Viking duo reach MOC in shot put and discus
By: Carolyn M. Hartko
When the NJSIAA Track and Field Meet of Champions was played out in South Plainfield on Wednesday of this week, South Brunswick High was represented in four events, but only two Vikings competed. That’s not fuzzy math it was just South Brunswick’s talented throwing duo of Yemi Ayeni and Prescott Hill, hard at work, as usual.
In order to get to Wednesday’s big meet, Ayeni repeated his double-gold performance from the sectionals, winning both the shot put and the discus at the Group IV Championships held at Egg Harbor Township High School this past weekend. There were no fireworks this time around, as Ayeni threw 197-5 in the disc, short of his 204-8 winner in the Central Jersey meet, and 58-9 in the shot, just one half inch off his best in CJ IV.
"With the rain and it being wet, Yemi was pretty content with his throws," Viking boys’ head coach Wil Rivera said. "I think he was just happy to win both."
Hill also had a lot to celebrate from last weekend. The Viking senior had been throwing 155’s and 154’s in the discus on Saturday, but his first time in the circle in the finals, he let one go that measured out at 160-8, a new personal record for him. That put him in third place in the discus, after he had picked up a sixth in the shot put (51-2) on Saturday night.
"I felt pretty good about (the discus)," Hill said Monday evening. "I want a little more, so I think I’m going to come out with a better position (on Wednesday)."
"I think Prescott was ecstatic, considering the fact that he was sixth in the shot put in Central Jersey," Rivera said. "And to be sixth in Group IV, and also to throw a personal best in the discus, he was really happy. He was ready to go this weekend. I think he came up pretty big."
The Group IV discus was dominated by throwers from Central Jersey. Jamar Figueroa from Old Bridge placed second again (168-5), and Franklin High School throwers finished in fourth and fifth. Going into the Meet of Champions, it appeared that Ayeni had only one serious challenger for the gold. Phil Smith of Hopatcong won the Group III discus last weekend with a toss of 189-4.
Hill credits the competition from the local talent with keeping him and Ayeni on their toes this spring.
"When there’s competition, that makes the meets actually more fun because then you have to put more work into it," Hill said. "You have to focus a lot more. So, it actually heightens the event."
Rivera felt that having the discus first on Wednesday would be an advantage for his throwers, since the discus is a stronger event for both boys. With the pressure of the discus off them, they could relax and enjoy the shot put. But Hill didn’t feel the order of events would make a difference to him.
"I’m fine whichever one comes first," Hill said. "I’ve been ready for this all season. This is my time to shine right now. I’ve thrown 55 (in the shot) before. I just need to get one out during a meet. And I think Wednesday is my perfect opportunity."
In other action last weekend, the boys’ 4×400 team ran a little off their best time, finishing 13th with a time of 3:28.38. Teddy Polk ran his fastest split for this race, a 49.8 anchor leg, behind Emery Greenfield, Greg Spinner and Chris Greco. Polk also ran the 800 where he finished in 16th place overall (2:01.06).
The Viking pole vaulters had a rough time, with Justin DelPiano and Lady Vikings Laura Chirico and Krista Belick all failing to clear opening height.
The girls reset the school record in the 4×400 (3:59.52), beating the four minute mark for the first time. Stephanie McIntyre, Eve Mizerak, Stephanie Rodriguez and Jessie Boynton finished in eighth place, just out of the money, but with a junior, two sophomores and a freshman on the squad, they will be a team to beat next spring. McIntyre came in ninth in the triple jump.