Note: Girls followed by Boys

GIRLS  5/17/07
The Union County Champs are only days away and athletes and coaches alike are prepared for a show.  In a very competitive year in Union County, one can expect to see a few showdowns across the board.

100m-Defending champ Andrea Butler leads the way in one of the most competitive years in the sprints we’ve seen in a long time.  Butler will have to bring her “A” game to hold off MVC Valley Champ, Aigner Holmes, who leads the county with a 12.1.  Ten girls in Union County have run 12.7 or better, so every round will be run like a final.  Jenn Seniszyn (UC), Kesi Irvin (KP), Danielle Reid (Ros), and Marline Edmond (E) should all challenge.

Prediction: Andrea Butler

200m-Andrea Butler is once again the defending champion in this event as well, but again to win again in 2007 will be challenge.  Seniszyn, Irvin, and Tolu Oyetunde (U) have all run 25.8 this season.  Aigner Holmes (Ros) and Marline Edmond are two to look out for as well.

Prediction: Andrea Butler

400m-With four girls having already cracked the 59 second barrier, this race should be interesting!  Jordan Gray (GL) leads the way with 58.3.  Union’s Tolu Oyetunde and Zanaib Bisiolu have both run 58.5, while Kent Place’s Kesi Irvin has clocked 58.6.  It may take 57 point to win this race.  2005 Champion Andrea Butler (Rah) can also contend here. 

Prediction: Jordan Gray

800m- All-American Jahlisa Smith is the class of this field.  Smith shares the fastest time in the county with GL’s Jordan Gray.  However, Group 2 indoor Champ, Samantha Lee, can never be counted out. SPF’s Brittany Veeck has also posted a sub 2:20 time and should also contend.

Prediction: Jahlisa Smith

1600m- Could be another blazing race with Katie McCafferty (OK) leading the way.  Katie leads the county with a 5:08.7.  Samantha Lee (SUM) has run 5:11.46 this season with Olivia Clyde (NP) and Brittney Veeck (SPF) have also run sub 5:17.  If Jahlisa Smith runs this race, she will also challenge.  Jahlisa has a PR of 5:09.83 in this event.

Prediction: Katie McCafferty

3200m-While Lauro Gallo (Cran) has the 4^th fastest time in the county this season (12:08.2), the Georgetown-bound senior is currently rank 3^rd in the county all-time in the event and is one of the best in the state.  Gallo, however, should be challenged by Kim Legones (W) and Brigid Prufer (NP), who have both cracked 12 minutes this season.

Prediction: Laura Gallo

HH-While the county isn’t as deep as last year in the hurdles, the tough competition is still there.  Ashley Battle (U) and Susan Scavone (SUM) will wage war once again.  Battle the indoor champion has a 14.8 to her credit, winning the Watchung title.  Scavone has an FAT 15.34 to her credit, winning the Iron Hills-Hills Division title.  Union, however, may have three girls in the final with Ugonna Ndu and Tolu Oyetunde both having run 15.1 this season.

Prediction: Susan Scavone

400 IH-Alisa Harris (UC) has been dominating this event all season, however, Jahlisa Smith, Watchung Champ, leads the county with a 1:04.2.  If Smith runs this event, she’d be the favorite.  However, the intermediate hurdles and Smith’s signature event, the 800, are back to back.  It is unlikely that Smith will attempt that double, which will lead Harris open to win her first county title.  Harris’ closest challenge should come from Union’s Ashley Battle.

Prediction: Alisa Harris 

High Jump-With Superstar LaShonda Carter of Rahway competing for the UNC, Kaity Eppinger has become the queen of the HJ.  Eppinger has a season best of 5-4.  No other athlete in the county has topped that mark.  Christa Ricci (W), Shantia Smith (Cran), Generra Randall (Ros), and Tierra Brown (UC) are the closest competitors. 

