Indoor Track News

Records Set at ESU Warrior Classic

EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY (January 7, 2004) - The ESU Warrior Classic is usually a meet that the coaches use as a competition workout for experienced athletes and as true competition for the younger athletes. This year, however, with the NJSIAA Group II Relay championships scheduled two days later, the meet had some real significance for the varsity athletes. The primary question on many of the kids' minds was - can I perform tonight to earn a place on one of the relays for states. Obviously, many of them put together some tremendous performances- record setting performances - on a slow track and will be competing at Princeton on Sunday.

*Athlete*	*Event*	*Record*

Mike Mazur	Triple Jump	41 - 0.5 extends his own PJ record
Jason Harper	55 m Dash	6.5 ties PJ record of George Peterson set in 2001
Dan Allen	Pole Vault	10 - 6 sets junior class record
Jason Lieb	Shot Put	44 - 9 sets senior class record (1 inch off PJ record)
Tara Downing	55 m Dash	7.6 sets sophomore class record
Carolyn Bieganousky	55 m High Hurdles	9.9 sets sophomore class record
Caitlin Meehan	Triple Jump	25 - 0.5 sets sophomore class record
Noelle Marra	High Jump	4 - 4 ties junior class record set by Christine DeVasto in 2003

NJSIAA Group 2 Relays Disappoint But Reveal Promise

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY (January 9, 2005) - The Boys returned to Jadwyn Gym today as state relay champions with hopes of defending their title, while the Girls were eager to make a name for themselves and compete for a championship of their own. In short, the results were disappointing. The Boys finished in fourth place and the Girls finished tenth.

There was some cause for optimism however. The Boys 1600m Sprint Medley Relay Team of Dan Allen ('06), Jason Harper ('05), Bryan Downing ('05) and Anthony LaMastro ('06) won that event in a time of 3:41.26, while LaMastro and Lara Heigis ('07) both had outstanding performances leading to team points for the Lions. In addition, the girls 55m Shuttle Hurdle relay team of Noelle Marra ('06), Kathleen Ennis ('05), Carolyn Bieganousky ('07), and Kate Lynch ('06) set a new Pope John record in that event posting a time of 36.55. Liz So ('06) also ran two solid 800 m legs in the 4 x 800 m relay and in the Distance Medley relay.

LaMastro was fantastic. Running the anchor 800m leg of the Sprint Medley Relay, Anthony took the baton in fourth place and brought home the win splitting in 1:56.9. He followed that with another big anchor leg, this time running a split of 4:28.5 in the 1600 m, bringing the team from sixth place to third place in the Distance Medley Relay. To end the day, Tony ran a final anchor leg, this time in the 4 x 400 m relay, taking the team to a sixth place finish with a split of 51.8.

Heigis' school record setting performance came in the 1600m anchor leg of the Distance Medley Relay. Bringing home the point with a sixth place finish, Lara ran a split of 5:22.1 to establish the new PJ standard.

Both teams are back in action next Sunday, January 16 when they return to Princeton for the Group 2 Individual Championships.

Anthony LaMastro Leads Boys at NJSIAA Group 2 Championships

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY (January 16, 2005) - Junior Anthony LaMastro led the Boys Indoor Track team to a fourth place finish at the state Group 2 Championships today with wins in both the 1600m and 800m runs. In both races, Anthony used his killer kick to reel in the front runner and put him away.

In the 1600, LaMastro sat on the shoulder of James Kavaliauskas of Highland Regional and endured the slow pace. With 175 meters to go, Tony started his kick and blew the field away. His time of 4:21.26 was more than two seconds better then the rest of the field. Sophomore Tom Roy ran very well, placing twelfth in a time of 4:37.87.

But the race of the day was the boys' 800 meter. Less than 45 minutes after his win in the 1600, LaMastro came in as the top seed, and had to struggle as a result. From the start, Tony was bumped and cut off. On at least two occasions he was forced to alter his stride to avoid collisions. This, along with a blistering pace set by Mike Pachella of Wallkill Valley, put him 30 meters behind Pachella going into the gun lap. Pachella looked strong going through the bell, but the pace he set was starting to get him. Meanwhile, LaMastro and Marcel VanEeden of Mendham began their kicks with about 100 meters to go. Tony took to the outside and put Van Eeden away going into the home stretch then flew to the finish line, out-leaning Pachella for the win - making him the only multiple winner on the day. (Read the accounts of Anthony's day in The Daily Record and The Star-Ledger).

Anthony LaMastro nips Mike Pachella for the Group 2 800m win

Another highlight for the boys was Dan Allen's 11-0 pole vault. This mark sets a new junior class record.

On the girls side, sophomore Lara Heigis added another highlight to her young career. Running the indoor 3200 meter for the first time Lara came in third, out-sprinting archrival Leah Brogan of Monsignor Donovan, and establishing a new Pope John record in a time of 11:27.81. Junior Liz So, placed twelfth in the same race in a time of 12:02.28.

