2008 Winter Track Meet of Champions

Saturday’s Meet of Champions Indoor Track results provided an appropriate dénouement to what has been an unpredictable season, filled with prodigious achievements. One area performer finished first but unexpectedly it was not defending champion Mike Alleman of Scotch Plains Fanwood in the shot put, but fellow senior Adam Bergo of Westfield who took his first Meet of Champions title by winning the high jump.

Bergo equaled his personal best, set back in December at the Drew Invitational by leaping 6-8 and in doing so becomes the third Westfield athlete to win the event at the Meet of Champions, joining Kevin McGorty (1983) and Adam Wendel (2003). Bergo edged conference rivals Ameer Wright of Irvington and Afolabi Omole of Union as well as Chris Thomas of Pope John of Sparta who all leaped 6-6.

Bergo attempted to equal the school record of 6-10 ¼ set by McGorty in 1983 but missed at three attempts at that height after he had secured the victory. Bergo said that his victory came down to achieving better explosion off his last two steps.

Coach Jack Martin attributes much of the continued success of Westfield high jumpers to the expertise of Westfield jumping Coach Bill Mellott. “Bill coached Wendel and Bergo. He worked hard with both and deserves the credit all coaches do. He helped Adam smooth out some rough spots this winter,” said Martin.

Bergo won the NJSIAA North Jersey, Group 4, Section 2 meet with a leap of 6-6 and matched it last week at the Group 4 meet in finishing second to Carlos McKenzie of Paterson Eastside.

Bergo had another chance Tuesday to match the school record when he faced the best jumpers in the east at the Eastern States Championships in New York; Bergo is excited about the outdoor season and is hopeful that with better sprint workouts and weight training, he can continue to improve.

Alleman had another great performance throwing 63-3 1/4, nearly equaling his career best of 63-8 set last week. In every year since 1998, his efforts would have won the MOC, but this is not an ordinary year. Freshman phenom Nick Vena of Morristown bettered his national freshman record with a Herculean 66-0 ¼, the top throw in the country this season and fourth best in state history, In a nice gesture of sportsmanship Alleman shook Vena’s hand and joined everyone in applauding before his final record setting throw.

“I was very happy with my 63-3 1/4. All of my throws were well over 60 including three fouls, one of which was close to 65. I was happy with my whole series. It was my best set of throws ever,” said Alleman.

Alleman never expected that breaking 63 feet would put him nearly three feet behind. I didn't think 63 would necessarily be the winning throw but I did think it would be a lot closer,” said Alleman, who knows that he has to continue to focus on only his throws and not what his rival is doing.

“I try to only worry about myself, but at the same time I do have to keep what he does in the back of my mind. If he makes a big throw, I try to keep it in the back of my mind so that it motivates me to throw better, “said Alleman, who looked forward to his next meeting with Vena.

“Tuesday should be a lot of fun, I love competing against Nick whether I win or lose. There will be lots of competition at the Easterns because there will also be good throwers from other states there,” said Alleman.

Like last week, Alleman was also pleased with the continuing improvement of fellow Raider senior Carlaya Jones who enhanced her school record with a personal best throw of 40-2 ¼, good for sixth place.

“Carlaya really stepped up, that was the first time she ever broke 40, and she also broke her own school record. I'm real excited for her,” said Alleman.

2008 Winter Track Group Championships

Another meet. Another stirring battle between the rookie and the veteran more records and the promise of something even better next week. And another Group 3 title for senior Mike Alleman of Scotch Plains Fanwood. For the sixth time this indoor season, Alleman met freshman phenom and national record holder Nick Vena of Morristown and for the fifth time Alleman won, unloading a personal best throw of 63-8 ½ to edge Vena who threw 62-7 ½.

Alleman, broke the Group 3 record of 61-6 ½ set in 1993 by Tyrone Garland of Matawan with the eighth best indoor throw in state history and the second best in the nation this season. Alleman's avenged his only loss this season which came in his previous meeting against Vena, in another stirring battle in New York. The two throwers clearly bring out the best in each other.

