PHS’ Vuojolainen is lone area champ at MCT
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
HAMILTON — Rebekka Vuojolainen scored in three events at last year’s Mercer County Championships, but her highest placement was fifth in the triple jump.
The Princeton High School junior wasn’t sure how she’d fare at this year’s county meet after a slow start to her season, but a win in the pole vault and second-place finish in the triple jump Saturday at Steinert in the county championship have her feeling good again.
”I thought it was good,” Vuojolainen said. “Pole vault went better than I expected. I had a rough start to the season, but I’m finally starting to get back where I was in the winter so that feels good.”
Vuojolainen wasn’t even getting 9-feet early in the season.
”I had a mental block,” she said. “It was just bad. I didn’t have good jumps.”
Vuojolainen had enough Saturday to be the lone competitor to clear 10-feet. She was also the lone Packet-area winner on the girls side. West Windsor-Plainsboro South came in second in the standings behind Hopewell Valley.
”We made some mistakes on our own today that kind of hit us,” said Pirates head coach Todd Smith. “They came out and did their best. We didn’t have any champions, but I thought our depth showed pretty well across the events.”
The Pirates lost a pair of places to disqualifications, but still ended up with a strong group of finishers that enabled it to finish two points ahead of Ewing. Caroline Kellner got second in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Emily Morrow was second in the 400 in a new school record 57.44. Ashleigh Delemos was fourth in the 100 meters. Rebecca Musumeci finished second in the javelin, Mariane Fadiga was third in the shot put and Sherell Lowe was third in the discus. Shelby Miller ran a strong 3,200 for fifth. The Pirates’ Katie Calder, Sara Lemley, Delemos and Mauro placed second in the 4×400 relay. Smith is hoping just as many kids can perform that way at the sectionals May 21.
”That’s our goal — to get as many kids through as we can,” he said. “I think we have a good shot of getting the most kids out ever.
”I think Mercer County is one of the best track counties in the state. You come here and get second or third, you could very well be in contention for a sectional title wherever you go. We’re looking forward to it.”
WW-P North was seventh overall. Ryan Williams was second in the 200 meters and 100 hurdles. Marilyn Allen was third in the 400 hurdles. Emily Scott was third in the 800 and sixth in the 1,600. Whitney Brown was third in the triple jump in a school-record 35-3½.
”All-around, we actually had a lot of personal bests with the girls,” said Knights head coach Monica Biro. “This is really the first time they’ve come out and competed against a lot of great competition. We’ve been using the dual meets to train for different aspects of races. So I wanted to see what they could do against good competition. They did great.
”Overall, the girls performed great,” she added. “We know we’re ready for states. We have two weeks to go, but we know we’re at the right place where we want to be right now with all the goals we’ve been setting. I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Led by Vuojolainen, PHS finished eighth in the team standings. Bryell Wheeler was third in the 100 meters and fourth in the long jump. Chrissy Glover was sixth in the 800 meters. The Little Tigers turn their sights to sectionals now. Vuojolainen is feeling better equipped for her events after the county meet.
Her pole vault win showed her improvement in a relatively new sport. She didn’t take up pole vaulting until last spring.
”I’ve been doing it for a year now,” said the Cranbury resident. “Last year, I wasn’t that good. In the fall, we started going to Vertical Assault, and we’ve gotten two feet better.
”I got 8-6 (last year) so it definitely improved. I think I was sixth.”
She also made a big improvement over last year’s county triple jump performance. Vuojolainen was nearly four feet better than last year to finish second at 36-feet-3½ Saturday, a new personal record.
”I thought it was good,” she said. “I’m consistently getting better so that’s good. I PR’d by just an inch, but at least it’s progress.”
The gold and silver medals set Vuojolainen up for the sectionals that begin May 21.
”I want to PR in the triple jump,” she said. “I want to jump 37. Another 10 would be good (in pole vault), 10-6 would be better.”