Varsity Track and Field Garners Five Gold Medals at NJSIAA Group Championships

Gill St. Bernard's varsity track and field team had an excellent showing at the NJSIAA Group Championships this past Friday and Saturday at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield, N.J. The Knights secured several new school and meet records, as well as numerous top-three finishes.

 

The girls' team was led by senior Dana Klein, who celebrated her birthday weekend sweeping all three distance events at the two-day state meet. Klein conquered the 800m in a school record time of 2:15, finished 4:59 in the 1600m and owned the 3200m in 10:54. Armani Comick '15 also earned the title of Group B Champion, medaling with gold (34'4") in the triple jump event. In addition, she placed sixth (15'4") in the long jump and helped the girls' 4x100 squad of Hope Fluet '16, Jacqueline Roettger '16 and Ludi Zhu '16 to fifth place overall (53.6 seconds). Zhu medaled with bronze (15'8") in the long jump event as well, while Alexandria Benoit '14 - a fifth place finisher (2:19.5) in the girls' 800m - joined the 4x800 relay team of Samantha Bittman '17, Sahara Ensley '16 and Lillie Wilson '16 for sixth place overall (10:33).

 

Patrik Andersen '15 led the boys' squad with first and second place finishes in the 800m and 1600m. His 800m time (1:53.7) qualified as a new school and meet record for the Knights. Fine performances were also had by Gregory Niccolai '16 with a fourth place throw (123') in the discus, and by both Michael Tafaro '15 and Connor Beasty '15 with fifth (141') and sixth (140'10"), respectively, in the javelin.

 

GSB will return to Frank Jost Field for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on Wednesday.