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The Union County Girls Championship should be a battle
between Scotch Plains’ depth versus Rahway and Plainfield’s star power. Scotch
Plains will use its depth to score in most of the events contested. Rahway will
try to score big points with LaShonda Carter and Andrea Butler, while Plainfield
will use the duo of Letecia Taylor and Ashley Adams to score major points.
100m-LaShonda Carter is the favorite in almost any
event she chooses to run. If Rahway enters Carter in the 100m, the All-Stater
is the obvious favorite here. If not, Rahway sophomore Andrea Butler is the
favorite. Butler is the Group 2 Champion in the 100m. Other Challengers:
Aigner Holmes-Roselle, Susan Scavone-Summit, Jen Senizyn-Union Catholic, Kesi
Irvin-Kent Place.
200m-Defending champion Carter is the obvious
favorite, however, if she chooses not to run this event, teammate and 2005
runner-up Andrea Butler is the favorite. Butler is the MVC Champ in this
event. But just like in the MVC meet, Roselle’s Aigner Holmes and Rahway’s
Vicki Cadestin will be looking to upset. Other Challengers: Tina Olsson-SPF,
Susan Scavone-Summit, Jen Senizyn-Union Catholic, Molly Greapel-New Prov.
400m-Rahway’s Andrea Butler is the defending
champion, however, Jordan Gray is the new MVC Champ in this event having run
59.2. Indoor Champ, Jahlisa Smith would be the favorite, but has stated that
she will not be in attendance. If Carter chooses to run this event, she has a
legit shot at the title as a former Group 2 Champ in the event. Other
Challengers: Aigner Holmes-Roselle, Meaghan Kelly-SPF, Lesley Hendricks-Union
Catholic, Tina Olsson-SPF.
800m- Samantha Lee is the favorite coming off of an
impressive 2:15 performance at the IHC Championships. Sophomore Jordan Gray of
Gov. Livingston is the MVC Champ posting an impressive 2:17.8. If Plainfield’s
Jahlisa Smith shows up, she’ll surely challenge for gold. Other Challengers:
Bridgette Cornwall-SPF, Caitlyn Cachs-Cranford, Stephanie Genna-Union, Jessica
Hill-Oak Knoll.
1600m-This could be the most exciting event of the
meet. If Cranford’s Lauro Gallo, Summit’s Samantha Lee, and Scotch Plains’
Brittany Veeck all line-up, we can expect one the fastest races Union County has
seen in a while. All three have run under 5:17. And of course, if Jahlisa
Smith shows up, she will surely challenge. Other Challengers: Katie McCafferty-Oak
Knoll, Hanna Van Why-Cranford.
3200m-Laura Gallo is the obvious favorite in this
event, with teammates Hannah Van Why and Scotch Plain’s Brittany Veeck expected
to challenge.
110HH-This can provide for another exciting race.
Ashley Adams, Letecia Taylor and LaShonda Carter can also put on a show in this
event. Adams and Taylor went 1-2 at the Watchung meet in 14.3 and 14.6, while
Carter took the MVC title in 14.7. These three ladies can push each other to
become apart of the exclusive sub 14 club, which has only been done by 4 girls
in county history. Other Challengers: Nicole Bryant-Union, Susan Scavone-Summit,
400IH-Plainfield can sweep this event with Letecia
Taylor and Ashley Adams. The duo has run 1:03.0 and 1:03.7 this season.
Meaghan Kelly of Scotch Plains should be the closest challenger. Other
Challengers: Nicole Bryant-Union, Alisa Harris-Union Catholic.
HJ-The Indoor State Champ LaShonda Carter is the
obvious favorite here. Carter will be looking to break the county record of 5-8
held by three people. Plainfield’s Ashley Adams and Union Catholic’s Kaity
Eppinger should challenge. Adams has gone 5-6 in a dual meet, while Eppinger
has cleared 5-4 consistently.
