Latest from Track Mercer
In the week between sectionals and groups, WWP North’s Allison Lee and the Notre Dame boys SHR team run some of the fastest times in Mercer County history, plus many other great results and PRs.
There was plenty of standout performances this week that shouldn’t get overshadowed by sectionals — including a new Mercer County record in the mile by Blair Bartlett!
Mercer County athletes were ready for sectionals! Check out all the girls who qualified for groups, plus a few others who came close with some remarkable results.
Latest Links
NJ .com’s preview of the girls Non-Public B Group Championships highlights Laura Sallade as an athlete to watch in the 800m and 1600m. Its don’t-miss event in the 4×400m, where Wilberforce leads four teams with a seed time between 4:10 and 4:13.
Allison Lee (WWP North), who is NJ #4 in both the 1600m and 3200m, is one of the girls on NJ.com’s watchlist for the Group 3 championships.
Gavin Alvarez (Allentown) is one of seven athletes to watch in NJ.com’s preview for the Group 2 championship. They highlight that his PRs in the 100m, 200m, and 400m are all in the top 15 in the state.
Christopher Young (Notre Dame, Sr.) and his coach Jain Ja Williams talk about his journey in the sport — he was primarily a skier before Coach Williams saw some hurdling potential in him. Young says that he’s been able to improve so much by watching people who were ahead of him and copying them.
Samya Jenkins (Lawrence, So.) talks about believing that she could win the 100m/200m double after winning the sprint double at CVCs indoors. He credited her success to inspiring coaches who believe in her, hard work, being motivated by other athletes in Mercer County.
Notre Dame coach Joe McLaughlin talks about the excitement of winning the boys CVC Championship in his 38th and final spring season. He credits his versatile athletes for their willingness to do different events and to focus on where they can score points. Jayden Davis (Notre Dame, Jr.) talks about winning the 4×400m with their A team and the motivational confidence they have.
WWP North’s girls talk after winning the girls championship. Zui Chinchalkar (Sr.) talks about chasing sectional and county titles and about how this win sets them up for success at sectionals. Mahima Bansal (Sr.) talks about checking the team scores throughout the day, and Chloe Song (Jr.) talks about the motivation that comes from hearing her teammates cheering.
Gavin Alvarez (Allentown, Sr.) talks about waiting all season for the CVC Championships, his initial disbelief after hearing his 100m time, and convincing his coaches to put him in all four events. Coach Kim Maurer praises his confidence, work ethic, and focus.
From Robert Marchetti at the Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame, learn about the self-described baseball player from Lawrenceville who had a short but legendary running career from 1906 to 1910.