Looking to get out and enjoy the spring air?
Well there are plenty of events to visit, ranging from an elite track and field festival across the Delaware River to a showdown on the Navesink River in Middletown.
Plus there a slew of tournaments spread across Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties as well.
So pack your bags and jump into your car and let’s go…….
One of the country’s most prestigious track and field events of the year —the Penn Relays—will be staged starting April 28 and running through April 30 in Philadelphia.
Hordes of local athletes will be in action at storied Franklin Field at Franklin Field. The drive to Philadelphia is well worth it.
More than neighborhood bragging rights will be on the line in Middletown on April 28 when the softball and baseball teams from Middletown North and Middletown South clash at Middletown South High School.
The Shore Conference A North Division title could be on the line on the softball diamond. Middletown North is undefeated in division play while South has just one loss, that to North earlier in the season. A Middletown North victory and the division championship is all but clinched. A Middletown South triumph would probably result in a co-championship.
Both clubs are ranked in the state poll.
On the baseball diamond, the Middetown teams are among the hottest in the Shore.
Middletown South currently is tied in the loss column with Christian Brothers Academy (both have two defeats) atop A North and has won four of its last five games. Middletown North has won eight of its last nine, including a 6-2 victory over CBA.
Middletown North can climb back into the division race with a victory while Middletown South can take a big step towards the division’s public school title with a victory.
On April 30, Middletown North travels to Lincroft to play CBA again, this time in the Round of 16 in the Monmouth County Tournament.
On April 29 in Howell Township, two baseball teams that could see each other in the state playoffs, East Brunswick and Howell, can get a preview of each other in this non-conference game pitting the Greater Middlesex Conference against the Shore Conference.
The Ocean Township Baseball Tournament has begun, and on April 30, both Jackson Liberty and Jackson Memorial have home games in the Round of 16.
Liberty, the fifth seed, is playing No. 12 Manchester and sixth seeded Memorial is taking on No. 11 Point Pleasant Beach.
The Monmouth County Softball Tournament is underway, and on April 29, top-seeded St. John Vianney faces a very dangerous Wall Township team in Holmdel in the quarterfinal round.
Ocean Township, the fourth seed, will be the host to No. 5 Howell on April 30 in a quarterfinal that pits two very good offenses against each other. That games is scheduled for April 30 as well.
Monroe Township High School’s softball team travels to South Plainfield on April 30 for a game that will have GMC White Division championship implications. South Plainfield is 8-1 in the division and Monroe is 6-2.
The Ocean Township High School boys’ lacrosse team is rolling along with a 9-0 record. On April 30, the Spartans will face their most difficult game to date, battle-tested Rumson-Fair Haven, with first place in the Shore Conference B North Division on the line in West Long Branch.
Although 7-3 on the season, the Bulldogs bring a 4-0 division record to Ocean, which is 5-0 in division play.
North Brunswick High School’s girls’ lacrosse team puts it undefeated record (11-0) on the line when it travels to Old Bridge of April 28 to take on the Knights in an important Greater Middlesex Conference game.
On April 30, North Brunswick will step out of conference when it visits SKillman to take on Montgomery.
For track and field fans who can’t get to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays, Middletown North High School is holding the Lion Invitational on April 30. Athletes will compete in individual events at the meet.