Group 1 SJ Sectionals

@ Bennet Center (the bubble)

1519 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753

• Make sure that you have all of the following in your “meet bag”
  • Competition shoes (spikes, etc…)    1/8” only.  Coaches will have spikes.
  • Matching top and shorts for the 4x400!  Let’s try not to find matching uniforms while at the meet.
  • Coaches will have batons.
  • Dress warmly, in case the heat in the bubble is not on.
  • Food -  pack something you can eat on the way up, or while at the meet.  Make sure it is something you feel comfortable eating right before competition.  Now is not the time to try something new!
  • Money for lunch – we may stop at Wawa on the way home.
• Time Schedule
  • All athletes should arrive at the Sylvan Lake entrance of school by 6:30 AM.
  • Bus will leave around 6:30 AM.
  • Members of the team not competing are encouraged to attend – however those competing must get seats on the bus and once the bus is filled, it is filled.
  • Spectators are always welcome to drive down to the bubble, but athletes competing should take the bus.  In extenuating circumstances they can be driven to the meet by a parent, but this should be clearly communicated to Coach Russo well in advance.
  • As always, you can leave the venue early with a parent, if an email has been sent to Mr. Russo in advance.
  • We expect the meet to be over between 2 and 3 pm and you should be home around 4. 

Order of Events

All events start at 9:00 am

• Shot Put -  Will start at 9:00am.  The event will be contested in flights and will take place in the Intermediate School Gym.  Group 1, then Group 4.  
• High Jump – Will start at 9:00am.     Opening height is expected to be 4’2”.  Group 4, then Group 1.  
• Pole Vault – Will start at 9:00am.  Open height is expected to be 7’.  Group 1 then Group 4 may mix groups. 

Running Events (slower heats will run first) -  Approximate times are listed. 

• 9:00 am  Small Group Girls 400,   Large Group Girls 400
• 9:15 am  Small Group Boys 400,   Large Group Boys 400   
• 9:35 am Small Group Girls 1600m,  9:50 am Large Group Girls 1600m
• 10:05 am  Small Girls 55HH Trials,  Large Girls 55HH Trials
• 10:25 am  Small Boys 55HH Trials,  Large Boys 55HH Trials   
• 10:50am  Small Group Boys 1600m,  11:05pm  Large Boys 1600m  
• 11:20 am  Small Girls 55m HH Finals,  Large Girls 55m HH Finals
• 11:30 am Small Boys 55m HH Finals,  Large Boys 55m HH Finals
• 11:40 am Small Girls 800m,  Large Girls 800m
• 12:00 pm Small Girls 55m Dash Trials, Large Girls 55m Dash Trials
• 12:20 pm  Small Boys 55m Dash Trials,  Large Boys 55m Dash Trials
• 12:40pm   Small Boys 800m,  Large Boys 800m
• 1:00pm   Small Girls 55m Dash Finals,  Large Girls 55m Dash Finals
• 1:05 pm   Small Boys 55m Dash Finals,  Large Boys 55m Dash Finals
• 1:10pm   Small Girls 3200
• 1:25pm   Small Boys 3200m
• 1:40 pm  Small Girls 4x400m Relay,  Small Boys 4x400m Relay
• 2:10pm  Large Girls 3200m
• 2:38pm  Large Boys 3200m   
• 3:05pm  Large Girls 1600m Relay,  Large Boys 1600m Relay

Group 1 State Relays

@ Bennet Center (the bubble)

1519 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753

• Make sure that you have all of the following in your “meet bag”
  • Competition shoes (spikes, etc…)    1/8” only.  Coaches will have spikes.
  • Matching top and shorts with all of your relays!  Let’s try not to find matching uniforms while at the meet.
  • Coaches will have batons.
  • Dress warmly, in case the heat in the bubble is not on.
  • Food -  have a good breakfast for the bus, you may want to bring some snacks for between competition.
  • Money for lunch – we may stop at Wawa on the way home.
• Time Schedule
  • All athletes should arrive at the Sylvan Lake entrance of school by 6:15 am
  • Bus will leave around 6:30.
  • Members of the team not competing are encouraged to attend – however those competing must get seats on the bus and once the bus is filled, it is filled.
  • Spectators are always welcome to drive to the bubble, but athletes competing, not riding the bus, must be driven by a parent and this must be clearly communicated to Mr. Russo in advance.
  • As always, you can leave the venue early with a parent, if an email has been sent to Mr. Russo in advance.
  • We expect the meet to be over around 1:30pm and to be home around     3:30 pm. 
• “What’s Important Now?”
  • Sleep, eat and be happy! 
  • Make sure your bag is packed and your alarm is set. 

Order of Events

All events start at 9:00 am

• Shot Put -  Will start at 9:00 am.  The event will be contested in flights and will take place in the Intermediate School Gym. 
• High Jump – Will start at 9:00 am.   Opening height is expected to be 4’. 
• Pole Vault – Will start at 9:00 pm.  Open height is expected to be 7’. 

