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MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP — At the start of track season, High Point junior Gabe Elston's goal was to finish in the pole vault top 15. After clearing 14 feet to tie the school record and win Group 2, Elston shrugged, "I've exceeded my expectations."
Elston took three additional attempts at a new personal best of 14-6, going up to a stiffer pole "to shoot myself to higher heights." His revised goal at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions next week is to clear 15 feet and finish in the top three.
The top two finishers in each event in each Group automatically advance to the MOC, which will be held June 3 at Pennsauken High School. The next 18 across all the Groups will earn wild cards, for a maximum of 30 competitors per event.
"I came down here, do what I know how to do, and execute," Elston said. "It's a bigger meet. It means a little more. Being around people who are really good makes it a better time. I like competition. I like the nerves of having to beat someone else."
The Vernon girls 4x100 – seniors Sophia Haw and Monica Janus, junior Samantha Janus and freshman Isabella Kuzicki – didn't quite meet all their Group 2 goals.
The official time was 48.03 seconds, good enough to break the school and Sussex County record they'd set a week ago. But not quite under 48 seconds, not that it dimmed the celebration for long.
"Being part of the 4x1, especially such a great 4x1, for me it's so special," Haw said. "I hope (the younger girls) are excited to get in here next year. We're setting a good record for them to go after."
Ryan Foley was relieved as he crossed the finish line in the NJSIAA Group 3 800 meters. He was way ahead of the field in his heat, and he also managed to keep his queasy stomach in check.
Foley, a Mount Olive senior, won the event and will move on to the MOC. He's already looking forward to challenging himself against the top runners from all over New Jersey.
"I'm happy I put it together," said Foley, who signed a National Letter of Intent with Bryant University in Rhode Island. "I took off from training (on Thursday) to stay hydrated and eat well. I came back feeling a little better. I guess I prepared well."
➤ Morris Hills senior Nicholas Falcone was first in the Group 3 3,200.
➤ Montville senior Anthony Agnoli won the Group 3 discus (177-2) by almost 10 feet.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ Group 2 and 3 track and field championships highlights 2026
Continue reading...
Elston took three additional attempts at a new personal best of 14-6, going up to a stiffer pole "to shoot myself to higher heights." His revised goal at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions next week is to clear 15 feet and finish in the top three.
The top two finishers in each event in each Group automatically advance to the MOC, which will be held June 3 at Pennsauken High School. The next 18 across all the Groups will earn wild cards, for a maximum of 30 competitors per event.
"I came down here, do what I know how to do, and execute," Elston said. "It's a bigger meet. It means a little more. Being around people who are really good makes it a better time. I like competition. I like the nerves of having to beat someone else."
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Vernon's golden girls
The Vernon girls 4x100 – seniors Sophia Haw and Monica Janus, junior Samantha Janus and freshman Isabella Kuzicki – didn't quite meet all their Group 2 goals.
The official time was 48.03 seconds, good enough to break the school and Sussex County record they'd set a week ago. But not quite under 48 seconds, not that it dimmed the celebration for long.
"Being part of the 4x1, especially such a great 4x1, for me it's so special," Haw said. "I hope (the younger girls) are excited to get in here next year. We're setting a good record for them to go after."
Hydration and hope
Ryan Foley was relieved as he crossed the finish line in the NJSIAA Group 3 800 meters. He was way ahead of the field in his heat, and he also managed to keep his queasy stomach in check.
Foley, a Mount Olive senior, won the event and will move on to the MOC. He's already looking forward to challenging himself against the top runners from all over New Jersey.
"I'm happy I put it together," said Foley, who signed a National Letter of Intent with Bryant University in Rhode Island. "I took off from training (on Thursday) to stay hydrated and eat well. I came back feeling a little better. I guess I prepared well."
➤ Morris Hills senior Nicholas Falcone was first in the Group 3 3,200.
➤ Montville senior Anthony Agnoli won the Group 3 discus (177-2) by almost 10 feet.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ Group 2 and 3 track and field championships highlights 2026
Continue reading...
