2005 SPF Outodor Boys Track beats Union

With only four events left and the score tied the usually unflappable Scotch Plains Fanwood Boys Track Coach Richard McGriff looked worried that the Raiders’ amazing 22 year unbeaten streak in dual meets would finally be ended by powerful Union and its two all state stars.

But after a surprising sweep in the 3200 meter run and a 1-2 finish in the javelin gave the Raiders enough points to squeak by 74-66, McGriff was all smiles.

“I thought this might be the day but we always seem to have guys step up, ” said McGriff.

The heroes this time included distance runners Josh Zinman and Mike Miller, who fought off the exhaustion of three distance races in 90 minutes to finish 1-2 in the 1600 and 3200. The weight events led by John Badala, Marc Fabiano and Greg Brand scored 23 of a possible 27 points and multi talented Sean Smith and Kyle Rowbotham each placed in four events.

The Raiders continued their momentum at the Randolph Relays
on Saturday. Led By Rowbotham and Smith, who were each on three winning teams, SPF finished a close second to powerful Wayne Valley with 66 points.

Rowbotham and Smith combined with Jeff Pawid to win the intermediate hurdle relay in 2:59.79, an impressive 13 seconds ahead of runner-up Ewing. Iceberg Bryant joined them on the winning high jump team that withstood the rainy conditions to
combine for a 16 foot 4 inch total. Nehemiah Burney-Porter was the third participant on the winning long jump trio that leaped 56 feet 8 inches.

Nehemiah Burney-Porter and Smith also joined twins Tom and Rob Ventura to finish second in the 4 by 400 relay
in 3:37.18.Miller, Adam Biner, Caleb Zimmerman, and Zinman. combined for a third in the 6400-meter relay in 20:06.

The other winning team was the strong Raider trio of freshman Mike Alleman, Badala and Teddy Acosta, which won the shot put with a total of 121 feet 7 inches.

Overall Coach Jeff Koegel was pleased.
“We beat Union again, even though we didn't enter the 4x100, 4x800, shuttle hurdles, DMR, and javelin. We also scratched out of the pole vault due to the weather conditions.,” said Koegel.

The girl’s team enjoyed a less successful week, losing their first meet of the year to Union, Tuesday. Their highlight was a winning effort in the 4 x 1600 at Randolph. Mary Shashaty (5:30), freshman Cassy Valdes (5:40), Sophomore Allie Hoynes-O’Connor (5:43), and Laura Harrison (5:37) broke the school record by about
35 seconds, despite the miserable weather.

“They can go a lot faster than that, too. Everyone had erratic
splits due to the conditions,” said Koegel.