The New Jersey XC/Track& Field Coaches Association (NJXCTFCA) has voted Veronica Valera, a junior at Verona High School, First Team All-Essex County for the indoor 3200m.
VHS Coach Gene Leporati hailed the announcement. “Veronica is an extremely focused and dedicated runner, resulting in her becoming one of our premier distance runners this past year,” he said. “She had an outstanding cross-country season making Second Team All-Essex County and finishing among the top runners in the state Sectional championships.”
Leporati says that Valera’s strong cross-country season was followed by a standout indoor season that saw her win both the 1600m and 3200m at the SEC championships. “Veronica’s performances continued to improve throughout the season with her winning the state Sectional 3200m and missing a dual title in the 1600m by 0.14 seconds,” Leporati notes. “A week later Veronica got fourth in the 3200m at the state Group championships with a personal best of 11:52.06. Veronica is definitely capable of being one of the elite female distance runners ever to compete at Verona High School.”
