The New Jersey International Track and Field Meet will present its 28th edition on June 7 at Colts Neck High School. The javelin and hammer throws will compete separately at Monmouth University. Competition will start at 2 p.m.
This event began in 1987 in honor of Bob Roggy, the Holmdel High School graduate who died following an accident at the U.S. Olympic Sports Festival in Houston, Texas, in the summer of 1986. Roggy had become one of the world’s leading javelin throwers and had set the American record in the event. Many world-class athletes have honored Roggy’s memory by competing in the meet, which was first hosted by Holmdel High School. The list of greats includes Eamonn Coghlan, Marcus O’Sullivan, Roger Kingdom, Butch Reynolds, Sydney Maree, Charles Austin, Joetta Clark Diggs, Andrew Valmon, Meredith Rainey, Rich Kenah and Paul Ereng.
Nick McDonough of Interlaken, the head coach at New York University, now serves as the New Jersey International meet director, and he’s been busy lining up strong entries for all events.
With the USA Track and Field National Championships coming up later this month in Sacramento, Calif., many top athletes are expected to use the New Jersey International as part of their preparation.
Many events — such features as the Bob Roggy Memorial Javelin, Eamonn Coghlan Mile, Al Blozis Memorial Shot Put, Frank Budd Memorial 100-meter dash, the Mike Pascuzzo high jump, and Rich Kenah and Joetta Clark Diggs 800s — are named for athletes who made their marks on the New Jersey scene. Others — such as the Chrissy D’Alessandro Memorial
Women’s Mile, the Harry Nolan Men’s Masters Mile, the Dr. Matt Brown Masters 100 and the Mary Conry Memorial Women’s Masters Mile — are named for local legends of the sport.
The meet is open to all and has both Elite and Open Division sections in designated track events. Masters races are at 100 and 400 meters and the mile.
A full field event slate includes the high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put and discus, all at Colts Neck. The javelin and hammer are at Monmouth University.
For more details, email [email protected].