Running Events (slower heats will run first) -  Approximate times are listed. 

• 9:00 am  Girls Distance Medley (1200 – 400 – 800 – 1600)
• 9:30 am Boys Distance Medley  
• 10:00 am  Girls Shuttle Hurdle Relay
• 10:15 am  Boys Shuttle Hurdle Relay  
• 10:35 am  Girls 800m Relay (4 x 200m)
• 11:20 am  Boys 800m Relay (4 x 200)    
• 11:50 am  Girls 3200m Relay ( 4 x 800m)
• 12:05 pm  Boys 3200m Relay (4 x 800m)  
• 12:25pm  Girls Sprint Medley Relay (400 – 200 – 200 – 800)
• 12:45 pm  Boys Sprint Medley Relay ( 400 – 200 – 200 – 800)  
• 1:05 pm  Girls 1600m Relay (4 x 400m)
• 1:20 pm Boys 1600m Relay (4 x 400m)  

Group 1 State Meet

@ Bennet Center (the bubble)

1519 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753

• Make sure that you have all of the following in your “meet bag”

  • Competition shoes (spikes, etc…)1/8” only.Coaches will have spikes.

  • Matching top and shorts for the 4x400!Let’s try not to find matching uniforms while at the meet.

  • Coaches will have batons.

  • Dress warmly, in case the heat in the bubble is not on.

  • Food -have something to eat for dinner, especially for those of you competing later on at night.  

  • Money for dinner – we may stop at Wawa on the way home.

• Time Schedule

  • Athletes will be dismissed from class at 12:30.

  • Bus will leave around 1:00 pm.

  • Members of the team not competing are encouraged to attend.

  • Spectators are always welcome to drive down to the bubble, but athletes not competing must be driven by a parent and this must be clearly communicated to Mr. Russo in advance.

  • As always, you can leave the venue early with a parent, if an email has been sent to Mr. Russo in advance.

  • We expect the meet to be over around 8:30 pm, we should be home around 10:00pm.

Order of Events

All events start at 4:00 pm

• Shot Put -  Will start at 4:00pm.  The event will be contested in flights and will take place in the Intermediate School Gym.  Group 1, then Group 4.

• High Jump – Will start at 4:00 pm.   Group 4, then Group 1.  Expect opening at 4’8”.

• Pole Vault – Will start at 4:00 pm.  Group 1, then Group 4    Expect opening at 7’

Running Events (slower heats will run first) -  Approximate times are listed.  

• 4:00 pmSmall Group Girls 400,   Large Group Girls 400

• 4:15 pmSmall Group Boys 400,  4:24 pm   Large Group Boys 400   

• 4:30 pm Small Group Girls 1600m,    Large Group Girls 1600m

• 4:50 pmSmall Girls 55HH Trials,  Large Girls 55HH Trials

• 5:10 pmSmall Boys 55HH Trials, Large Boys 55HH Trials   

• 5:25 pmSmall Group Boys 1600m,  5:32 pm  Large Group Boys 1600m  

• 5:45 pmSmall Boys 55m HH Finals, Large Boys 55m HH Finals

• 5:55 pm Small Girls 55m HH Finals,  Large Girls 55m HH Finals

• 6:05 pm Small Girls 800m,  Large Girls 800m

• 6:20 pm  Small Girls 55m Dash Trials,  Large Girls 55m Dash Trials

• 6:35 pmSmall Boys 55m Dash Trials,  Large Boys 55m Dash Trials

• 6:50 pm Small Boys 800m,  7:00 pm  Large Boys 800m

• 7:10 pm Small Girls 55m Dash Finals,  Large Girls 55m Dash Finals

• 7:15 pm Small Boys 55m Dash Finals,  Large Boys 55m Dash Finals

• 7:20 pm Small Girls 3200m,  Large Girls 3200m 

• 7:50 pmSmall Boys 3200m,  8:12 pm Large Boys 3200m  

• 8:30 pm Small Girls 1600m Relay (4 x 400m),  Large Girls 1600m Relay

• 9:00 pmSmall Boys 1600m Relay,  Large Boys 1600m Relay

Directions can be found here

Mr. B will remain at school for all athletes not attending the meet.  You should report to practice as usual. 

The following athletes should be on the bus that will leave IMMEDIATELY after school.  This bus MUST leave by 3:00:

Gabby Barranger,  Elise Fiannaca,  Olivia Otto,  Mattie Bayer

Molly Sheehan,  Gabby Connor,  Jen Scott,  Natalie Nattichia

Meg Burns, Lauren Warner

Becca Whiting, Brooke Fiannaca,  Alexia Chacon,  Maggie Smith

The following athletes should be at school at 3:45 to leave on the 4:00 bus  -  Coach Seaman will be on this bus. 

