Hillsborough girls look awesome

Refi: Could be best track and field team ever

By: Rudy Brandl
   Hillsborough High girls’ track and field coach Rich Refi is excited about the potential of this year’s outdoor team.
   Refi, who has coached many outstanding teams in the past decade, rarely makes bold statements or predictions before the season. While he still can’t predict what will happen in the heat of competition, Refi believes this year’s HHS girls could turn out to be the best team he’s coached.
   "I think we’re going to be real good," Refi said. "This is potentially the best team we’ve ever had, but there are two keys. No. 1, keeping everybody healthy and No. 2, staying focused. If you have an injury, that changes everything. And a lot of distractions come up during the spring."
   The list of school activities multiplies during the spring. There’s the prom and Spirit Week, two events that often create conflicts with students involved in other activities, especially athletics. Refi isn’t telling his athletes not to go to the prom or show their school spirit. He just wants them to reach their full potential this spring, and that could be something truly special.
   "I’ve already talked to the girls," Refi said. "A lot of things come up and I want them to be a part of all that but I don’t want it to become overwhelming. I told the seniors, ‘this is your year, this is your team.’ It’s not my team. If I don’t like the way this season works out, I can coach another year. This is it for them. I want them to stay focused."
   Refi feels fortunate to have an outstanding group of seniors leading the way. He’s confident that this group will be committed to keeping the team on pace for a huge season. The Raiders have several athletes with Meet of Champions experience and others who have competed in big races over the years.
   "We have great seniors and we have a lot of competitors," Refi said. "That’s what makes the team."
   Indoor state shot put champion Taryn O’Connor will be even more dangerous in the spring when adding the discus to her arsenal. The school record-holder in both events, O’Connor will be gunning for another state shot put title and looking to add to her Meet of Champions medal count, which currently stands at three. The HHS senior will be a heavy favorite to win all of the local meets.
   Fellow senior Melissa Arango is coming off a stellar indoor campaign in which she set school records in the hurdles and triple jump. She will be a force in the hurdles and benefit from additional event opportunities provided by the spring season.
   Ebony Jones joins the team after playing basketball during the winter. Jones has M of C experience from her sophomore year and hopes to return to the state’s final meet. She’ll be a key factor in the hurdles and sprints along with classmate Ali Leifer, who had an impressive indoor campaign.
   In addition to Jones, the HHS girls added freshman cross country star Ashley Smolinka to lead their distance crew. Ali Hydzik and Kelsey Kutch (throws) will also make an impact this spring after not competing indoors.
   Other athletes to watch include seniors Isis Bonney (jumps) and Ellyn Griggs (javelin), juniors Angela Davia (throws), Beth Davin (pole vault), Jaclyn Marangella (pole vault), Stephanie Ogrodnik (sprints), Nicole Rocha (distance) and Anna Spaniol (800, relay), sophomores Brittany Bennett (throws), Julia Bergen (hurdles, sprints), Michelle Dennis (distance), Carlin Dunne (800, relay), Amanda Forsythe (shot put, discus), Meredith Mayes (distance), Allison Moran (hurdles, 800, relay), Robyn Paterno (distance) and Ebony Young (hurdles, sprints, triple jump) and freshmen Maureen Lynch (hurdles), Christina Mehrtens (throws, jumps), Juliet Numfor (sprints), Erica Reiss (hurdles, jumps) and Kelly Weber (pole vault).
   Hillsborough, a good indoor team, will benefit from the addition of more jumping and throwing events in the outdoor season. The Raiders have plenty of talented, experienced athletes to score, especially in the triple jump and discus.
   The HHS girls took a nine-year dual meet winning streak into this week’s opener vs. Phillipsburg. While Refi doesn’t emphasize regular season meets, he takes great pride in his team’s long win streak. The Raiders also hope to run the table with championship victories in the Skyland Conference and Somerset County relay meets in April and individual meets in May and the Central Jersey Group 4 and State Group 4 events at the end of the season.
   "We have every single ingredient that we need for a perfect season," Refi said.