In the previous years of its existence, the questions the New Egypt High School track team always had to ask were:
Are there enough kids to field both a girls and a boys team? Are there enough kids to fill out all the events?
Now the question being asked at New Egypt is: Where exactly should we hang our championship banner?
The New Egypt boys’ track team defeated Florence, 68-65, to win a share of the Freedom Division championship.
"This was the most important meet in the history of New Egypt boys’ track and field," noted New Egypt Coach Sam Palumbo. "We defeated Florence, who at the time was undefeated."
Lee Hopkins showed off his amazing versatility by winning both the 100 (11.1), 200 (23.3) and javelin (167-11).
"Coach (Renee) Geist’s jumpers came through as Wes Bolton set new school records in the long jump (20-2) and 110 hurdles (18.8)," noted Palumbo. "Toomas Sepp, Steve Dey and Matt Van Norman lead a sweep of the pole vault. Brian Whiteley set a new school record (52.1) while winning the 400 and anchored the 4×400 relay team of Davion Clanton, Dave Ascione and Chris Ward in 3.46.1."
Matt Monkan and Sean Vazquez finished together to lead a sweep in the 1600 with times of 5.16.5. Phil Murray was able to win the 3200 in 11.19 Other important field points were scored in the shot put by Dion Oyebanji and in the discus by Justin Conklin.
"This is only the fourth male sport at New Egypt to win a division championship," Palumbo noted. "We are hoping to also win the division championship at Northern Burlington next Saturday."
In other action, New Egypt defeated Riverside, 81-50.
The team was lead by Hopkins’ two school record throws. He threw 116-5 to place first in the discus and 174-8 to place first in the javelin. Oyebanji also set a school record by throwing 39-11 in the shot put to place first.
Other winners included: Wes Bolton in the long jump (18-5 ¾) Brian Whiteley in the 400 (56) and 800 (2.19.9), Sean Vazquez in the 1600 (5.00.3), Matt Monkan in the 3200 (11.02.1), Sepp in the pole vault (9-8) and the 4×400 relay team of Davion Clanton, Dave Ascione, Chris Ward, Brian Whiteley (3.49.5).
AHS BOYS
The Allentown High School boys’ track team lost a tri-meet to Hamilton (120-20) and Lawrence, 85-63. Allentown didn’t have anyone win events against both teams, but Cameron Grant did place in three events. He was third in the 400 (52.9), third in the 100 (11.3) and second in the 200 (23.4). Nick Sancilio was third in the discus (100-11) and javelin (141 feet). Dennis Smith was third in the long jump (17-10 1/2) and fourth in the high jump (5-6). Antoine Harden was fourth in the 100 (11.6) and 200 (24.2).
AHS GIRLS
The Allentown High School girls’ track team improved to 5-1 on the year with a 73-67 win over Lawrence and an 86-54 win over Hamilton.
Jen Grabowski led the way with yet another magnificent performance. Grabowski won the high jump (5-2), triple jump (32-8 3/4) and 200 (26.7). She also was second in the long jump 15-2.
Lina Sancilio managed to place in all three throwing events for Allentown. She won the javelin (114-5), was third in the discus (85-10) and fifth in the shot (29-9).
Kristi Catelli and Kristin Qutub each managed to place in three events. Qutub was third in the pole vault (7-6), 1600 (5:51) and fourth in the 800 (2:43). Catelli was third in the 100 (13.2), long jump (14-2) and high jump (4-10).
Both of the Donaghy girls placed in the 1600 and 3200. Erin was second in the 1600 and 3200. Allison was fourth in the 1600 and third in the 3200.
Bisola Egbe and Brittany Loriquet also placed in two events each. Egbe was third in the 100 (13.2) and triple jump (29-9 1/4). Loriquet was third in the 400 (1:04.3) and fifth in the triple jump (28-3 1/4).
Rounding out the results, Jessica Archer won the 800 (2:32), Quiana Volney was fifth in the 400 hurdles (1:16.8), Sofyia White was second in the 400 hurdles (1:12), Bonnie Kizis was fifth in the discus, Chelsea Quaglietta second in the pole vault (7-6), Natalie Howell fourth in the javelin (68 feet), Liana Hernandez third in the javelin (78-5) and Willis fifth in the 200 (28.8).
NEHS GIRLS
On Friday the New Egypt Girl’s Track team scored a record high of 57 points against Florence. Unfortunately, the girls lost by four points due to a key member of their team, Lindsay Sall, being away on vacation.
Senior Courtney Remm had a first-place finish in the javelin with a throw of 95-9. She also had a first-place finish in the 3200, edging out a Florence runner by seconds. Remm also finished second in the discus and the shot. Senior Melissa Hodul placed first in the 400 meter dash with a time of 71.8. She was also a member of the winning 4 x 400 relay. Samantha Baumgartner also finished first in the 200 meter dash and her sister Megan came in third. Cindy Murray scored all of New Egypt’s points in the hurdles and finished after a nasty fall. Kim Howard, Crystal Chadwick and Holly Baumgartner all competed and helped our team pick up the 57 points.
RHS
The young Robbinsville Ravens continue to improve as they prepare for the individual championship part of their season.
One key to the Lady Ravens early success has been their hurdlers and jumpers. Freshmen Courtney Stewart, Gina Norato and Brittany Notor have been holding their own against the varsity competition they see in CVC Dual Meets all season long. In Tuesday, May 3’s match-up between Princeton and Nottingham, the girls made a clear statement Robbinsville’s track program is ahead of schedule in terms of being a competitive presence in Mercer County track. Stewart cleared 4-8 in the high jump, leapt 29-7 in the triple jump and ran 17.8 in the 100 hurdles, Notor jumped 15-3 in the long jump and over 30 feet in the triple jump. Norato turned in a great performance in the two hurdling events, the 800 and triple jumped well for the Ravens.
Robbinsville also got an impressive debut in the 3200 from Erin Hayes, who ran a team best time of 13:07 to finish third overall in the race.
The Robbinsville boys saw season best performances from Rob Jiggetts, Alex Giaquinto and Kyle Dragert as they along with thrower Mark Panes develop their skills.

