The Columbia girls had an outstanding performance at the Meet of Champions yesterday at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield. They picked up medals in the high jump, the 100 meter dash, the 400 and, for the umpteenth time, placed first in the 4x400 relay.
The performance for the girls washed away the nasty taste of defeat from the sectionals and group championships in the two weeks prior.
“I have the best team in New Jersey. I know that,” said Head Coach Lisa Morgan. “We beat ourselves. Those meets were ours to lose. The performance last night was much needed.”
Brittany Jackson, TyVonna Johnson, Kelsey Jackson and Kayann Richards ran a 3:47.94, making themselves the top 4x400 team in the state. It’s on to nationals on June 18 - 20 for the relay team, who will also be joined by the boys. The girls will be competing in the sprint medley—which they own the fastest time in the nation for—and will compete in the 4x400.
Richards took sixth place in the 100 and Johnson finished sixth in the 400. Brittany Jackson cleared 5 feet 4 inches in the high jump for a sixth place spot.
“We’ve had a great year,” Morgan said. “Had we won sectionals like we were supposed to and had we vied in the state championships like we were supposed to, it would have been a perfect year.”
The boys did not have as good a performance as the girls, with no male Cougars scoring during the meet. Morgan said that the boys’ relay team should have finished in fifth place at worst, but a miscue by the team’s anchor—him falling—put them behind too much for them to catch up and finish top six.
Regardless of how the boys finished and what they could have accomplished this season, Morgan said that she is very excited about he boys team she will field next season, which will be led by junior D.J. Roberts in the 400 and 800.
“I feel great because we have some young up and comers that have watched them with such admiration,” Morgan said. “I know that they have been inspired by what both the boys and the girls have done, and see what it takes to win.”
As for the girls, they are coming back with their core in tact and a stable full of young and eager athletes ready to contribute. The one loss is Melissa David, who was a stellar performer in the one and two mile races. Morgan said that she has not found a replacement for David yet.
With the nationals for both the boys and girls 4x400 teams, the track team is in need of sponsors for the trip, as it is not a school function. Anyone interested in donating for travel fees, hotel stay, food accommodations or entry fees should contact CHS Athletics Director David Curtin at 973-762-5600 Ext. 1024, or e-mail Morgan at CoachMorgan1@yahoo.com.
