CN's State Group Champions

Fun Facts Team Individual Relay

Click above to read the story of each team, individual or relay state champion.

Individual Group Champions

#1 Jorge Ventura, Outdoor 1600m, 6/03/00	#2 Jorge Ventura, Indoor 1600m, 1/27/01
#3 Jorge Ventura, Outdoor 1600, 6/02/01	#4 Dave Gaines, Indoor 800m, 2/02/03
#5 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 1/16/05	#6 Craig Forys, Outdoor 1600m, 6/03/05
#7 Ryan Jagielski, Outdoor 800m, 6/04/05	#8 Ashley Higginson, Outdoor 3200m, 6/04/05
#9 Craig Forys, Outdoor 3200m, 6/04/05	#10 Craig Forys, Cross Country, 11/12/05
#11 Briana Jackucewicz, Cross Country, 11/12/05	#12 Craig Forys, Indoor 1600m, 1/29/06
#13 Craig Forys, Indoor 3200m, 1/29/06	#14 Craig Forys, Outdoor 1600m, 6/02/06
#15 Ashley Higginson, Outdoor 3200m, 6/03/06	#16 Craig Forys, Outdoor 3200m, 6/03/06
#17 Craig Forys, Cross Country, 11/11/06	#18 Craig Forys, Indoor 1600m, 2/18/07
#19 Ashley Higginson, Indoor 3200m, 2/18/07	#20 Craig Forys, Indoor 3200m, 2/18/07
#21 Craig Forys, Outdoor 1600m, 6/01/07	#22 Ashley Higginson, Outdoor 3200m, 6/02/07
#23 Craig Forys, Outdoor 3200m, 6/02/07	#24 Allison Linnell, Indoor 3200m, 2/16/08
#25 Briana Jackucewicz, Indoor 3200m, 2/15/09	#26 Mark Leininger, Indoor 3200m, 2/15/09
#27 Ryan Tompkins, Indoor High Jump, 2/20/16	#28 Jordan Brannan, Indoor 3200m, 2/20/16
#29 Ryan Tompkins, Indoor High Jump, 2/18/17	#30 Jordan Brannan, Indoor 3200m, 2/18/17
#31 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 1600m, 2/29/20	#32 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 800m, 2/29/20
#33 Natalie Shapiro, Indoor 3200m, 2/29/20	#34 Lilly Shapiro, Outdoor 1600m, 6/11/21
#35 Matt Bogdan, Outdoor 1600m, 6/11/21	#36 Matt Bogdan, Outdoor 3200m, 6/12/21
#37 Lilly Shapiro, Outdoor 800m, 6/12/21	#38 Cole Tucker, Outdoor Shot Put, 6/12/21
#39 Lilly Shapiro, Cross Country, 11/13/21	#40 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 1600, 2/26/22
#41 Lilly Shapiro, Indoor 800m, 2/26/22	#42 Kylie Jacoutot, Outdoor 400 hurdles, 6/10/22
#43 Ava Wilmot, Outdoor 3200m, 6/10/22	#44 Hunter Celkupa, Indoor 1600m, 2/17/24

#45 Hunter Celkupa, Indoor 3200m, 2/17/24	#46 Hunter Celkupa, Outdoor 3200m, 5/31/24
#47 Hunter Celkupa, Outdoor 1600m, 6/01/24	#48 Jay Adimala/Hunter Celkupa, Cross Country, 11/09/24
#49 Hunter Celkupa, Indoor 1600m, 2/22/25	#50 Jay Adimala, Indoor 3200m, 2/22/25
#51 Hunter Celkupa, Outdoor 800m, 5/30/25	#52 Hunter Celkupa, Outdoor 1600m, 5/31/25
#53 Jay Adimala, Cross Country, 11/8/25

#1 Jorge Ventura (Outdoor 1600m), Egg Harbor, Group 1, June 6, 2000

Jorge Ventura wins the Group I 1600 meter run, becoming CN's 1st State Champion in any sport. courtesy Asbury Park Press.

In spring 2000, Colts Neck HS had been open almost two full years. It still had only sophomores and juniors though the track team was almost all sophs and frosh. Jorge Ventura had made a name for himself in the 800m. He had made it all the way to the Meet of Champions as a frosh and was gearing toward a top 3 finish at the State championship in that event. He had become our 1st Freehold District Champion, running 1:59.1 for the 800 and had run 1:57.9 in the 4 x 800 meter relay at the East Coast Relays. Coach Schlentz talked him into trying the 1600 at the Central Jersey Champs and he responded with a 4:29.2 victory with a big kick. He also won the 800m in 2:00.8. The 800m was Jorge's favorite event but he let Coach Schlentz talk him into taking a shot at the State title in the 1600. The pace was fast early, as Jorge hit 64.4 for the 400 as he was in the front pack. He was still with the leaders, in about 4th place, as the paced slowed during the middle two laps. With a lap to go, Jorge was about five meters back of the leader. He made a big move with 300 to go and broke the race open. He won easily, running his last 400 in 61.5 for a 4:26.01 finish, a new school record. He would come back later in the day and finish 4th in the 800 at 2:00.61. He became the school's first State Champion in any sport.

400m Splits:

64.4	2:15.2 (70.8)	3:24.6 (69.4)	4:26.01 (61.4)
first 800 2:15.2		last 800 2:10.87
Colts Neck High School's first State Champion in any sport

full race result CN website race result 2000 season summary

Group 1 1600m
1 Jorge Ventura	Colts Neck	SO	4:26.01
2 Mike Lucke	Pt Pleasant Beach	SR	4:27.50
3 Don Fillinger	Bordentown	JR	4:28.10
4 Travis Keany	Rumson-Fair Haven	JR	4:31.98
5 Sam Hetzel	Metuchen	SO	4:32.03
6 Joe Jacobs	Butler	JR	4:32.44

#2 Jorge Ventura (Indoor 1600m), Princeton, Group 1, Jan 27, 2001

Chris Platt was the new sophomore sensation. He would run 4:16 at the spring track MOC. He was also the favorite coming in. Jorge was having a wonderful season. He had become the school's first Monmouth County Champion by winning the 1600 with an explosive last 800 at the slow Red Bank track in 4:35.41. The week before the State Champs, he had high hopes of a State Championship in the 4 x 800. Instead, the day before the meet, one of his teammates had fallen off a bike while he was racing it in the snow. He was unable to compete so they had finished well back. Jorge had also been feeling sick and was hoping he had recovered in time for this race. The race went out very slow, keeping a big pack together with lots of jostling back and forth. With about 3 laps to go, Chris Platt made a big burst and got clear of the pack. It took Jorge a half lap to get clear and try to chase after Platt. He caught him with a lap to go and passed him coming out of the first turn. Platt immediately took off after Jorge and was known as a big kicker, but so was Jorge. Coming out of the last turn, it was Jorge and Platt all alone but catching up to lapped runners. Jorge moved out to lane 2 to be clear of the lapped runners he was catching. Platt went inside to pass and was catching Jorge. As they neared the finish, Jorge held his position in lane 2 and Platt was forced to back off or run into the lapped runner. Jorge won by a short margin having outsmarted the young soph.

400m Splits:

71.4	2:23.4 (72.0)	3:31.4 (68.0)	4:33.32 (61.9)
first 800 2:23.4		last 800 2:09.9

full race result CN website race result 2001 season summary

Group 1 1600m
1 Jorge Ventura	Colts Neck	JR	4:33.32
2 Chris Platt	Haddonfield	SO	4:34.26
3 Oskar Nordenbring	Montclair Kimberley	FR	4:38.74
4 Doug Wall	Montclair Kimberley	SR	4:40.80
5 Sam Hetzel	Metuchen	JR	4:42.30
6 Breton Bonnette	Haddonfield	JR	4:42.39

#3 Jorge Ventura (Outdoor 1600m), Egg Harbor, Group 1, June 2, 2001

Jorge was on a roll. He had run terrific in four different events. At the Freehold District meet, he had won the 800m with a new meet record of 1:57.4 and then broke 50.0 for the first time in the 400, anchoring the 4 x 400 in 49.8. At the Shore Conference Champs, he ran school records in both the 3200 (9:47.93) and the following day, 1:55.00 for the 800m. He followed these with a two day triple crown at the Central Jersey Group I Champs. On Friday, he won the 3200 in 10:07.4. On Saturday, he won the 1600 in only 4:34.7, but ran the last 400 in 59.1. A few hours later he won the 800 in 2:00.5. He was now ready to defend his State title. the race went out at a very comfortable pace of 67.3. During the 2nd lap, State Group 1 Cross Country champion, Joe Jacobs tried to break open the race with a big surge. He was unable to maintain it and the pace slowed back down during the third lap. Don Fillinger of Bordentown then started a long drive with 400 to go and opened 5 meters on Jorge. At 300 meters to go, Jorge switched gears, flew by Fillinger on the backstretch and extended the lead to the finish. His time of 4:24.24 was a new CN record and gave him his 3rd State title. Jorge would come back in the afternoon and finish 2nd in the 800 in 1:58.80.

400m Splits:

67.3	2:13.1 (65.8)	3:22.4 (69.4)	4:24.24 (61.8)
first 800 2:13.1		last 800 2:11.1

full race result CN website race result 2001 season summary

Group 1 1600m
1 Jorge Ventura	Colts Neck	JR	4:24.24
2 Don Fillinger	Bordentown	SR	4:27.22
3 Joe Jacobs	Butler	SR	4:32.28
4 Tom Caruso	Bound Brook	SR	4:34.01
5 Sam Hetzel	Metuchen	JR	4:34.48
6 Joe Minch	Bordentown	JR	4:34.49

#4 Dave Gaines (Indoor 800m), Princeton, Group II, Feb 2, 2003

need a picture

Dave's senior winter track season had started with a bang. He had won his first Monmouth County Championship running 2:02.46 on the slow Red Bank track. He had followed that up by anchoring the school's first relay state champions, the 4 x 800 meter relay. He had received the baton with the Orange HS anchor and pulled away with a 2:00.4. Next was the State Individual Championships at the same track. At the Princeton track, the start in the 800 is so critical and he did not get a very good one. The race started out very fast and he was stuck back in 6th place after the 200. He moved up to 5th at the 400 at a very fast 57.1 but there was still a lot of traffic to work through. Making a strong move on the backstretch, he was able to move up on the leader, Mike Carmody of Governor Livingston. Dave sat on his back down the backstretch of the last lap as the two pulled far away from everyone else. Gathering himself on the turn, he started his acceleration in the last 30 meters of the turn and sling-shotted off it. They ran shoulder to shoulder for half the straightaway before Dave pulled away for the victory. Dave would later win the Shore Conference, finish 9th in the Meet of Champions and then culminate the season with a 5th place finish in the 800m at the Eastern States Championships in 1:56.79. He also ran 4:27.2 for the full mile in the 4 x 1 mile relay at the indoor nationals. Michael Carmody would go on in his senior year to run 1:49 for the 800, one of the fastest times in NJ history.

200m Splits:

28.0	57.1 (29.1)		1:58.14 (61.0)
first 400 57.1		last 400 61.0

full race result CN website race result 2001 season summary

Group II 800m
1 Dave Gaines	Colts Neck	SR	1:58.14
2 Michael Carmody	Gov Livingston	JR	1:58.50
3 Samir Mane	Fort Lee	SR	2:01.00
4 Kester Stephens	Orange	SR	2:01.51
5 Greg Horn	River Dell	SR	2:02.65
6 Paul Rosa	Delbarton	SR	2:02.80

#5 Ashley Higginson (Indoor 3200m), Princeton, Group III, Jan 16, 2005

need a picture

Princeton no longer wanted the state meets in their gym so they upped their price and gave lousy dates to force the track meets out. This led to the earliest State Championship date ever run. Craig Forys, coming back from a stress fracture missed it completely. ashley hadn't even run a 3200 meter at this point in the season. She had opened her season with a 5:10.2/2:24.2 1600/800 double in the NYC Armory and had followed that up with a 5:14.8/2:22.5 at the State Relays in Princeton. This was her 1st good chance at winning a state title but she had no idea who the competition would be because the meet was so early. The plan would be run with the pack and allow the pace to slow. With about 1000 meters to go, Ashley would take the lead and pick the pace up and try to break away or take their kick away. Ashley settled in and made her move with 1000 meters to go (5 laps) and was able to gap the field. She closed well over the last 400m to win by 5 secs. It was the first girls individual state championship for the school. She would go on to win the Monmouth County 3200 and 1600 meter titles and the Shore Conference 1600 meter title. She would finish the season winning her 1st Meet of Champion title in 10:52.72 and make All-American for the first time in the 2 mile.

400m Splits:

85.4	2:51.0 (85.6)	4:14.9 (83.9)	5:37.1 (82.2)
7:01.1 (84.0)	8:26.9 (85.8)	9:50.7 (83.8)	11:09.97 (79.3)
first 1600 5:37.1		last 1600 5:32.9

full race result CN website race result 2005 season summary

Group 3 3200m
1 Ashley Higginson	Colts Neck	SO	11:09.97
2 Kristen Stevens	Roxbury	JR	11:14.28
3 Catherine Van Horn	Triton	SR	11:27.99
4 Kathleen Henry	Ridge	SR	11:29.35
5 Colleen Weber	Clearview	SR	11:38.56
6 Lindsey Pierret	Morristown	JR	11:40.40

#6 Craig Forys (Outdoor 1600m), Egg Harbor, Group III, June 3, 2005

need a picture

At this point of his career, Craig had never won a state championship and had finished 2nd in every state championship he had ever run. He had five runner-up finishes, only once had he lost by more than 1 sec. He had lost twice to Korey Edwards, once in cross country and once in the 3200 the year before. Cory would be in this race as well. Though only a sophomore, Craig was tired of being the bridesmaid. The plan was to let the pace settle in but then make sure the middle of the race was fast enough to take everyone's kick away. They were faced with a stiff breeze on the homestretch with pouring rain. The pace was moderate for a lap and then slowed down. James Kavaliauskas of Highland then drastically picked the pace up with a 63.6 3rd 400 with Craig on his back. Waiting until the backstretch, where the wind was at his back, Craig accelerated by Kavaliauskas with 300 meters to go to win his first state championship by 3.5 secs. His last 400 was 60.9 and his last 800 was 2:04.5. Craig wouldn't get much time to enjoy it since he would be running the 3200 the next day to try to make it a pair.

