Flynn and Gavalchin compete at Meet of Champions

By: Sean Moylan
   In the course of the past two weeks, freshmen Megan Flynn and Katie Gavalchin have joined distance phenoms Gina Norato and Jon Harmon as major stars for the Robbinsville High varsity track and field program.
   While many New Jersey high schools had no representatives at the NJSIAA Indoor Track and Field Meet of Champions this past Saturday at Toms River, both Flynn and Gavalchin qualified for the major event.
   Flynn ran a personal best 11:41 time in the 3,200 meter race. She had previously ran an 11:47.95 5th place time at the Group I state meet.
   "She (Flynn) hung in there," said Mike Walker, who coaches Robbinsville’s winter varsity track and field team with Rick Smith. "In the first mile she went out at 5:36, which is only 7 seconds off her pr (personal record). But right after the first mile her and another girl fell off the pace."
   While Flynn did not place in the top 10, Walker believes she’ll do very well in the outdoor season with the Catholic and parochial schools competing in their own state meet.
   "Flynn is one of the smartest kids in the freshmen class. But they (Flynn and Gavalchin) approach every race with a plan," said Walker, who is very pleased with the way Robbinsville’s two freshmen stars are able to take instruction and use it to their own benefit. "These freshmen are getting better and better."
   Meanwhile Gavalchin ran a 2:30 time in the 800 meter race.
   "Katie Gavalchin had the flu last weekend so she didn’t have her best race. In her legs she was fine, but in her lungs and her head she wasn’t confident," said Walker. "She was disappointed (in her time), which shows you what kind of athlete she is."
   Only a freshman, Gavalchin is already bringing a special intensity to each race, which both Walker and Smith love. Healthy or sick, she wants to win. Previously she had ran just a shade over 2:25 to place 4th in the 800 at the Group I state championship meet.
   Gavalchin is so young, Walker is setting no limits on what she can do in a half mile race. He also believes that the Robbinsville girls may even eventually qualify for Nationals in the 4X800 relay. Furthermore, with Norato qualifying for the cross country Meet of Champions this past fall, Robbinsville is on a roll. Walker expects to have athletes in the outdoors track and field Meet of Champions as well.
   We’ll just have to wait to see who they are. Robbinsville varsity track and field has "officially" been around less than a year, but the Ravens have already established themselves as a team not to be taken lightly.