HOLMDEL – After competing in youth soccer throughout her elementary school years, Holmdel’s Marin Warner decided to try her skill at running. And the decision proved to be the right one.
Warner, who will run track and cross country at the University of Pennsylvania this fall, developed into one of the state’s top distance runners with a flock of wins in both track and cross country.
“I started track when I was in the seventh grade at Satz School and decided to stay with it,” said Warner. “I ran the 1,600 and was very successful. I also ran in the Nationals in Virginia. I don’t remember my time, but I did pretty well there.”
Warner recently finished a stellar season, especially in cross country where she won numerous races capped by a big win in the NJSIAA Group II championships at Holmdel Park.
In winning the race, Warner beat out Haddonfield sophomore Brianna Gess, who had beaten her the previous year in this race.
“She was one of the best runners in the state and my strategy was to stay with her the first three miles and then take the lead coming out of the woods.”
Warner followed the plan to perfection and won the race in 18:37. Gess was eight seconds slower. It was the first time that Gess had lost a cross-country race to a New Jersey runner.
“Winning that race was awesome,” said Warner. “She was such a great runner. And it was so exciting to be able to beat her.”
Warner had won the Shore Conference, Monmouth County and Group II sectionals before the state meet. She followed that up by placing sixth in the Meet of Champions with a time of 18:36.
Warner then finished ninth in the Northeast Regionals at Van Cortlandt Park in New York. Her time of 14:35.8 was the 10th fastest time by a New Jersey girls runner at Van Cortlandt Park.
Warner had a fine indoor season, winning the Monmouth County, sectional and Group II 1,600, while placing third in the Meet of Champions with a time of 4:54.15.
“I didn’t compete in the Shore Conference race,” she said, “but it was still a great season.”
Warner also did well in outdoor track this spring, but it could have been better.
“I don’t know why,” she said, “but I still won the Group II sectionals in the 1,600 and 3,200, and was second in the 800.”
Warner was second in the 1,600 in both the county and state Group II meets and was eighth in the Meet of Champions.
“My favorite race in track is the 1,600,” said Warner. “It is a good mix between speed and endurance.”
Warner keeps busy in the classroom, making the Spanish Honor Society and participating in the ECO Club, a student-based environmental club.
“I made visits to the University of Michigan and Boston College,” said Warner, “but I chose Penn because it is closer to home and has a great track tradition. They also have the Penn Relays there. I’ll probably run the 1,500 and maybe the steeplechase.” She will probably major in economics, and hopes to coach track after college.
“High school went really fast,” she said, “but I’ll always have happy memories at Holmdel.”