400m Splits:

64.6	2:13.0 (68.4)	3:16.6 (63.6)	4:17.55 (60.9)
first 800 2:13.0		last 800 2:04.5
Craig's first of 12 state titles

full race result CN website race result 2005 season summary

Group 3 1600m
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	SO	4:17.55
2 James Kavaliauskas	Highland	SR	4:21.05
3 Ben Diestel	No Highlands	JR	4:23.03
4 Korey Edwards	Parsippany Hills	SR	4:23.70
5 James LaGreca	Demarest	SR	4:23.94
6 Jayson Decker	Morris Hills	JR	4:25.60

#7 Ryan Jagielski (Outdoor 800m), Egg Harbor, Group III, June 4, 2005

Ryan Jagielski nears the finish in the Meet of Champions. picture courtesy of Toby Nygard

Colts Neck was off to it's greatest state championship weekend ever. Craig Forys had won the 1600 the afternoon before and now it was time for Ryan Jagielski, CJ Clark and Zach Tedoff, who had all qualified in the 800. CJ and Zach were in the unseeded heat. An official's mistake had given CJ a seed time of 2:00.44 instead of the 1:59.5 he had run the week before. His only chance to place high and get to the Meet of Champions was to run fast from the start by himself. He went out a little too fast, 55.7 at the 400, and held on for a 1:58.15 with Zach at 1:59.31. The top seed was Andrew Porter (Mt Olive) in 1:58.44 so CJ's time looked good. Ryan had had a great winter track season and an outstanding spring season in the relays, running 1:55s twice. He had only run 1:57.27 in an individual race and had won his first 800m individual championship the week before in the Central Jersey Champs. Used to running fast from the front, he went out, instead, in an easy 58.0. It was still slow at 600 and CJ had a chance of stealing the race from the slow heat. Ryan Jagielski exploded with 100 meters to go to pull away from a group of three and win going away. CJ's time held on for 2nd for CN's first 1-2 finish in a state championship. Zach just missed top 6th (.07) with his 7th place finish. With the 18 pts from this event, as well as Forys' two titles, and a 4th place finish in the 4 x 400 with all three 800 runners plus Evan Stivala, CN finished 2nd as a team with 42 pts, 13 behind Camden's 55. Ryan and CJ would finish 5th and 8th in the MOC in 1:54.66 and 1:55.23, four days later. The 800 runners would show their team depth by adding Craig Forys and breaking the State record for the 4 x 800 meter relay in 7:39.54 and finishing 2nd in the Distance Medley at the National Championships.

400m Splits:

58.0		1:57.52
first 400 58.0		last 400 59.5

Group 3 800m
1 Ryan Jagielski	Colts Neck	SR	1:57.52
2 Chris Clark	Colts Neck	SR	1:58.15
3 Nikolajs Batarags	No Highlands	JR	1:58.45
4 Andrew Porter	Mount Olive	SR	1:58.67
5 Steven Chennells	Lakewood	SR	1:59.19
6 Greg Hample	Oakcrest	SR	1:59.24
7 Zach Tedoff	Colts Neck	SR	1:59.31

full race result

CN website race result

2005 season summary

#8 Ashley Higginson (Outdoor 3200m), Egg Harbor, Group III, June 4, 2005

need a picture

After winning the MOC title indoors, Ashley's confidence went sky high and it showed in her races. She had finished 3rd in the prestigious Penn Relays 3000 meter run in 10:02.48, by far her best 3000/3200 type race. She had won the 1600/3200 double at the Monmouth County Champs, won the 1600 in 5:02.61 at the Shore Conference Champs and had won the 1600/3200 (5:02.4/11:14.3) double and run 2:18.9 in the 800 at the Central Jersey Champs. She was strong and she had greatly improved her last 800. In the first day, in the rain and wind, she finished 3rd in the 1600 in a personal best (PB) 5:01.25. When the 2nd day of the state championships dawned, the rain had stopped but the runners had air thick with 98% humidity. Ashley hung in the pack as the pace slowed in the middle to 84-85s. With three laps to go, she surged to an 80.5, and followed it to 79.1 and 76.3. She had run the 2nd 1600 12.6 secs faster than the first 1600 to pull away and win by 4.6 secs. It was her 1st spring track title. She would go on to finish 2nd in the MOC 3200 with a PB of 10:47.91.

400m Splits:

79.0	2:42.5 (83.5)	4:08.0 (85.5)	5:33.0 (85.0)
6:57.5 (84.5)	8:18.0 (80.5)	9:37.1 (79.1)	10:53.44 (76.3)
first 1600 5:33.0		last 1600 5:20.4

full race result

CN website race result

2001 season summary

Group 3 3200m
1 Ashley Higginson	Colts Neck	SO	10:53.44
2 Brianna Rogers	Moorestown	SO	10:58.03
3 Megan Fitzpatrick	Hopewell Valley	SO	11:05.44
4 Karen Guthrie	Mendham	SR	11:05.80
5 Eleonora Spinazzi	Montgomery	JR	11:07.36
6 Blair Sullivan	Mendham	JR	11:08.63

#9 Craig Forys (Outdoor 3200m), Egg Harbor, Group III, June 4, 2005

need a picture

Craig had won his first state championship the day before. He wanted to continue his fine sophomore spring track season and prepare for the MOC. He and his teammates had big plans for the relays in the post season. After winning the indoor national distance medley relay and finishing 2nd in the 4 x 800, they were 3rd at the Penn Relays but faster than the winter. Craig had won the Monmouth County 1600/3200 and did the same at the Central Jersey Group III Champs. There was no rain but the air was thick with 98% humidity and Craig would also have to deal with his nemesis, Korey Edwards. Korey had beat his twice at state championships and was a big kicker. The pace was moderately quick, for the weather conditions, with a 4:39.6 1st 1600. Then Craig started to slowly bring the pace up, a lap at a time. Each lap got faster as he ran the 2nd 1600 in 4:31.9 to win by 13 secs and get his 2nd state title in the weekend. Craig would move onto the Meet of Champions (MOC) the next week and win the 1600 with a state sophomore record. He would then be the anchor leg on the state record 4 x 800 meter relay team and the distance medley team that finished 2nd in the national championships.

400m Splits:

69.5	2:19.9 (70.4)	3:30.5 (70.6)	4:39.6 (69.1)
5:48.4 (68.8)	6:56.6 (68.2)	8:04.2 (67.6)	9:11.49 (67.3)
first 1600 4:39.6		last 1600 4:31.9

full race result CN website race result 2005 season summary

Group 3 3200m
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	SO	9:11.49
2 Korey Edwards	Parsippany Hills	SR	9:24.35
3 Kyle Soloff	Morris Hills	SO	9:25.14
4 James Kavaliauskas	Highland	SR	9:25.95
5 Dale Taylor	North Hunterdon	JR	9:28.73
6 Adam Lampell	Holmdel	JR	9:29.54

#10 Craig Forys (Cross Country), Holmdel Park, Group III, Nov 12, 2005

need a picture

Craig's 2005 Cross Country season had taken some bumps. He had been nursing a hip injury late summer and into September. He had set a course record at the Paul Short Inv on the Lehigh course but had followed that up with a sub-par race at Van Cortland Park in the Manhattan Inv. He defended his County title and then ran a personal best 15:51 at Holmdel Park in the Shore Conference. After winning the Central Jersey Champs, he was looking ahead to the Meet of Champions race against Ben Massam but he had some work to do at the State Group III Champs. There was also the fact he had finished 2nd, both his freshman and sophomore years, at the State Group champs. The plan was simple. He needed to win here but prepare himself for the kind of race he would have at the MOC. He knew Ben would force the pace the 2nd mile so he needed to practice here. He let the others control the pace and it resulted in a very slow 5:29 first mile. With the focus on the 2nd mile, Craig opened up a huge lead with a 5:05, which included the bowl. It was his fastest time ever for that mile. He backed off the pace after the 2 mile, to save something for the next week and coasted in with a 8 sec victory. The move would pay off big the next week at the MOCs as he would beat Massam, who had a personal best at Holmdel Park that was 15 secs faster than Craig's.

Mile Splits:

5:29

10:34 (5:05)

last 1.1 15:55 (5:21)

full race result

CN website race result

2005 season summary

Group III Cross Country Results - Holmdel Park
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	JR	15:55
2 Kyle Soloff	Morris Hills	JR	16:03
3 Jayson Decker	Morris Hills	SR	16:10
4 Chris Southwick	Voorhees	JR	16:14
5 Greg Kremler	Ocean Twp	SR	16:24
6 Alex Brenner	Ridge	JR	16:26
7 Simon Gordonov	Hightstown	SR	16:28
8 Brandon Rodkewitz	Morris Hills	SR	16:30
9 Peter Murphy	Millburn	SO	16:31
10 Ozzie Huerta	Kingsway	SR	16:33

#11 Briana Jackucewicz (Cross Country), Holmdel Park, Group III, Nov 12, 2005

need a picture

Briana had come into high school with huge expectations. In 7th grade she had won a national championship, against high school kids, in the indoor 5000 meters, setting a national scholastic record of 16:43.02. She had grown so much in 8th grade that she developed osgood-schlatters disease in her knees and had been unable to train most of the spring and summer. She had recovered as her growth slowed down and had been training well through the fall. She had tied for 1st with teammate Ashley Higginson in the Cougar Inv, had run a real nice 17:45, losing to defending national champion, Aislinn Ryan, at the Paul Short Inv and was 6th, right behind Ashley, at the Eastern States Champs. Bri then tied for 1st with Ashley in the County Champs and the Central Jersey Champs, with a sub-par race in between at the Shore Conference Champs. Her training was going well and the team had run great at the Shore conference Champs. In the Group III State Champs, Bri and Ashley were favored to go 1-2 in the individual race and the team was favored to win their 1st Group III title. Bri went out even faster than at the Shore Conference Champs and was 6:00 for the uphill 1st mile. She was 10 secs ahead of Ashley. At 2 miles, Bri was 12:07, way ahead of the state freshman record pace. Closing strong, she poured it on to run 18:22, a new freshman record, breaking the old record of 18:36 by Erin Donahue, who would go on after high school to become one of USA's top 1500 meter runners. Erin would make the World Championship team in 2009. Ashley finished 2nd and the ream won easily on their way to a final ranking of 17th in the nation. Bri would go on to qualify and compete in the Footlocker National Champs in San Diego, CA where she finished 37th.

Mile Splits:

6:00

12:07 (6:07)

last 1.1 18:22 (6:15)

full race result

CN website race result

2005 season summary

Group III Cross Country Results - Holmdel Park
1 Briana Jackucewicz	Colts Neck	FR	18:22
2 Ashley Higginson	Colts Neck	JR	18:55
3 Amanda Goetschius	Delsea	JR	19:00
4 Melanie Thompson	Voorhees	FR	19:03
5 Christina Valerio	West Milford	JR	19:12
6 Renee Tomlin	Ocean City	SR	19:15
7 Eleonora Spinazzi	Montgomery	SR	19:16
8 Nicole Traynor	Ridge	JR	19:22
9 Laura Gallo	Cranford	JR	19:28
10 Emily Sherrard	Hopewell Valley	SR	19:37

#12 & #13 Craig Forys (Indoor 1600/3200m), Princeton, Group III, Jan 29, 2006

need a picture

Craig was having a fantastic junior winter track season. At the Lavino Relays, only his 2nd meet of the winter track season, he had doubled 4:14.4 in the distance medley relay and 1:55.8 in the sprint medley relay. It was his best 1600/800 double ever and showed he had good speed. The week before the State Group III Champs, he had anchored his team to a first place finish. For the Group meet, there was no special plan. He would be running the 1600 first and then after a couple of hours rest, he would come back in the 3200. His fitness level was such that he expected no serious competition and his focus was on getting ready for a mile race against post-collegiate competition the following weekend. He ran with the pack for 5 laps (1000 meters) and then started a long drive to the finish. He quickly pulled away from the pack and coasted in the last 400 to win by just over 6 secs.

400m Splits:

66.5	2:13.7 (67.2)	3:17.7 (64.0)	4:22.03 (64.3)
first 800 2:13.7		last 800 2:08.3
Craig's first winter track title

full race result

CN website race result

2005-6 season summary

Group III 1600
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	JR	4:22.03
2 Dale Taylor	North Hunterdon	SR	4:28.37
3 Chris Behre	Mount Olive	SR	4:29.03
4 Dennie Waite	Red Bank	JR	4:30.12
5 Brian Toms	Triton	SR	4:30.97
6 Chris Reale	West Winds-Plains So	JR	4:31.77

Group III 3200
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	JR	9:22.08
2 Tony Salvatore	Wayne Valley	JR	9:39.91
3 Simon Gordonov	Hightstown	SR	9:40.71
4 Doug Smith	Roxbury	FR	9:41.81
5 Matthew Cowhey	Ocean City	SR	9:49.30
6 Chris Southwick	Voorhees	JR	9:49.55

The first part of the double was down, so on to the 3200. Again, the plan, win as easy as possible. Craig stayed with the pack as it slowed to 74-73s. Finding that he was tripping over everyone in the tight pack, he accelerated down to 70.2 and then 68s and the race was over. He continued hitting 68s until dropping it to 66.9 for the last 400 to finish in 9:22.08 to win by half a lap.

