The Union Catholic girls, one of the greatest programs in state history, added to their rich tradition of excellence by capturing a seventh straight championship, and Kent Place ran one of the fastest times in the country at the NJSIAA Non-Public A Relays Championships at the Bennett Center in Toms River.
The Union Catholic girls once again showed that they are the No. 1 team in the state with a dominate performance as the Vikings racked up 72 of a possible 90 points to defeat runner-up Paramus Catholic by 40 points, and Kent Place won a great duel with UC as both teams produced the top two times in the nation this season.
UC’s seven straight titles is the second most for a girls program in meet history behind the nine in a row that Hopewell Valley captured from 2002-10.
UC opened the meet by burning a US No. 1 32.96 to win the shuttle hurdles. The Vikings also received a NJ No.2/US No. 8 throw of 42-10.75 from senior Jada Mia Puryear, and finished first in the 4×200 in a NJ No. 2 1:46.98, first in the sprint medley relay in 4:22.03, and second in the high jump, 4×400, 4×800, and DMR.
UC’s shuttle hurdles consisted of Taylor Cox (7.8), Ajanae Thompson (7.7), McKenzie Johnson, and Alexandra Bonn (7.9). Thompson, who was second in the 100 hurdles at the Meet of Champions last June, also split 26.0 on the 4×200, and Cox went 26.7 on the 4×200. Bonn was also a member of the runner-up high jump squad. Maameyaa Nyinah had a very impressive anchor carry of 2:22.2 for UC in the SMR, and Asydiah Pray-Brown ran a 2:26.9 in the 4×800 for UC. UC junior Seton Dill was the only girl in the meet to clear a height in the pole vault as she made a personal best 7-0. Dill also ran on the 4×800.
“I am proud of the girls,” said UC coach Mike McCabe. “They have worked hard to win this title. Great to see our seniors win this meet every year. I’m excited to see them progress throughout the year.”
The hottest race of the meet came in the girls distance medley relay when Kent Place and UC hooked up in a great duel. Kent Place emerged with the victory in 12:25.17, the third fastest time in the country this season, and UC was second in 12:28.50, the fourth fastest time in the country.
Kent Place received splits of 3:47.8 from Yale-bound Miranda Lorsbach, 66.5 from Angelica Nwachuku, 2:29.2 from Addison McGoey, and 5:01.3 from Lindsay Hausman. Nwachuku ran in place of her sister, Christiana, who has run 58.46 this season. Christiana wasn’t feeling 100 percent.
UC’s DMR splits were 3:49 for Abby Granrath, 64.4 for Erica Dines, 2:25.0 for Leilani Gibson, and 5:09.0 for Kaleigh Gunsiorowski. Gibson also split 63.5 leading off the SMR.
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