Broadenax qualifies for nationals at the Ridgewood Varsity Classic

By: Carolyn M. Hartko
   Several of the top South Brunswick High School track athletes traveled to their favorite venue for the Ridgewood Varsity Classic this past Monday evening. In spite of another minor snowstorm, the Vikings made it to the 168th Street Armory in New York City for the annual event. Only one Viking brought a medal home, but there were plenty of good times registered on the state of the art track.
   Senior sprinter Lauren Broadenax earned the fourth place medal in the girls’ 200 meter race, clocking 25.6 seconds. The winner, Jennifer Jackson of Eastern High School, set a meet record with her time of 24.5.
   "Lauren ran a 25.6, which was her personal best indoors," Viking head coach Brian Jost said. "And it qualified her for the nationals in March."
   The Viking hurdlers had a good day with Antony Promise (8.2 seconds), Shafeeha Potts (8.6) and Dayna O’Connor (8.9) all setting personal records. Denise Thompson got down to 7.6 in the 55 dash, and sophomore distance runner Amy Rhein ran her best indoor time in the 1600 (5:41). Senior thrower Kim Yee tossed the shot put 36 feet three inches, a new mark for her.
   South Brunswick has been competing in the Varsity Classic for the past several years. The meet draws mostly New York and New Jersey high schools. This year’s attendance was down slightly because of the snow the area received on Monday.
   "It wasn’t too bad up there, but if schools had early closings, then they cancelled all after-school activities," Jost said. "So some teams that probably were planning on going, couldn’t go. We were hoping that wouldn’t happen to us, and we lucked out."
   However, like the other schools in the Greater Middlesex Conference, South Brunswick has not been so lucky at home. Right now, the Viking track is still completely buried from last Friday’s snowstorm. The remainder of the dual meet schedule is currently on hold, including the meet than had been rescheduled for today (Thursday).