By: Sean Richards
With a sizable gap in its schedule, the outstanding South Brunswick High School winter track team decided to add an extra meet in order to stay sharp for the NJSIAA Groups this weekend in Toms River.
This the Vikings did it in style at the Ed Grant Last Chance Invitational in Jersey City last Friday night as a host of South Brunswick athletes captured medals and produced personal bests. The Vikings also set new school and class records.
The girls were led by the distance runners, as freshmen Sophia Ginez and Jennie Smilgis finished first and fourth, respectively, in the 1,600. Ginez set a new freshman class record with a time of 5:26.6, while Smilgis’s time of 5:33.3 was a personal best.
Ginez is an interesting story. Toward the end of the cross country season in the fall, there was concern she might have a heart condition and was forced to stop training while undergoing tests. Now she’s back in force after being the only Viking girl to win an individual title at the GMC Championships, which South Brunswick won as a team. At the GMCs, Ginez won the 1,600 in a time of 5:33.77, which she lowered by a good seven seconds this past week.
"Considering Sophia had to six out six weeks, it’s pretty impressive what she’s doing," said coach Stefan Moorhead. "She ran a tremendous anchor leg to set the new record. There’s no telling what she might have done if she hadn’t been out for a while."
The 4×800 team broke the indoor school record for the second time in the space of a week with a time of 9:54.3 that resulted in a second. In that race were Stephanie Rodriguez (2:29.0), Smilgis (2:30.3), Megan Behrend(2:31.5), and Ginez (2:23.5). That was also a personal best for Ginez. Rebecca Russo also placed in a varsity event by taking a fourth in the high jump with a leap of 4-10.
Placing in the freshman/sophomore division were Emily Skalko, Sharon Liu and Stephanie Greco.
Skalko had a personal record of 4-8 to finish first in the high jump, while Liu ran a personal best of 9.4 to finish third in the 55 hurdles. Greco was third in the shot put with a throw of 27-11.
The 4×400 team of Liu (67.2), Zaniah Maynor (68.3), Jasleen Singh (71.0),and Leanna Previte (69.4) came in third with a time of 4:35.9 as all four had their best times yet.
The Vikings didn’t take a lot of boys to the event, but those who went made their mark.
Steve Sample ran a 9:59.3 to finish second in the 3,200. Teammate Dave Christofalo was not far behind in the fifth spot with a time of 10:14.9.Rishi Mathur took second in the 1600 with a time of 4:46.2. Joe Bellizio did not place, but his 4:51.5 was also a personal record.
The boys 4×800 team of Anthony DeNuzzo (2:11.3), Elias Chamoun (2:09.0),Brian Haydon (2:12.3), and Cole Crosby (2:07.0) ran 8:39.6 to finish in the sixth position.
The 4×800 team of Jimmy Maloney (2:10.3), William Pan (2:12.4, Dan Medell(2:18.6), and Kevin O’Laughlin (2:15.1) ran 8:56.2 to finish first in the Novice Division.
It’s going to be very interesting to see how the team does at Groups this weekend. The girls will compete on Saturday and the boys on Sunday. To advance to the individual states, you have to finish in the top six of your group or receive one of six wildcard berths.
The best shots for the boys are John Viotto in the shot put, Billy Ricketts in the high jump and Sample in the 3,200. The girls will be led by Ginez (1,600), Indira Morton (55 hurdles) and their 4×400 relay team.
It appears standout Yesenia Boynton will not compete in the 400 because her foot injury is again acting up.

