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Indoor Track

Alexis Schauder of Whippany Park took first in the pole vault at the 2020 Cliff Back Invitational on Jan. 2.

Cliff Back Invitational

MADISON _ Savanna Marcantonio's dad, Frank, a frequent supporter at her track meets, couldn't make it to the Cliff Back Invitational because he wasn't feeling well. The elder Marcantonio, however, wanted his daughter to know he was thinking about her and sent her a text during the high jump competition. You've got this, it read. Marcantonio, a Whippany Park junior, proceeded to jump 5 feet, 2 inches, matching her personal record, and went on to claim first place in the high jump at the meet held on Thursday, Jan. 2 at Drew University. "I'm more consistent now," Marcantonio said. "I've…
Rams repeat at Morris Relays

Rams repeat at Morris Relays

MADISON _ Claire Doto ran into one of her former youth basketball coaches at a Randolph girls basketball game and he asked why she was seated in the bleachers. "What are you doing over here?" he inquired, expecting that Doto, a freshman, would be out on the hardwood running the offense as point guard. Doto explained that she had taken up indoor track and would no longer be playing basketball, only watching. Her decision surprised him. Apparently, Doto knew exactly what she was doing. On Friday, Jan. 5, Doto, who chose running because she wanted to take part in an…
Freshman Karen Hull, left, and Meghan O'Malley, a sophomore, played large roles for Randolph when it captured the 2017 Morris County Relays title.

Randolph rules Morris County Relays

MADISON _ In Karen Hull's family, participating in a sport isn't a choice, it's mandatory. Hull, a Randolph High School freshman, has been involved in soccer and track for six years already. The 14-year-old, despite often competing or practicing six days a week, still has a zeal for both sports. "My family believes in fitness," said Hull, whose efforts helped the Rams capture the 2016 Morris County Relays title at Drew University on Thursday, Jan. 5. "It doesn't matter if you're good or bad at what you do. It's important to get exercise. I've done this since I was very young so…
Julia Benz of Villa Walsh cleared 9 feet to win the pole vault at the Valentine Invitational.

Benz, McSorley, Hall among medal winners

MADISON _ The good-natured banter between the Benz sisters has gone on for the last year or so. Julia, a freshman at Villa Walsh, dreams of the day when she'll clear 11 feet, 6 inches in the pole vault. That height represents her sister Monica's personal record.
Members of the second-place Whippany Park 4x400 team, above, pose with their medals and the championship plaque.

Dello Russo stars for Whippany Park

MADISON _ With its track and turf field under construction since last summer, Whippany Park has had to train on the streets and in the school's hallways. The Wildcats have adapted admirably, making the best of the circumstances.

Wildcats dominant at Lid Lifter

MADISON _ It's way early in the indoor track season - the very beginning to be precise - but that doesn't diminish Whippany Park's accomplishments. The Wildcats basked in the spotlight at the 2015-16 season opener, earning gold medals in the high jump, shot put and 4x200 relay at the Jack O'Leary Lid Lifter on Thursday, Dec. 17 at Drew University.
Julia Mszanski won the pole vault at the Morris County Indoor Track Championships.

Wis overcomes pain for gold

MADISON _ Leah Wis listened to rap music while pacing and bouncing between long jump attempts at the Morris County Winter Track Championships. Wis, of Montville, went through the impromptu antics to help her forget about the pain she was experiencing.

LaRusso inspires teammates

MADISON _ Accustomed to starting rather than finishing the 4x400 relay, Roxbury's Deanna Graziani calmed herself by drawing on the pep talk given to her by injured teammate Tiffany LaRusso. Finish it for us. We can win it.
Nickolette Dunbar of Whippany Park makes one of her throws at the Jack O'Leary Lid Lifter.

Dunbar breaks pair of records

MADISON _ Whippany Park's Nickolette Dunbar is well known, having established herself as one of the top high school shot putters in the nation. Rhianna Follet of Morris Hills is the opposite, looking to stand out as an individual competitor after being part of several outstanding relay teams, including one that competed at the New Balance Nationals when she was a freshman.
Kristen Hall, above, is one of Whippany Park's standout sophomore high jumpers. Gina Dello Russo is pictured in the slideshow.

WP high jumpers on fast track

HANOVER _ As the only jumper to clear 5 feet, 2 inches at the Gardiner Holiday Relays last December, Whippany Park's Kristen Hall got to choose the next height. Hall, a newcomer to high jumping, having only competed in the event for nine months, had the bar pushed up an inch. The sophomore already had surpassed her personal best by two inches, so why not go higher?
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