Prediction: Kaity Eppinger 

Pole Vault-New Prov’s Holly Tucker is the leading entrant, with a jump of 10-0.  The closest competitor is Cranford’s Lilas Humen.  The two should have a tight battle. 

Prediction: Holly Tucker

Long Jump-The long jump is wide open this year with eight girls who have gone over 16 feet.  It’s really anybody’s game.  Whoever brings their “A” game has a good shot at winning the title.  Shantia Smith (Cran), Emily Vargas (ALJ), and Watchung Champ, Shirley Jeffcoat (E).  However, a number of girls can step up and pull an upset. 

Prediction: Emily Vargas

Triple Jump-The county record (37-3.25) held by LaShonda Carter is in serious jeopardy.  Cranford frosh Kelly Burke has a season best of 36-10.5.  The MVC-Mountain Champ is having a stellar season and has a legit shot at the title and the record.  Her closest competitors are MVC runner-up Andrea Butler (Rah) and Watchung Champ, Sarah Canfield (SPF). 

Prediction: Kelly Burke

Shot Put-Just like on the boys side, Scotch Plain’s dominates this event.  Carlaya Jones is looking to join the 40 foot club, having already thrown a season-best of 39-9.75.  The next two furthest throws in the county come from her teammates Erin Rossi and Lauryn Adams.  Rossi is said to be battling an injury, but Adams has been Carlaya’s toughest challenge lately.  Look for Stephanie Rosamillia (GL), Christina Vilsaint (U), and Samantha Cartwright (U) to challenge.  Dayton’s Ashley Little is the sleeper.

Prediction: Carlaya Jones

Discus-Again Carlaya Jones has been dominant in this event all season!  Jones has a season best of  125-6, nearly 18 feet further than the next competitor, Christina Vilsaint (U).  Keep an eye on Carlaya’s teammate Lauryn Adams.

Prediction: Carlaya Jones

Javelin-Cranford’s Julianne Grandal and RC’s Ally Braithwaite have been battling all season.  Grandal leads the county with a throw of 117-3, with Braithwaite next at 112-10.  Lauren Tineo of Elizabeth is the only other thrower to reach the 100 mark this season.

Prediction: Julianne Grandal

4x400-Another great battle will take place in the mile-relay.  Union, with a season best of 4:01.8 will be looking to break the 4 minute barrier.  They will be pushed by Union Catholic, Westfield and Summit.

Prediction: Union

BOYS  5/16/07
The Union County Champs are only days away and athletes and coaches alike are prepared for a show.  In a very competitive year in Union County, one can expect to see a few showdowns across the board.

100m-With the absence of defending champion, Reggie Dixon, the field is wide open.  MVC Mountain Champ, Paul Jones-Burden is favored if he chooses to run this event.  Union Catholic’s Mike Saurez should pose a strong challenge, as he did in the MVC meet.  Elizabeth’s Kareem Andrews has 6.60 55m speed and may be one to watch, while Roselle’s Akeem Gauntlet should also be vying for the title.  If indoor runner-up Garrett Ellis (UC) decides to run this race, he may be the man to beat.

Prediction: Akeem Gauntlet

200m-This race should take a sub-22 performance to win.  Rahway’s all-round guy, Paul Jones-Burden and Roselle’s Akeem Gauntlet leads the pack, having posted a 22.3 performance at the MVC meet.  Jones-Burden time is impressive, because it came shortly after taking 2^nd place in the 800m.  Again, UC’s Garrett Ellis is the sleeper.  Although he hasn’t run any individual races yet this season, if he shows up, it will be a guaranteed show.  Ellis is the only person in this field who has run sub-22 before.  The field is deep as 10 guys have run 22.8 or better in the last week.

Prediction: Paul Jones-Burden

400m-The quarter-mile will be the featured sprint event.  All track & field fans and athletes should be expecting a show!  Paul Jones-Burden, Mark Givens, and Garrett Ellis meet up for what may be one of the fastest races Union County has seen in a while.  All three have run sub-49 and may push each other to a sub-48 under the right conditions, as none will go down without a fight.  Jones-Burden is the two-time defending indoor county champion and finished 9^th at the NSIC meet this winter. 

