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.
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