BY DAVE MEISEL
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD | THE RECORD
— In a massive upset, Leonia took the North 1, Group 1 boys track and field championship at Randolph on Saturday.
The Lions scored 74 points to Hawthorne’s 59 and Hasbrouck Heights’ 57 for their second sectional title and first since 2002.
“It means, like, everything,” said co-captain Max Stith. “This was individual performances creating team success. That’s our goal.”
Stith earned 20 points individually and was part of Leonia’s second-place finish in the 4-x-400 relay, including a win in the 400 (50.62).
“I’ve wanted us to be amazing since I started working my freshman year, and this team succeeds because everyone encourages each other to be even better than we can possibly be,” said Stith.
An emphasis on speed training in team workouts has helped Leonia run together, but Hussein Elmeshad added a distance element to the team with bronze medals in the 1,600 and 3,200.
“We worked really hard for this all season,” added Sean Browerdaniel.
Joey Robinson was a key element to Leonia’s quick start with his sprint performances, including his record-breaking 100 on Friday. He and Stith know how much of a point of pride the win will be for not just the team, but the school, as well.
“Our school will go crazy for this,” Stith added.
Kyle Russell added 12 key points, finishing third in the high jump (5-10) and second with a pole vault of 12-0.
Mountain Lakes won Group 1 on the girls’ side with 111 points.
Ridgewood swept the meet as its boys scored 103 points and its girls 96.
The girls’ 4-x-800 crew of Leah Rosenfeld, Sam Halvorsen, Meghan Adams and Evelyn Kotch broke Montclair’s record (9:48.42 in 2014) by combining for a 9:32.84.
Leading the way for Ridgewood’s boys were Kobi Grant in the sprints (first in the 100 at 11.09) and Michael Thurston, the 800 winner in 1:54.45. Will Baginski medaled in the 800 and 1600 and combined with Matt Tai, Kyle Mack and Thurston to win the 4-x-400 in 3:20.97.
Kaitlin Salisbury broke her third and fourth North 1, Group 1 Sectional records with a 19-1 1/4 in the long jump and a 25-second clocking in the 200, adding to Friday’s performances in the triple jump and 100.
The Hawthorne senior held the previous long jump record at 18-5 1/2, and smashed Cheryl Anscombe of Westwood’s 12-year-old 200 record of 25.50. Also in Group 1, Midland Park’s Thalia Ghalam broke the javelin record with a 134-9.
