Post by Marc LeVine on Jun 20, 2007 12:13:29 GMT -5
Higginson, Leacock top All-District girls team
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
Ashley Higginson
Ashley Higginson closed the book on the finest season ever put in by a Freehold Regional District distance runner with more records and championships.
Starting with her incredible cross country season in the fall, Higginson has been beating the nation's best. This spring, she started the season with a repeat win at the Penn Relays over 3,000 meters in a Shore Conference record 9:37.92 and did not lose a race over 1,600 meters, and set state records for the 5,000 meters (16:38.31) and the 2,000-meter steeplechase (6:50.39).
Her season included her first outdoor NJSIAA MOC title and the Nike Outdoor National title for two miles in a state record 10:17.44. She broke her own steeplechase record (6:39.). Her two All-American honors at the nationals brought her career total to seven.
Other highlights of the season include the Monmouth County discus record set by Marlboro's Kristen Batts at 152-4 and the Central Jersey Group IV title won by Freehold Township's Janel Parker at 800 meters.
Colts Neck had another undefeated dual meet season and won the Shore Conference A North Division title. The Cougars also won the Monmouth County and Freehold Regional District titles.
The Cougars' star Higginson (1,600, 3,200) leads the News Transcript's 2007 All-Freehold Regional District Girls Track and Field Team. On the track, the other team members are Marlboro's Ada Unachukwu (100-200), Howell's Jamie Leacock (100 hurdles and 400 intermediate hurdles), Freehold Township's Parker (800), Colts Neck's Meryl Wimberly (400), and the Cougars' 4x400 relay team.
Batts (shot put, discus) heads the All-District field team. Joining her are Howell's Brittany Napoli (javelin), Colts Neck's Lindsey Rappleyea (high jump) and Jesse Pagliano (triple jump), Freehold Township's Desiree Reese (long jump), and Marlboro's Jenna Meagher (pole vault).
Higginson leaves Colts Neck as the finest distance runner in Freehold District history. She has the titles and the records to make a case that she is one of the best in state history. Besides her Penn Relay title, Higginson swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 at the Monmouth County Championships, where she was named the outstanding performer. In Central Jersey she swept them again, setting a new meet record in Group IV for the 16 (4:50.14). She set the Monmouth County record for the 1,600 (4:47.71) in finishing third at the State Group IV championships. She won the 3,200 at the Groups, and at the MOC she set the Shore Conference 3,200 (10:23.28) in winning the championship from the front.
Having won the national indoor two-mile title, Higginson's outdoor win gave her a sweep of the two titles. She'll take her considerable talents to Princeton University.
Parker, a junior and Higginson's heir apparent, repeated her Central Jersey Group IV 800 meter championship with a season's-best 2:15.39. She was the District champion and ran second to Higginson in the two-lapper at the County championships. The junior stepped up seriously to the 1,600 where she achieved her goal of breaking 5:00 (4:59.33 in finishing sixth at the State Group IV meet), and was second to Higginson in CJ and finished fifth at the MOC. With her injuries behind her, Parker will be a force next season.
Unachukwu was again the dominant sprinter in the District and increased her range this year to include the 400. She was unrivaled in the 100 and the 200 meters. The swift sophomore swept them both (and the 400) at the Freehold District meet, sharing Most Outstanding Track Performer honors with Leacock. She won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the county championships and was third in both at the conference meet. In Central Jersey, the speedy Mustang was second in the 100, third in the 200 and fourth in the 400. At the State Group championships she was fourth in the century and eighth in the 400, earning a wild card to the MOC, where she 15th in the 400. Out at the Golden West Invitational in Sacramento, Calif., Unachukwu won her heat and lowered the District record for the 400 to 57.13.
Unachukwu's talents also included the triple jump (District champion) and the long jump. She is probably the most versatile track and field athlete in the area.
Wimberly has been a force in the 400 the last couple of years, setting District records indoors and outdoors. She was second in the District, third in the county and Central Jersey (57.51). The senior stepped up to the 800 during the season and turned in some fast times. She anchored the District's best relay team. The Colts Neck quartet that also includes Kathlyn Herrick, Samantha Santos and Julia Tomaro received spirited competition from both Marlboro and Howell. Leacock anchored the Rebels to the District title and Marlboro was runner-up in the Shore Conference. But the veteran unit put down the best series of marks during the season and won the majority of the match-ups. The Cougars were second in the District and county, fifth in the conference, fourth in Central Jersey and 10th in State Group IV. They had the season's fastest time, 4:01.16.