Prediction: Paul Jones-Burden

800m-Union Catholic’s Brian Guterl is the favorite here.  The event is very competitive this year as five guys have already broken 2 minutes in the event!  Expect Guterl to take the race out hard with Alex Tarlow (W), Adam Biner (SPF), and Mike Sprague (UC) to be in pursuit.  If Paul Jones-Burden opts to run this event, the race would be even hotter, however, it is more likely that he’ll opt for the 400m.

Prediction: Brian Guterl

1600m- Could be another blazing race as indoor runner-up Stephen Hankinson takes on last spring’s 5^th place finisher Brian Guterl.  Guterl, was injured indoors, but seems to have regained the form that saw him run 4:18 last spring.  Hankinson, hot off his indoor success, will be ready for the challenge.  This race should be strong and should produce some very fast times, possibly sub 4:20.  But wait, this may not be a two-man show.  Adam Biner currently leads the county in the event, having run 4:26.8 at the Watchung Conference Champs.  He should make the race very interesting!

Prediction: Stephen Hankinson

3200m-After a long absence, Cranford’s Joe McKenney is back to his winning ways.  McKenney won the MVC 3200m in 9:52, which currently leads the county.  Pat Doliber (SPF) and Evan Friedman (W) are having very strong seasons having both run sub 10 at the Watchung Conference meet.  Expect a fast pace!  If Hankinson joins the party, he will certainly challenge.

Prediction: Joe McKenney

100 HH-The hurdles should be one of the hottest races of the meet!  With Rahway and Roselle having run blazing times in the shuttle hurdles this season, expect them to battle in the individual hurdles as well!  SPF’s duo of defending champ, Kyle Rowbotham and Tom Penella won’t be outdone!  Rowbotham leads the county at 14.6, while Deion Lawson (Rah), Rahdel Savage (Ros), and Penella have all run 14.7.  The final could possibly see two from SPF, Rahway, and Roselle!  It’s anybody’s game!

Prediction: Kyle Rowbotham

400 IH-Kyle Rowbotham had a breakthrough at the prestigious Penn Relays!  His second place finish (53.11), put him amongst the state’s best intermediate hurdlers.  Kyle has continued to impress this season, winning the Watchung intermediate hurdle title in 53.4!  Expect him to repeat at Champ, being pushed by Malcolm Freeman (Rah), Marquise Randle (Pl), Gerkenz Senesca (Ros), and Tom Penella (SPF).

Prediction: Kyle Rowbotham

High Jump-Indoor Champ Kareem Andrews battles rival Adam Bergo again!  Bergo has a PR of 6-4 from the indoor season, but Andrews got the best of him at the indoor county meet.  Bergo turned the tables at the Group 4 indoor meet.  The two should go head to head once again!

Prediction: Kareem Andrews

Pole Vault-Cranford’s MacKenzie Dow and Scotch Plains’ Tom Penella are the only two that have cleared 13-0 this season.  Mike Porch (W) and Penella tied for the Watchung title.  The three should contend for the title with Jeffrey Caravello (Cran) in the mix.

Prediction: MacKenzie Dow

Long Jump-Rahdel Savage is not only King of the Mountain owning both the Mountain Division and Valley Division records, but right now he is King of Union County.  The LJ title is his to lose.  However, Union County jumpers are on the rise with 3 other jumpers having jumped above 21 feet.  Look for Anthony Vargas (ALJ), Chad Faulcon (Cran) and Quinn Williams (Eliz) to challenge. 

Prediction: Rahdel Savage

Triple Jump-The battle we’ve all been waiting for finally arrives.  The county record (47-5) may be in jeopardy.  Rahdel Savage and Kyle Rowbotham will square off on Friday afternoon in what may be an epic battle.  Both have jumped 44+ this season, but both have 46-47 potential.  Rowbotham’s PR is 46-7.5, while Savage holds a PR of 45-11.  If neither athlete brings their “A” game, look for Anthony Vargas (ALJ) and Adam Bergo (W) to contend.

