Group championships next for CJ II champion Ticse

Redbird teammates Meloro, Lubieski also qualify

BYWAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer

Caroline Ticse, who will take her running talents to Johns Hopkins this fall, and her Allentown girls track and field senior classmate Bridget Meloro are back in the NJSIAA Indoor Group II state championships on Saturday (Feb. 19) at the John Bennett Athletic Complex in Toms River.

They are joined by sophomore Abbey Lubieski, competing in the groups championships for the first time. The meet starts at 4 p.m .

Their efforts are drawing to a close in one of the best indoor seasons enjoyed by the Redbird girls in many years, according to coach Ray Britton.

All three girls advanced out of the Central Jersey Group II sectional by finishing among the top six in their events and look to advance to the Meet of Champions (MOC) with another finish among the top six this weekend.

Ticse, who competed in the MOC last year, again reached school records in the 3,200 with a winning time of 11:23.73. It surpassed her previous 11:28.72 in last year’s MOC. She also equaled her school record of 5:21.1 in the 1,600 meters set at last year’s MOC. She finished third in the 1,600.

“I never really had a fast start [in distance races] but I’m trying to make my start faster and to go in harder and faster,” said Ticse. “I’ve developed a stronger kick, and I’ve gotten stronger.”

Meloro and Lubieski advanced in the high jump. Meloro finished second in the high jump in the sectionals at 5-2. She has jumped 5-3 in practice. Lubieski was tied for fifth in the sectionals at 4-10.

Meloro and Lubieski also combined for a second-place finish in the high jump at the NJSIAAGroup II relays last month.

Meloro last year was sixth in the sectionals at 5-0 but missed advancing to the MOC with a 4-10 top measure in the Groups meet, and she said it was a learning experience that she takes to this year’s groups meet.

“Definitely the difference is confidence, which is one of the big components to be successful,” said Meloro, who has hit 5-3 in practice and is looking to exceed that. “It’s not just talent, but you have to feel you can achieve it.”

Meloro said she has not decided on a college but wants to continue in track and field after high school. Both will compete outdoors this spring.

Ticse was hampered last spring by shin splints suffered at the end of the indoor season, but she said she is healthy and ready to go.

“Caroline could do very well in the 3,200, but she will have a tough time beating Margie Venable [of Hillsborough], who was the state cross country champion in the MOC,” Britton said. “And she could do well in the 1,600. If Bridget jumps well as she can, she can be in the top three. Abbey could advance if she hits 5 feet and has no misses.”

Ticse also reached the MOC during cross country season last November at Holmdel Park, clocking a school record of 19:05 for 19th place. She also was sectional champion.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Ticse about being joined in the groups meet by Meloro. Jackie Duffy, who graduated last spring, also reached the Groups meet last year in the shot put, but her 30-7½ throw was shy of qualifying for the MOC.

“We’re so excited for each other,” said Ticse. “We want to go to the MOC, and it’s nice to reach goals and see hard work paying off.”

Meloro said it’s “absolutely great” knowing that she’ll be competing with Ticse.

“Caroline has always been so supportive of me,” Meloro said. “It’s amazing to watch her.”

Their efforts led the Redbirds for fifthplace finishes in the sectionals as well as in the Mercer County Meet last month where Ticse was runner-up in the 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600. Carrie Ruge, a junior, was third in the pole vault.

Meloro clocked a fine 2:33.4 in the 800 meters that day, and Heather Murphy, a sophomore, ran well in both distance events.

It was the strongest finish in both meets in many years, Britton said.