The hurdles have been Leacock's domain. Whether it was the shorter 100 or the demanding 400 intermediates, she was tops. She swept both at the District meet and won the intermediates at the county, where she was second in the 100 hurdles. She won the Shore Conference title (1:03.02) in the 400 and was third in the 100. In Central Jersey the Bucknell University-bound hurdler was fourth in the intermediates, and at the State Group IV meet she was sixth. She finished the year placing 10th at the MOC. She lowered the Freehold District record to 1:02.90 for the 100 hurdles.
Batts was a meet record machine this spring, setting new marks at a number of meets for the District, county and Central Jersey. Her career best of 152-4 is the all-time best for Monmouth County. She was undefeated up to the State Group Championships, where she did not advance to the final. She took seventh at the Golden West and the Nike Outdoor Nationals, where she placed eighth with one of her best throws of the year, 147-3.
Headed for the University of Maryland, Batts was no slouch with the shot put. She took fifth at the MOC with a pb 42-4. She won the District title, where she garnered Most Outstanding Field Performer honors, and was also first at the county. At Golden West, she was fourth in the shot put.
Napoli didn't win any championships this spring, but what separated her from the rest was her consistency. She medaled at every meet and was 10th at the MOC. Napoli was second in the District and county, fourth in the SC, fourth in Central Jersey, and got off her best throw at the State Group IV championships, where her then-season's-best 123-11 landed her in second place.
At the NON, Napoli put her name in the record book with a 129-0 that established a new Freehold Regional District record. She placed 13th at the nationals. She will continue her throwing career at the University of Tennessee.
The high jump was a season-long duel between the Cougars' Rappleyea and Pagliano. Rappleyea won the District title, with Pagliano second. They reversed positions in the county, with Pagliano winning. It was Rappleyea's turn at the Shore Conference (minus Pagliano). Rappleyea had the final say with a third place in Central Jersey and eighth at the Group IV championships. Her best jump was 5-4.
Pagliano rivaled Unachukwu for her field versatility. She had the best high jump of the season (5-6), finished second in the javelin at the state sectional, and was an accomplished triple jumper. She was second in the District, third in the county (34-9 1/2) and fifth in Central Jersey in the triple.
Reese had a solid year in both the long jump and triple jump. She placed behind Pagliano in Central Jersey in the triple. In the long jump, she won the District title and was consistently over 15-0 in every meet.
Meagher ruled the pole vault. The Mustang senior won the District and Monmouth County titles and was third in the conference. She broke her Freehold District record with her 10-1 during the season.
Those earning Honorable Mention in 2007 are: Kristen O'Dowd, Allie Flott, Allison Linnell, Evan Wimberly, Morgan Clark, Allison Donaghy, Karissa Herrick, Crystal Butler, Tracey Vill and Sara Scholosser, Colts Neck; Blair Hassell, Megan Patterson, Alyssa Mayrose and Shannon Mayrose, Freehold Borough; Tanika Peart, Charlotte Walsh, Megan Donovan, Crystal Mahoney and Anita Wise, Freehold Township; Lindsey Lambert, Jacquie Ward, Amanda Luccarelli, Adedayo Adu and Anna DiPaola, Howell; Kristen Andrews, Stephanie Ricciardi and Samantha Moran, Manalapan; and Brittany Pietrosh, Lauren Pietrosh, Jackie Karlovich and Emily Cellini, Marlboro.
and turned in some fast times. She anchored the District's best relay team. The Colts Neck quartet that also includes Kathlyn Herrick, Samantha Santos and Julia Tomaro received spirited competition from both Marlboro and Howell. Leacock anchored the Rebels to the District title and Marlboro was runner-up in the Shore Conference. But the veteran unit put down the best series of marks during the season and won the majority of the match-ups. The Cougars were second in the District and county, fifth in the conference, fourth in Central Jersey and 10th in State Group IV. They had the season's fastest time, 4:01.16.
