Gilbertson, Berg win conference crowns

Howell High School’s Maggie Gilbertson and Freehold Township High School’s Kelly Berg added Shore Conference championships to their winter résumés.

One week after winning Monmouth County titles, Gilbertson and Berg were victorious at the Jan. 29 Shore Conference Championships in Toms River.

It only required a jump of 5-2 for Gilbertson to win the Shore Conference high jump title. Toms River East’s Elly Wardle also cleared 5-2, but the title went to Gilbertson on fewer misses.

Gilbertson, who is competing in indoor track for the first time, has already jumped 5-6 this season.

Colts Neck’s Tiffany Agalaba tied for fourth place in the high jump (5-0).

Berg, who won the county 55-meter hurdles final on a lean at the finish line, was clear of the field at the finish of the 55- meter hurdles at the conference meet. After running the best time in qualifying (8.67), Berg was even quicker in the final (8.49) as she lowered her school record by .29.

Freehold Township’s Dave Benjamin won the boys high jump. In a crowded field, Benjamin was the only jumper to clear 6-2. Six jumpers cleared 6-0, but only Benjamin cleared 6-2. Freehold Township’s Sean Walsh cleared 6-0 and placed fifth.

Freehold Township’s 4×400-meter relay team of Rhianna Zalewski, Kelly Pereira, Emily Pereira and Jenna Eldridge lowered their season’s best time to 4:03.79 in finishing third.

Other athletes who won a medal at the conference meet were Freehold’s Mackenzie Roche, third in the 1,600 (5:19.54); Howell’s Kellie Bresz, fourth in the pole vault (10-0); and Colts Neck’s Rachel Ivanicki, sixth in the 400 (1:01.73).

Freehold’s Cody O’Flaherty placed sixth in the 800 (2:04.17) by winning his unseeded race.T

he NJSIAA state sectionals began on Feb. 3 and will run through Feb. 7.

The state group championships will be held Feb. 12-14 and the Meet of Champions will be held on Feb. 20, all in Toms River.