400m Splits:

71.6	2:26.0 (74.4)	3:39.0 (73.0)	4:49.2 (70.2)
5:57.8 (68.6)	7:06.7 (68.9)	8:15.2 (68.5)	9:22.08 (66.9)
first 1600 4:49.2		last 1600 4:32.9

He would go on the next week to run 4:09.77 for the mile to become only the 4th junior in US history to break 4:10 for the indoor mile. He would also win both the 1600 & 3200 at the MOC, only the 2nd time that had been done and then finish 2nd in the nationals in the 2 mile..

#14 Craig Forys (Outdoor 1600m), South Plainfield, Group III, June 2, 2006

need a picture

Craig had gone from his greatest indoor season to struggling with iron deficiency and workouts. He had not done a full, hard workout for about a month, as he struggled to recover from anything hard. He used races to get some work in. He had done tons of 150s, just hard enough not to go anaerobic. Coach Schlentz and Craig had decided if he didn't feel better in the two races at the State Group meet, they would call the rest of the season off. In the 1600, Craig allowed the pace to go slow, hoping he could break the field with a big 3rd 400. That's exactly what happened so he hammered a 61.3. And then, something surprising happened, he felt great. He turned loose a 59.8 last 400 to run his last 800 in 2:01.1 for the win. It felt easy. there was now hope for the next day and maybe the MOCs. continue to #16 for the 3200

400m Splits:

67.6	2:14.5 (66.9)	3:15.8 (61.3)	4:15.58 (59.8)
first 800 2:14.5		last 800 2:01.1

full race result

CN website race result

2006 season summary

Group III 1600
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	JR	4:15.58
2 Kyle Soloff	Morris Hills	JR	4:19.40
3 Ben Diestel	Northern Highlands	SR	4:21.43
4 Tony Salvatore	Wayne Valley	JR	4:22.45
5 Tommy Fiscia	Red Bank	SR	4:23.17
6 Chris Behre	Mt Olive	SR	4:23.38

#15 Ashley Higginson (Outdoor 3200m), South Plainfield, Group III, June 3, 2006

need a picture

Ashley was having a break through year. She had set a new meet record in winning the Meet of Champions 3200m indoors and had won the prestigious Penn Relays 3000 meter event in Philadelphia, PA outdoors. She had run 4:56 for 1600 meters at the Monmouth County Champs and tied for 1st with Briana Jackucewicz in the 3200 at the Central Jersey Group III Champs. She was defending champ in the 3200 and was looking to get ready for the MOC. On Friday, the day before, she had finished a disappointing 5th in the 1600 in 4:58.46. A slow middle of the race had hurt her. She wanted to make sure the middle was strong in this race. The race started with a 78 and then settled into six straight laps of 81+. The middle stayed strong but at the same time, it becomes the kind of race that pulls everyone to a fast time because there are no surges to break the pack up. It is also dangerous because it leaves the people in the front pack with more energy to kick. This time, it was Ashley with the big kick as she pulled away over the last lap of 75.8 to win by 2 secs. It showed she had learned a new way to win. It was her fastest outdoor time up to this point and she felt ready for a shot at her first spring track MOC title.

400m Splits:

78.2	2:40.1 (81.9)	4:02.0 (81.9)	5:23.3 (81.3)
6:44.3 (81.0)	8:05.3 (81.0)	9:26.4 (81.1)	10:42.19 (75.8)
first 1600 5:23.3		last 1600 5:18.9

Ashley would end up 3rd in the MOC 3200m as a big surge later in the race left her susceptible to getting caught by late in the race. It was an outdoor personal best of 10:38.42.

full race result

CN website race result

2006 season summary

Group III 3200
1 Ashley Higginson	Colts Neck	JR	10:42.19
2 Megan Fitzpatrick	Hopewell Valley	JR	10:44.11
3 Blair Sullivan	Mendham	SR	10:47.63
4 Laura Gallo	Cranford	JR	10:48.72
5 Melanie Thompson	Voorhees	FR	10:48.75
6 Claire Buck	Hopewell Valley	FR	10:51.40

#16 Craig Forys (Outdoor 3200m), South Plainfield, Group III, June 3, 2006

need a picture

After a very satisfying 1600 victory the day before, Craig entered the 3200 with a plan to help him win the 3200 at the Meet of Champions (MOCs), the following week. Ben Massam, the main competitor, would try to run Craig off his feet in the middle of the race so he would need to prepare for that type of race. The plan was to run the 2nd 1600 under 4:30 with a big surge with 1200 to go. After the surge he could relax. The pace went out moderately and then started to slow as they waited for Craig to take the lead. As they went through the 1600 in 4:46.4, Craig picked the pace up to 68.8. The next lap was even faster as he hit 65.7 to break the race open. Now it was Craig against the clock and he eased back the last two laps but was able to run the last 1600 in 4:28.5. It was his 7th state title, with his senior year to try and get five more.

400m Splits:

69.3	2:23.0 (73.7)	3:35.2 (72.2)	4:46.4 (71.2)
5:55.2 (68.8)	7:00.9 (65.7)	8:07.0 (67.1)	9:14.85 (67.9)
first 1600 4:46.4		last 1600 4:28.5

The big move over the last 1600 would prove to be important as Craig would run the last 1600 at the MOC 3200 in 4:16.7 to break 9:00 for the first time. He would then finish 6th in the mile at the nationals.

full race result

CN website race result

2006 season summary

Group III 3200
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	JR	9:14.85
2 Jared Labar	Morris Hills	SR	9:25.71
3 Simon Gordonov	Hightstown	SR	9:27.79
4 Brandon Rodkewitz	Morris Hills	SR	9:28.44
5 Chris Southwick	Voorhees	SR	9:31.54
6 Ozzie Huerta	Kingsway	SR	9:33.66

#17 Craig Forys (Cross Country), Holmdel, Group IV, Nov 11, 2006

Craig had set five new course records during the fall. He had set records at Penn State, Bucks Mill Park, Van Cortland Park, Ocean County Park and Thompson Park. The one he wanted the most was the record at Holmdel Park, the state championship course since 1978. He knew he would have to go for it by himself because there was no one who would attempt to go with him at the pace needed. He wanted to run fast at the Group Champs and then just run to win at the MOCs, the following week. That would allow him to be rested for the Northeast Footlocker Champs the week after. There was one major problem, the day dawned humid with temperatures in the mid 60s, very warm for this time of year. He decided he would go for it anyway and with the course record holder, Jason DiJoseph (15:16.2 in 1988), on hand to watch, Craig went out in a suicide pace. He was too charged up and went out way to fast the first uphill 800. He was at the time he wanted at the mile but was already feeling the pace. When he was forced to slow down the 2nd mile, the race for the record was over. He finished with a new personal record of 15:31, the 3rd fastest time in course history. It was so warm that he was the only one to break 16:00.

Mile Splits:

5:06

10:15 (5:09)

last 1.1 15:31 (5:16)

Craig would come back the next race and race to win. In the process, he realized he was ahead of record pace with a mile to go and would break it by one second. His first mile was 9 secs slower. The following week he would set a NJ record for the Van Cortland 5000m course in winning the Footlocker NE Regional and then finish 2nd at the Footlocker Nationals in San Diego.

full race result

CN website race result

2006 season summary

Group III Cross Country Results - Holmdel Park
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	SR	15:31
2 Matt Ciambriello	Old Bridge	SR	16:02
3 Christian Gonzalez	Franklin	SR	16:03
4 Kris Carle	Jackson	SR	16:06
5 Ed Sheridan	Phillipsburg	SR	16:19
6 Brian Leung	West Wind-Plains So	JR	16:25
7 Jermaine Coore	Franklin	JR	16:33
8 Alex Yersak	Cherokee	JR	16:37
9 Zach Bahor	Randolph	SR	16:47
10 Robby Andrews	Manalapan	SO	16:49

#18 & #20 Craig Forys (Indoor 1600/3200m), Toms River, Group IV, Feb 18, 2007

need a picture

This was Craig's 3rd meet of the year. He had hurt his high hamstring area in the Footlocker Nationals and it had kept him from normal training until mid Jan. He ran a 4:16.92 mile in Boston in late Jan and then doubled a 9:29.79/4:26.19 3200/1600 double at the Shore Conference Champs to test his fitness a couple of weeks later. He felt out of race shape but figured he would need the state meet to get more race fit for the MOCs. Even though he'd be running just the 3200 at the MOCs, he needed to run both to get more race action. In the 1600, he wanted to practice surging over the 2nd half of the race so he let the race slow in the 2nd 400. After the 800, he picked up the pace sharply, opened a lead and then just maintained it over the last 400 to finish in 4:21.43. It was his 9th state championship and it set him up to go for his 10th, a couple of hours later.

400m Splits:

64.7	2:13.1 (68.3)	3:17.6 (64.5)	4:21.43 (63.8)
first 800 4:13.1		last 800 2:08.3

A couple of hours later, he was back on the track for the 3200. The pace was relatively easy but uneven, with laps of surging and then slowing down. The pace slowed dramatically with a 1200 to go (6 laps) as everyone waited for someone to make a move. After the first turn with 4 to go, Craig took the lead and dropped the pace from 75.5 to 67.6. He accelerated more with two laps to go and he was home free. He won by just less than 4 secs with a last 800 of 2:13.3. He had focused on strong last 800s in both races to set up a similar race in the MOCs, where he knew the competition would come from someone who had focused on gradually picking it up the last 1600. He felt he was now ready for the race.

400m Splits:

71.5	2:24.9 (73.4)	3:35.0 (70.1)	4:46.1 (71.1)
5:59.6 (73.5)	7:15.1 (75.5)	8:22.7 (67.6)	9:28.40 (65.7)
first 1600 4:46.1		last 1600 4:42.3

Craig would follow this meet with a big win in the MOC 3200, running the last 1600 in 4:23.0 and the last 800 in 2:06.6. His final time was 9:03.58 was a new meet record. A couple of weeks later he win his 1st national championship in the 2 mile.

full race result

CN website race result

2006-7 season summary

Group IV 1600
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	SR	4:21.43
2 Christian Gonzalez	Franklin	SR	4:24.37
3 Conor Sullivan	Don Bosco	SR	4:25.51
4 Doug Weeks	Toms River East	SR	4:28.07
5 Andrew Brodeur	Brick Memorial	JR	4:28.47
6 Ryan Fenimore	Jackson Memorial	SR	4:29.60

Group IV 3200
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	SR	9:28.40
2 Matt Ciambriello	Old Bridge	SR	9:34.10
3 Zach Bahor	Randolph	SR	9:34.17
4 Jason Baker	Don Bosco	SR	9:28.44
5 Robert Molke	Don BoscoB	SO	9:38.23
6 Ed Sheridan	Philipsburg	SR	9:38.67

#19 Ashley Higginson (Indoor 3200m), Toms River, Group IV, Feb 18, 2007

Ashley had mixed it up during the winter season. She had run her fastest 800 ever, a 2:14.9 relay split, set a new Monmouth County record in the 1000 meters, and a couple of fast miles. She had not run a serious 3200 and would be doing it after running the 1600 earlier the same day. She ran a Freehold District record by running 4:53.70 in the 1600, finishing 2nd. She had a couple of hours to recover and then would have to take on teammate, Briana Jackucewicz, and Theresa Cattuna of Cherry Hill East, who was having a breakthrough year. Ashley and Bri had finished 1 - 2 in the MOC indoor 3200, the previous year. The race went out and settled into consistent 80 and 81s. It was soon a three girl race as those three distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Right after 11 laps of the 16 they would need to run, Briana fell back and it was just Ashley and Theresa. Ashley picked it up a little more with 3 laps to go and then extended the lead over the last 400 to win by just under 4 secs. She had run a fast 10:38.73, just 2 secs off her 3200 best after running a 4:53 1600. It boded well for the next couple of meets, the MOC and the winter nationals.

400m Splits:

79.4	2:39.9 (80.5)	3:59.3 (79.8)	5:20.8 (81.5)
6:42.4 (81.6)	8:02.5 (80.1)	9:22.1 (79.6)	10:38.73 (76.6)
first 1600 5:20.8		last 1600 5:17.9

Ashley would win the MOCs in a new meet record, breaking her own record and then break the state 2 mile record while winning the national title.

full race result

CN website race result

2006-7 season summary

Group IV 3200
1 Ashley Higginson	Colts Neck	SR	10:38.73
2 Theresa Cattuna	Cherry Hill East	SR	10:42.42
3 Briana Jackucewicz	Colts Neck	SO	10:54.32
4 Amanda Marino	Jackson Memorial	SR	11:00.04
5 Tori Berard	Morris Knolls	SO	11:03.27
6 Allyson Moskal	Freehold Twp	SO	11:10.42

#21 Craig Forys (Outdoor 1600m), Egg Harbor, Group IV, June 1, 2007

need a picture

Craig had already set state records in the 3000m, 3200m and 2 mile this spring but he had never run a fast open 1600. He had run 4:04 or 4:05 four times, all anchoring relay teams, but had not broken 4:10 in an open high school race. He wanted to take a shot at a fast 1600 even though he knew he would have to do it on his own. Since he was going to attempt the 1600/3200 double at the MOC the following week, this would be his last chance to go for one. The plan was to try to go out in 60, settle into 61s for the middle and then finish the best he could. As the team arrived at the meet, it was evident that the race would be a struggle. There was a huge wind going down the backstretch. Craig decided to do the best he could and went to the lead immediately. He had a couple of second lead by the 200. He hit 59.5 at the 400 and slowed to a 63.0 for the 2nd 200. He was slowing noticeably against the wind on the backstretch and then trying to pick it back up on the homestretch. After a 62.8 3rd 400, he could manage only a 62.0 in the last 400 to finish in 4:07.36. It was a new All-Groups meet record for the Groups Champs.

