Bill Alden

Boosted by Strong Performances in Relays, PHS Track to Have Good Presence at MOC

FAST COMPANY: Princeton High boys’ track star Patrick O’Connell, right, races through a turn as he helped the 4x800 relay take fourth in the Group 3 state championship meet last weekend in South Plainfield. By placing in the top 6 at the meet, the PHS quartet of O’Connell, Alex Roth, Noah Chen, and Cy Watsky booked a spot in the Meet of Champions (MOC) on June 3 at South Plainfield. The PHS girls’ 4x800 team took sixth to advance directly to the MOC while the girls’ 4x400 relay, Alex Roth (3200 meters), and Noa Levy (high jump) were chosen as wildcard entries to the meet.(Photo by John Dowers)
FAST COMPANY: Princeton High boys’ track star Patrick O’Connell, right, races through a turn as he helped the 4×800 relay take fourth in the Group 3 state championship meet last weekend in South Plainfield. By placing in the top 6 at the meet, the PHS quartet of O’Connell, Alex Roth, Noah Chen, and Cy Watsky booked a spot in the Meet of Champions (MOC) on June 3 at South Plainfield. The PHS girls’ 4×800 team took sixth to advance directly to the MOC while the girls’ 4×400 relay, Alex Roth (3200 meters), and Noa Levy (high jump) were chosen as wildcard entries to the meet. (Photo by John Dowers)

Excelling in group efforts, the Princeton High track team made its mark in relay events as it competed in the Group 3 state championship meet last weekend in South Plainfield.

The boys’ 4×800 team of sophomore Patrick O’Connell, sophomore Alex Roth, junior Noah Chen, and sophomore Cy Watsky took fourth in 8:00.17 to book their spot in the Meet of Champions (MOC) on June 3 as a top-six finisher. The quartet took a step closer to their goal of beating the 34-year old school record of 7:57.1.

On the girls’ side, the 4×800 team of senior Paige Metzheiser, junior Lou Mialhe, senior Julie Bond, and sophomore Annefleur Hartmanshenn took sixth in 9:40.40 to earn its way to the MOC, which is being held in South Plainfield.

Another relay, the girls’ 4×400, also advanced to the Meet of Champions as a wildcard based on time. Junior Maia Hauschild, freshman Jackie Patterson, junior Jordan Vine, and Metzheiser combined to break 4 minutes for the first time, running 3:59.46 in placing seventh at the group meet. Three of the girls had sub-60 second splits.

Also advancing to the MOC as individual wildcards were Roth in the 3,200 after taking eighth in 9:28.45, and sophomore Noa Levy, the eighth-place finisher in the high jump with a mark of 5’0.

Written by: Bill Alden