“Nick is a big reason for my big improvement this year. He is a great competitor and I love competition, and knowing that I have to be at my best to beat him. Without him there’s no way I would be doing what I am doing,”‘said Alleman, whose previous best was 62-1.

Although he has been the dominant thrower in NJ the past two years, Alleman came into the meet with something to prove. “After losing to Nick in NY, it definitely lit a fire inside of me. After that meet I really got back to work and changed a few things that really helped me to win the groups,” added Alleman who will face Vena again this Saturday when Alleman defends his Meet of Champions title.

``I think it will be another great competition again next week and it could take an even bigger throw to win,” added Alleman.

Alleman grabbed a big lead on his third throw of the trials, which was part of his strategy. “Going through the meet all I'm really thinking about is staying ahead of Nick. Once I was ahead of him I wanted to try and create separation between us. I just tried to stay relaxed and loose,” said Alleman

Always the consummate team player, Alleman was equally thrilled for fellow senior Carlaya Jones, who threw a personal best of 38-11 ¾ for third place.

“Carlaya really stepped it up Her knee was killing her the whole time. She couldn't even do her exchange when she threw. But she's a competitor and was able to pull one out and get a good seed for the MOC,” said Alleman, who helps coach the other throwers while weight coach Ken Hernandez is occupied, coaching the wrestlers.

Raider senior Erin Rossi finished tenth in the shot put.

Almost joining Alleman in the winners circle was senior Adam Bergo of Westfield, who jumped 6-6, the same as winner Marcus McKenzie of Patterson East Side, but a miss by Bergo in his first attempt at 6-2 made the difference.

“Adam has had a great season and had an excellent series. He will have a very high seed at the Meet of Champions and we expect him to do very well there, too,” said Westfield Coach Jack Martin.

Just missing the MOC was senior Alex Tarlow, who finished seventh in the 800 with a time of 1:59.35.

2008 Winter Track Section Championships -Cranford

After a mid winter hiatus in which they skipped the Union County championship meets to save their legs from an awful running surface, the Cranford track teams began their push for state indoor championships at the inaugural state sectional meet which was held at the Jersey City Armory. Additionally, today will be a Pole Vault only day in Toms River at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River.

“Our section is tough, with top teams of Voorhees, Chatham, Governor Livingston, Johnson, and Summit amongst others,” said Coach Tim Styler.

While the Cougars figure to perform well, their real strength will show itself outdoors when several jumping events are added. “While the Indoor track meets definitely do not play to our field strengths, we are very happy to see our

girls spread themselves out to score points where we can. We work hard at practice finding new events for people and working to get better at them,” said Coach Pete Kane.

Senior Erin Hannen and junior Joy Hanke lead the deep group of distance runners. Freshman Natalie Englese has been one of the pleasant surprises of the indoor season and continues to improve.

“Natalie is a very talented athlete that will break many records in her career here at Cranford. Beyond her athletic ability Natalie is a great kid. She is positive and fun at practice and meets and the other girls took her in very quickly for that. She is

a very strong addition to our team,” said Kane.

After battling illness earlier in the winter, last year’s freshman sensation Kelly Burke is rounding into form. Burke has already broken the school triple jump record this year and is also a fine pole vaulter. Junior Lilas Human broke the indoor school Pole Vault record at 10'0 and will be a top contender. Claire Human and Jessica Phennes-Fenney also figure to score points in the hurdles.

While some coaches would not be happy with the large gap in meets, Styler sees a silver lining.

“We've taken a slightly longer layoff of racing since our last meet and

the sections. However with such a small team the rest has given the kids an opportunity to heal, focus on other events that we haven't spent as much time on, get some quality workouts in and attend to their Mid-Terms,” said Styler who is heading up a committee to try and move the county meets away from Dunn Athletic Center in Elizabeth.

“We are making a lot of progress in moving the meets from Dunn. We are organizing the coaches and plan to have a Coaches Association meeting before the

start of the outdoor season. The meet was actually moved on paper for the individual meet to Jersey City. According to the meet directors and others, this is more than likely the last year we will be in the Dunn Center,” said Styler.

