By Jim Hintelmann
SOUTH PLAINFIELD – It was a big day for three area track athletes at last week’s New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Meet of Champions.
Those garnering gold were Rumson-Fair Haven Regional’s Jason Bryan in shot, Christian Brothers Academy’s (CBA) Blaise Ferro in the 3,200 meters and Courtney Thompson of St. John Vianney, also in the 3,200 meters.
Bryan won the shot with a throw of 61-7 1/4 and avenged a loss to West Deptford’s Nick Pulli from the state Group II meet the previous week. Pulli was second with a toss of 61-1 3/4. Bryan was also eighth in the discus (161-2).
Ferro, just a sophomore, took the lead around the final turn of the 3,200 and outlasted CBA teammate Tom Rooney with a time of 9:07.8. Rooney was second with 9:10.2.
In contrast to Ferro, Thompson was an easy winner and won the 3,200 with a personal best time of 10:22.8.
The next highest local finish was a third place in the boys 1,600 by CBA’s Mike McClemens with a time of 4:14.56.
Red Bank Catholic’s Rachel Kershner (133-8) and Middletown North’s Sinead Slade (130-1) were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the girls javelin.