LJ-If she chooses to compete in this event, LaShonda
Carter is again…the favorite. Carter has jumped over 18 feet consistently,
including 18-5.5 to win the MVC meet and giving her the 6th furthest
jump all-time in Union County. Plainfield’s Ashley Adams and Scotch Plains’
defending champion Amanda Bobyack and Tina Olsson should challenge. Other
Challengers: Tracy Fanfan-Hillside, Kara Madison-Elizabeth
TJ-Already the county record holder in only her
first year competing in this event, LaShonda Carter is again…the favorite.
Carter will receive competition from Plainfield’s Letecia Taylor and Ashley
Adams, who have both jumped over 34 feet this season. Other Challengers: Alysha
Alston-St. Pats, Meaghan Kelly-Scotch Plains, Natasha Celius-Scotch Plains.
PV-Liz Massuci of New Providence is the favorite
here. Kristine Ciafa of Cranford and Erin Rossi of Scotch Plains should
challenge.Other Challengers: Holly Tucker-New Providence, Sarah Bender-Cranford.
SP-Patrice Chatman of Summit is the favorite this
year. Chatman has thrown 38-7.25 this season. She should be challenged by the
Scotch Plains duo of Carlaya Jones and Erin Rossi, as well as Stephanie
Rosamillia of Gov. Livingston and Melissa Benner of Roselle Park. Other
Challengers: Lauryn Adams-Scotch Plains, Ashley Little-Dayton.
DT-Kehinde Oyelola of Roselle is the class of this
event. Having thrown 120 feet, she currently leads the county by over 15 feet.
Erin Rossi and Patrice Chatman should provide a challenge. Other Challengers:
Leigh-Ann Bartsch-Gov. Livingston, Yewande Salako-Elizabeth, and Lauryn
Adams-Scotch Plains.
JAV-Kehinde Oyelola is also favored to win the
javelin, but should receive some stiff competition from twin sister, Taiwo.
Francesca Garay of Rahway and Julieann Grandal of Cranford should challenge.
4x400-Plainfield would be the team to beat if they
can load up the relay. If not, Scotch Plains will be the team to beat. Union
Catholic should provide a strong challenge. Other Challengers: Gov. Livingston,
Union, Westfield.
Scotch Plains is the clear favorites to win the county
title, completing a sweep of the Watchung Conference, Union County Relays, and
Union County Individual Champions. The closest contender seems to be Rahway,
the county relay runner-up and Mountain Valley Conference Champions. Scotch
Plains, which has major depth, will receive major points from Kyle Rowbotham and
Mike Alleman. Rahway will try to contend with Watson Estelan, Paul
Jones-Burden, and Andre Neblett.
100m-Indoor 55m State Champion, Reggie Dixon of
Plainfield is the obvious favorite here. Johnson’s Vinny Reis is having a
breakout season and looks to challenge. Other Challengers: Dan Manuyag-Cranford,
Doreace Santiago-Rahway, O’Neal Thomas-Linden, Anthony McDonald-Brearly
200m-This event should be a barn-burner with
Watchung Champ, Reggie Dixon as the favorite. However, MVC Champ Garrett
Ellis-Union Catholic, Vinny Reis-Johnson, and Paul Jones-Burden-Rahway will
provide a strong challenge. Union County can likely see several runners go sub
22. Other Challengers: Dan Manuyag-Cranford, Doreace Santiago-Rahway, Julian
Phillips-Union Catholic.
400m-Should be an exciting affair! The 400m could
see multiple sub 50 performances this year. While there is no clear favorite,
Watson Estelan of Rahway is the top seed. Estelan finished 2nd last
year and is the current MVC Champ. Estelan’s teammate and indoor county
champion, Paul Jones-Burden will challenge. Union Catholic sophomore sensation
Garrett Ellis will also contend. Other Challengers: Christian Caballero-Gov.
Livingston, Mark Givens-Roselle Catholic, Rahdel Savage-Roselle.
