Back-to-back on the track

Hopewell Valley girls track

By: Jim Green
   The Hopewell Valley Central High School girls track team was missing the injured sprinter Miriam Khan, while distance star Emily Sherrard was less than 100 percent. There aren’t many programs in the country that could overcome that loss of talent.
   Then again, not many programs have someone like Natalie Mapp leading the way.
   Mapp, the consummate winner for HoVal throughout her four years at the high school, led the Lady Bulldogs to yet another crown — their second straight title at the Mercer County Championships of outdoor track Saturday at Steinert. Following a winter season in which they captured titles at the county, state and state relay meets and a national championship in the sprint medley relay, the Lady Bulldogs were anxious to prove they were more than just a handful of stars.
   "It was very important," Mapp said. "Just to go out and prove we’re still a great team was a great thing to do."
   Mapp defended her title in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.7 and won her first championship in the 100 at 12.5, while also placing second in the 400 (56.6). The senior was determined to keep the county championship her team had won for the first time last year, regardless of the injuries. With Mapp setting the pace, the Lady Bulldogs racked up 91 team points, easily out-distancing second-place Notre Dame (66 ½).
   "I know if I saw a team without two of their stronger runners, I would think they were weak," Mapp said. "We definitely proved them wrong."
   While Sherrard battled through the pain to place second in the 1,600 (5:14.0), Megan Fitzpatrick helped pick up the slack in the distance events, winning the 3,200 at 11:17.1, a scant 3.8 seconds ahead of second-place Meredith Malloy of Hamilton. She also was fourth in the 1,600 at 5:31.7.
   "We were all really proud of Megan," Mapp said. "From last season to this season, she has improved so much. She has very high goals for herself. She definitely deserved that county championship."
   Mapp and Sherrard weren’t the only Lady Bulldogs to step up. Marisa Greco was third in the 1,600 (5:24.7) and 3,200 (11:42.5), while Jackie Barrett was third in the long jump (16-2 ¼) and fourth in the 100 (13.1). Meredith Rutledge was second in the javelin (122-6) and fourth in the discus (100-2), Kristen Volpe was second in the pole vault (9-0), and Anna Weingart was sixth in the 3,200 (12:20.7).
   "We had three girls place in two events," Mapp said. "I think we had the whole team take on that pressure."
   The Lady Bulldogs now turn their attention to trying to capture the Central Jersey Group III sectional meet, which will be held May 27 and 28. Last season, Hopewell finished second with 75 points — 13 behind winner Willingboro.
   "Definitely, that’s the next goal on our list of things to do," Mapp said. "We’ll have to play it by ear, to see how everybody’s health is doing."
   Mapp realizes the end of her great career is on the horizon, but she is trying to focus on the upcoming state meets.
   "Sometimes it gets a little emotional," she said. "Sometimes at practice girls bring it up. We’ll just try to make the most out of the next month as a team."
• NOTES: The Hopewell boys team showed how far it has come in the last year, placing third in the team standings with 55 points. Last season, the Bulldogs finished 13th.
   Paul Wagner was the star, winning both the shot put (51-8 ¼) and the discus (141-11). Odeani McBean was second in the 200 (22.3) and third in the 100 (10.9), Michael Batanian was second in the 3,200 (9:57.2), and Ricky Fletcher was second in the pole vault (12-3). Brandon Thompson finished sixth in the 200 (23.4), Kevin Osagie was sixth in the high jump (5-10), and Peter Novobilsky was fifth in the javelin (154-6).