The State Group III Championships were this past weekend, and as usual there were some highs and lows. On Friday Paula and I traveled to South Plainfield where Paula took another shot at the school record and a spot at the meet of champions in the long jump. It turned out to be a tough day and a tough pit for jumping, with everyone jumping close to a foot below their previous marks. Paula ended up jumping 15-7 and placing 11th overall. While I know that was disappointing for Paula that is still 11th out of the top 24 jumpers in all of Group III which is one of the toughest Long Jump groups in New Jersey. I am very proud of how far Paula has come in the long jump and next year at college with a full year of training, 19 is definitely not out of the question. Just always remember my brilliant advice - RUN FAST AND JUMP FAR!
Saturday Jen Lee competed in the javelin. As we found out the day before, she was hindered by the effects of a couple vaccination shots in her throwing arm and as a result didn't throw her best. However, she still managed to throw over 90 feet and placed 21st.
The best performance of the meet though was the girls 4x400 relay. They dropped over 3 seconds off their previous and best race at sectionals, finnishing in 4:08.13 sec (4:07 hand timed by Kaci). Emily led off with a very stong 61.9 and handed off to Paula who obviously had something to prove after the previous day. Paula took off strong and finished stronger with a career best split of 59.8. That is also the best split of anyone on the team this season and in the last 2 or 3 seasons. Dorrie took the baton next and powered out another 61.9. Julianne ran the anchor leg in 63.4 which put the girls 3rd in their heat and 14th overall. I only wish I could have seen the race, as I heard the look on Julianne's face as she spotted the clock crossing the finish line was priceless. I always told you girls if you ever put it all together on the same day it would be incredible. I am so very proud of all of you!!!!!! Now we just have to find a couple girls willing to step into some very difficult shoes to fill. WHO WANTS IT?!!! THE SCHOOL RECORD MAY BE ON THE LINE NEXT YEAR!!!!!!
GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!! WHAT A GREAT SEASON!!!! PLEASE BE SURE TO TURN IN YOUR UNIFORMS TODAY OR TOMORROW AND TO HAND IN YOUR MONEY AND SLIPS FOR THE BANQUET. TUESDAY NIGHT IS SPORTS AWARDS AND YOU BETTER ALL BE THERE. YOU CAN BRING YOUR UNIFORMS AND BANQUET STUFF AND GIVE IT TO ME THEN IF YOU WANT.
Now that it's over, I can officially say that this year was the best of my four years on the team. We came together for the first time as a team, not three separate ones, and that showed at meets, with everyone cheering for each other and getting excited when their teammates competed well. We've had some issues with that in the past, so it was awesome to see the team spirit this year.
ReplyDeleteMole you missed a great race, but I'm sure Em and Julianne will be glad to beat it next year with you watching, as for the other two spots, time to step up girls! I see Swifty, Laura, and Kathleen filling those shoes... Nothing like an amazing race to finish the year right- the EPIC race that I will always remember.
While i'm on this typing spree here I'll be cheesy and relay Cole's pride in the team, I'm so proud to have been a part of this team over the past 4 years, espeically this year. Everyone did a great job, always gave it their all, and it showed! It will be difficult to continue running next year without you all, so you better give me a reason to come back and visit [ and kick your butt, right Em? ;) ] i wanna see shattered school records. You girls can do it!
I will miss you all so much :'(
"This is the End."