The hurdles have been Leacock's domain. Whether it was the shorter 100 or the demanding 400 intermediates, she was tops. She swept both at the District meet and won the intermediates at the county, where she was second in the 100 hurdles. She won the Shore Conference title (1:03.02) in the 400 and was third in the 100. In Central Jersey the Bucknell University-bound hurdler was fourth in the intermediates, and at the State Group IV meet she was sixth. She finished the year placing 10th at the MOC. She lowered the Freehold District record to 1:02.90 for the 100 hurdles.
Batts was a meet record machine this spring, setting new marks at a number of meets for the District, county and Central Jersey. Her career best of 152-4 is the all-time best for Monmouth County. She was undefeated up to the State Group Championships, where she did not advance to the final. She took seventh at the Golden West and the Nike Outdoor Nationals, where she placed eighth with one of her best throws of the year, 147-3.
Headed for the University of Maryland, Batts was no slouch with the shot put. She took fifth at the MOC with a pb 42-4. She won the District title, where she garnered Most Outstanding Field Performer honors, and was also first at the county. At Golden West, she was fourth in the shot put.
Napoli didn't win any championships this spring, but what separated her from the rest was her consistency. She medaled at every meet and was 10th at the MOC. Napoli was second in the District and county, fourth in the SC, fourth in Central Jersey, and got off her best throw at the State Group IV championships, where her then-season's-best 123-11 landed her in second place.
At the NON, Napoli put her name in the record book with a 129-0 that established a new Freehold Regional District record. She placed 13th at the nationals. She will continue her throwing career at the University of Tennessee.
The high jump was a season-long duel between the Cougars' Rappleyea and Pagliano. Rappleyea won the District title, with Pagliano second. They reversed positions in the county, with Pagliano winning. It was Rappleyea's turn at the Shore Conference (minus Pagliano). Rappleyea had the final say with a third place in Central Jersey and eighth at the Group IV championships. Her best jump was 5-4.
Pagliano rivaled Unachukwu for her field versatility. She had the best high jump of the season (5-6), finished second in the javelin at the state sectional, and was an accomplished triple jumper. She was second in the District, third in the county (34-9 1/2) and fifth in Central Jersey in the triple.
Reese had a solid year in both the long jump and triple jump. She placed behind Pagliano in Central Jersey in the triple. In the long jump, she won the District title and was consistently over 15-0 in every meet.
Meagher ruled the pole vault. The Mustang senior won the District and Monmouth County titles and was third in the conference. She broke her Freehold District record with her 10-1 during the season.
Those earning Honorable Mention in 2007 are: Kristen O'Dowd, Allie Flott, Allison Linnell, Evan Wimberly, Morgan Clark, Allison Donaghy, Karissa Herrick, Crystal Butler, Tracey Vill and Sara Scholosser, Colts Neck; Blair Hassell, Megan Patterson, Alyssa Mayrose and Shannon Mayrose, Freehold Borough; Tanika Peart, Charlotte Walsh, Megan Donovan, Crystal Mahoney and Anita Wise, Freehold Township; Lindsey Lambert, Jacquie Ward, Amanda Luccarelli, Adedayo Adu and Anna DiPaola, Howell; Kristen Andrews, Stephanie Ricciardi and Samantha Moran, Manalapan; and Brittany Pietrosh, Lauren Pietrosh, Jackie Karlovich and Emily Cellini, Marlboro.
2007 All-Freehold Regional District Girls Track & Field Team
100 metersAda UnachukwuMarlborosophomore
200 metersAda UnachukwuMarlborosophomore
400 metersMeryl WimberlyColts Necksenior
800 metersJanel ParkerFreehold Twp.junior
1,600 metersAshley HigginsonColts Necksenior
3,200 meters Ashley HigginsonColts Necksenior
110-meter high hurdlesJamie LeacockHowellsenior
400-meter inter. hurdlesJamie LeacockHowellsenior
4x400 relayColts Neck (Julia Tomaro, Samantha Santos, Kathlyn Herrick, Meryl Wimberly)
shot putKristen BattsMarlborosenior
discusKristen BattsMarlborosenior
javelinBrittany NapoliHowellsenior
long jumpDesiree ReeseFreehold Twp.sophomore
triple jumpJesse PaglianoColts Necksenior
pole vaultJenna MeagherMarlborosenior
high jumpLindsey RappleyeaColts Necksophomore
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
Ashley Higginson
Ashley Higginson closed the book on the finest season ever put in by a Freehold Regional District distance runner with more records and championships.
