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.