BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
PRINCETON — Ashley Higginson relishes the role of the underdog.
“I always like being the underdog,” she said. “I run a little better when I’m relaxed.”
Higginson may find it difficult to convince anyone but herself that she is an underdog after Sunday’s impressive win at the NJSIAA Indoor Track and Field Meet of Champions at Princeton University. Higginson became the first Colts Neck athlete to win an MOC title when she majestically ran away from the field in the final 700 meters.
The sophomore broke 11:00 indoors for the first time with her personal best 10:52.72 that left defending champion Jen Clausen of Jackson well back in third (11:06.22).
“That’s the most amazing thing I’ve done,” said Higginson, who posted the fastest 3,200 in the state this year. “It was an amazing race with so many amazing runners. I’m shocked by it and excited.”
Higginson subjected Clausen and the MOC field to same strategy that has worked all winter, running the second half of the race faster than the first half.
“I was looking to run negative splits and not go out too fast,” she said. “I didn’t know when I was going to make my move. I went when it felt good.”
Clausen was the pace-setter for the race, taking the field through a steady place that had them on schedule for an 11:00 3,200. Clausen led at 2:45 for the first 800, and 5:31 for the 1,600. Another 2:45 800 by Clausen took them through 2,400 meters in 8:15.
On the backstretch of the next lap, with 700 meters remaining, Higginson struck. At first, her surge only produced marginal gain. But soon it took its toll as Clausen showed the first signs of struggle. Higginson knows the risk of taking it out with that much left in the race and was prepared for what it required.
“No matter how much it hurts, you can’t stop,” she said.
The only ones hurting at the end of the race were those chasing Higginson. Her last 800 was her fastest, 2:37, bringing runner-up Karen Guthrie of West Morris Mendham under 11:00 as well (10:59.12).
In a school that is becoming well known for its distance running prowess, Higginson has the honor of being the first to win an MOC crown.
Freehold Borough’s Justin Frick had a big day himself at Princeton. He didn’t pick up an MOC win, but he did get another personal best, soaring 6-8 in finishing second to Union’s Chris Haley.
Just the week before the MOC at the New York City Armory, the Colonial junior negotiated 6-6 for the very first time. That gave him confidence that he could do it again at Princeton.
“I felt sure that I’d do 6-6,” said Frick. “I had no idea I’d do 6-8.”
The high jump came down to a duel between two jumpers who had saved their best for the MOC. Frick had his pb of 6-6 going into Sunday’s championship, while Haley’s best was 6-7.
Three jumpers remained in the competition after 6-6, with Nick Syzonenko of Randolph joining Haley and Frick.
Frick was trailing in the competition because of misses at 6-0 and 6-4, while Haley was perfect, but he put the pressure squarely on the Union jumper by making 6-8 on his first attempt.
Haley would have to match Frick to remain in the lead. He responded to the pressure, making his new pb on his first attempt.
Syzonenko failed to clear 6-8 and the competition was down to two.
Haley put the exclamation to his victory by clearing 6-10 on his third try.
Frick said afterward that it will take a few more jumps to get accustomed to the rarefied air of 6-10.
“It seemed so high,” he said.
Still, Frick is well ahead of schedule. He had hoped to hit 6-9 outdoors and has already done that undercover. His 6-8 was not just a pb and school record, but matched the Freehold Regional District indoor mark of 6-8 by Freehold Township’s K.C. Acampora.
Freehold Township’s Danielle Dailey also medaled at the MOC in the girls shot put. The senior has been as consistent as anyone, throwing around 39 feet in every meet. Sunday, she reached 39-9 and finished fourth. Daria Zivanovic edged Hightstown’s Amanda Marshall, 41-3 3/4 to 41-0 1/2, for the title.
Marlboro’s Jenna Meagher tied for ninth in the pole vault (9-0). Warren Hills’ Kristen Hafford was first at 12-0.