Starting with her incredible cross country season in the fall, Higginson has been beating the nation's best. This spring, she started the season with a repeat win at the Penn Relays over 3,000 meters in a Shore Conference record 9:37.92 and did not lose a race over 1,600 meters, and set state records for the 5,000 meters (16:38.31) and the 2,000-meter steeplechase (6:50.39).
Her season included her first outdoor NJSIAA MOC title and the Nike Outdoor National title for two miles in a state record 10:17.44. She broke her own steeplechase record (6:39.). Her two All-American honors at the nationals brought her career total to seven.
Other highlights of the season include the Monmouth County discus record set by Marlboro's Kristen Batts at 152-4 and the Central Jersey Group IV title won by Freehold Township's Janel Parker at 800 meters.
Colts Neck had another undefeated dual meet season and won the Shore Conference A North Division title. The Cougars also won the Monmouth County and Freehold Regional District titles.
The Cougars' star Higginson (1,600, 3,200) leads the News Transcript's 2007 All-Freehold Regional District Girls Track and Field Team. On the track, the other team members are Marlboro's Ada Unachukwu (100-200), Howell's Jamie Leacock (100 hurdles and 400 intermediate hurdles), Freehold Township's Parker (800), Colts Neck's Meryl Wimberly (400), and the Cougars' 4x400 relay team.
Batts (shot put, discus) heads the All-District field team. Joining her are Howell's Brittany Napoli (javelin), Colts Neck's Lindsey Rappleyea (high jump) and Jesse Pagliano (triple jump), Freehold Township's Desiree Reese (long jump), and Marlboro's Jenna Meagher (pole vault).
Higginson leaves Colts Neck as the finest distance runner in Freehold District history. She has the titles and the records to make a case that she is one of the best in state history. Besides her Penn Relay title, Higginson swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 at the Monmouth County Championships, where she was named the outstanding performer. In Central Jersey she swept them again, setting a new meet record in Group IV for the 16 (4:50.14). She set the Monmouth County record for the 1,600 (4:47.71) in finishing third at the State Group IV championships. She won the 3,200 at the Groups, and at the MOC she set the Shore Conference 3,200 (10:23.28) in winning the championship from the front.
Having won the national indoor two-mile title, Higginson's outdoor win gave her a sweep of the two titles. She'll take her considerable talents to Princeton University.
Parker, a junior and Higginson's heir apparent, repeated her Central Jersey Group IV 800 meter championship with a season's-best 2:15.39. She was the District champion and ran second to Higginson in the two-lapper at the County championships. The junior stepped up seriously to the 1,600 where she achieved her goal of breaking 5:00 (4:59.33 in finishing sixth at the State Group IV meet), and was second to Higginson in CJ and finished fifth at the MOC. With her injuries behind her, Parker will be a force next season.
Unachukwu was again the dominant sprinter in the District and increased her range this year to include the 400. She was unrivaled in the 100 and the 200 meters. The swift sophomore swept them both (and the 400) at the Freehold District meet, sharing Most Outstanding Track Performer honors with Leacock. She won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the county championships and was third in both at the conference meet. In Central Jersey, the speedy Mustang was second in the 100, third in the 200 and fourth in the 400. At the State Group championships she was fourth in the century and eighth in the 400, earning a wild card to the MOC, where she 15th in the 400. Out at the Golden West Invitational in Sacramento, Calif., Unachukwu won her heat and lowered the District record for the 400 to 57.13.
Unachukwu's talents also included the triple jump (District champion) and the long jump. She is probably the most versatile track and field athlete in the area.
Wimberly has been a force in the 400 the last couple of years, setting District records indoors and outdoors. She was second in the District, third in the county and Central Jersey (57.51). The senior stepped up to the 800 during the season and turned in some fast times. She anchored the District's best relay team. The Colts Neck quartet that also includes Kathlyn Herrick, Samantha Santos and Julia Tomaro received spirited competition from both Marlboro and Howell. Leacock anchored the Rebels to the District title and Marlboro was runner-up in the Shore Conference. But the veteran unit put down the best series of marks during the season and won the majority of the match-ups. The Cougars were second in the District and county, fifth in the conference, fourth in Central Jersey and 10th in State Group IV. They had the season's fastest time, 4:01.16.
