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SOUTH COUNTY: Youthful spring to Shaffer’s step

South Hunterdon High soph among state’s best female runners

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   Still less than halfway through her sophomore year at South Hunterdon Regional High School, Kelly Shaffer already has left an indelible mark on the school’s athletic history.
   This fall, Kelly took first place in New Jersey’s Group I state championship girls’ cross country meet. Last spring, while still a freshman, she was girls’ Group I state champion in the 1600-meter event. She finished fourth in the state in the 800-meter race.
   Scott Ward, Kelly’s cross country coach at South Hunterdon, explains her stellar accomplishments in five words: “Kelly is a fantastic athlete.”
   Asked how she felt as she crossed the finish line ahead of all other runners in the state meet, Kelly, whose manner manages to be both self-effacing and infectiously enthusiastic, said Monday: “I was so excited. I did have the lead for a while, but a group of other girls were right behind me for a lot of the race. One girl was right behind me with a quarter-mile left to go. I didn’t know what to expect. Everyone has a different finishing kick.”
   In cross country parlance, the “finishing kick” is the sprint to the finish line. Kelly had a strong kick that day, as the girl who had been close behind her wound up being a considerable distance behind Kelly when the South Hunterdon soph crossed the finish line.
   Kelly said she’s played some organized basketball in the past, but plans to stick to just cross country and track from now on.
   ”I love running. I always have, but what really makes me love cross country is the team,” she said. “Cross country people are really good, nice people. People on the team cheer for each other. Sometimes, even people from the opposing team will cheer for you. That’s a special thing.”
   She says South Hunterdon team has a great coach. “The level of work Coach Ward puts into our team is amazing,” she said. “And he plans everything so we peak at the right time.”
   Kelly’s mother, Heather Shaffer, teaches math at the high school.
   ”Our family does a lot of outdoor stuff together,” said Kelly, who’s gone hunting, fishing, hiking and kayaking. She also loves art and plays the flute.
   Said South Hunterdon athletic director Jason Miller: “Kelly is definitely one of our more well-rounded students. She’s very well known in the school. She’s a great student and a great personality.”