2008 Winter Track Section Championships

Scotch Plains Fanwood High School’s two outstanding senior shot putters, Mike Alleman and Carlaya Jones warmed up for tougher competition they will face this weekend with victories Monday night in the inaugural State Indoor Sectional Championships at the Jersey City Armory.

Alleman, who swept the Meet of Champions both indoors and outdoors last year and is one of the great clutch throwers in state history faces the unusual role of being underdog to freshman sensation Nick Vena of Morristown, who took over the national shot put lead with a throw of 63-2 ¾ and handed Alleman his first loss last Monday night in an invitational meet in New York. In suffering his only defeat to Vena, Alleman also established a career best with a 62-4 throw and seems motivated by the freshman wunderkind, who was recently featured in Sports Illustrated.

“It’s exciting to throw against him. We both make each other better,” said Alleman,who unloaded a 60-5 to win his specialty in Group 3.His next matchup with Vena takes place in the state Group 3 meet on Sunday at the Bennett Center in Toms River.

Led by Alleman, the boys finished fourth with 27 ¼ points, well behind conference for Irvington which had 76, mostly in the sprints. and Millburn, which dominated the distances for its 62 points

Junior Martin Sweeney, Scotch Plains placed fourth in the 1600 in 4:37.74 and seniors Pat Doliber (10:08.60) and Dan Sapienza (10:15.05) finished fourth and fifth in the 3200 meter run.

Junior Louvan Powell qualified third in the high jump with a 5-10.leap and Larry Dent also placed, tying for sixth with 5-4. Junior Matt McQuoid grabbed the final qualifying spot in the shot put with a sixth place throw of 40-6 1/2.

In the girls contest, Jones, the defending Group 3 outdoor sectional champion added the indoor title with a throw of 36-3 ¼. Jones will be a decided underdog this Sunday against one of the state’s top duos DeAnne Hahn and Lisa Stuto both of Brick, who each exceeded 41 feet this past weekend.

Led by Jones, the Raider girls were third with 37 well behind winner Ridge, which scored 112. Senior Erin Rossi, who was injured most of the winter, gave the team a big lift with a 33-3 for third in the shot put.

Junior Brittney Veeck was the team’s top scorer, unleashing her finest distance double to date, finishing second in both the 800 meters (2:26.82) and the 1600 (5:29.72).Senior Cathy Harley ran a strong 12:06.04.to qualify fourth in the 3200 meter run. The Raiders’ 1600 meter relay also placed sixth in 4:23.36.

Showing their usual balance, the Westfield boys were fourth in a powerful Group 4 meet with 32 points. Leading the team was senior Adam Bergo who had the top mark of any section and will be the top seed in the high jump with his 6-6.effort, just below his career best of 6-8.

In the 800 meters, the Blue Devils qualified two runners senior Alex Tarlow fourth in2:02.62.and sophomore Josh Einbinder sixth in 2:04.69.Senior Evan Friedman, Westfield held on for third in the 1600 meter, running 4:39.28. Westfield displayed its usual strength in the pole vault with Danny Markowski third in 11-0. and Tim Woods, tied for fourth in 10-0. The Blue Devils’ 1600 meter relay ran 3:37.29 for fifth.

The Westfield girls finished with ten points in a tough Group 4 meet. Sophomore Lisa Nehring, Westfield finished fifth in the 800 with a 2:29.26, sophomore Claire Stevens-Haas placed fourth in the pole vault (9').and the 1600 meter relay of Christina Obiajulu, Ashley Edwards, Cat Cognetti and Tessa Schaaf was fourth in 4:17.83. Last Friday at the Collegiate Invitational at the Armory the 4 by 800 team of Schaaf 2:24.7, Rose Driscoll 2:31.6, Nehring 2:27.1 and Cognetti 2:23.7dropped their time to 9:47.3 in an effort to earn a spot at the Eastern States Championships.