qualify for MOC
Watson, Emenike
qualify for MOC
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — The St. Joseph High School boys track team is accustomed to having better seasons than its 3-4 campaign in 2004.
Despite the team record, Falcon head coach Gary Trojanowski and assistant coach Al Ernst remain optimistic about the future of the program.
Sophomore Errol Watson is expected to emerge as a team leader after this weekend’s performance at the NJSIAA Group I Parochial A Championships in Lawrence. Watson’s fourth-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles earned him a ticket to the Meet of Champions at South Plainfield High School.
Watson’s time of 57.11 in the intermediate hurdles edged out Pope John’s Ryan Bent’s 57.59 and Bergen Catholic’s Stai-Sean Lyew, who was the final qualifier in 57.78.
Watson will be joined at the Meet of Champions by teammate Obinna Emenike. The senior and future Stanford Cardinal took third in the high jump, clearing 6 feet 4 inches.
Emenike was two inches off his mark that earned him first place at the Catholic Conference Championships earlier in the week. A repeat performance at 6-6 would have tied CBA’s Greg Giardano and Tiquan Underwood of Notre Dame at the Parochial A Championships. Emenike should be in contention for a win at the Meet of Champions.
In the second day of competition, it appeared senior John Salamon would join Emenike and Watson at the Meet of Champions. Leading the pack in the 800 with less than a meter to the finish line, Salamon and St. Peter’s Prep’s Patrick Mellea collided and fell to the ground. The result was a 10th-place finish for one of the county’s top runners.
"John is an all-around solid individual," Trojanowski said. "I was disappointed to hear about the finish."
Trojanowski was unable to be in attendance at Saturday’s competition due to a death in the family.
"When I heard the qualifying times coming in at 1:57, 1:58, 1:59, I assumed John had a really bad day," Trojanowski said. "John is capable of running a 1:56. In fact, he ran a 1:56.6 to finish second at the GMC Championships."
Salamon also took fourth at the Catholic Conference Championships with a 4:25 finish in the 1,600. He has been the team captain for the past two seasons.
"John spearheaded a group of two or three guys that showed tremendous team leadership," Trojanowski said. "Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough of them this year."
Despite the paucity of experience and leadership, this year’s seniors have left a positive impact on the team’s younger athletes.
"Our senior discus thrower, Adam McGrath, was a good leader," Ernst said. "Although his 132 feet in the discus and 46 in the shot [put] were not that far, he was a positive influence for the younger athletes."
Ernst is hoping McGrath’s influence will rub off on next year’s javelin team. Ernst expects his javelin team to be a strong component to the Falcon track and field team in 2005.
"Joe Deluca will be the senior leader next year," Ernst said. "Ed Perez and Dave Heuwetter will be juniors, and they work very well together. Both are enthusiastic and are able to prepare well for meets. They plan to use the winter season to train for spring track."
Mike Scheller will be the team’s senior shot put man next season and current sophomore Eric Plummer has thrown 46 feet this season.
"Mike has thrown in the upper 40s and lower 50s in practice," Ernst said. "If he learns to settle down, and with a little maturity, he should do the same in meets."
Coach Trojanowski is hoping for Mike Wardenski and Kevin Lipovsky to excel on the track next year. Both have posted times under 2:10 in the 800.
"I expect Mike and Kevin to help us out next year," Trojanowski said. "Maybe a few other guys will fall into place and we can be successful."