Carteret, Colonia, Seton spoil HP's track homecoming

Joseph Ambrosio leads the pack halfway through the 1600 meter race (photo, Maggie Dominick)

The Highland Park Owls fell short in a four-way track and field meet against Carteret, Colonia, and Mother Seton on April 21st. But individual athletes felt they had reached a certain level of accomplishments, and strong team spirit brings optimism for the season.

Senior boys captain Zach Chen finished first in two races, the 800 and 1600 meter runs.

“I was trying to earn more points for my team as we were down,” said the HPHS senior. “I could have run faster in the [1600 meter], but I had more events to run. I prepared well for this meet prior to the day.”

Jessie Dominick heads for a first place finish.

The boys team lost 97-43 to Colonia and 92-35 to Carteret, while the girls trailed the Setters 78-29 and the Patriots by 71-56.

“People had to participate in a high school musical, so not everyone was in shape,” said Owl sprint runner Mande Younge who finished in first place in the girls 400 meter run in 1:06. “I did surprisingly well, because I haven’t [run] in a while.”

Owl athletes finished in ranges of second to third place for the first nine matches, prior to Chen's victory in the 1600 meters. Sprinter Tynaria Pender said after her second run that she stays focused to finish in first regardless of who is running against her.

“I strive to be the fastest in all races,” said the Highland Park junior who placed second in both the girls 100 and 200 meter runs. “My favorite is the 200 meter run because that is where I am the fastest.”

Owl assistant coach Eric Davis was aware that the meet revealed some shortages of preparation, but he believes things will pick up later in the season. This week's face-off against division rival South River proved the coach's prediction, with 30-point victories for both squads.

Sprint runner Jessie Dominick, finished first in the girls 100 meter hurdles with a time of 19.9 seconds, near her personal best. The sophomore, a standout striker for the Owls soccer team, looks forward to the rest of the season's meets.

“Today’s run was one of my fastest races,” Dominick said. “I am excited for this team and believe we will do well.”

(Maggie Dominick)

“We have good student athletes on our team,” coach Davis said. “We have some students that play soccer, basketball, and a few that play football. They show great dedication to succeeding.”

“I plan on working hard in practice every day just to get better,” echoed distance runner Andrew Blackman.