Latest from Track Mercer
Very fast 800m times from Lawrenceville’s Joa-Griffith and Wilberforce’s Blanchard, plus more county-leading times from four meets this past week outside of the State Relays.
Local runners, jumpers, and throwers climbed the state ranks in the first week back from winter break.
Check out the top performers from each event at the CVC Relays on January 4.
Latest Links
Justin Feil from the Community News interviews Agrim Jha (WWP North) and coach Brian Gould about Jha’s breakout freshman year, his rapid rise in cross country this year, his training and mindset, and the bright future ahead for him and the young Knights squad.
Rich Fischer from the Community News interviews Izzy Meth (Lawrence) and coach Tim Collins about Meth’s record-breaking junior season, her long battle back from injuries, the mental and physical growth that fueled her comeback, and how she got her passion for running.
Justin Feil for Town Topics interviews Princeton’s Rosemary Warren and Finn Wedmid — along with coach Jim Smirk — about their thrilling performances at groups, the PHS girls earning a wild card to the Meet of Champions, the boys’ trio of individual qualifiers, and how both athletes have grown into confident, race-savvy leaders driving Princeton’s postseason push.
NJ.com’s reporters Bakari Tice (for boys) and Corey Annan (for girls) shine a light on 8-9 talented runners in each group who have been flying under the radar this season.
The Group 2 boys include John O’Leary (Allentown, Sr.). “O’Leary has built an impressive résumé this season with a string of strong performances across major events.”
The Group 2 girls include Addison Frascella (Allentown, Fr.), along with a nice photo of her at the Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational. “With Allentown graduating its No. 1 runner from last year, having a freshman like Frascella step into that role so quickly has helped keep Allentown competitive.”
The Group 3 girls include Anna Wilson (Hopewell Valley, Jr.). “When Hopewell Valley is healthy, this is one of the better teams in the state. Wilson is a big part of their lineup and showed it on Thursday.”
The Non-Public A/B girls include Kayla Peckens (Princeton Day, Fr.). “Princeton Day should be excited about their future with Peckens leading the lineup.”
From NJ.com’s individual girls rankings:
#4 Allison Lee (WWP North, Sr.)
#19 Sydney Young (Hopewell Valley, Jr.)
#23 Kajol Karra (Princeton, Sr.)
#26 Laura Sallade (Wilberforce, Sr.)
#27 Grace Hegedus (Princeton, Jr.)
From NJ.com’s individual boys rankings:
#13 Agrim Jha (WWP North, So.)
#16 Paul Wittenberg (WWP North, Jr.)
#24 Finnegan Curley (Hopewell Valley, Jr.)
#37 Saboor Qureshi (Princeton, Sr.)
From MileSplit’s top 20 girls teams:
#5 Princeton
#19 WWP North
”Bubble” Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville’s Joa-Griffith breaks the Mercer County 600m record, Wilberforce’s Blanchard runs one of the fastest 800s ever, plus impressive sprint doubles at SJTCA #13, NJ Conference Clash, New York International Showcase, and more.