CBA adds Group track crown to its championship résumé

 St. John Vianney’s Ashley Grenger finishes up her run in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the June 1 NJSIAA Outdoor Track and Field Group Championships at Old Bridge High School. The Lancer junior finished seventh in 1:09.44.  ERIC SUCAR staff St. John Vianney’s Ashley Grenger finishes up her run in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the June 1 NJSIAA Outdoor Track and Field Group Championships at Old Bridge High School. The Lancer junior finished seventh in 1:09.44. ERIC SUCAR staff The only thing missing from Christian Brothers Academy’s utter dominance the last two years was the NJSIAA Non-Public A outdoor track and field state title .

That issue was settled last weekend (June 1-2) when CBA outgunned Union Catholic for the championship. The Colts rolled up 112 points while Vikings hung right with them with 104 points.

CBAneeded to win the final event on the track, the 4×400 relay to assure itself of the title and the Colts did so outdueling the Vikings, who came into the meet the highest seeded team in the section.

Anchored by 400-meter champion Theo Foster the Colts not only won the event but, set a new meet record with their 3:18.36 whichwas .01 quicker than Seton Hall’s 2005 record.

Matt Rodio, Kevin Olsen and Zack Mc- Dermott ran the first three legs of the relay for CBA.

Rodio had started the Colts championship off winning the first event of the championships, the 400-meter intermediate hurdles in 55.30.

CBA picked up a bundle of points from the 800-3,200 meters, but only Billy Bragg won a title. The junior won a six-runner battle between three Colts and three Don Bosco Prep runners in a race that was more suited for cross country. Bragg turned on the jets in the final 200 meters to win the race in 9:17.50. CBA’s other individual champion was pole vaulter BryanMorris, who skied 13-6 in winning the competition.

CBAscored in 11 of the 15 events paving the way for the victory.

St. John Vianney’s James Pancetti unloaded a personal best 195-9 to win the boys javelin.

The Non-Public B state meet was held at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield. Mater Dei senior Paul Juelis captured the 800-meter state title there, clocking 1:57.57.

For the Seraph girls, Dejah McGee claimed the gold medal in the 400 hurdles. The junior bested the field with her 1:07.61.

The Group III championships were also held in Plainfield and Middletown South’s Tiffany Okieme continued her winning way taking the shot put by 3 ½-feet with her 42-4.

Matawan has won the Group title in the triple jump leaping 38-10 ½.

The New Jersey high school track and field season concludes on June 7 with the NJSIAA Meet of Champions back at Old Bridge High School. Those who finished in the top six in each event at the Group meets automatically advanced to the MOC.

Once again the 4×800 relay will be contested and defending champion CBA has qualified once again.

Action beings on the track and in the field at 3:30 p.m.