In different ways, Molly McNamara of
Red Bank Catholic (N.J.) and Nick Vena of
Morristown (N.J.) enjoyed firsts on the final day of New Jersey's indoor track season.
While Vena became the first boy to ever win four Meet of Champions titles by triumphing in the shot put, McNamara finally earned her first MOC gold medal in the girls 1,600 meter run last Saturday at the Bennett Center in Toms River.
Already the state's greatest shot putter of all time, Vena notched his fourth-straight indoor MOC crown in the event with a heave of 67 feet, 2 ½ inches. While well short of his state-record 71-9 ½ throw earlier this winter, the Virginia-bound senior chose to celebrate his accomplishment rather than lament missing out on surpassing 70 feet once again.
"It's always nice to do something to get your name in the record books,'' said the Virginia-bound Vena. "Winning four in a row is a great accomplishment. I'm very happy about it.''
After losing by three-tenths in last winter's 800 final, McNamara touched the tape in 4:54.41 in the 1,600, the fourth-fastest clocking meet history. The Stanford-bound senior also placed second in 2009 and 2010 in the outdoor MOC 1,600.
OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES* Olivia Baker, Columbia (Maplewood) girls track: The
talented freshman might be her school's next great track star, using a
strong late kick to capture the indoor Meet of Champions' 400
crown with the nation's 14th-fastest time (56.41 seconds).
* Myasia Jacobs, Paramus Catholic girls track:
The junior is the state's most celebrated sprinter, but had not won a
Meet of Champions indoor title until triumphing in the 55-meter dash in
6.96 seconds last Saturday.
* Erik Johnson, Ocean City boys track:
The junior posted an upset in the indoor Meet of Champions 1,600, besting a fast field in 4:16.02.
EVENTS TO WATCH* Eastern States Track Championships, Tuesday:
Several of the state's top track stars, including recent indoor MOC
champions Olivia Baker (Columbia) and Nick Vena (Morristown), will
compete at New York's famed Armory Track and Field Center.
