Givens making the most of opportunities

Winter track

By: Jim Green
   Lauren Givens’ pent-up energy was finally released Feb. 9 at the Mercer County Championships of winter track.
   The Lawrence High School junior, who was unable to compete in either of the Group III meets this season because of a lack of practice time, returned to championship throwing in a big way at Widener University (Pa.). Givens recorded a distance of 36-3 ¼ in the shot put to place second at the county meet.
   "It (Givens’ performance) wasn’t a total surprise," Lawrence coach Gary Dura said of Givens’ throw. "She was really up for the meet. She has the talent.
   "She was really ready to go, and it showed."
   Givens led until the final round of the meet, when she was overtaken by Hamilton’s Kendra Myles (37-2 ¾). Givens finished just ahead of teammates Cierra Phillips, who placed fourth at 35-3 ½, and Devin Picott, who took fifth at 34-7 ¼.
   "They (Phillips and Picott) were consistent as usual," Dura said. "It (the finishing order) wasn’t mind-boggling."
   Phillips and Picott took center-stage at the Group III championship meets earlier in the season, because Givens had difficulty attending practice. Phillips’ fourth-place finish at the Group III individual championships qualified her for the Meet of Champions.
   "Lauren (Givens) was not able to practice as much as the other girls," Dura said. "But at the meets she did throw in, she excelled."
   Givens backed up her performance at the county meet with a strong showing Saturday at the Ed Poreda Invitational at Lawrenceville. Givens placed second in the shot put at 33-1 ¼, just behind Phillips, who won with a mark of 35-11.
   Despite Givens’ recent strong performances, Dura does not believe she is disappointed about missing the Meet of Champions.
   "Spring track is the big one," Dura said. "She (Givens) knows the winter is mostly for getting in shape for the spring."
   The Cardinals also received solid efforts from their runners at the county meet, with Jackie Pirre finishing seventh in the 400-meter dash at 1:05.88. Pirre’s time was .55 seconds shy of earning a medal.
   "She (Pirre) ran a really good race," Dura said. "She had a really good day. From a coach’s point of view, you feel bad for her, because she didn’t reap the benefits."
   Dura feels that Pirre is just beginning to show the potential she has to be a standout in the spring.
   "She (Pirre) is a dedicated worker," Dura said. "I’m looking for some positive things from her in the spring."
   Dura was also pleased with the running of Nia Hare-Bey and Paige Sims at the county championships.
   "They (Hare-Bey and Sims) gave their usual consistent efforts," Dura said, "which is fine for me, because I’m looking at the outdoor season. This was just another good experience for them."
   Phillips was supposed to compete in the Meet of Champions on Sunday at Princeton University’s Jadwin Gym, but the meet was postponed due to the snowstorm. It has been rescheduled to begin at 11 a.m. this Sunday.