place second. Junior Ashley Edwards placed fifth in the 400 in 57.79.