Spring track
By: Jim Green
The Lawrence High School boys spring track team has a hard enough time winning dual meets when it is at full strength. If star sprinter Orlando Kane is not around, victories are almost impossible to come by.
Kane, who has been suffering from tendonitis in his shins, was given time away from the team during spring break last week. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, that meant they would have to take on Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Division rival West Windsor-Plainsboro South without him.
Lawrence, as expected, suffered from its lack of depth and lost to the Pirates 82-48 April 22 at LHS. The Cardinals fell to 0-3 in dual meets.
"He (Kane) took some time off to heal and spend some time with his family," Lawrence coach Dave O’Neal said. "It was tough for us because it was spring break week."
The Cardinals also were without sophomore hurdler Brian Scott, freshman pole-vaulter Kyle Mitchell and freshman distance-runner Mike Spanicciti.
"It hurt to have him (Kane) out, but it was more than just him," O’Neal said. "We had four guys out that I know could have scored points in that meet. It’s hard to have a meet during spring break."
Despite the lopsided score, there were several positive results for the Cardinals. The most notable was the performance of junior pole-vaulter John Calvo, whose first-place distance of 12-7 broke a school record that stood since 1974.
"That (setting the school record) was one of his (Calvo’s) big goals," O’Neal said. "He now has his eye set on being county champion. That’s the next goal on his list."
There are a number of pole-vaulters in range of 12 feet. But Calvo, who recorded a distance of 11-6 in the Cardinals’ first dual meet of the season against Nottingham on April 3, is constantly improving.
"He’s improved dramatically," O’Neal said. "He came out as a freshman to try the event and picked it up immediately. He works very hard, and he’s very dedicated. He wants to keep doing it in college.
"We have to force him to stay off the pole sometimes. We have to make him take a day off to rest his body."
Lawrence also received a strong performance from hurdler Andrew Dodemaide. The junior, who spent last year in Australia, set personal bests in the 110-meter hurdles (16.6) and the 400 hurdles (1:01.9), winning both events.
"Hurdles last year was an event where we really struggled," O’Neal said. "He (Dodemaide) has really improved and had a big impact."
The Cardinals’ throwers continue to impress, as well. Junior Frank DiMeglio took first in the shot put with a personal-best distance of 43-7, while freshman Liping Chao won the javelin (129-6).
"Frank DiMeglio had an outstanding meet," O’Neal said. "He moved himself up to being one of the top throwers in the county.
"Liping Chao moved within grasp of the school freshman-record in the javelin. He’s improved to the point where he can get aggressive with it (the javelin). He doesn’t have to worry about technique anymore."
Senior captain Anthony Miranda, who struggled during the first two meets of the season, came through with his best distance in the long jump. He finished third in the event at 18-7 1/4.
"He (Miranda) has kind of been frustrated this year in the long jump," O’Neal said. "He finally had a breakthrough. That was a good feeling for him. He’s finally where he needs to be."
As for Kane, O’Neal feels the senior is right on schedule to make a big splash at the state meets later in the season.
"He (Kane) hasn’t really focused on where his 100 time should be yet," O’Neal said. "He feels he should be where he is.
"He’s more focused on the longer events, because that’s where he can improve. And he has improved in those events."
The Lawrence girls track team also seems to be where it needs to be. The Cardinal girls rebounded from a tough loss to Notre Dame by defeating West Windsor-Plainsboro South 63-59 on April 22 and losing a close meet to Lawrenceville on Saturday.
Freshman Nicole McMullen led the way against the Pirates, taking first in the 100 (12.55), the long jump (16-7 ½) and the high jump (4-6). Junior Cierra Phillips took the shot put (38-0) and the discus (90-1), and senior Nia Hare-Bey placed first in the 200 (27.83), as Lawrence used its depth to prevail.
McMullen was again a triple winner against Lawrenceville, taking the 100 (12.7), the 200 (26.7) and the long jump (16-1 ½). Freshman Emily Bomba won the discus (80-0) and the javelin (65-5), and Phillips placed first in the shot put (38-3 ¼), but Lawrence eventually lost 63-53.
O’Neal will be taking a portion of the boys team to a relay meet Saturday in Long Branch. The Cardinals will then wrap up their dual-meet season at home against Hamilton at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Although the Cardinals might go winless during the dual-meet season, they are focused on improving their individual times in order to have an impact at the Mercer County Tournament on May 10.
"I’m excited about counties," O’Neal said. "Things are still coming together for this team. I expect us to do well at the counties. I have guys in enough events where we should accumulate points and show well at counties."