400m Splits:

59.5	2:02.5 (63.0)	3:05.3 (62.8)	4:07.36 (62.0)
first 1600 2:02.5		last 1600 2:04.9

Craig would come back the next day to run the 3200. click here to see what happens.

full race result

CN website race result

2007 season summary

Group IV 1600
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	SR	4:07.36
2 Andrew Brodeur	Brick Memorial	JR	4:18.49
3 Brian Leung	West Wind-Plains So	JR	4:20.61
4 Christian Gonzalez	Franklin	SR	4:21.10
5 Kevin Cronin	Mainland	SR	4:22.47
6 Robby Andrews	Manalapan	SO	4:23.55

#22 Ashley Higginson (Outdoor 3200m), Egg Harbor, Group IV, June 2, 2007

need a picture

After dream seasons in cross country and winter track, Ashley was continuing where she left off. She had run state records in the 5000 meter (16:38.31), the 2000m steeplechase (6:50.39) and just missed the state record for 3000m. She had defended her title in the Penn Relays and run a 2:11.9 split for 800m. She was fit and ready for fast times. This weekend she would focus on the 1600 and then run the 3200 fast enough to win. The MOCs were just a few days later so it didn't make sense to run all out twice. In the 1600 on Friday, 6/1, she hooked up with the two Southern Reg stars, Danielle Tauro and Jillian Smith. Despite high winds on the backstretch, Ashley set a very fast pace as they went through 800 in 2:23. On the 3rd lap, Ashley forced the pace to try to get a gap. She couldn't get away from their big kicks and finished 3rd but ran her fastest time ever, 4:47.71 and a new Monmouth County record. On Saturday, it would be run with the pack and surge away later. In the 3200, it was a race of attrition. They ran 81s before slowing to 83 on the 4th. After the 5th lap was increased back to 80, Ashley had a small gap. She ran just fast enough to keep the gap open and win by 4 secs in 10:52.49. It was her 3rd consecutive 3200 win at the spring track group champs and gave her 5 state titles for her career.

400m Splits:

76.8	2:38.2 (81.4)	4:00.1 (81.9)	5:23.1 (83.0)
6:43.5 (80.4)	8:06.8 (83.3)	9:31.4 (84.6)	10:52.49 (82.1)
first 1600 5:23.1		last 1600 5:29.4

Ashley would move on to the MOCs the next week and win her 4th MOC title before moving to the nationals where she would win the 2 mile in a new state record. It gave her national championships in all three seasons. She would also run the steeplechase, her 3rd race in 16 hrs and set a new state record in finishing 3rd.

full race result

CN website race result

2007 season summary

Group IV 3200
1 Ashley Higginson	Colts Neck	SR	10:52.49
2 Theresa Cattuna	Cherry Hill East	SR	10:58.44
3 Lauren Penny	Roxbury	JR	11:08.64
4 Amanda Marino	Jackson Memorial	SR	11:08.67
5 Sophia Ginez	South Brunswick	FR	11:13.21
6 Victoria Berard	Morris Knolls	SO	11:20.44

#23 Craig Forys (Outdoor 3200m), Egg Harbor, Group IV, June 2, 2007

need a picture

After fighting the wind and the clock the previous day in the 1600, Craig was looking forward to running with the pack. The last thing he needed to work on for the upcoming nationals was a huge surge with two laps to go. So the plan was to run with the pack until 1200 to go, pick up the pace with 1200 to go and then run as close to 61-62 on the 7th 400 as possible. Then, he could ease off the pedal. It would prepare him for the big move he wanted to make at the nationals. the pace went out in a comfortable pace and stayed in the 71-72 area. On the 5th lap it slowed significantly as everyone waited for a move. On the next lap, the move came as Craig accelerated almost 9 secs faster for that lap. After opening a lead, he picked it up even more for the 7th 400, running a hyper fast 62.1 before easing back in the last 400. The last 1200 took only 3:12.9 and he won his 12th and final state championship in 9:14.93. It tied the state record for boys for most state titles, the most by a track runner.

400m Splits:

68.4	2:19.7 (71.3)	3:30.8 (71.1)	4:43.0 (72.2)
5:57.8 (74.8)	7:07.7 (65.7)	8:09.8 (62.1)	9:14.93 (65.1)
first 1600 4:43.0		last 1600 4:31.9; last 1200 3:12.9

Craig's 12th State Group Championship, ties State record

Craig would go on to win the MOC 1600/3200 double 4:09/8:52 to become only the 2nd to pull it off. He became the first ever to do it indoors and outdoors. He then finished 2nd in the 2 mile at the nationals to set a new State record for 3000 meters and 2 miles. In that race he ran a 61 7th 400 to break all but one runner in one of the greatest high school fields ever.

full race result

CN website race result

2007 season summary

Group IV 3200
1 Craig Forys	Colts Neck	SR	9:14.93
2 Christopher Carle	Jackson Memorial	SR	9:24.14
3 Brian Leung	West Wind-Plains So	JR	9:26.24
4 Daniel Emont	Ridgewood	SR	9:31.41
5 Zach Bahor	Randolph	SR	9:35.43
6 Matt Ciambriello	Old Bridge	SR	9:36.20

#24 Allison Linnell (Indoor 3200m), Toms River, Group IV, Feb 16, 2008

Briana Jackucewicz leads teammate, Allison Linnell. The positions would be the opposite at the end.

Allison had killed herself in training for four years and was finally getting the results she had dreamed of. She had finally won Shore Conference and Central Jersey Championships, had broken 5:00 in the 1600 and was on the verge of breaking 11:00 in the 3200. She had become a winner due to a killer surge that she could throw in anywhere from 1200m to 400 to go. She had used it over and over again in races to fine tune it. It had become a devastating move. The week before the Group Champs, she had won the 1600 and then come back and finished 2nd to teammate Briana Jackucewicz in the 3200. With national champ, Jillian Smith in the 1600, Allison knew her only chance for an elusive state title was to run the 3200 against her younger teammate. Briana set a suicidal early pace to stay away from Allison's kick. All Allison could do was let her go and hope to catch her later. In fact, Bri was so fast, she was on state record pace for the first 800. After the 800, Bri started to gradually slowing. By the the 1600, Allison had closed the gap to 1 sec as she was 5:16.8, extremely fast for someone with a 11:00 personal best. Two laps later, they were together and ran that way until two laps to go where Allison made her move and went by her teammate. Briana would hold on for 2nd as they completed their 1-2 finish. Allison's final time of 10:48.33 would be the #21 time in NJ history at the time.

400m Splits:

75.8	2:35.0 (79.2)	3:56.1 (81.1)	5:17.8 (81.7)
6:41.6 (83.8)	8:08.1 (86.5)	9:33.2 (85.1)	10:48.33 (75.1)
first 1600 5:17.8		last 1600 5:30.5

The two would go on to finish 5th and 6th in the MOC the next week but their big breakthroughs came a little later in the national championships. They would take the 4 x 1 mile relay team from 13th to 4th and All-American in the final two legs of the relay. The next day, Allison would move down to the mile and finish 4th in 4:55.56 and Bri would run her fastest high school 2 mile in 10:33.57 to finish 2nd.

full race result

CN website race result

2007-8 season summary

Group IV 3200
1 Allison Linnell	Colts Neck	SR	10:48.33
2 Briana Jackucewicz	Colts Neck	JR	10:54.67
3 Caitlin Orr	Lenape	SO	11:15.74
4 Lindsey Lambert	Howell	SR	11:22.19
5 Maria Ruiz	Williamstown	JR	11:28.74
6 Natalie Anthony	Randolph	SO	11:29.36

#25 Briana Jackucewicz (Indoor 3200m), Toms River, Group IV, Feb 15, 2009

Briana had won her 1st state championship individual title in her very first season in high school. She had finished 2nd in the indoor MOC 3200 as a soph and in the indoor 3200 as a junior, both times to teammates. She also had a 2nd at the group meet her sophomore year. She had started her senior winter track season hurt, just like the year before, and hadn't raced until Jan 24th. she had run 11:00 winning the County Champs but had only run 5:10 in the 1600. To make matters worse, she had only finished 3rd in the 3200 at the Central Jersey Champs the week before. the good news was she now had a secret weapon. She didn't have the closing speed but she did have a mid race surge she had been working on in her races. It hadn't worked at the Central Jersey Champs, but that was more of a hard week of training. Her plan was to let the pace slow and then pick it up drastically around the 1600 mark. The pace quickly slowed to 84s after the first 400 and Briana made her move a little before the 1600 mark. She quickly opened a lead as the others did not want to pick it up, that much, that early in the race. Running her 2nd 1600 eight secs faster than her first 1600, she won by 6 secs in 10:51.54. It was her 1st state title in winter or spring track.

400m Splits:

78.4	2:43.2 (84.8)	4:07.3 (84.1)	5:29.8 (82.5)
6:50.3 (80.5)	8:11.7 (80.9)	9:34.4 (82.7)	10:51.54 (77.1)
first 1600 5:29.8		last 1600 5:21.7

The next week, Bri would finish 3rd in the Meet of Champions 3200 running 10:41.35. Her winter season would end with a DNF (did not finish) in the 5000 meter race as she tried to run recovering from a bad case of the flu, just days before.

Group IV 3200
1 Briana Jackucewicz	Colts Neck	SR	10:51.54
2 Angela Rugino	Toms River North	SR	10:57.64
3 Maria Ruiz	Williamstown	SR	10:59.04
4 Jillian Prentice	Montgomery	JR	11:02.52
5 Sophia Ginez	South Brunswick	JR	11:09.76
6 Natalie Anthony	Randolph	JR	11:10.14

full race result CN website race result

2008-9 season summary

#26 Mark Leininger (Indoor 3200m), Toms River, Group IV, Feb 15, 2009

Mark had come close to a state championship once before. In the cross country state championships, he had thrown down a huge surge with 1 mile to go, opening a 5 sec lead over the great Robby Andrews. He had held the lead until 200 meters to go before Robby was able to sprint by him. It was a day Mark had dared to take a chance. He had run his two fastest 1600s ever and had won the Monmouth County 1600 title and the Central Jersey 3200 title but he still wanted that state championship. Would he dare to make a early big move again? The pack went through an easy first 1600 in 4:48.3. The 5th 400 was a little faster than the 4th but still easy. Suddenly, with 1000 to go, Taro Shigenobu of Ridgewood made a strong move to the front. Only Mark was able to go with him as the pace dropped significantly. Mark sat on Taro for two laps and then took the lead and surged even harder. He opened a small gap and was able to open a little more daylight by end. His last 800 was 2:13 and it was also a personal best. The gamble with three laps to go had paid off.

400m Splits:

71.1	2:22.8 (71.7)	3:34.5 (72.0)	4:48.3 (73.5)
6:00.7 (72.5)	7:11.6 (70.9)	8:20.2 (68.6)	9:24.58 (64.4)
first 1600 4:48.3		last 1600 4:36.3, last 800 2:13.0

Mark would go on to finish 4th at the MOC 3200, running 9:16.01. At the nationals he would run under 4:20 for 1600 on two consecutive days, anchoring the Distance Medley Relay to All-American status.

Group IV 3200
1 Mark Leininger	Colts Neck	SR	9:24.58
2 Taro Shigenobu	Ridgewood	SR	9:28.31
3 Mike O'Dowd	Colts Neck	SO	9:35.48
4 Matt Valeriani	Southern	JR	9:35.61
5 Andrew Fine	Ridegwood	SR	9:37.92
6 Chris Banafato	Bridgewater-Raritan	JR	9:39.45

full race result CN website race result

2008-9 season summary

#27 Ryan Tompkins (Indoor High Jump), Toms River, Group III, Feb 20, 2016

The season started slow for Ryan as he had foot surgery in December to take out a nerve that was causing pain in his take-off foot. He was able to start training just three weeks before his first meet, his 3rd place finish in the Shore Conference, where he cleared 6' 00". Hs 2nd meet was two weeks later at the Central Jersey Group III meet where he cleared 6' 02" to tie for 2nd and equal his best jump ever. The 3rd meet was the Group III State Champs. The favorite, Jenkins-Powell had a best of 6' 06". Ryan cleared the opening height, 6' 00", on his first attempt but cleared 6' 02" on his 2nd attempt. Jenkins-Powell had cleared it on his 1st to take the lead. Ryan and Hill were tied for 2nd, just as they had the week before at the CJ Group III Champs going to 6' 04". Ryan was the first to jump and cleared it on his first attempt. Jenkins-Powell cleared it on his 2nd and Hill missed all three. Ryan also jumped first at 6' 06" and shocked everyone by clearing on his 1st attempt again. Jenkins-Powell cleared it on his 2nd but would now need to clear 6' 08" before Ryan to win. They both missed three times and Ryan won on fewer misses. The 10 pts team points earned by Ryan along with the 2 pts earned by Pat Bohn in 5th would help lead the Colts Neck team to the State Team Championship.

Ryan would go on to finish 4th at the Meet of Champions (MOC), clearing 6' 04".