The hurdles have been Leacock's domain. Whether it was the shorter 100 or the demanding 400 intermediates, she was tops. She swept both at the District meet and won the intermediates at the county, where she was second in the 100 hurdles. She won the Shore Conference title (1:03.02) in the 400 and was third in the 100. In Central Jersey the Bucknell University-bound hurdler was fourth in the intermediates, and at the State Group IV meet she was sixth. She finished the year placing 10th at the MOC. She lowered the Freehold District record to 1:02.90 for the 100 hurdles.
Batts was a meet record machine this spring, setting new marks at a number of meets for the District, county and Central Jersey. Her career best of 152-4 is the all-time best for Monmouth County. She was undefeated up to the State Group Championships, where she did not advance to the final. She took seventh at the Golden West and the Nike Outdoor Nationals, where she placed eighth with one of her best throws of the year, 147-3.
Headed for the University of Maryland, Batts was no slouch with the shot put. She took fifth at the MOC with a pb 42-4. She won the District title, where she garnered Most Outstanding Field Performer honors, and was also first at the county. At Golden West, she was fourth in the shot put.
Napoli didn't win any championships this spring, but what separated her from the rest was her consistency. She medaled at every meet and was 10th at the MOC. Napoli was second in the District and county, fourth in the SC, fourth in Central Jersey, and got off her best throw at the State Group IV championships, where her then-season's-best 123-11 landed her in second place.
At the NON, Napoli put her name in the record book with a 129-0 that established a new Freehold Regional District record. She placed 13th at the nationals. She will continue her throwing career at the University of Tennessee.
The high jump was a season-long duel between the Cougars' Rappleyea and Pagliano. Rappleyea won the District title, with Pagliano second. They reversed positions in the county, with Pagliano winning. It was Rappleyea's turn at the Shore Conference (minus Pagliano). Rappleyea had the final say with a third place in Central Jersey and eighth at the Group IV championships. Her best jump was 5-4.
Pagliano rivaled Unachukwu for her field versatility. She had the best high jump of the season (5-6), finished second in the javelin at the state sectional, and was an accomplished triple jumper. She was second in the District, third in the county (34-9 1/2) and fifth in Central Jersey in the triple.
Reese had a solid year in both the long jump and triple jump. She placed behind Pagliano in Central Jersey in the triple. In the long jump, she won the District title and was consistently over 15-0 in every meet.
Meagher ruled the pole vault. The Mustang senior won the District and Monmouth County titles and was third in the conference. She broke her Freehold District record with her 10-1 during the season.
Those earning Honorable Mention in 2007 are: Kristen O'Dowd, Allie Flott, Allison Linnell, Evan Wimberly, Morgan Clark, Allison Donaghy, Karissa Herrick, Crystal Butler, Tracey Vill and Sara Scholosser, Colts Neck; Blair Hassell, Megan Patterson, Alyssa Mayrose and Shannon Mayrose, Freehold Borough; Tanika Peart, Charlotte Walsh, Megan Donovan, Crystal Mahoney and Anita Wise, Freehold Township; Lindsey Lambert, Jacquie Ward, Amanda Luccarelli, Adedayo Adu and Anna DiPaola, Howell; Kristen Andrews, Stephanie Ricciardi and Samantha Moran, Manalapan; and Brittany Pietrosh, Lauren Pietrosh, Jackie Karlovich and Emily Cellini, Marlboro.
and turned in some fast times. She anchored the District's best relay team. The Colts Neck quartet that also includes Kathlyn Herrick, Samantha Santos and Julia Tomaro received spirited competition from both Marlboro and Howell. Leacock anchored the Rebels to the District title and Marlboro was runner-up in the Shore Conference. But the veteran unit put down the best series of marks during the season and won the majority of the match-ups. The Cougars were second in the District and county, fifth in the conference, fourth in Central Jersey and 10th in State Group IV. They had the season's fastest time, 4:01.16.
