by Natalie Brennan
The boys and girls track teams both competed in the Union County relays, placing sixth and second, respectively last Thursday and Friday at a refreshingly sunny Kehler Stadium.
The boys 4×1600 relay team composed of junior Matthew Russo, sophomore Ryan Siegel, senior Dalton Herzog and senior Phil Edwards were able to capture first place with a winning time of 18:30.57. Hertzog and Edwards set PRs in the event with times of 4:42.30 and 4:25.10, respectively.
Said senior Captain Phil Edwards: “The 4×1600 is the pride and joy of our program, we have won it the last 5 years.”
Edwards, who anchored the event, was able to catch up with the leading SPF runner on the back straightaway of the last lap, stealing the race and leaving a three second gap in his trail.
Senior Captain Frankie Pinney also had a stellar performance at the meet, jumping up to sixth place on Westfield’s 400m hurdles all time list with a time of 59.80.
Said Pinney: “My hurdles event was a monumental event for me. I have been pursuing that time diligently for the past two years and everything came into alignment in this one race.”
The girls team swiped first place in both the 4×800 relay and the pole vaulting event. Senior Gabby Stravach and juniors Kelly Morrison, Meghan O’Dwyer and Natalie Marcotullio won their 4×800 relay finishing with a time of 9:39.30.
Said senior Captain Gabby Stravach: “We raced the 4×800 at Penn Relays last Thursday and it was just not our day. We knew that [last] Friday at county relays would be a chance for us to redeem ourselves and show that we really do have a talented 4×800.
Marcatullio anchored the event and was able to advance the team to first place. Said Stravach on her teammate’s performance, ”She’s strong and competitive so she was able to hold off the competition and keep her lead to give us the victory.”
Said senior Captain Phil Edwards: “The 4×1600 is the pride and joy of our program, we have won it the last 5 years.”
Edwards, who anchored the event, was able to catch up with the leading SPF runner on the back straightaway of the last lap, stealing the race and leaving a three second gap in his trail.
Senior Captain Frankie Pinney also had a stellar performance at the meet, jumping up to sixth place on Westfield’s 400m hurdles all time list with a time of 59.80.
Said Pinney: “My hurdles event was a monumental event for me. I have been pursuing that time diligently for the past two years and everything came into alignment in this one race.”
The girls team swiped first place in both the 4×800 relay and the pole vaulting event. Senior Gabby Stravach and juniors Kelly Morrison, Meghan O’Dwyer and Natalie Marcotullio won their 4×800 relay finishing with a time of 9:39.30.
Said senior Captain Gabby Stravach: “We raced the 4×800 at Penn Relays last Thursday and it was just not our day. We knew that [last] Friday at county relays would be a chance for us to redeem ourselves and show that we really do have a talented 4×800.
Marcatullio anchored the event and was able to advance the team to first place. Said Stravach on her teammate’s performance, ”She’s strong and competitive so she was able to hold off the competition and keep her lead to give us the victory.”