By: Sean Richards
Led by an eye-opening triple jump by senior Stephanie McIntyre, there’s something about the New York City Armory that seems to bring out great things in the South Brunswick High School winter track team.
In late December South Brunswick showed a very big season was in store by capturing the prestigious Holiday Classic for the first time.
Last week, the Vikings returned to the Armory and had another impressive performance at the even more loaded-up Eastern States.
Without a doubt, the highlight was McIntyre’s first-place triple jump of 40-11. To put this effort in perspective, consider the jump shattered the state record by 1¾ inches, beat the old meet record by five inches and won the meet by 2½ inches. It was also over a foot better than McIntyre’s previous personal best.
That’s saying a lot when you consider McIntyre is New Jersey’s defending Meet of Champions outdoors champion in this event.
"And she did it with her trademark of doing it on her sixth and final jump," said coach Stefan Moorhead. "It really is a big deal."
It doesn’t stop there as McIntyre’s indoor triple jump was also the second best in the entire country this year.
"Stephanie’s kind of undecided right now," replied McIntyre when asked what college track program she’ll be joining next year. "She has received a few scholarship offers. I think this will get her some more."
As a team, South Brunswick earned an impressive four medals and also had several other athletes come through with personal bests at Easterns.
Also doing very well among the girls was Indira Morton, who finished third in the long jump and tied a personal record with a jump of 17¾. Freshman Sophia Ginez, meanwhile, ran a 5:15.57 to take a fifth in the mile.
Billy Ricketts led the boys by taking second in the high jump. He tied the school record with a jump of 6-6.
Other strong performances for the girls were turned in by Danielle Hudak, Morton and the 4×200 relay team. Hudak tied her personal record of 33-9 in the triple jump, while Morton turned in a fast 8.77 in the 55 hurdles.
The 4×200 team of Melissa Dardani (26.3), Falen Watson (27.8), Lauryn Strebeck (27.8) and Rebecca Russo (27.4) clocked a 1:49.53 in a race in which all four set or tied personal bests.
"I think our team loves competing there," said Moorhead of the Vikings’ success at the New York City Armory. "The team rises to the occasion in the big meets."
Before getting ready for the spring season, South Brunswick will compete in several events at Nationals over the next few days.
Tomorrow at the New York City Armory, the girls shuttle hurdle team of Morton, Hudak, Stephanie Rodriguez and Watson will be in action.
On Saturday in Maryland, the boys shuttle hurdle team of Max Checo, Josh Checo, Matt Kirbos and T.J. Taikina will compete.
Also attending Nationals in Maryland tomorrow will be Morton in the pentathlon and Ginez in the freshman mile.
McIntyre was still deciding earlier in the week whether she will compete in both the triple jump in Maryland on Saturday and at the New York City Armory on Sunday.

