Ocean Township High School’s Michelle Mazza took second in the shot put with a mark of 41-5 at the NJSIAA Group III state championships held at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield on May 30-31. Red Bank Regional High School’s Meg Reardon went into the June 4 NJSIAA Outdoor Meet of Champions (MOC) as the top seed in the girls javelin.
The Buccaneers’ senior, who is headed to Wake Forest University, uncorked the best throw of her career, 138-9, in winning the Group III state championship at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield on May 30-31.
Reardon’s throw was the best mark from all of the group championships, giving her the top seed.
Red Bank Catholic (RBC) High School’s Rachel Kershner was one of the throwers looking up at Reardon’s mark. Kershner won the Non-Public A state title with a throw of 127-0. Teammate Kate Davin took second (121-5). The Non-Public A Championships were held at Egg Harbor Township High School.
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School thrower Jason Bryan was the No. 2 seed for the boys MOC shot put. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to win a state title. It seems the two best throwers in the state are from the same group.
West Deptford High School’s Nick Pulli edged Bryan at the Group II meet. His 62- 10¼ was just ahead of Bryan’s new school record of 62-9.
With two other throwers surpassing 60 feet, the MOC competition should be one of the highlights of the meet.
Ocean Township High School’s Michelle Mazza was runner-up in the girls Group III shot put with a 41-5. She was the third seed. The girls shot put will be every bit as competitive as the boys, as there were nine throws over 40 feet at the group meets and less than 2 feet separated them all.
Red Bank girls win CJ III
The state sectional championships were held on May 23-24 at Monmouth Regional High School for the Group III schools. Red Bank Regional girls announced that the Buccaneers are back by capturing the Central Jersey Group III championship with 88 points.
The Buccaneers had many outstanding performances, led by Reardon, whose winning 138-5 stood as the school javelin record for a week.
Lauren Sapone joined the company of previous Red Bank Regional distance greats, winning the 800 in 2:15.20. She also took third in the 1,600 (5:00.82).
Destyni Cooper won the high jump (5-0), with the versatile Reardon taking third (4-10).
Jazz Van Loon was second in the long jump (17-7¼) and triple jump (36-8½). Also helping the Buccaneers was shot putter Sarena Dixon (40-0½) in second place.
Natalie Sidun was second in the 400 intermediate hurdles (1:05.65) and teamed with Bella Conti, Sophi Conti and Cooper on the Buccaneers’ second-place 4×100 relay (49.98).
Xaire Williams gave the Red Bank Regional boys a champion by winning the Central Jersey Group III boys shot put (53-3¼).
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Bryan won the Central Jersey Group II shot put in a thenschool record of 62-5½, which he surpassed at the group championships.
Long Branch High School sprinter Cleopatra Morrison was a double winner. She won the 100 (12.25) and 200 (25.20) dashes in Central Jersey Group II.
Monmouth Regional High School’s Chloe Yelle won the Central Jersey Group II girls discus (128-8).
Long Branch’s Shabazz Shuler won the boys long jump (21-7), and Rumson-Fair Haven’s Charlie Volker took the boys 100 (11.01) in Central Jersey Group II.
Rumson-Fair Haven’s team of Hannah Anderson, Jacqueline Gottuso, Sarah Nelson and Melissa Rowland captured the 4×800 in 9:45.69.
The Central Jersey Group I championships were held at Hillsborough High School, where Shore Regional High School’s Kevin Mazzella won the boys 800 meters (1:59.72).
Shore Regional’s boys won the 4×800 (8:35.67).
RBC girls win Non-Public South A
RBC’s girls won the Non-Public South A title by 10 points over Union Catholic Regional High School, 126-116.
RBC’s sectional champions were sprinter Abby Collins in the 100 (12.56); Gabriella Ferrigine in the 800 (2:16.40); Kershner in the javelin (118-4); and the 4×800 relay team of Megan Coakley, Megan Cronk, Kaitlin Ryan and Emily Rienzo (9:38.65).
Collins, Ferrigine, Haley Roussell and Shayne McNally placed second in the 4×400 (4:02.75).
Fidele Jules was runner-up in the discus (128-7) and third in the shot put (37-4).
Davin was second behind Reardon in the javelin (112-3) and fifth in the discus (96-6).
The Non-Public South A meet was held at Monsignor Donovan High School.