PRINCETON — Two days prior to the NJSIAA Group IV Indoor Track championships, Jackson High School senior Jenna Prendergast was on a college recruiting trip. However, missing two scheduled workouts didn’t seem to faze the Lady Jaguars’ standout runner.
Prendergast returned to Jadwin Gymnasium at Princeton University last Sunday and captured the 3,200 meters in a time of 11:23.32. Prendergast finished nearly four seconds in front of teammate freshman Jen Clausen, who placed second in a time of 11:26.79.
"She missed our workouts Friday and Saturday," Jackson coach Alton Johnson said. "She is going to make some college program very happy with her ability. She is a gifted runner who put forth an outstanding effort."
Prendergast devised a strategy with her coach Amy O’Donnell that best suited her for the event. It appears the two crafted a plan that worked flawlessly.
"She didn’t want to make the mistake of getting out too fast," Johnson said. "Amy told her to be patient and that the race would come to her. She wanted her to hang in there until it was time to make her move. You could tell she was very focused. Every move was calculated. She ran a great race and stayed with the strategy."
Johnson cited the 1-2 finish in the 3,200 as a key reason for Jackson’s third-place team finish.
"Clausen ran a great race also," Johnson said. "They both played a huge role in us placing as high as we did."
Prendergast returned two hours later to finish fifth in the mile with a time of 5:25.28. Her time is just seven seconds short to breaking the school record.
"It’s incredible that she can return in only two hours and run a time like that," Johnson said.
Jackson’s 4 x 400 relay team of Nicole Montegary, Lauren Blake, Joanne Shia and Ashley Mlotkiewicz finished sixth in a time of 4:09.49. Junior Jessica Fortune was sixth in the 55 hurdles in 8.87.
"We were real pleased with the efforts of all the girls," Johnson said. "We need to stay focused. We have a big week of competition ahead."
The Lakewood High School boys’ team placed third overall with a total of 13 points at the NJSIAA Group III Relay Championships last Saturday at Princeton University.
The quartet of Ed Loney, Cameron Craig, Brian Roebuck and Mike Wittenburg won the 4 x 200 relay title in a time of 1:33.41. Senior captain Sydney Murray had the farthest toss of the day at 53-1.
For the girls, Jan-noi Jackson, Tiffany Mayfield, Nicia Gunther and Danielle Robinson placed fifth in the 4 x 200 relay in a time of 1:53.
"We have been looking forward to this meet from the first day of practice," Lakewood boys’ and girls’ coach Jack Boylan said. "I’m very happy for them. They work very hard and are looking forward to rest of the season."