The NJSIAA North 2, Group 2 track & field sectionals were held on Friday and Saturday in Middletown, N.J. and 10 Verona High School athletes did so well that they are headed to the Group 2 championship.
Kate Ashley and Erin Petrino won state sectional titles in the 400m and pole vault. Petrino had a personal best vault of 9’9”, while Ashley ran a 58.65 to win the 400m.
In sectionals, the top six finishers in each event advance to groups. The girls 4 x 800m relay team of Brianna Rigney, Julia DiGeronimo, Bridget O’Donnell and Kate Ashley took fourth in 10:32 and will also be moving on. Lily Benanchietti tied for fifth in pole vault at 8’ and Lauren Kobernick finished sixth in the 400m hurdles.
On the boys side, Isaac Skrivanic is the North 2, Group 2 state sectional champion in both javelin and shot put. Skrivanic threw 177 feet in javelin and had a 48’11.25 distance in shot put. Mike Maglione ran 10:08.98 in the 3200m, a personal best, and placed third. Owen Fogarty vaulted 13’6, which also earned him a third place.
Among the other high points of the competition were several personal bests. In the boys 3200m, Sean Carney ran a 10:48.88 and Harry Mastrogiannis ran 11:20.74. David Navarro had a personal best in the 800m, running 2:06.90. Navarro and Maglione also competed in the 1600m.
Other Verona girls competing in sectionals:
100m high hurdles: Carolyn Feeley
1600m: Julia DiGeronimo, Bridget O’Donnell
800m: Olivia Vogel
Pole vault: Rebecca Katsios
Javelin: Gillian O’Donnell, Brianna Rigney
Discus: Gabriella Petti, Gillian O’Donnell, Aimee Griffin
Shot put: Abby Cleary
Other Verona boys competing in sectionals
100m dash: Bryan McKeen, Robert Parent
200m dash: Bryan McKeen, Robert Parent
400m hurdles: Chris Robinson, Conner Robinson
High jump: Nick Giuliano