800m-Defending Champion Watson Estelan is the
favorite here. Estelan, who has a PR of 1:55.07, will be challenged by
Cranford’s Kevin Brown and New Prov’s Brian Trench. Other Challengers: Adam
Biner-SPF, Mike Miller-SPF, Kris Kagan-Westfield
1600m-Union County 3000m record holder Jeff Perrella
is favored to win this event. Perrella has run 4:23 this season, but has run
splits of 4:13 and 4:15. Joe McKenney of Cranford split 4:21 at the County
Relays, Stephen Hankinson of Summit and Kevin Brown of Cranford should
challenge. Other Challengers: Adam Biner-SPF, Brian Guterl-Union Catholic.
3200m-If he chooses to, Jeff Perrella can double.
Perrella currently has the fastest time in the county by 28 seconds after
running a solo 9:20 at the Watchung meet. The closest challengers seem to be
McKenney of Cranford, Guterl of Union Catholic and Hankinson of Summit.
110HH-Indoor champion Kyle Rowbotham and MVC Champ
Daniel Greene should put on a show in this event. Green leads the county with a
14.6, while Rowbotham has run 14.9 in a dual meet and 14.4 in the Shuttle Hurdle
Relay. Greene and Rowbotham should be challenged by Nehemiah Burney-Porter of
SPF and Rahdel Savage of Roselle. Other Challengers: Deion Lawson-Rahway, Tom
Pennella-SPF, Quinn Williams-Elizabeth, Garrison Butler-Summit.
400IH-Rowbotham, who has run 55.3 this season, leads
the way in this event. While Rowbotham is the clear favorite, Elizabeth’s
Joshua Chavanne will challenge. Other Challengers: Tyler Maccubin-Westfield,
Mark Givens-Roselle Catholic, Tom Penella-SPF.
HJ-The high jump is pretty wide-open this year.
Elizabeth’s duo of Kareem Andrews and Joshua Chavanne, have both cleared 5-10
this season.
LJ-Defending champion Reggie Dixon is the favorite
here. If Kyle Rowbotham decide’s to compete in this event as well, it will be a
great battle as both have jumped over 22 feet in dual meets this year. Quinn
Williams of Elizabeth and Rahdel Savage of Roselle seem to be the next
challengers. Other Challengers: Mark Givens-Roselle Catholic, Deion
Lawson-Rahway, Dennis Hoag-Brearly, Nehemiah Burney-Porter, Scotch Plains.
TJ-Defending champion, Rowbotham, is the favorite to
win the triple jump. Rowbotham has soared into 2nd on the county
all-time list in this event when he jumped 46-7 at the County Relay meet. His
main challenge will come from Roselle’s Rahdel Savage who has jumped his way to
3rd on that list with a jump of 45-11 earlier this season. Other
Challengers: Nehemiah Burney-Porter-SPF, Tracy Daughtery-Union, Tobi Oyetunde-Union.
PV-Indoor Group 4 Champion, Josh Chavanne should
leap to a victory here. Chavanne’s biggest challenge should come from Max Carow
of Scotch Plains. Other Challengers: Carl Smith-Gov. Livingston, Chris Buttita-New
Prov, Mike Porch-Westfield, Tom Penella-SPF.
SP-Every week they get better and better! Mike
Alleman of SPF, 5th a year ago, and Oliver Haney, 2nd a
year ago will wage war! Alleman is the top see having thrown 56-4 this season,
while Haney is the 2nd seed having thrown 53-4.5 this season. These
two seem to throw further every week…what will they have in store for us on
Saturday? If that’s not enough, there are four challengers who are close to the
50 foot barrier: Marc Seemon-Union Catholic, John Badala-SPF, Andre Neblett-Rahway,
and Anthony Nelson-SPF.
DT-Another competitive event. Alleman is the event
leader having thrown 144-9 this season. However, Rahway’s Andre Neblett, who
has a PR of 151-1 in this event should challenge. Oliver Haney should also
challenge in this event as well. Other Challengers: Brian Kizelevich-Brearly,
Marc Seemon-Union Catholic, Leonard Bunion-Rahway.
JAV-All-State Football Star Andre Neblett of Rahway
is the event leader. Neblett has thrown 184-2. Neblett will be challenged by
Dennis Hoag of Brearly and Paul Prokopovich of Union. Other Challengers: Josh
Pryor-Elizabeth, Greg Brand-SPF.
