MHS boys join girls at Penn Relays

By: Carolyn M. Hartko
   The Monroe High School boys’ track program is about to take a giant step. For the first time in the school’s history, the Falcon boys’ squad will be represented at the prestigious Penn Relays, an annual tradition at Franklin Field held during the last week in April.
   The Falcons’ 4×100 meter relay team of Ken Feldman, Brian Walsh, Chris Emerson and Rob McGowan Will run today (Friday), and a 4×400 squad of McGowan, Chris Sardone, Diego Delgado and Joe Garavante will run on Saturday.
   "A lot of teams qualify for the 4×400, but it’s a big thing for our kids," Falcon boys’ head coach Tom Tramaglini said. "They’re really excited."
   Although Tramaglini’s primary sport in high school was football, he competed at the Penn Relays three times during his high school career.
   "It’s something these kids will never forget, I know that," Tramaglini said. "Going to (Penn) really hooked me into track, and I want to give something to our kids that they’re always going to remember. It’s great for my program, and it’s something for the kids to push to go. And to me, it’s very special."
   The Lady Falcons expected to be returning to Franklin Field this year as well, but they are making history too. The Monroe girls qualified in the 4×800 for the first time, and they are one of just 30 teams from around the country accepted for this event. The Lady Falcons are also entered in the 4×100 and the 4×400. All of the girls’ races took place on Thursday (results not available by press time).
   This past weekend both Falcon teams were at the Holmdel Relays. In varsity action, Tom Kowaleski and Tim Payne came in fifth in the boys’ shot put (81-10), and Alison Baumlin and Michelle Jodon placed fifth in the girls’ discus (156-3). Although they didn’t place, Tramaglini felt that the boys’ distance runners had a good day. Several athletes posted personal bests, including Delgado (3:36, 1200), Garavante (2:17, 800) and Tim Seyfried (2:17, 800).
   In the girls’ novice division, the all-freshman squad of Michelle Jarosiewicz, Allison Push, Michelle Visser and Genel Robinson won the 4×400.
   But the top Lady Falcon track and field athletes tried something new last weekend, opting to attend the Father Judge Relays in Philadelphia instead of the Holmdel Relays.
   Falcon girls’ head coach Lew Stonaker was pleased with the meet from several aspects, including the way it was organized. The Philly meet had both relay and individual events. It was also a chance to see some different faces, as Monroe was one of just three high schools from New Jersey. Hunterdon Central and Lawrenceville Prep School also attended the Father Judge Relays.
   "I got to run my girls in the 400 meter hurdles, trying to get them ready for county relays," Stonaker said. "And I liked having competition from all over the East Coast. There were some really good teams there from Philadelphia, and from as far away as Washington, D.C. and Virginia. There was some really tough competition, so it was a nice change of pace. I’ve been coaching a lot of years, and you kind of get tired of going to the same places all the time."
   In individual competition, senior Lindsay Jones came in fourth in the javelin. On the relay scene, the Falcons distance medley squad earned a set of bronze medals. Liz Segarra led off with the 1200 leg, followed by Ashley Theinert (400) and Meghan Farrell (800). Nova Roman ran the 800 anchor leg.
   Although they didn’t place, Stonaker was very pleased that the 4×800 team broke 10 minutes for the first time. Farrell, Roman, Segarra and Ashley Maguire ran a 9:59.
   "That’s a real measuring stick," Stonaker said. "That’s what you have to do to qualify for Penn and all the big meets. That was the really big event of the meet. We came in seventh out of 23 teams."
   Dual meets were put on hold this week as the Falcons prepared for the Penn Relays. But local competition resumes next week. On Monday, Monroe goes against Perth Amboy with the girls home, and the boys away. Wednesday it’s Bishop Ahr with the boys home and the girls away. Stonaker feels the Lady Trojans are the biggest obstacle left in the way of a White Division title this spring.