The hurdles have been Leacock's domain. Whether it was the shorter 100 or the demanding 400 intermediates, she was tops. She swept both at the District meet and won the intermediates at the county, where she was second in the 100 hurdles. She won the Shore Conference title (1:03.02) in the 400 and was third in the 100. In Central Jersey the Bucknell University-bound hurdler was fourth in the intermediates, and at the State Group IV meet she was sixth. She finished the year placing 10th at the MOC. She lowered the Freehold District record to 1:02.90 for the 100 hurdles.
Batts was a meet record machine this spring, setting new marks at a number of meets for the District, county and Central Jersey. Her career best of 152-4 is the all-time best for Monmouth County. She was undefeated up to the State Group Championships, where she did not advance to the final. She took seventh at the Golden West and the Nike Outdoor Nationals, where she placed eighth with one of her best throws of the year, 147-3.
Headed for the University of Maryland, Batts was no slouch with the shot put. She took fifth at the MOC with a pb 42-4. She won the District title, where she garnered Most Outstanding Field Performer honors, and was also first at the county. At Golden West, she was fourth in the shot put.
Napoli didn't win any championships this spring, but what separated her from the rest was her consistency. She medaled at every meet and was 10th at the MOC. Napoli was second in the District and county, fourth in the SC, fourth in Central Jersey, and got off her best throw at the State Group IV championships, where her then-season's-best 123-11 landed her in second place.
At the NON, Napoli put her name in the record book with a 129-0 that established a new Freehold Regional District record. She placed 13th at the nationals. She will continue her throwing career at the University of Tennessee.
The high jump was a season-long duel between the Cougars' Rappleyea and Pagliano. Rappleyea won the District title, with Pagliano second. They reversed positions in the county, with Pagliano winning. It was Rappleyea's turn at the Shore Conference (minus Pagliano). Rappleyea had the final say with a third place in Central Jersey and eighth at the Group IV championships. Her best jump was 5-4.
Pagliano rivaled Unachukwu for her field versatility. She had the best high jump of the season (5-6), finished second in the javelin at the state sectional, and was an accomplished triple jumper. She was second in the District, third in the county (34-9 1/2) and fifth in Central Jersey in the triple.
Reese had a solid year in both the long jump and triple jump. She placed behind Pagliano in Central Jersey in the triple. In the long jump, she won the District title and was consistently over 15-0 in every meet.
Meagher ruled the pole vault. The Mustang senior won the District and Monmouth County titles and was third in the conference. She broke her Freehold District record with her 10-1 during the season.
Those earning Honorable Mention in 2007 are: Kristen O'Dowd, Allie Flott, Allison Linnell, Evan Wimberly, Morgan Clark, Allison Donaghy, Karissa Herrick, Crystal Butler, Tracey Vill and Sara Scholosser, Colts Neck; Blair Hassell, Megan Patterson, Alyssa Mayrose and Shannon Mayrose, Freehold Borough; Tanika Peart, Charlotte Walsh, Megan Donovan, Crystal Mahoney and Anita Wise, Freehold Township; Lindsey Lambert, Jacquie Ward, Amanda Luccarelli, Adedayo Adu and Anna DiPaola, Howell; Kristen Andrews, Stephanie Ricciardi and Samantha Moran, Manalapan; and Brittany Pietrosh, Lauren Pietrosh, Jackie Karlovich and Emily Cellini, Marlboro.
2007 All-Freehold Regional District Girls Track & Field Team
100 metersAda UnachukwuMarlborosophomore
200 metersAda UnachukwuMarlborosophomore
400 metersMeryl WimberlyColts Necksenior
800 metersJanel ParkerFreehold Twp.junior
1,600 metersAshley HigginsonColts Necksenior
3,200 meters Ashley HigginsonColts Necksenior
110-meter high hurdlesJamie LeacockHowellsenior
400-meter inter. hurdlesJamie LeacockHowellsenior
4x400 relayColts Neck (Julia Tomaro, Samantha Santos, Kathlyn Herrick, Meryl Wimberly)
shot putKristen BattsMarlborosenior
discusKristen BattsMarlborosenior
javelinBrittany NapoliHowellsenior
long jumpDesiree ReeseFreehold Twp.sophomore
triple jumpJesse PaglianoColts Necksenior
pole vaultJenna MeagherMarlborosenior
high jumpLindsey RappleyeaColts Necksophomore