Mapp sets course for senior season

Hopewell Valley outdoor track

By: Jim Green
   Natalie Mapp has started the spring season with the same excellent level of performance as she finished the winter.
   But what else would anyone expect?
   The Hopewell Valley Central High School senior consistently has been outstanding on the track for four years, whether the meet is held indoors or outdoors. And on Saturday, Mapp, an eight-time state champion, served notice that she plans to finish her stellar career on a high note with her final season.
   Mapp won the 100-meter dash in 12.2 seconds and placed third in the 800 (2:27.6) to lead a fine effort by Hopewell at Notre Dame’s Wrobo Invitational.
   "She’s a wonderful person to have on the team," Hopewell boys track coach Phil Novack said. "She’s a leader. She works hard. It’s impressive. She’s accomplished some great things as a high school track athlete, and you really have a lot of respect for that."
   Junior Kristen Volpe won the pole vault (8-6), while junior Miriam Khan took second in the 110 hurdles (15.0), and junior Meredith Rutledge placed third in the javelin (101-2).
   On the boys side, junior Kevin Osagie provided the highlight by winning the long jump at 6-0. Senior Odeani McBean turned in a fine performance, finishing second in the 100 (10.7) and third in the 400 (51.5), while junior Paul Wagner took second in the shot put (45-6 ½) and third in the discus (134-4 ½).
   Novack was thrilled with McBean’s day.
   "He ran his fastest time in one of the preliminaries," Novack said. "He can certainly win a race like that. We’re looking for some good things from him."
   Wagner, who set personal records in the shot and the discus, also will be looked to for consistently strong performances.
   "He’s just a great kid to work with," Novack said. "Some kids just get to a plateau and don’t improve. Ever since he’s been here, he’s just consistently making strides."
   The Hopewell girls team was coming off a tri-meet sweep April 7 against Princeton and Hightstown. The Lady Bulldogs topped the Little Tigers 96-44 and the Rams 83 1/3-56 2/3, opening the season 2-0.
   Mapp won the 100 (12.2), 200 (25.9) and 400 (57.3), while Khan took the 100 hurdles (15.9) and 400 hurdles (1:07.7).
   The boys team, meanwhile, lost both its meets, falling to Princeton 80-60 and Hightstown 89 ½-50 ½ despite wins by Osagie in the high jump (6-0) and Jared Henrie in the javelin.
   "It’s a building program," Novack said. "The girls team has had a lot of success. In a sense, that makes it easier, because I can point to another program in the same school and say, ‘See what’s possible if you set your mind to it.’"
   Hopewell next will compete in the Mercer County Relays at 9 a.m. Saturday at Steinert.
   "I’m looking to maybe place a couple relays," Novack said. "We’ll sort of see what happens. It would be nice to maybe win one or two, but I think our goal is trying to place a couple."