Group III High Jump
1 Ryan Tompkins	Colts Neck	JR	6' 06"
2 Rhashawn Jenkins-Powell	Neptune	SR	6' 06"
3 Robert Hill	Brick Memorial	SR	6' 02"
4 Matt Grillo	Mainland	SR	6' 02"
5 Pat Bohn	Colts Neck	SR	6' 00"
6 Isaiah Jones	Winslow	SR	6' 00"

full race result CN website event result

2015-16 season summary

#28 Jordan Brannan (Indoor 3200m), Toms River, Group III, Feb 20, 2016

For Jordan, 2015-2016 had been a breakout year, filled with runner-up finishes. In cross country, he was 2^nd in the Monmouth County, Central Jersey Group III and Group III State Champs. Indoors, he had continued with a 2^nd in the 3200 at the County meet. He had finally broken through at the Central Jersey Group III Champs, running the 3^rd 400 of the 1600 in 62.5 to gap the field and win his first championship. He came back a couple of hours later to win the 3200. Now at the Group III Champs, Jordan and Coach Schlentz had decided to have him double the 1600/3200 to get critical team points and try to win the team title, a first for Colts Neck in track. After a disappointing 1600 where he was 3^rd, Jordan came back in the 3200 hoping for as many points as possible. He stayed in 3^rd for the first 1600 of the race until Roth of Princeton threw in a big surge to gap the field. He moved into 2^nd shortly after and stayed 20 meters behind the leader. As they hit 400 meters to go, Jordan picked up the pace slightly and was able to gain on the leader. He then accelerated some more and took the lead with 250 meters left to win by 3 secs in a new personal best of 9:19.60, 11 secs faster than his indoor best. With Anthony Russo’s 5^th place, the 12 pts scored in the 3200 clinched the team title for the Cougars.

400m Splits:

68.5	2:20.0 (71.5)	3:32.5 (72.0)	4:45.5 (73.0)
5:53.8 (68.3)	7:04.8 (71.0)	8:15.0 (70.2)	9:19.60 (64.6)
first 1600 4:45.5		last 1600 4:34.1, last 800 2:14.6

One week later, Jordan would go upset the favorites and win the Meet of Champions 3200 meter title in 9:14.96. At the New Balance Scholastic Nationals, he would run a personal best of 9:10.22 for 2 miles, about 9:06.9 for 3200 meters.

Group III 3200
1 Jordan Brannan	Colts Neck	JR	9:19.60
2 Alex Roth	Princeton	JR	9:22.19
3 Matt Grossman	Millburn	JR	9:29.61
4 William Hare	Princeton	SO	9:30.01
5 Anthony Russo	Colts Neck	JR	9:30.82
6 Matt Todaro	Middletown North	SR	9:32.22

full race result CN website race result

2015-16 season summary

#29 Ryan Tompkins (Indoor High Jump), Toms River, Group III, Feb 18, 2017

Ryan had started the season well ahead of the previous year. In 2016, he had missed most of the season before winning his only championship, the Group III State Championship. This year, he had already won the Monmouth County, Shore Conference and Central Jersey Group III titles. He was defending champion but missed his first jump of the day at the opening height, 5' 10". He would then take charge and not miss again until he was the only one left and had defended his title. He then chose to go for 6' 07". The last two jumps were so close, it looked like he had cleared it. It was not to be on that day but the 10 pts team points earned by Ryan would help lead the Colts Neck team to the Group III State Team Championship, their 2nd in a row.

Ryan would go on to finish 4th at the Meet of Champions (MOC).

Group III High Jump
1 Ryan Tompkins	Colts Neck	SR	6' 04"
2 Tim Lorenzo	Northern Highlands	SR	6' 02"
3 Diomari Gordon	Timber Creek	SO	6' 02"
4 Andrew Alex	Middletown North	SR	6' 02"
5 Deandre Carter	JFK-Iselin	JR	6' 00"
6 Keion Oglesby	Timber Creek	SR	6' 00"

full race result CN website race result

2016-17 season summary

#30 Jordan Brannan (Indoor 3200m), Toms River, Group III, Feb 18, 2017

full race result CN website race result

2016-17 season summary Video

After a cross country season that had seen the team ranked as high as 13th in the US, the top 3 seniors had big plans for winter track. They wanted to prove they were the best threesome in NJ. They ran a 3000 at Yale and then went 1-2-3 in the 3200 at the Central Jersey Group III Champs out of the unseeded heat. It was time to show their strength at the state level. Needing just 11 pts to clinch the team title, the trio stayed back in the pack for most of the first 1600. As the pace picked up after the 1600, they moved up closer to the front. Jordan went with the leader, Derek Barney (Indian Hills) as he surged and then went by him with just over 800 to go. Anthony was in 3rd and Kevin was 5th. With a 400 to go, they were now 1st, 2nd and 5th but Kevin would move into 3rd with 350 meters to go. An unprecented sweep of the top three was now a possibility. In the last 300, the CN trio was so dominant that they put over 11 secs on 4th place, as all three broke 9:25 and clinched the team title with 24 pts, in the 3200 alone. They would go into the next week's Meet of Champions seeded 1st, 4th and 5th.

400m Splits:

69.3	2:21.0 (71.7)	3:33.9 (72.9)	4:46.9 (73.0)
5:57.6 (70.7)	7:08.4 (70.8)	8:14.6 (67.2)	9:17.70 (63.2)
first 1600 4:46.9		last 1600 4:30.9, last 800 2:10.4

One week later, Jordan would defend his MOC title in the 3200, running 9:08.32. Anthony would finish 5th in 9:19.13.

Group III 3200
1 Jordan Brannan	Colts Neck	SR	9:17.70
2 Anthony Russo	Colts Neck	SR	9:24.24
3 Kevin Berry	Colts Neck	SR	9:24.26
4 Matthew Santamaria	WWPN	JR	9:33.88
5 Matt Lepine	Middletown South	JR	9:34.59
6 Daniel Do	Absegami	SR	9:35.42

#31 Lilly Shapiro (Indoor 1600m), Toms River, Group III, Feb 22, 2020

full race result CN website race result

2019-20 season summary Video

As a freshman, Lilly had only competed in winter track but was runner-up in the Group III State Champs in the 800. As a sophomore, she had given up soccer to compete in all three running seasons. After a season of cross country, she was stronger. She was also the favorite to win as she had beaten the other favorites in the Central Jersey Group III Champsionships, two weeks before. At that meet, no one wanted to lead so they had gone out in a ridiculously slow 2:45.2 for the 1st 800 before coming back in 2:21.9 for the win. With many of the same runners, would the pace be similar? The only problem, if they ran too slow, they would not make the seeded heat in the Meet of Champions the following week.
The first lap was fast as they jockeyed for the best positions but then no one wanted to pass Lilly, who was in the front in lane 1. Lilly continued to lead, as they slowed with the runners running three abreast, even around the turns. After a 400 of 77.7, the pace slowed more the next lap. Lilly picked up the pace slightly but it was still only 2:36.9 at the 800 with a tight front pack of 6. They were all still there until Lilly made a major move with 550 meters to go. With 400 to go, it was down to four, in single file. She cranked up the pace more with 350 to go and with 400 to go had a 5 meter gap over Reese Fahys of Middletown South, the Group III XC Champion. Down the backstretch Lilly picked it up to a new gear and it was over. She stretched the lead to almost 4 secs to win her first State title.

400m Splits:

77.7	2:36.9 (79.2)	3:52.3 (75.4)	5:01.81 (69.5)
first 800 2:36.9		last 800 2:24.9

One week later, Lilly would run 4:59.06, to finish 2nd in the 1600 in the Meet of Champions. She would not get to run the Distance Medley Relay or the 4 x 1 mile relay, where they were seeded 2nd, at the Nationals, when it was cancelled due to the coronavirus, 36 hours before the start of the meet.

Group III 1600
1 Lilly Shapiro	Colts Neck	SO	5:01.81
2 Reese Fahys	Middletown South	FR	5:05.47
3 Lucy Afanasewicz	Middletown South	SO	5:06.73
4 Lily Oliver	Toms River South	FR	5:07.34
5 Merideth Finley	Randolph	SR	5:16.99
6 Salini Iyer	WWPN	SR	5:17.49

#32 Lilly Shapiro (Indoor 800m), Toms River, Group III, Feb 22, 2020

full race result CN website race result

2019-20 season summary Video

Earlier in the winter, Lilly had won her first major title when she won the Shore Conference Championship in the 800. In the Central Jersey Group III Champs, she had doubled back from winning the 1600 to win the 800 over Trinity Eason (Woodbridge), passing her in the last straight to win by 1.01 secs. She would be doubling back again but this time had run over 5 secs faster in the 1600. How much would she have left?
Eason had come up with a new plan, go out faster to take away Lilly's kick. She went out fast from the start but Lilly did not go with her as she had in the past. Being tired from the 1600, Lilly was forced to hang back and try to make up ground in the 2nd 400. At the 400, Eason had a lead of 1.6 secs and was running strong. Lilly was stuck behind Jenai Berry (Scotch Plains-Fanwood). At the 600, Eason's lead was now 2.3 secs and Lilly was still stuck behind Berry. She would need a big finish. With 100 to go, it was down to 1.7 secs and Lilly could sense that Eason was starting to tire. Jessica Lyons (Allentown), the 2019 Spring Track 800 champion, known for her kick, was on Lilly's back. Lilly continued to close and with just 40 meters to go, moved past Eason and away from Lyons as she would win by .8 of a sec. Her teamate, Arianna Sakoutis, would finish 6th and also move on to the Meet of Champions.

200m Splits:

32.8	67.5 (34.7)	1:43.7 (36.2)	2:18.67 (35.0)
first 400 67.5		last 400 71.2

One week later, Lilly would run 4:59.16 to finish 2nd in the 1600 in the Meet of Champions. She did not run the 800. She would not get to run the Distance Medley Relay or the 4 x 1 mile relay, where they were seeded 2nd, at the Nationals, when it was cancelled due to the coronavirus, 36 hours before the start of the meet.

Group III 800
1 Lilly Shapiro	Colts Neck	SO	2:18.62
2 Trinity Eason	Woodbridge	SR	2:19.42
3 Jessica Lyons	Allentown	SO	2:20.16
4 Jenai Berry	Scotch Plains-Fanwood	FR	2:20.20
5 Andie Murray	Allentown	SO	2:20.65
6 Arianna Sakoutis	Colts Neck	SR	2:21.50

#33 Natalie Shapiro (Indoor 3200m), Toms River, Group III, Feb 22, 2020

Natalie had gone into her senior year, never having won a championship race. After a strong spring, she felt like she was ready. Cross Country did not go the way she wanted, despite a great summer of training. She had come down with whooping cough and it had taken forever to get healthy. It was a nice fall season but not a great one.
The winter season was going much better. She had felt great all winter and had run a huge personal best (PB) in the mile at the Morris County Inv (5:03.81). She had followed that with her first individual title, winning the Central Jersey Group III 3200 title in an indoor PB and had then run a smoking 1200 leg on the Distance Medley Relay. This was her chance to win a major title! She was the favorite but the race plan meant she would have to lead much of the race which was dangerous.
Alexis Palmieri (Ocean City) led the first six laps as the pace gradually slowed. The splits were 80.4, 83.4 and then 85.3. Once it slowed to 85, Natalie would take the lead 50 meters later to accelerate to 83.6 and then 82.7. From a pack of 10 at the 1200 (6 laps), the lead pack was down to 3 at 1600 meters and just two at 2000 meters, Natalie and Catherine Wimmer (Red Bank). Natalie took an easier 400 and then accelerated one more time with 800 to go. In that last 800, she would extend the lead to just short of 20 secs. Each of the last three 400s would get gradually faster. Her teammate, Ava Wilmot, would finish 3rd and also move on to the Meet of Champions.

400m Splits:

80.4	2:43.8 (83.4)	4:09.1 (85.3)	5:32.7 (83.6)
6:55.4 (82.7)	8:20.1 (84.7)	9:42.4 (82.3)	11:03.27 (80.9)
first 1600 5:32.7		last 1600 5:30.6,	last 800 2:43.2

One week later, Natalie would run 11:00.05 in the 3200 to finish 7th to medal (top 8) in the Meet of Champions. She would not get to run the Distance Medley Relay or the 4 x 1 mile relay, where they were seeded 2nd, at the Nationals, when it was cancelled due to the coronavirus, 36 hours before the start of the meet.

Group III 3200
1 Natalie Shapiro	Colts Neck	SR	11:03.27
2 Catherine Wimmer	Red Bank	SR	11:22.93
3 Ava Wilmot	Colts Neck	FR	11:24.69
4 Michelle Coyotl	Middletown South	SR	11:25.19
5 Ava Augustine	Mendham	SO	11:25.29
6 Alexa Palmieri	Ocean City	JR	11:32.60

full race result CN website race result

2019-20 season summary Video

#34 Lilly Shapiro (Outdoor 1600m), Pennsauken, Group III, June 11, 2021

courtesy of nj.milesplit.com

full race result CN website race result

2021 season summary Video

Lilly had not run a State Championship race since she doubled in winning the 1600 and 800 meter races at the Winter Track Group III meet in February of 2020. It had been 16 months since that day, time in which she could have won 5 more titles. She was in the midst of her best season ever with a State Record 4:40.15 for the 1600.
The 1600 was going to be the first of four races, in 2 days, to help the team try to win their first Team State Group title. She had noticed a soreness in her foot, the week before this meet, so the decision was made to wear road racing shoes in this race. This made it a little more slippery due to the race being run in a steady rain.
The plan was simple, run the race as if it was a 3200 and pull away the last lap if she needed to. She led a pack of 9 through the 400 in 73.2, a little fast. She backed off a little too much and was 2:31 at the 800 with 6 others still hanging on. She picked up the pace slightly to get back at just under 5:00 pace and only Laura Cota (Summit) was able to hang on. She stayed until 600 to go where Lilly gradually pulled away. Lilly was 73.3 and then 71.3 over the last 2 laps to win by just over 5 secs. Most importantly, it was 10 pts for the team. Lilly would then warm down, rest a bit and then come back in the 4 x 800 and anchor the team to their 6th consecutive 4 x 800 title (combined indoors and outdoors). The next day, would be another busy day, the 800 and then anchor the 4 x 400 meter relay. Hopefully it would end in a Team title.

