Area athletes will be trying to qualify for the Meet of Champions from the Group 2, 3, and 4 meets.
NJSIAA Group 2 and 3 championships, Northern Burlington HS
NJSIAA Group 4 championships, Egg Harbor Township HS
Friday, 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.
Voorhees loading up? The Vikings own the best time by seven seconds (7:54 to McNair Academic’s 8:01) in the Group 2 3,200 relay, and with only three Voorhees runners in open events – Chris Romero in the 1,600 and Maxwell Page and Joey Capone in the 800 – Friday night could be a big race for Voorhees. It’s possible that the Vikes will just run to assure a spot at the Meet of Champions – they’d have to fall down, more than once, not to, almost – but it’s also possible that, on a cool evening, the Vikings could go for a top time – sub 7:50? The thought is tantalizing.
14 feet and counting … Phillipsburg senior pole vaulter Cooper Bertoldo has been stuck on 14 feet for a while. And while a 14-foot jump at the Group 4 meet would very likely send Bertoldo to the Meet of Champions, we’re sure the Stateliner wants more, especially with old friends such as Bridgewater-Raritan’s Brandon Kong and Hunterdon Central’s David Bausmith in the competition; King has done 14-6 and Bausmith 14-1, and Bertoldo will want to follow. Princeton freshman Simon Schenk has the top seed at 14-7, but freshmen sometimes wilt under state-meet pressure. It’s all there for Bertoldo.
Gavin who? Sectional champ, that’s who. No longer will anyone be wondering who that North Hunterdon freshman is after Gavin Richards won the 1,600-meter run at the North 2 Group 4 sectional in 4:20.76, the No. 2 time in the lehighvalleylive region this spring. That time earned Richards a No. 6 seed at the state meet. He may need to run sub-4:20 to get an automatic Meet of Champions berth. Richards can do that. And more, probably; North distance runners excel at this meet, historically.
Romero ready. Voorhees’ dominant junior Chris Romero comes into the 1,600 Group 2 race as the No. 2 seed to Point Pleasant Boro’s Devin Hart (4:16.68 to 4:17.45) but that’s based on sectional times, and Romero has run 4:10.11, the best time in lehighvalleylive regional history. The question here is how much emphasis Voorhees will put on the 3,200 relay as the 1,600 is earlier Friday. If the decision is to load up the relay, Romero won’t go all out in the 1,600. If the decision to run a qualifying time, then Romero could go all out in the 1,600. If he does, look out. 4:08? 4:07?
Hackettstown high hopes. The Tigers aren’t seeded to get anybody to the Meet of Champions. Junior Max Cash is the best bet seed-wise in Group 2 at No. 7 in the javelin (160 feet, 10 inches). But keep an eye on sprinter Nathan Anzel. He did not have his best day at the North 2 Group 2 sectional. But if Anzel can equal his best 200 (22.43) or 400 (50.23) or even better drop them to 22 and 50, he’s got a reasonable chance to move on. The Tigers’ 1,600 relay (3:27) needs a drop, too, but, again, has a chance.
Martin faces hurdles to Meet of Champs. Phillipsburg senior John Martin faces some old foes in the Group 4 110 high hurdles, where he tied for the No. 5 seed at 14.46. The top three seeds, all from East Orange, led by the dazzling Cory Poole (13.69 at sectionals), topped Martin at sectionals, and No. 4 seed Christopher Jenkins of Frankin edged Martin at the Skyland Conference meet. No one is catching Poole, but a strong effort should send Martin through in an automatic spot. In such a hot race, it could be the day for Martin to break 14.40, too.
Memoli going for hurdle double. Voorhees junior Jack Memoli is seeded to make the Meet of Champions in both hurdles, No. 5 in the 400 intermediates at 56.07 and No. 6 in the 110’s at 14.93. He’s enjoyed a quietly excellent season and, having run his personal-bests in both races last week, may be peaking at the right time. Expect him to go under 56 seconds in the 400’s and around 14.80 in the high hurdles – punching two tickets for the Meet of Champions.
Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.