4x400-Rahway is the hands down favorite led by Paul
Jones-Burden and Watson Estelan. Rahway has run 3:22.7 this season.
The closest challenger is Union Catholic squad, led by sophomore Garrett Ellis,
which has run 3:24.9. Other Challengers: Scotch Plains, Roselle, Gov.
Livingston, Elizabeth.
This should be a tough battle between Scotch Plains,
Plainfield, Rahway and Roselle.
SPRINTS: The sprint relays will be a tough battle
between Union Catholic, Roselle, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Union and Plainfield.
Roselle has the fastest 4x100 time of the season, while Union Catholic has the
top time in the 4x200 and Plainfield in the 4x400. A loaded Rahway and
Plainfield squad can challenge in any of the sprint relays.
DISTANCE/MEDLEYS: Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Oak
Knoll and Scotch Plains should battle in the distance relays. If Plainfield
chooses to run, they will be the favorites in the SMR, with Union Catholic and
Rahway challenging.
HURDLES: The SHR looks to be a tough battle between
Union and Plainfield. Rahway and Cranford should challenge. Plainfield is the
hands down favorite to win the IHR. New Providence and Union should contend.
Plainfield led by Letecia Taylor, Ashley Adams, and Jahlisa Smith can do some
serious damage in both hurdles.
JUMPS: Union Catholic, Johnson, Union, Cranford,
Elizabeth and Rahway should contend in the high jump. The long jump will see
Rahway, Summit, Johnson, Scotch Plains, Plainfield and Union. The triple jump
will be a tight battle between Rahway, Plainfield, Roselle and Scotch Plains.
Rahway is led by LaShonda Carter who is not only one of the best sprinters in
the county, but is also one of the best jumpers.
THROWS: Roselle looks to be the strongest in the
throws led by the trio of Taiwo and Kehinde Oyelola, and Samantha Showers.
Summit, Scotch Plains, and Johnson should give Roselle some heat, while Rahway
will add heat in the Javelin.
Scotch Plains seems to be the obvious favorites with their
depth and versatility. The challengers look to be the Mountain Valley
divisional champions Rahway and Union Catholic.
SPRINTS: The sprint relays looks to be another
battle between Union Catholic and Rahway. Union Catholic won the MVC Relays
4x100 and 4x200 and holds the fastest time in the county in the 4x100. Rahway
holds the fastest times in the 4x200 and 4x400. Look for Plainfield, Elizabeth,
and Scotch Plains to challenge. Scotch Plains holds the third fastest 4x400
time in the county.
DISTANCE/MEDLEYS: Westfield seems to be the
favorites in the 4x800, 4x1600, and DMR. However, Union Catholic ran 8:14 at
the MVC Relays and should challenge Westfield. Cranford, Scotch Plains and
Summit should challenge in the distance relays. Rahway is the obvious favorite
in the SMR, with Union Catholic being the top challenger.
HURDLES: The SHR looks to be a tough battle between
indoor champions Scotch Plains and Rahway, which leads the county with a
1:02.7. Union, Roselle, and Linden will contend. The IHR looks like an easy
shot for Scotch Plains. Union, Rahway, and New Providence look to be the
challengers.
JUMPS: The jumps are pretty open this year.
Westfield, Scotch Plains and Johnson should contend in the high jump. The long
jump should be a battle between Elizabeth, Scotch Plains, Plainfield and
Brearley. The triple jump should be a great battle between Scotch Plains and
Roselle. Scotch Plains features Kyle Rowbotham, while Roselle features Rahdel
Savage, who should battle for the county individual title as well. PV will be a
battle between New Providence, Cranford, and Elizabeth.
THROWS: Scotch Plains looks to be the most dominant
team here, but watch out for Rahway and Brearley. Scotch Plains look to be the
favorites in the shot put with Johnson and Rahway contending. The discus will
be a very tight battle between SPF and Rahway. Brearley is the favorite in the
Javelin, with Rahway and Scotch Plains contending.
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