2005 Watchung Conference Girls Outdoor Review

The Scotch Plains Fanwood Girls Track Team completed the second step of a hoped for area triple crown with a dominant victory in the Watchung Conference Track and Field Championships last Thursday and Friday at Gary Kehler Stadium in Westfield.

A week after showing impressive team balance in winning the Union County Relays with 86 points the Raiders once again were dominant in the weight and jumping events to easily outscore Cranford 187 to 148 and win their first title since 2002.
The Raiders trailed Cranford after the first day Thursday, but exploded on Friday to run away with the meet.

“We looked very flat on Thursday, and I wasn't too happy that we went home after the first day in second place to Cranford,” said Coach Jeff Koegel.
“I was worried that we were too flat after winning county relays. We had some very good performances on the second day though.”

The Raiders will need to be at their best for a third straight week to win the coveted county title against such strong contenders as Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union, Rahway, Cranford and Westfield.

The county’s top track performer, LaShonda Carter of Rahway is favored to win four events and could score 40 points by herself.
Senior Kat Berka led the way with victories in the shot put (a personal best 33-8), discus (101-2) and javelin (98-9). Berka led a 1-2-3 sweep of the shot for the Raiders, one of three 1-2-3 sweeps by the Raiders. The others were led by defending county champions Amanda Bobyack (15-6 1/2) in the long jump, and Michelle Regg (33-0 ¾) in the triple jump.

“Kat Berka's performance was impressive. I don't remember anyone sweeping all three girls' throwing events as long as I have been here,” said Coach Jeff Koegel.

Senior Katie Zaleski led a 1-2 finish in the pole vault equaling her career best with a jump 10-0, which is also the top mark in the county this year. Rossi also equaled her career with an 8-0 jump for second.

The Raiders welcomed back another multi event star, Meaghan Kelly from an injury. In addition to winning the 400 hurdles, Kelly also ran on the winning 4 by 400 relay.
Two freshmen, Carlaya Jones (30-6 1/2) and Erin Rossi (30-0) completed the shot put sweep.

The triple jump sweep included sophomore Natasha Celius (30-11) and Kelly (30-5). The long jump sweep also included freshman Tina Olsson (15-0) and Regg (14-5).
Bobyack was also second to Shabazz triple winner Shaylah Counts in the 100 and ran the third leg on the victorious 4x 400 relay. Kelly, freshman middle distance runner Bridget Cornwell and anchor Sam Gates, (third in the 200 and 400) completed the winning unit, which outkicked a strong Westfield team.

Cornwell added a third in the 800 with a personal best 2:26.3, senior Mary Shashaty was third in the 3200 in 11:43, and Carly Wells added a second in the javelin.

Overall Koegel was pleased and thought the result bodes well for this weekend.
“We had a large number of girls score points and many of them showed that they have a chance at placing at the county meet,” said Koegel.

Emily MacNeil won her fourth straight 800-meter title to give the Westfield Girls their only individual title as they finished fourth with 105 points. Senior Annie Onishi finished second to MacNeil in the 800 and was third in the mile. Both also ran on the second place 4 by 400 relay.