400m Splits:

73.2	2:31.0 (77.8)	3:44.3 (73.3)	4:55.56 (71.3)
first 800 2:31.0		last 800 2:24.6

One week later, Lilly would finish 2nd in the 1600 and then come back and win the 800 at the Meet of Champions.

Group III 1600
1 Lilly Shapiro	Colts Neck	JR	4:55.56
2 Lara Cota	Summit	JR	5:00.76
3 Jessica Lyons	Allentown	JR	5:05.28
4 Lucy Afanasewicz	Middletown South	JR	5:05.35
5 Maddie Scheier	Somerville	SO	5:07.73
6 Grace Wassell	Highland Reg	SO	5:09.87

#35 Matt Bogdan (Outdoor 1600m), Pennsauken, Group III, June 11, 2021

full race result CN website race result

2021 season summary Video

Matt had gone into the 2020-2021 school year hoping to sweep the Group III Cross Country title, the 1600/3200 in winter track and then the same in spring track. The pandemic had limited the cross country season to a Central Jersey Group III title, where the official season ended. Others put on a post season Unofficial Meet of Champions where Matt was 2nd, 38 secs ahead of the nearest Group III runner. There were no sectionals or Group Championships during winter track. He was now down to his last chance to win a State title.
For the first time in years, they decided to have two heats and since the CJ Group III race had been tactical, he was in the unseeded heat. This meant that he would have to run as fast, leading the whole way, to make sure his time was faster than the seeded heat, to be the champion. In a soft drizzle, he went off on his own. He hit 62.0 and then 2:08.1 (66.1). He would need to keep this pace going and then kick hard to be sure his time was fast enough. He hit 66.2 for the 3rd lap and Nikhil Makker (WWPN) was still sitting on him. With 200 to go, a gap started opening between them and with 100 to go, Matt pulled away, closing in 62.0, to finish in 4:16.31.
Then a funny thing happened, no one wanted to lead in the seeded heat. It was slow until they hit 1 lap to go, finally they all kicked like crazy. It was won in 4:22.66. The top 3 in the unseeded heat, including CN's own Ryan Johnson, ended up 1-2-3. You don't see that much. Matt's time would be faster than any Group III runner ran the whole spring season. Matt finally had his 1st Group State title. He would only wait one more day until his chance at his 2nd, the 3200 the next day.

400m Splits:

62.0	2:08.1 (66.1)	3:14.3 (66.2)	4:16.31 (69.5)
first 800 2:08.1		last 800 2:08.2

One week later, Matt would finish 5th in the Meet of Champions in the 1600 and run 4:12.64, his fastest 1600 ever. He would then go to the Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, OR and win the steeplechase in the 6th fastest time in US history.

Group III 1600
1 Matt Bogdan	Colts Neck	SR	4:16.31
2 Nikhil Makker	West Winsor Plainsboro North	JR	4:18.63
3 Ryan Johnson	Colts Neck	JR	4:22.55
4 Ryan Beegle	Chatham	SO	4:22.66
5 Thomas Schulz	Roxbury	SR	4:23.18
6 Sam Ellis	Chatham	JR	4:23.38

#36 Matt Bogdan (Outdoor 3200m), Pennsauken, Group III, June 12, 2021

full race result CN website race result

2021 season summary Video

Day 2 opened with the 3200. The NJSIAA had finally decided to move the 3200s from the heat of the afternoon to the morning. Time to go after State Title #2 and help the CN boys in the team battle.
The race started in a drizzle in mid 70s weather. Someone took it out hard the first 400 at 66.5, with Matt running in 2nd, but it soon slowed down. At the 800 it had slowed to 72.6 pace with 18 in the front pack. A WWPN runner took over the lead at 800 and picked it back up to 71.5 but then let it slow down the 4th lap in 74.8. The whole pack of 17 now bunched together after the slowest lap of the race (75.2) as they hit 2000 meters. Matt had seen enough as he took the lead at the line with 3 laps to go and promptly ran a 67.1, which gave him a 3 sec lead. Slowing slightly but keeping the pressure on, he ran a 69.1 as his lead had grown to 5 secs. Matt picked it up but lost some of his lead as a pack of 7 raced each other for 2nd place. He won by just over 3.5 secs, the big surge having done it's job.

400m Splits:

66.5	2:19.1 (72.6)	3:30.6 (71.5)	4:45.4 (74.8)
6:00.6 (75.2)	7:07.7 (67.1)	8:16.8 (69.1)	9:21.56 (64.8)
first 1600 4:45.4		last 1600 4:36.2, last 1200	3:21.0, last 800 2:13.9

Group III 3200
1 Matt Bogdan	Colts Neck	SR	9:21.56
2 Zachery Hodges	Mendham	SR	9:25.18
3 Ryan Tobin	Toms River South	SR	9:26.17
4 Sam Ellis	Chatham	JR	9:27.07
5 Brandon Chen	West Morris Central	JR	9:27.65
6 Thomas Schulz	Roxbury	SR	9:27.91

#37 Lilly Shapiro (Outdoor 800m), Pennsauken, Group III, June 12, 2021

It was Day 2 of the Group III State Champs and Lilly was in her 3rd event of four. She had won the 1600 in 4:55.56 and then taken the team from 4th to 1st place in the 4 x 800 with a 2:13.83 anchor leg. It was time for the 800.
She was planning to run the 1600/800 double in the Meet of Champions and she needed to prepare for a fast first lap in the 800, if it happened, at the Meet of Champions. She had never gone out faster than 65.3 so the decision was made to run the 1st 400 fast. The race started and everyone let her go. She hit the 200 in 31.0 and the 400 in 63.50 (32.5). She had a lead of approximately 2 secs. She continued to pour it on and went through 600 in 1:35.9 (33.4) and continued through the finish in 2:09.83 (33.9). She won by just over 5.5 secs. It was her 3rd gold medal of the meet.
Lilly would come back and anchor the 4 x 400 in a personal best of 57.71. The team was 1 point back in the team standing at the time and it would give the girls their 1st Group State Track Championship. It ended one of the greatest weekends for a Colts Neck track athlete ever, four races, four gold medal finishes!

400m Splits:

63.50

2:09.83 (66.3)

One week later, Lilly would finish 2nd in the 1600 and then come back and win the 800 at the Meet of Champions. Lilly would then run the 2 mile in the Brooks PR meet in Seattle, WA. She would then drive 5 hours down to Eugene, OR and the following day run the Distance Medley Relay and then anchor the Sprint Medley Relay to a 3rd place finish to make All-American.

Group III 800
1 Lilly Shapiro	Colts Neck	JR	2:09.83
2 Cara Hliboki	Old Tappan	JR	2:15.39
3 Jessica Lyons	Allentown	JR	2:15.77
4 Lilly Oliver	Toms River South	SO	2:16.00
5 Maddie Scheier	Somerville	SO	2:16.01
6 Grace Wassell	Highland	SO	2:18.38

full race result CN website race result

2021 season summary Video

#38 Cole Tucker (Outdoor Shot Put), Pennsauken, Group III, June 12, 2021

full throw result CN website race result

2021 season summary

Cole had waited a long time for a chance to win his first Group State title. Most of Winter Track had been wiped out by the pandemic. He had finished 2nd in the Adidas Indoor Nationals and had the best throw in the United States with his 65' 04" throw at the Shore Track Coaches Shore Conference Championship. Now he needed a State Championship.
He had had an outstanding spring season. He had thrown a school record of 161' 05", in the dicus, 10 feet over the previous record. He had a total of 6 meets of over 154'. On the first day of the Group III Champs, in a slight rain, making for a very slippery circle, he threw 158' 06" to finish 2nd. A great start to the Group meet.
On Day 2, it was time for his main squeeze, the Shot Put. There had been confusion the day before. There were two different meet schedules. He had come the day before expecting to throw the shot put but it had been changed to the discus. At least, this time, he would be prepared for the right event.
His two main Shore Conference rivals were also in the field. Cole took the lead on the first throw but Robert Babson (Toms River South)followed it with his first official lifetime 60+ throw. His teammate, Tyler Konopka threw 59' 02" but had a personal best of 62' 03.75". This title was not going to come easy!
Cole refocused and then hit 65' 03.5", his 2nd best outdoor shot throw ever. The throw would win it for him as Babson's 60' 7.25" throw would hold up for 2nd with his teammate 3rd. More importantly, he had scored 18 pts for Colts Neck in the two events as the team would finish 3rd overall, just 4 pts out of 2nd. It took a while but Cole had his first State Championship. The following week he would have a shot at the Meet of Champion title.

One week later, Cole would win the Shot Put at the Meet of Champions, CN's first field event MOC winner.

Group III Shot Put
1 Cole Tucker	Colts Neck	SR	65' 03.5"
2 Robert Babson	Toms River South	SR	60' 07.25"
3 Tyler Konopka	Toms River South	SR	59' 02"
4 VeRon Garrison	Dwight Morrow	SR	57' 02.5"
5 Gavin McGarrity	Wayne Valley	SR	54' 06.5"
6 Christopher Guerrieri	Cherry Hill West	SR	52' 00"

#39 Lilly Shapiro (Cross Country), Holmdel Park, Group III, November 13, 2021

full race result CN website race result

2021 season summary Video Interview

Lilly was having a dream season. She had set a new course record at Ocean County Park, running 17:07, leading the team to a course record 18:16.8 average. She had won the Monmouth County (Holmdel Park) and Central Jersey Group III Champs (Thompson Park) with personal bests on those courses. She was looking forward to winning her 1st Group III XC title after missing out the year before because of the pandemic and winning the team title.
The plan was to run the first 1.5 miles at the same time/effort she hoped to run at the Meet of Champions the next weekend and then coast the rest of the way. She had never gone out faster than 6:13 (2020) so she had to feel that effort before the MOC. Lilly hit the mile in 5:58 with a lead of about 15 secs, backing off on the stretch from the bowl to the 2 mile, she still led by 30 secs at 11:54. She ran a comfortable pace until seeing the clock at the finish, she realized she could break 18:00 if she kicked. Kicking the last 100 meters, she finished in 17:59, to break 18:00. It made Colts Neck the first school to have 2 girls under 18:00. Lilly also led the team to their 4th Group III title in the last 5 championships. They finished 30 pts ahead of North Hunterdon without running Ava Wilmot, the 3rd runner on the CN team.

Mile Splits:

5:58

11:54 (5:55)

last 1.1 17:59 (6:05)

Lilly would go on to finish 2nd in the Meet of Champions, running a Shore Conference record 17:35, the 4th fastest time in NJ history. She would then finish 10th at the Northeast Eastbay (formerly Footlocker) regional to qualify for the Nationals, finish 13th in the Running lane Nationals in Huntsville, AL (which replaced the Nike XC Nationals) and then finished 19th at the Eastbay Nationals in San Diego, CA.

Group III Cross Country
1 Lilly Shapiro	Colts Neck	SR	17:59
2 Liliah Gordon	Northern Burlington	FR	18:44
3 Cassidy Roop	North Hunterdon	FR	18:47
4 Laura Cota	Summit	SR	18:47
5 Lilly Oliver	Toms River South	JR	19:02
6 Sofia Day	Mainland	FR	19:06
7 Grace Wassell	Highland Reg	JR	19:08
8 Addison Schmidt	North Hunterdon	SR	19:12
9 Presslie Mariner	Colts Neck	SR	19:17
10 Zui Chinchalkar	West Windsor Plainsboro	FR	19:24

#40 Lilly Shapiro (Indoor Track), Toms River, Group III, February 26

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2022 season summary Video

It had been a great stretch of training for Lilly. After a great cross country season, she had only run in 5 meets, focusing on getting training, instead of races. She had run 4 races at the Group III State Relays, anchoring 3 to state titles (The SMR was then disquaified for exchange zone violation.) She had not run great at the Milrose Games but then came back running a mile at the Bostton University college meet in 4:45.39, #2 all-time NJ and then running 2:10.11 for 800 the next day for a Freehold District record. She had defended her titles in the 1600 (5:14.41) and 800 (2:18.45) at the Central Jersey Group III Champs and was hoping to defend both titles again at the Group III Champs. She had run 10 secs faster than the next fastest competitor. She took the lead after 180 meters and focused on the race plan, an easy first 1000 and then increase the pace for each of the last 3 laps. After 400s of 75.0 and 75.3, she ran 37.3, 36.3, 36.2 and 35.3 to win by 6.5 secs. It was her 2nd winter track Group III 1600 title and her 4th Group III distance title.

400m Splits:

75.0	2:30.3 (75.3)	3:43.9 (73.6)	4:55.41 (71.5)
first 800 2:30.3		last 800 2:25.1	last 600 1:47.8

Lilly would move on the next week and become the first female to win both the 1600 and 800 at the winter track Meet of Champions and be named NJ Indoor Track Athlete of the Year by the Star Ledger.

Group III 1600
1 Lilly Shapiro	Colts Neck	SR	4:55.41
2 Grace Wassell	Highland Reg	JR	5:01.96
3 Sophia Reich	North Hunterdon	SR	5:03.72
4 Lily Oliver	Toms River South	JR	5:04.94
5 Sarah Petitjean	Chatham	SR	5:07.88
6 Caroline Melhorn	Montgomery	SR	5:08.38

#41 Lilly Shapiro (Indoor Track), Toms River, Group III, February 26

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2022 season summary Video

Lilly had just won the 1600, her 4th Group III individual championship and was going for #5 in the 800. Remember, she had missed out on 5 others. She was the favorite in the 1600 and 800 in spring track, cross country and the 1600 and 800 in winter track, from spring 2000 to winter 2001. They had all been cancelled due to the pandemic. This could have been #10, she was going for.
She had to race the two Scotch Plains girls who had finished 2nd and 3rd in the 400. Lilly had to be careful that the race didn't come down to a speed race at the end. Following the race plan, Lilly sat back early. She was 4th at the 200 and then moved up and took the lead with 430 meters left. She wanted to run a big 3rd 200. After the first two 200s of 34.6 and 36.2, she ran the 3rd in 32.4 to open an almost 4 sec lead with 200 to go. Saving some energy for the 4 x 400, she backed off the last 200 to finish in 2:17.24, to win by 3.5 secs. It kept the team in a position to finish 2nd in the team battle. She would come back in the 4 x 400 to run 59.5 to help the team finish 3rd and finish 2nd as a team.

