In preparation for the upcoming North 2, Group 4 sectional meet, the Blue Devils traveled to Staten Island, NY, for the South Jersey Track Coaches Association’s 18th meet at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.
The Blue Devils started off the meet with the longest, but certainly not the least exciting event of the day. Senior Emma Pranke toed the line for the girl’s 3200-meters and kept a blistering pace throughout all 16 laps to capture 16th place with a time of 12 minutes and 44 seconds. Despite battling an injury for the majority of the season, Pranke remarked how she “wanted to try [her] best and lay a good foundation for sectionals.”
Simultaneously, Westfield’s sprinting squad traveled to the infield for the 55-meter hurdles, where senior Lilly Petrie and freshman Lidia Wright ran times of 8.66 and 8.75 respectively.
Although the Blue Devils already had multiple strong performances, sophomores Anna Youssef and Jessica Zhou continued to that success. Youssef’s 5th place finish with a time of 5:31.73 and Zhou’s 14th place finish with a time of 5:42.36 proved to everyone that they are prepared for sectionals on Sunday.
As the sun set over the Staten Island boardwalk, all eyes turned to the girls 4×800 relay. Led by seniors Anna Kylish and Olivia Thornton, the relay had high expectations to live up to. After a strong finish from third leg Claire Sewald and anchor Vanessa Larkin, the relay clocked a blazing time of 9:49.77, which was enough to capture them fourth place in a highly competitive field.
Although the track events excelled, the field events also made sure to hold their own on the mat and in the pit. In the pole vault event, senior Kyra Lentzner said, “I was nervous because the opening height was really high today and there were a lot of good competitors.” Despite this, she rose to the occasion and cleared 8 feet, tying her previous personal best.
In the long jump, senior and school record holder Morgan Samet seized the sand, bounding to 15-5 for an 11th place finish. Closely behind her followed junior Audriana Cohall, who jumped to 14 1/2.
Westfield’s strong performances across the board are an indicator of a strong performance at sectionals on Feb. 16. Head coach Joseph Berardi said, “We are going to stay positive and work hard as we get ready for Sunday.” With this mentality, Berardi and the girls track team hope to write history and claim their first ever winter Sectional title on Sunday, Feb. 16.
