On Saturday, for the second year in a row, Kate Ashley became the North 1 Group 1 Sectional champion at the 800 meter distance, with a time of 2:19.7. The win at Clifton Stadium qualifies Ashley for the state Group championship next weekend at Franklin High School in Somerset, where she will also compete in the 400m after placing third in that event with a time of 58.7.
There were also champions on the Verona High School boys track & field team, as David Navarro, Mark Walsh, Jason Siegelin and Mike Maglione won the N1G1 title in the 4×800 and broke a VHS record in the process. Their time of 8:27.02 blew away the 2010 record set by Dave Lukas, Eddie Congdon, Nick Lukas and Dave Oster of 8:32.5. Siegelin, who seemed to have the final leg of the 4×800 all to himself in Clifton, also took fourth place in the 800m with a time of 2:04.75.
Most amazing coaching moment! Final leg of the 4×800…Jason Siegelin! Watch & listen please! pic.twitter.com/PgJJ8tuwoP
— Verona Boys XC/Track (@VHSBoysXC_Track) May 26, 2018
The titles were part of a series of strong performances by the VHS track & field teams, which will send a large contingent to Groups. On the girls side, Erin Petrino took second in pole vault with a vault of 8’6”, while Lily Benanchietti finished fourth with a height of 8’0”.
The girls 4x400m relay team of Olivia Fiore, Olivia Vogel, Chelsea Gruskin and Kate Ashley took third place with a time of 4:18. Bridget O’Donnell placed fifth in the 3200m with a time of 13:05, and there was also fifth place for the girls 4x800m team of Julia DiGeronimo, Bridget O’Donnell, Kathleen Nagy and Brianna Rigney with a time of 11:08.
On the boys side, Owen Fogarty (above) took third place with a vault of 12’6″ and Isaac Skrivanic claimed fifth place in javelin with a personal best throw of 158’11″.