200m Splits:

34.6	70.8 (36.2)	1:43.2 (32.4)	2:17.24 (34.0)
first 400 70.8		last 400 66.4

Lilly would move on the next week and become the first female to win both the 1600 and 800 at the winter track Meet of Champions and be named NJ Indoor Track Athlete of the Year by the Star Ledger.

Group III 800
1 Lilly Shapiro	Colts Neck	SR	2:17.24
2 Grace Wassell	Highland Reg	JR	2:20.70
3 Grace Kennedy	Scotch Plains	SR	2:20.75
4 Jenai Berry	Scotch Plains	JR	2:21.28
5 Jessica Lyons	Allentown	SR	2:21.28
6 Olivia Petschauer	Colts Neck	JR	2:22.79

#42 Kylie Jacoutot (Outdoor Track), Pennsauken, Group III, June 10, 2022

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2022 season summary Video

Kylie had struggled for 3 years to stay healthy long enough to show her talent. She had tried hurdling in 2021 but it had led to some injuries. She was giving it one more shot. After running some 55 meter hurdles races in the winter, she was ready to try the 400 hurdles, a race that "hurts a lot!" She made her debut at the Monmouth Relays and had the fastest time of the day (65.98). She then won the Monmouth County and Shore Conference Champs in 64.48 and 64.28, breaking the school record both times. Next, was the Central Jersey Group III Champs where she was challenged for the 1st time. Miriam Okwudibonye (Ewing) and Kylie ran most of the final 50 meters shoulder to shoulder until Kylie edged ahead the last 10 meters to win by .11 of a second in 62.62, a Freehold District record. Group III would be a rematch with Miriam as they had the fastest two times going in. It was Kylie in lane 4 and Miriam in lane 5. As they hit the final straight, it was Kylie and Miriam way ahead of the field. Miriam had a 1 step lead over hurdle 8. It stayed that way over hurdles 9 and 10. With no hurdles left, Kylie dug down and was even with Miriam with 40 meters to go and inched ahead in the last 2 meters to outlean her, winning by .03 secs in 62.69. She had found her event.

Kylie would go on and finish 3rd at the Meet of Champions and run in the Championship section of the New Balance National Championships.

Group III 400 hurdles
1 Kylie Jacoutot	Colts Neck	JR	1:02.69
2 Miriam Okwudibonye	Ewing	SR	1:02.72
3 Molly Bennett	Northern Highlands	SR	1:05.20
4 Anna Bryan-Jones	Northern Highlands	SO	1:05.61
5 Isabella Alvarez-Gomez	Cranford	FR	1:06.44
6 Hayley Brookes	Morris Knolls	SR	1:06.47

#43 Ava Wilmot (Outdoor Track), Pennsauken, Group III, June 10, 2022

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2022 season summary Video Interview Meet Story

It had been a tough 1 1/2 years for Ava. After a fantastic frosh season, cut short by the pandemic, she was excited to make her soph year special. Feeling fatigued and nursing an ankle injury, her season cross country season ended with a stress fracture. Still feeling fatigue in the winter season, she found out she had Lymes disease which had probably affected the fall season. It continued to affect her in the spring as she contined taking rounds of medication. Seemingly better and running well in cross country (19:16 at Holmdel Park PB), the fatigue returned. As it continued into the winter, she found it was now iron deficiency. Now taking iron pills, her serum ferritan numbers slowly started to rise. Her 1st steeplechase race qualified her for the Nationals and an 800 PB (personal best) at the Colts Neck Spring Inv showed promise. A near PB in the Nite of 3200s (11:20.29) and another near PB in the 1600 (5:09.78) at the Monmouth County Champs showed she was close to being back. The breakthrough race was winning the Shore Conference on a very hot day in 11:14.75. More importantly, she was able to finish a race strong for the 1st time since freshman year. She followed that winning both the 3200 and 1600 at the Central Jersey Group III Champs. In the Group III race, she was the 2nd seed. Melina Johnston (Robbinsville) took off fast and gapped the field. Ava Augustine (Menham) was by herself in 2nd as Ava stayed with the main pack. Near the end of the 2nd lap, Ava left the chase pack to go after the leaders. Augustine took the lead at 1000 meters as Ava caught up to the top 2. Those three pulled away as Ava sat in 3rd. On the 4th lap, Ava moved into 2nd as Johnston fell back. Ava would stay in 2nd until 950 meters to go, where she made a big surge to quickly pull away. By 600 to go, it was a 2.5 lead and by the finish, the lead had grown to 10+ secs. The comeback was complete!

400m Splits:

80.1	2:43.2 (83.1)	4:05.6 (82.4)	5:28.6 (83.0)
6:52.6 (84.0)	8:16.6 (84.0)	9:38.6 (82.0)	10:55.92 (77.3)
first 1600 5:28.6	2nd 1600 5:27.3	last 800 2:39.3

Ava would come back the next day and finish 4th in the 1600 in a PB 5:00.62. She would then finish 8th at the New Balance Nationals in the 2000 meter steeplechase in 7:07.65, a CN junior record

Group III 3200
1 Ava Wilmot	Colts Neck	JR	10:55.92
2 Ava Augustine	Mendham	SR	11:06.27
3 Melina Johnston	Robbinsville	SO	11:09.67
4 Cassidy Roop	North Hunterdon	SO	11:14.92
5 Taylor Guthrie	Toms River South	SR	11:16.87
6 Meghan Rentner	Allentown	JR	11:17.33

#44 Hunter Celkupa (Indoor Track), Toms River, Group III, February 17, 2024

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2024 season summary Video Meet Story

Hunter was having an outstanding junior year. He had beat his personal best at Holmdel Park by 1:23 in running 16:19. He was undefeated in the 1600, winning Monmouth County (4:18.81) and the Central Jersey Group III Champs (4:24.41) and had run big personal bests in the 800 (1:55.52), 1000 (2:32.53) and the 3200 (9:27.31). He was the #1 seed in the Group III race but was going to try to win the 1600 and the 3200. He would need to win the 1600 as easy as possible. The decision was made to run an honest first 800, even if he had to lead, and then bring the pace up until everyone was broken and then relax. Through the 200, he was 4th in an honest 31.3 and then the pace slowed just before the 400. Hunter took the lead at 400 picked the pace back up and they let him go. He had 5 meters at 600 and then expanded it to 2.5 secs at the 800 and 6.5 secs at the 1200. From there, Hunter started to coast to save his strength for the 3200. Read about the 3200 below.

Hunter had a break through season indoors, winning the Group III individual titles in the 1600 and 3200, before getting the flu right before the Meet of Champions. In the spring, he had run personal bests of 4:15.10 in the 1600 and 9:08.44 in the 3200. He was now the one with the target on his back. At race time, it was 80 degrees and breezy so the plan was to sit and kick late, to save energy for the 1600, the next day. Joshua Tejada (Teaneck) was the early leader and he kept the pace honest, despite the hot temperatures. Hunter was in 5th through the 800 as the whole field was still together. Hunter was still in 5th at the 1600 but the front pack was down to 7. Included in that pack was Jay Adimala (Colts Neck) who would be forced to stop just past the 1600 when his shoe was stepped on and came off. Tejada still led with Matt Hoffman (Ocean City) on his shoulder until 1500 to go when Hoffman passed Tejada and the pace picked up. Hunter quickly moved into 3rd and stayed right behind the two. The three pulled away from the rest as the pace moved under 70 for the first time. With 800 to go, the three were in single file, Hoffman, Tejada and Hunter. Hunter moved past Tejada with 600 to go. With 300 to go, he moved by Hoffman and when he accelerated with 170 meters to go, he broke away and won by 4+ seconds. Now the 1600 waited for him after a night's sleep. Read about the 1600 below.

400m Splits:

64.8	2:10.5 (65.7)	3:14.5 (64.0)	4:20.50 (66.0)
first 800 2:10.5	2nd 800 2:10.0

Hunter would be one of the favorites for the Meet of Champions but would come down with a virus 7 days before and be unable to compete.

Group III 1600
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	JR	4:20.50
2 Matthew Littlehales	Delsea	SO	4:21.71
3 Cortland Webb	Highland Reg	SR	4:23.21
4 Kennan Byers	Randolph	SO	4:23.49
5 Preston Gumann	Randolph	JR	4:27.56
6 Carter Herman	Summit	JR	4:31.66

#45 Hunter Celkupa (Indoor Track), Toms River, Group III, February 17, 2024

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2024 season summary Video Meet Story

Hunter was coming back from winning the 1600 (see above). The meet had been pushed back a few hours because of early morning snow and it was now late at night. The officials decided to have one heat of 22 to save time. To make matters worse, noone wanted to push the pace so it was overcrowded, three abreast with lots of tripping. Hunter was #1 seed in this event as well after winning the Central Jersey Group III meet in 9:29. Hunter managed to get on the inside and was 8th at the 400, 7th at 800, 8th at 1200 and 6th at the 1600, with people running three wide. The pace picked up after 1600 as Hoffman of Ocean City went to the lead at 1900. The pack was down to 11 with tons of tripping still going on. With 800 to go, it was still 11 in the front group with Hunter in 3rd and John Shapiro in 4th. With 3 laps to go (600), there was still 9 together, four wide. Hunter went to the lead, followed by John. He hit 400 to go with a Weiss of Roxbury a meter behind with Hoffman a step behind him. It was a meter lead over Hoffman at the bell and then Hunter ran away to win by just over 3 secs.

400m Splits:

72.4	2:26.6 (74.2)	3:39.3 (72.7)	4:54.0 (74.7)
6:04.3 (70.3)	7:17.0 (72.7)	8:26.7 (69.7)	9:31.17 (63.5)
first 1600 4:54.0	2nd 1600 4:37.2	last 800 2:13.2

Hunter planned to run the 1600 as one of the favorites for the Meet of Champions but would come down with a virus 7 days before and be unable to compete.

Group III 3200
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	JR	9:31.17
2 Matt Hoffman	Ocean City	SR	9:34.36
3 Jared Weiss	Roxbury	SR	9:34.85
4 Thomas Amato	Randolph	JR	9:36.93
5 Joshua Tejada	Teaneck	SR	9:37.55
6 Andrew Tatesure	Lacey Twp	SR	9:38.38

#46 Hunter Celkupa (Spring Track), Delsea, Group III, May 31, 2024

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2024 season summary Video

Hunter had a break through season indoors, winning the Group III individual titles in the 1600 and 3200, before getting the flu right before the Meet of Champions. In the spring, he had run personal bests of 4:15.10 in the 1600 and 9:08.44 in the 3200. He was now the one with the target on his back. At race time, it was 80 degrees, humid and breezy so the plan was to sit and kick late, to save energy for the 1600, the next day. Joshua Tejada (Teaneck) was the early leader and he kept the pace honest, despite the hot temperatures. Hunter was in 5th through the 800 as the whole field was still together. Hunter was still in 5th at the 1600 but the front pack was down to 7. Included in that pack was Jay Adimala (Colts Neck) who would be forced to stop just past the 1600 when his shoe was stepped on and came off. Tejada still led with Matt Hoffman (Ocean City) on his shoulder until 1500 to go when Hoffman passed Tejada and the pace picked up. Hunter quickly moved into 3rd and stayed right behind the two. The three pulled away from the rest as the pace moved under 70 for the first time. With 800 to go, the three were in single file, Hoffman, Tejada and Hunter. Hunter moved past Tejada with 600 to go. With 300 to go, he moved by Hoffman and when he accelerated with 170 meters to go, he broke away and won by 4+ seconds. Now the 1600 waited for him after a night's sleep. Read about the 1600 below.

400m Splits:

70.1	2:20.7 (70.6)	3:31.7 (71.0)	4:43.1 (71.4)
5:52.8 (69.7)	7:02.5 (69.7)	8:12.3 (69.8)	9:16.54 (64.2)
first 1600 4:43.1	2nd 1600 4:33.4	last 800 2:14.0

Hunter would decide to focus on just the 1600 at the Meet of Champions and finish 3rd in 4:08.92. He would also anchor the 4 x 1 mile at the New Balance Nationals, the day after the Meet of Champions to a 6th place finish, running 4:17.06. three days later, he anchored the Distance Medley Relay with a 4:15.10. With NJSIAA screwing up the end of season schedule, Hunter ended up running a 9:16, 4:12, 4:08, 4:17 mile and a 4:15 in 10 days.

