Jackson Memorial High School’s Kelly Jamison (No. 15) and Freehold Township High School’s Tori Wagner (No. 40) go up for a rebound during the WOBM Christmas Classic game played on Dec. 26 at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River. The Jaguars, seeded No. 3, moved on to the semifinals with a 54-45 victory. JEFF GRANIT staff A ll four members of Jackson Memorial High School’s national champion shuttle hurdles relay team are graduated and off to college careers, which creates a major challenge of rebuilding for a young, but deep, indoor track and field team.
“Last year we had a lot of quality, but not quantity. This year we have quantity,” said coach Steve Theobald. “It’s a good group. They know what it takes to get to the next level. But we’re young and a year away from getting there.”
That talented shuttle hurdles relay team clocked a winning 30.13, which was the fastest time run by any high school relay team in the national championships at the 168th Street Armory in New York. The team was led by Mike Kaba, who reached the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in the 55 meters with a sixth place finish in the Group IV finals and was fifth in the Easterns. He’s competing these days for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Also on that team was Jason Poppe, who is at New Jersey Institute of Technology; Steve Avino, who is at Gettysburg College and Ryan Williams, who is at Howard University.
It wasn’t just the raw speed and agility that helped that quartet gain the national acclaim. It’s also the baton exchange that does not even allow for a minute miscue that comes with intensive practice, focus and chemistry.
“So far, the weather is cooperating [for outdoor practices] and we’ve been training well,” said Theobald, whose team competes in the Ocean County Relays on Jan. 5 at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River. “They’re coming along slowly but surely.” Taylor Reynolds, a senior who was expected to be a part of the shuttle hurdles relay last season until a hamstring injury forced him to the sidelines, is back this season and has secured a spot again on that relay with junior Nick Claudio and Ed Delesky. The other spot has been rotated by sophomores Rich Rountree and Nick Tetro and freshman Dan Kaba, who is Mike’s younger brother.
Poppe and Avino were the top high jumpers last year and Delesky is working toward filling that void. Poppe also was a fine triple jumper.
Theobald also must find replacements for graduated standouts Brandon Eldershaw in the long distance events, Marvin Jackson in the 800 meters and Mike Rogers in the 400 meters.
He’s got some good ones in junior Trevor Johnson, who finished 15th in the Ocean County cross-country championship meet while running the 800-meter and 1,600-meter events, and junior Tom O’Brien racing in the 3,200 meters. Senior captain Brendan Mautone and sophomore David Fox run the 1,600 meters. Freshmen Ryan Rafferty and Justin Carlton round out the distance runners.
As for the sprinters, the many sophomores who competed in that event last year are back and seasoned with experience, particularly Justin Gullo and Khani Glover. Freshmen Vincent Lee and Joe Giglio also are promising sprinters.
Theobald said the only other prospects in the field events at this time are seniors Kyle Albany and Max Schuldes in the shot put.