Prediction: Rahdel Savage

Shot Put-Indoor State Champ Mike Alleman (SPF) leads the way here.  Look for Alleman and ALJ’s Oliver Haney to battle it out for top honors.  Alleman leads the county with a throw of 58-8.5, while Haney isn’t too far behind with a throw of 56-9.25.  Alleman’s teammate, John Badala has thrown 52-4.5 this season and should also contend.  Erik Anderson (W) and Tim Dempsey (NP) will also look to join the 50-foot club.

Prediction: Mike Alleman

Discus-This should be another tight battle between Alleman and Haney.  Alleman leads the county at 155-0 with Haney right behind at 152-7. 

Prediction: Mike Alleman

JAV-Brandon Heroux (W) has been having a stellar season, improving almost every week.  Heroux leads the county at 175-8.  Dennis Hoag of Brearly, should also contend having thrown 169-7.  Rahway lost it’s top thrower, Andre Neblett, to graduation, but has reloaded nicely with newcomer, sophomore Derrick Colvin.  Colvin, who is Neblett’s cousin, has thrown 159-4 this season.

Prediction: Brandon Heroux

4x400-As always, the relay will be a barn-burner, with a couple of teams vying to break the coveted 3:20 mark.  Union Catholic is the favorite, leading the county at 3:22.0.  They will be pushed by Rahway, Union, and Roselle.  This race could see multiple teams approach the 3:20 barrier.

Prediction: Union Catholic

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GIRLS SPRING TRACK PREVIEW - PART 1

The Union County girls indoor performance list looked stronger than it has in a long time!  Both the sprints and distance have a lot of youth and depth.  Gone are the days of all-around superstars like LaShonda Carter of Rahway, Porscha Dobson of Kent Place, and Charmaine Walker of Plainfield.  However, the depth of the 2007 group will provide a lot of excitement for years to come.

 

Now for the relays:

 

SPRINT Relays:  While there is no clear favorite, all of the sprint races should be barn-burners in 2007!  Kent Place, Elizabeth, Union seem to be the front-runners for the 4x100 and 4x200 this spring.  Both Kent Place and Elizabeth ran sub 1:50 indoors in the 4x200.  However, Roselle, Union Catholic and Rahway cannot be counted out.  Rahway is led by the county's top sprinter, Andrea Butler.  At least one of these teams should break into the All-Time performance list (49.5, 1:44.3).  Union and Summit should wage war in the 4x400 once again, with a possible challenge from Scotch Plains.  Plainfield, with indoor county 800m record holder Jahlisa Smith on anchor, should lead the SMR.  Summit and Union can provide a challenge. 

 

HURDLE Relays:  As they did indoors, Union should dominate the SHR relays once again!  They will take aim at the county record of 1:01.4 set in 1985 by Plainfield.  Union is currently #2 on the all-time list at 1:02.7 from 2006.  The battle for second best will likely come from Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, and Cranford.  Their no clear favorite in the IHR.

 

DISTANCE Relays:  Summit, Westfield and Oak Knoll should lead the county in both the 4x800 and DMR.  Summit, led by Samantha Lee, led the county indoors in the 4x800 running 9:37, with Oak Knoll leading the county in the DMR.  Scotch Plains and New Providence should provide a challenge.  Summit should be able to break into the All-Time Performance List in the 4x800 (9:37.7).

 

JUMPS Relays:  Scotch Plains should lead the horizontal jumps this season led by Natasha Celius.  Union should provide a strong challenge.  Union Catholic and Cranford should battle in the high jump relay, while Cranford should lead the PV relay.

 

THROWS Relays:  Roselle lost it dynamic throwing trio to graduation, leading the door open for Scotch Plains to show some dominance, with Lauren Adams and Erin Rossi leading the way.