Winter Track Sectionals Send Several VHS Athletes To Group Championship

Winter track’s sectionals meet took place Saturday in Toms River and several Verona High School athletes did well enough that they will compete next weekend in the state Group Championships.

Kate Ashley won the state sectional 800m race in what may have been the most exciting finish of the entire meet. Ashley’s first place time was 2:23.74, just a whisper ahead of Samantha Green of Park Ridge, who finished in 2:23.93. “Such a finish takes an athlete with much mental toughness and determination and ability to perform under pressure,” said Gene Leporati, the coach of VHS girls track. Ashley also medalled in the 400m race, taking fourth place with a time of 1:02.16. The finishes mean that she will be competing in both races in the championship.

Ashley anchored the VHS 4 x 400m relay team of Olivia Fiore, Brianna Rigney and Alex DeVivo, which took fifth place with a time of 4:22.26. It, too, will move on to the championship. “All of our girls had outstanding performances in their respective events at a very competitive state sectional championship,” said Leporati, “and I’m very proud of how hard they trained throughout the season.”

On the boys side, sophomore Owen Fogarty finished fourth in pole vault, which advances him the the championships, along with the 4×400 team of sophomores Vincent Hogan, David Navarro and Bryan McKeen and senior Evan Huaman. Fogarty tied the school winter track record again at 12 feet, while the boys 4×400 relay team finished sixth with a time of 3:50.68.

“It is an accomplishment just being able to compete at this meet,” said Laura Palmerezzi, the coach of the VHS boys team. “I am very proud of my team for working hard each and every day.” Palmerezzi noted that the boys winter track team consisted of only three seniors this year.

The State Group Championships will be held on Saturday, February 17, at the John Bennett Indoor Sports Center in Toms River, beginning at 9 a.m.

VHS Results

Pole Vault
4. Owen Fogarty, 12-00.00

Boys 1600m
16. Jason Siegelin, 4:55.55
19. Michael Maglione, 4:58:85
21. Chris Robinson, 5:04.16

Boys 3200m
12. Sean Carney, 10:54.14
21. Philip Chivily, 11:36.24

Boys 400m
11. Vincent Hogan, 55:80
14. Aidan Murphy, 57.70
16. Evan Huaman, 57.87

Boys 4×400 Relay
6. Vincent Hogan, David Navarro, Bryan McKeen, Evan Huaman, 3:50.68

Boys 800m
12. Jason Siegelin, 2:10.00
19. David Navarro, 2:14.22

Boys 55m
19. Nicolas Kozachuk 7:44

Shot Put
15. Aydin Sidali 31-09.00

Girls 800m
1. Kate Ashley, 2:23.74
9. Brianna Rigney, 2:36.69
20. Kathleen Nagy, 2:47.28

Girls 1600m
8. Julia DiGeronimo, 5:55.02
10. Bridget O’Donnell, 5:55.04
14. Karina Squilanti, 6:06.21

Girls 3200m
8. Julia DiGeronimo, 13:10.08
12. Bridget O’Donnell, 13:41.90
13. Karina Squilanti, 13:45.22

Girls 400m
4. Kate Ashley, 1:02.16
13. Olivia Fiore, 1:05.97
23. Chelsea Gruskin, 1:10.73

Girls 4×400
5. Kate Ashley, Olivia Fiore, Brianna Rigney, Alex DeVivo, 4:22.26

Girls 55m
17. Alex DeVivo, 8.18
19. Chelsea Gruskin, 8.20
20. Zoie Petronzo 8.20

Girls 55m hurdles
11. Cianna Winkler, 10.06
15. Carolyn Feeley, 10.43
21. Carli Lavoie, 10.71

High Jump
15. Alexandra Holland, 4-02.00

Shot Put
9. Alexandra Holland, 26-00.50
16. Gabriella Petti, 21-05.00
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