Melissa Bellin didn’t see her coming. As the Rumson-Fair Haven hurdler was closing in on a NJSIAA Meet of Champions crown, Hopewell Valley’s Julie Alexander was closing fast in the middle of the track.
ERIC SUCAR staff Rumson-Fair Haven High School’s Hannah Satzke (r) competes in the Girls 1,600-meter run at the NJSIAA Track and Field State Championships at South Plainfield High School on June 5. “I tried to attack the last two hurdles,” said Bellin. “I didn’t see her until she passed me.”
By then it was too late for the RFH junior to respond. Alexander, the State Group III champion, was by and on her way to a slim victory in the girl’s 400-intermediate hurdles at the June 5 MOC held in South Plainfield. Alexander’s 1:- 00.60 was just ahead of Bellin’s 1:00.72.
It was the first defeat of the championship season in the 400 hurdles for Bellin, but she did have the satisfaction of turning in her fastest time of the season.
“It’s (the season) really been amazing,” she said. “I really worked hard. I feel really good about the year.”
Bellin, who won the State Group II championship, and Alexander are both juniors. There could well be a replay of this year’s great final in 2009.
After her MOC runner-up, Bellin anchored the RFH 4×400 relay team to 10th place (3:56.23). Gabriella Kelly, Christina Roquel, Jaime Carroll and Bellin won the Group II crown.
Carroll was 14th in the 800 (2:16.32) and Kelly, 17th in the 400 (58.85).
The Bulldogs’ Hannah Satzke was 19th in the 1,600 (5:14.89).
Ocean Township’s Hannah Boyce peaked at the right time, jumping her best at the season’s biggest meets. She was one of six jumpers to clear 5-6 in one of the most competitive high jump competitions in MOC history. Lauren Caloroel of Lacey Township won it over five others on fewer misses.
Red Bank Catholic’s Kevin Byrne ran one of the fastest 800 meters for a freshman boy in state history, 1:56.03, and took 15th.
RBC’s other top frosh, Molly McNamara, was 13th (2:16.27) in the girl’s 800.
Shore Regional’s Cameo Kirk finished 12th in the 400 hurdles (1:04.42).
On the boys’ side for the Blue Devils, Sean Kelly was 14th in the pole vault (13- 0) and Matt Bersterman jumped 6-4 and tied for ninth.
Rumson’s Alex Smith did 42-6 ½ in the triple jump and was 19th.
Red Bank Regional frosh Aiyanna James had the 12th fastest time in the girls’ 100-meter qualifying heats (12.66).
RBR’s Mike Kolodziej was 16th in the boys 1,600 (4:23.22).