By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Christina Rancan won three events to help the West Windsor-Plainsboro South girls track and field team to the Central Jersey Group III indoor championship.
But the senior distance runner is the first to admit the Pirates’ title was anything but a one-person show.
“It was definitely a full team effort,” said Rancan, who won the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs. “Everyone was so instrumental in the overall team win. It was great being able to cheer for someone in almost every event and to be able to cheer for each person. In all my races I was lucky enough to have at least one and sometimes two teammates in every race. It’s great since we all train together and work so hard.”
The Pirates finished with 89 points to easily outdistance Colts Neck, which finished with 30 points. In addition to the three wins from Rancan, WW-P South picked up first-place finishes from Bernadette Cao, who won the 400 in 1:00.21, and Kathryn Schoenauer, who won the 55 hurdles in 8.55. The Pirates also won the 4×400 relay.
“It was definitely great having a bunch of different girls contribute to our score,” Rancan said. “Multiple people helped contribute and that added to the joy we had. When we realized we won, everyone knew they were an important part of the team and it was validation of all the work we have put in.”
Rancan won the 1,600 in 5:03.10, the 3,200 in 11:12, and the 800 in 2:18.19. The sweep was part of what has been a great senior season for Rancan, who won the Mercer County cross country championship in the fall.
“It went great,” Rancan said. “It was a really exciting. We have all been putting in so much work through the season. It’s an awesome feeling to see it pay off when it counts. I am really happy for the whole team.
“My times were not PRs but times I was happy with, especially with all three events in one day. I wasn’t concentrating so much on time as form and giving it my best. Once the first race was done I prepared for the second and then when that was done I prepared for the next event.”
In addition to the winners, Haley Rich also had a big meet for the Pirates, finishing third in the 1,600 and second in the 800.
“She did a fantastic job,” Rancan said. “She has been working so hard. I am so proud of her. It’s exciting to see her do so well. It’s a great feeling when you see people that will be able to carry on the legacy of the team, like Kelsey Kolbus, who made it out in the 3,200. I am so proud of her.”
Kolbus finished fifth in the 3,200. Edwina Gulama was fifth in the 400, Schoenauer was third in the 55 dash, and Tia Saade was sixth in the 800.
Princeton and WW-P North competed in the North Jersey, Section 2 Group III meet. The Little Tigers picked up a victory when Jordan Vine won the 400 meters in 1:00.17. Vine was also sixth in the 55 dash. The Little Tigers’ Chloe Taylor finished second in the 3,200, while Lou Mailhe finished fourth in the 1,600 and third in the 3,200. Jackie Patterson was sixth in the 400 and Noa Levy finished third in the high jump
For North, Katrina Beske third in the pole vault.
Montgomery will compete in the Central Jersey Group IV meet on Saturday.