Nina Lilioia,  Elle Kreibel

Maura Dodson,  Eliza Frankenthaler,  Jillian Dembs

Spread the word! 

Practice Days and times will be as scheduled:

Please let Coach Russo know ASAP (through email) if you will be away during break.  

Wednesday 12/23    Practice at 1:00pm

Thusday 12/24        No Practice

Friday 12/25           No Practice

Saturday 12/26        Practice at 9:00 am

Monday 12/28          Practice at 9:00 am

Tuesday 12/29         Meet -  Bus will leave at 7:00 am

Wednesday 12/30     Practice at 9:00 am

Thursday 12/31        Practice at 9:00 am

Friday 1/1                No Practice

Saturday 1/2            Meet -  Bus will leave at 7:00 am

Saturday morning around 12:15 pm Eastern Time, our very own Briana Gess will be racing her last cross country race of the season in San Diego!   We will hold a viewing party in C8!  All are welcome!   Let's Go Bri!!!!!

Haddonfield Girls Winter Track NJSIAA Group 1 State Champs

After Briana Gess of Haddonfield turned in one of the greatest performances in meet history with 4 victories, and Nickolette Dunbar of Whippany Park unloaded the best throw in meet history, both could only watch as an epic battle between their teams came right down to the wire at Friday's NJSIAA Groups 1-4 Track and Field Championships on Friday at the Bennett Center in Toms River.

MORE: FULL RESULTS OF THE MEET

Haddonfield was clinging to a 58-54 lead over Whippany Park heading into the meet-concluding 4x400 relay. With only 200 meters left in the race, Whippany Park anchor Gina Dello Russo was in 4th place and trailing Haddonfield. But Dello Russo was able to pass Haddonfeld and Weequahic to rally Whippany Park to a second place finish behind Hasbrouck Heights to give the Wlldcats 8 points. Haddonfield was 4th for four points as the instant classic battle between the two teams ended in a tie with each team scoring 64 points to share the Group 1 team title.         

PLUS: WATCH SEVERAL RACE VIDEO CLIPS FROM THE MEET 

Dello Russo, second to Gess in the 400 earlier in the meet in 58.83, split 58.5 on the anchor as Whippany Park won its first state title in school history. Haddonfield earned its 9th state title, the 2nd most in girls state history behind Columbia's 10.

Dello Russo knew the outcome of the meet was in her hands.

"I knew I had to catch Haddonfield for us to have any chance of winning the meet,'' said Dello Russo. "But after I passed Haddonfield I saw that maybe I could catch at least one more team. So with my teammates screaming the whole time on the side of the track as I went by them, I just went as hard as I could and I was able to catch them (Weequahic) also.    

Dello Russo was her all-round splendid self for Whippany Park. She also tied for third in the high jump at 5-2 and was second in the pole vault at 9-6. 

One of the biggest stars of the meet was the LSU-bound Dunbar, who unloaded a bomb of 53-0 on her final throw to smash the meet record (all groups combined). The former record of 51-9 1/2 was set in 1991. Dunbar's throw is No. 2 in the nation this season and No. 2 in state history behind Alyssa Wilson of Donovan Catholic, who has thrown 54-5 this season. Wilson will throw Saturday in the Non-Public A meet.

As for Gess, she was simply spectacular for Haddonfield as she lit the track up with 4 victories.. The junior won the 400 in 58.57, was first in the 1,600 in a Group 1 record 4:59.07, captured the 800 in 2:20.07, and won the 3,200 in 10:53.58 to score 40 points by herself.   

And Gess did all that the day before she runs in the mile at the Millrose Games on Saturday in New York. But Gess wasn't conerned at all about how four races might hurt her at Millrose.

"I wanted to do everything I could to help our team win,'' said Gess. "It's all about the team. I will worry about tomorrow's race tomorrow. I'm just so proud of how everyone on our team competed to give us a share of this championship.''

In the Group 4 competition, Ridgewood scored 32 points in the span of five minutes to take control of the meet as it defeated runner-up Lenape, 33-20.

Ridgewood, with 4 girls doing all its scoring, had just one point with 3 events to go, but sophomore Nicole Lester and junior Maxine Earl went 1-2 in the pole vault for 18 points, and Samantha Halvorsen  (10:53.03) won the 3,200 and Olympia Martin was 4th (11:07.66) in the 3,200 for 14 more points. Ridgewood other point came from Martin's 6th place in the 1,600.

It's the first state title for the Ridgewood girls since winning a second straight in 1989, and its 3rd overall.    

"Our coaches mentioned to us that it's been a long time since Ridgewood won this, so we were very motivated to finish firs,'' said Halvorsen. "We've all been working so hard for this.''   

http://www.sjsportsdigest.com/news_article/show/600165?referrer_id=1114104

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/3661519530591147593/haddonfield-overcomes-adversity-to-win-group-1-behind-great-performance-from-gess/

Classifications for Indoor Track