By paul salus
Staff Writer
This year marks only the second year of Ocean Township’s indoor track program, but head coach Dana Lewis is sure that both her boys’ and girls’ teams will have a solid showing this winter season.
"We’re a very young team, and we’re really trying to build a solid program over here," said Lewis. "Out of 51 members of both teams, we have only two seniors, so I hope to help mold these young athletes into competitive runners."
Junior Erin Enderly is the team’s standout superstar, who is coming off an outstanding cross country season in which she emerged as one of the top harriers in the Shore.
After being sidelined with a muscle strain for the first month of the season, she returned and put up great times, finishing fifth at the Shore Conference meet (19:28) in her first meet back from the injury.
She broke 20 minutes at Holmdel Park during all four of her championship-season races, and placed seventh (19:33) at the Meet of Champions.
"Everyone knows she is an outstanding athlete, and anyone who follows running knows her name. She’ll get it done this season for our indoor squad, and that’s a definite," said Lewis.
Coach Lewis expects a good showing from freshman phenoms Andrea Lopez and Tiffany Grant.
"It’s still a bit too early to say, but I have a feeling we’re going to see some special things from these two young women," said Lewis.
The key returners for the boys’ team are juniors Rich Brooks, Rian Savage, Mike Segall, Bob Jones, and sophomore Brian Washakowski.
"These guys should be able to have some big accomplishments this year," said Lewis. "They have talent and speed, and are all very good athletes."
The toughest feat for Ocean so far has been getting a solid practice in, with the inclement weather of late. Most of their training has been done throughout the school.
"We’ve been running a bit outside when we can, but we’re flexible. We were hurdling down the hallways and high jumping in the cafeteria," said Lewis.
The Ocean indoor track team opens up its season with its first varsity meet in the county relays on Jan. 4 at Red Bank Regional.