Group III 3200
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	JR	9:16.54
2 Matt Hoffman	Ocean City	SR	9:22.90
3 Joshua Tejada	Teaneck	SR	9:23.85
4 Andrew Tatesure	Lacey	SR	9:29.54
5 Jared Weiss	Roxbury	SR	9:33.78
6 Jimmy Hernandez	Bergenfield	JR	9:34.20

#47 Hunter Celkupa (Outdoor Track), Delsea, Group III, June 1, 2024

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2024 season summary Video

After a good night's sleep and a 1.5 hour drive to Delsea, Hunter was ready to go after his 4th state title. The weather was a little nicer than the evening before, slightly cooler but with much less humidity. Alex Pelov (Montville) was the #1 seed and was known for his mid-race surge. The gun went off and it seemed like no one wanted to lead. As they passed 300, Hunter was 4th, teammate John Shapiro 3rd, with Pelov leading. At 350 meters, Pelov drastically picked up the pace with Shapiro 2nd and Hunter 3rd. After a 400 in 67.5, the 2nd lap was 63.9. As they hit 800, Pelov accelerated again and only Hunter 2nd, Shapiro 3rd and Hoffman (Ocean City) were able to stay with him. With 600 to go, it was only Pelov, Celkupa and Hoffman left in the front pack. They hit 1200 after a 60.8 lap and the order was the same. Hunter went to Pelov's shoulder with 300 to go and Pelov accelerated again. With 150 to go, Hoffman tried to go past both and tried to cut Hunter off as they both passed Pelov. They ran shoulder to shoulder for 50 meters until Hunter pulled away with 70 meters to go to win by 1 second.

400m Splits:

67.5	2:11.4 (63.9)	3:12.2 (60.8)	4:12.00 (59.8)
first 800 2:11.4	2nd 800 2:00.6	last 1200 3:04.5

Hunter would decide to focus on just the 1600 at the Meet of Champions and finish 3rd in 4:08.92. He would also anchor the 4 x 1 mile at the New Balance Nationals, the day after the Meet of Champions to a 6th place finish, running 4:17.06. Three days later, he anchored the Distance Medley Relay with a 4:15.10. With NJSIAA screwing up the end of season schedule, Hunter ended up running a 9:16, 4:12, 4:08, 4:17 mile and a 4:15 in 10 days.

Group III 1600
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	JR	4:12.00
2 Matt Hoffman	Ocean City	SR	4:13.00
3 Alex Pelov	Montville Twp	JR	4:13.78
4 Adam Petitjean	Chatham	JR	4:20.57
5 John Shapiro	Colts Neck	JR	4:20.68
6 Grayson Wolf	Jackson Liberty	SR	4:22.44

#48 Jay Adimala/Hunter Celkupa (Cross Country), Holmdel Park, Group III, November 9, 2024

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2024 season summary Video Interview

Hunter was the 2nd fastest returner from 2023 but Jay was coming off his 1st cross country season (he did not compete as a freshman). In fact, Jay was only the 26th returner with a best of 17:24 at Holmdel Park. They had become training partners, along with John Shapiro, after Jay's breakthrough spring. They had all trained side by side all summer and fall. Jay had become the #1 runner mid season but after a form correction the week of the State meet, Hunter felt like his old self, a 4 x State champion. On race day, the plan was to work together and the goal was a 1-2 finish. After an extremely slow first mile (5:37), a huge lead pack headed for the bowl. Right after the mile, a Chatham runner surged to the lead and started to force the pace. Using the downhill into the bowl, Hunter and Jay surged into a small 5 meter lead. As they started up the bowl hill, Pelov (Montville) surged hard up the hill and opened a 20 meter lead. Using the first downhill after the bowl, Hunter and Jay caught back up and opened a 5 meter lead over Pelov by 2 miles. The lead grew to about 7-8 seconds as they hit the homestretch. They eased up as they tried to talk the other into going over the line first. Finally, they finished together as they became the first CN boy's runner to win a cross country individual title since Craig Forys in 2006.

Mile Splits:

5:37

10:53 (5:16)

last 1.1 16:10 (5:17)

Jay would stun at the Meet of Champions, finishing 6th in 15:52 with Hunter 17th in 16:11. Jay would then miss making the Nike Nationals by just 6 secs as he finished 9th in the Nike Northeast Champs.

Group III
1 Jay Adimala	Colts Neck	JR	16:10
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	SR	16:10
3 Alex Pelov	Montville Twp	SR	16:15
4 Jimmy Hernandez	Bergenfield	SR	16:22
5 Sean Wemmlinger	Morris Knolls	JR	16:23
6 Marcus Valenzuela	Chatham	JR	16:24
7 Thomas Amato	Randolph	SR	16:29
8 Preston Guman	Randolph	SR	16:30
9 Ethan Buck	Ocean City	SR	16:31
10 Keenan Neuman	Ocean City	SO	16:32

#49 Hunter Celkupa (Winter Track), Toms River, Group III, February 2, 2025

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2025 season summary Video

After setting a new CN senior record of 1:56.72 in the 800 and then a 9:08.29 2 mile, Hunter knew he had the speed and strength he would need in the Group III Champs and Meet of Champions. Jay Adimala and Hunter had tied for 1st in the 1600 and 3200 races at the Central Jersey Group III Champs. They were hoping to do the same at the Group III meet but Matthew Littlehales had taken his fitness to a new level. Jay led a slow 1st 400, before Hunter accelerated into the 2nd 400 as Jay went with him in 2nd. The 2nd 400 was 62.2. Jay took the 3rd 400 but was only able to run 64.2 as Littlehales was the only one still with them. As Hunter went back to the lead with 400 to go, Littlehales tried to go around Jay but could not get by. At 200 to go, Littlehales got past Jay but Jay accelerated and got back by him with 150 to go. Littlehales got past Jay with 100 to go and went past Hunter as they hit the homestretch. Hunter dug down and went back by him with just a few meters to go to win by just .02 secs with Jay 4th.

400m Splits:

67.9	2:10.1 (62.2)	3:14.3 (64.2)	4:15.48 (61.2)
first 800 2:10.1	2nd 800 2:05.4	last 1200 3:07.6

Hunter would hold off Littlehales again to win the Meet of Champions and then anchor the DMR to All-American at the Nike Indoor Nationals.

Group III 1600
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	SR	4:15.48
2 Matthew Littlehales	Delsea	JR	4:15.50
3 Marcus Valenzuela	Chatham	JR	4:17.37
4 Jay Adimala	Colts Neck	JR	4:18.53
5 Kennan Byers	Randolph	JR	4:18.91
6 Preston Gumann	Randolph	SR	4:21.17

#50 Jay Adimala (Winter Track), Toms River, Group III, February 2, 2025

Jay Adimala passes a lapped runner to win his 1st track state title in the 3200.

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2025 season summary Video

Jay was having a breakout year. After a phenomenal cross country season, he had run personal bests in the 800, 1600 and even a 52.2 anchor leg on a 4 x 400. The topper was a huge 9:06.41 2 mile (9:03.21 3200 equivelent), just the week before.
The Group 3 3200 would be tough. He had run the 1600 a little over an hour before and was 4th but had died badly. He would be facing some fresh legs in the 3200. He would be joined by his teamate, Hunter.
Jay and Hunter started near the back for a couple of laps before moving up to 4th and 5th at 900 meters. Thomas Amato (Randolph) had been leading since the start and would continue to do so. They went through an even paced 1600 at 4:41.9. It was a lead pack of 8 runners. Right after the 1600, they moved up to 3rd and 4th. It was Amato, Nicholas Falcone (Morris Hills), Hunter and Jay. Down the backstretch of the 7th lap, Falcone took the lead with a big surge. Hunter and Jay followed in 2nd and 3rd. The three immediately broke away from the others. Hunter was tired so Jay went around him with 4 laps to go. With 550 to go, Jay went around Falcone and pressed even more as Hunter fell back. Slowly opening up a bigger lead, Jay hammered away from Falcone on the last lap.

400m Splits:

69.4	2:20.9 (71.5)	3:30.9 (70.0)	4:41.9 (71.0)
5:53.6 (71.7)	7:02.6 (69.0)	8:10.5 (67.9)	9:17.43 (66.9)
last 1600 4:35.5	last 1200 3:23.8	last 800 2:14.8

Jay would try to go with Luke Pash in the Meet of Champions 3200 and fade to 5th in 9:09 but would come back and lead off in 1st place in the 1200 leg (3:04.1) of the Distance Medley Relay at the Nike Nationals as the team finished 2nd. DMR

Group III 3200
1 Jay Adimala	Colts Neck	JR	9:17.43
2 Nicholas Falcone	Morris Hills	JR	9:21.09
3 Brenden McMahon	Ridge	SR	9:21.78
4 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	SR	9:22.09
5 Jimmy Hernandez	Bergenfield	SR	9:25.66
6 Thomas Amato	Randolph	SR	9:26.92

#51 Hunter Celkupa (Spring Track), South Plainfield, Group III, May 30, 2025

Hunter Celkupa nips Alex Pelov at the line to win the 800.

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2025 season summary Video

After losing 3-4 weeks to a foot injury and fearing that he had lost some of his endurance, the decision was made to focus on an 800/1600 double at the State meet. After running a smooth 1:54.88 to win the Central Jersey Group III Champs he was ready. The only question was who would take the race out. The answer was no one as the pack stayed together through a ridiculously slow 61.04. Hunter had been hanging back in mostly 3rd place but after a lot of shoving at the 400 meter mark as they started to accelerate, he was now in 4th as they came to 300 to go. Christian Cruz (Morris Hills) gapped the field shortly after with a strong surge but 1st Alex Pelov (Montville) and then Hunter flew past him. With 150 to go, Pelov had 1-2 meter lead on Hunter and it stayed that way until about 80 meters to go. Hunter went to his arms and slowly cut into the lead before catching him with 30 meters to go and inching past him just before the line. 1st half of the double, completed!

400m Splits:

61.04	1:55.47 (54.43)

Hunter would move on to the Meet of Champions and choose the 1600 and would defend his indoor championship.

Group III 800
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	SR	1:55.47
2 Alex Pelov	Montville	SR	1:55.57
3 Dominic Bassey	Winslow	SR	1:56.26
4 Christian Cruz	Morris Hills	SR	1:56.64
5 Brady Byrne	Chatham	JR	1:56.70
6 Ryan Foley	Mount Olive	JR	1:56.92

#52 Hunter Celkupa (Spring Track), South Plainfield, Group III, May 31, 2025

Hunter Celkupa wins the 1600 to defend his title with Jay Adimala 3rd.

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2025 season summary Video

After winning the 800 in a way he wouldn't have thought he could (54.43 last 400), Hunter was feeling more confident in his kick. He wanted to finish his senior season with one last Group title to get himself ready for the Meet of Champions. The winner could upgrade their time to their best 1600 time of the winter or spring season. Everyone else had to use their actual race time as their seed for the Meet of Champions. In a slow race, a lot was at stake.
It was a windy day and it was slowing down times. Matthew Littlehales had won the unseeded heat in 4:18.91. He was in that heat due to his slow winning time at his sectional.
Knowing he needed a decent time, Kenneth Byers (Randolph) went to the front and kept it honest with Hunter 2nd and Jay 3rd. At the 800, Alex Pelov (Montville) had moved just ahead of Jay. Pelov had finished 2nd to Hunter in the 800 the day before. As the pace slowed on the 3rd 400, there were 8 guys in the lead pack. With 400 to go it was Byers, Hunter, Pelov and Jay bunched together. As the group hit 200 to go, Jay had edged ahead of Pelov as everyone waited for the big move. At 150 to go, Hunter went into the lead but was still holding back. At 100 to go, Hunter acclerated away from Byers and Jay and ran his last 100 in about 12.5. Double over!

400m Splits:

63.2	2:07.9 (64.7)	3:14.5 (66.6)	4:16.06 (61.56)
last 1200 3:12.9	last 800 2:08.2

Hunter would move on to the Meet of Champions and choose the 1600 and would defend his indoor championship.

Group III 1600
1 Hunter Celkupa	Colts Neck	SR	4: 16.06
2 Kennan Byers	Randolph	JR	4:17.26
3 Jay Adimala	Colts Neck	JR	4:18.40
4 Matthew Littlehales	Delsea	JR	4:18.91
5 Marcus Valenzuela	Chatham	JR	4:19.93
6 Preston Guzmann	Randolph	SR	4:20.06

#53 Jay Adimala (Cross Country), Holmdel Park, Group III, November 8, 2025

Jay Adimala defends his Group III title..

full race result CN website race result

2025 season summary Video Interview

Jay was the defending champion, having tied for 1st the previous year with teammate Hunter Celkupa. He was having an outstanding season, breaking Jordan Brannan's Ocean County Park school record by running 14:53. He had also won the Monmouth County and Central Jersey Group III races and was the Shore Conference runner-up.
Marcus Valenzuela (Chatham) was the person to watch coming in. He, too, was having a superb season. Jay also was concerned that the team needed him to run well as they were trying to win the team title.
As was the Colts Neck way, Jay hung back early and was in 13th place at the mile but just 3 secs off the leader. Entering the bowl, he was in 9th as Valenzuela continued to lead. Coming out of the bowl, Jay was in the middle of the pack in 8th as Valenzuela threw in a big surge as they left the bowl. At 2 miles, Jay was 2nd but he was 5 secs behind Valenzuela. He would need to get closer to use his downhill skills. It took a while but he finally caught Valenzuela just as they left the woods with 300 meters to go. They were side to side up the slight hill before Jay was able to use his 800 speed to pull away in the last 100 meters to win by 3 secs. To make the day complete, the team pulled off the upset to win. Two championships in one day!

Mile Splits:

5:31

10:45 (5:14)

last 1.1 15:53 (5:08)

Jay moved on to the Meet of Champions and was running 15:30 pace as he went around the tennis courts when his calf seized up and forced him to drop out.

Group III Cross Country
1 Jay Adimala	Colts Neck	SR	15:53
2 Marcus Valenzuela	Chatham	SR	15:56
3 Kennan Byers	Randolph	SR	16:01
4 Agrin Jha	Delsea	SO	16:11
5 Sean Wemmlinger	Morris Knolls	SR	1614
6 Ben Johnson	Old Tappan	SR	16:23
7 Jason Enrile	Bergenfield	SR	16:27
8 Nathan Aschmann	Ocean City	JR	16:29
9 Aaryan Pethe	Morris Knolls	SR	16:30
10 Eric Preisner	Ocean City	SR	16:30