The 74th annual Eastern States Track and Field Championships at The Armory Track and Field Center in New York City was just what the West Orange High School track team needed.
After a tough experience at Saturday’s NJSIAA Meet of Champions, the Mountaineers rebounded with some strong performances led by junior Jared Mason.
Mason, fourth in the meet Saturday in 1:56.52, ran a 1:55.02 to place fourth. Head coach Joe Picataggio said he was very happy with Mason's effort.
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"He went out in 55.5 (for the first 400) and came back for 1:55.02, so I thought that was good," said Picataggio. "He ran a lot smarter, a lot more aggressively and I was happy to see that. It was a good day."
Christopher Columbus High School (N.Y.) junior Strymar Livingston, the national indoor record holder for the 600 meters, won the 800 in 1:54.05. Seton Hall Prep senior Justin Hill — who won the Meet of Champions 800 — finished second in 1:54.90 and Delsea junior Steven Butenewicz, went 1:55.00 for third.
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"The top four were separated by tenths of a second," said Picataggio.
The Mountaineers 4x400 team, which dropped out of contention in the Meet of Champions when leadoff man and junior Anfernee LaRue had the baton knocked out of his hands, ran well. LaRue, sophomore Karl Cajuste, senior James Cham and junior Dexter Valley combined to run a 3:27.90 for ninth. Valley anchored in 50 flat.
"It was very close to their personal best," said Picataggio, adding that the team's best is 3:26.8.
Senior Nia Barnes made the final round of the shot put and finished eighth with a 37 foot effort. Senior Sydney Grimes was 34th in 30-9.
Mason is scheduled to run in next week's nationals at The Armory. Barnes may also compete, the coach said.