Other girls' highlights include Brynn Merritt setting a new junior class record in the 1600 (5:28.57), Carolyn Bieganousky setting a sophomore class record in the 55 m high hurdles (10.04), and junior Briana Perez placing eleventh in the shot put with a throw of 32-3.25.

The top six finishers in each event earn the right to compete against the other group qualifiers in the Indoor Meet of Champions on Sunday, February 27.

Blizzard Doesn't Stop New Balance Games - and Doesn't Slow Down Lions

ARMORY TRACK & FIELD CENTER, NYC (January 22, 2005) - The snow and cold came as predicted, but the 10th Annual Indoor New Balance Games went on as scheduled. Having to adjust entries to accommodate the forecast, the Pope John team ventured into the City to compete in one of the most prestigious prep indoor meets. Getting home was a chore for some - but the results were well worth it.

Starting the day, the Boys' shuttle hurdles relay team of Eric Bredder ('05), Tim Flinn ('05), Terence Quinn ('06), and Ryan Norris ('07) won the event and set a new school record of 35.43. The old school record of 35.5 had stood since 2000. This writer notes that these four boys have worked especially hard during the past six weeks - making every practice, doing every drill, working on their hurdling technique, and staying late in the weight room. They deserved this win and can expect others in the future.

The other win of the day came at the end of the meet when Mike Mazur ('05) and Pete Murphy ('05) combined to win the Triple Jump relay with a total distance of 80'00". Mazur's jump of 41' 2" broke his own school record. Mazur and Murphy also placed fourth in the Long Jump Relay with a combined distance of 37' 9.5".

There were several other notable performances. Anthony LaMastro ('06) finished second in the Varsity Invitational Mile, setting a new junior class record (adjusted for the 1600m) in a time of 4:17.54. This finish was particularly satisfying, as Anthony was not extended an invitation to compete until late in the week. None of the previews found on the New Balance website or on Dyestat.com even mentioned LaMastro as a possible winner of the event, but at the finish it was a two man race with only Mark Russell of Lockport NY and Anthony.


	Anthony LaMastro kicks to finish the New Balance Invitational Mile
Winning Shuttle Hurdle Team, (L to R) Tim Flinn, Ryan Norris, Terence Quinn, and Eric Bredder	Photo � Dyestat.com

Dan Allen ('06) broke his own school record in the Long Jump leaping 19' 10", and Alex Bush ('07) set the sophomore class record in the 200m running 27.3, breaking the record of Katie Bieganousky ('04). The girls' Shot Put relay team of Briana Perez ('06) and Danielle LeGrande ('07) placed third with a combined distance of 60' 0.5".

Fast times were also run by the girls' 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 teams. The sophomore 4 x 200 team of Tara Downing, Caitlin Meehan, Alex Bush, and Carolyn Bieganousky placed fifth, running 1:53.6. The Varsity 4 x 200 did not place, but ran a very quick 1:52.3. That team consisted of Noelle Marra ('06), Rachel Posthumus ('06), Sarah Abbott ('05) (making her sprinting debut), and Alex Bush ('07). The sophomore 4 x 400 team of Downing, Meehan, Bieganousky, and Bush placed third in a time of 4:22.6. Finally, the Varsity 4 x 400 team of Marra, Abbott, Bieganousky, and Posthumus placed fifth in a time of 4:12.3.

Youngsters Excel at The Armory Frosh - Novice Meet

THE ARMORY TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX, NYC (January 25, 2005) - Following the good performances of the Varsity athletes at the 10th New Balance Games last Saturday, the freshman and novices had their opportunity to compete at The Armory Frosh - Novice Meet this evening. There were several highlights and overall good performances by all the young Lions, including two class records being set or tied.

To begin, Liz Lemasters ('06) tied for third place with a leap of 4' 4", and in the process tied the junior class record held by Christine DeVasto ('04) and Noelle Marra ('06). On Lemasters' last attempt at 4' 6" she barely brushed the bar, and it seemed to hang on the standards for the longest time before falling to the mat. James Nolan ('07) was not to be outdone, breaking his own sophomore class record in the Triple Jump with a leap of 39' 0".

*Event*	*Boys*	*Girls*
	Novice Results
55m		Tara Downing, 1st, 7.6
55 HH	Terence Quinn, 5th, 9.0
200m		Tara Downing, 1st, 28.0 / Caitlin Meehan, 4th, 29.9
800m	Matt Pezzulo, 5th, 2:11.9	Alex Bush, 1st, 2:32.7
1600m	Clay Smith, 3rd, 4:52.2
3200m	Tom Roy, 2nd, 10:23.0
Shot	Tim Lynott, 5th, 38-0
High Jump	Satch Vivenzio, 3rd, 5-4 / James Nolan, 5th, 5 - 2	Liz Lemasters, 3rd, 4-4
Triple Jump	James Nolan, 2nd, 39-0
4 x 400m		Pope John (Julia Beese, Katie Frick, Lemasters, Amy Sapol), 2nd, 4:45.4
	Frosh Results
1600m	Jon Juleus, 2nd, 5:00.9
3200m	Nick Beese, 1st, 10:39.1

Alex Bush, 800m winner

LaMastro Receives Invitation to Millrose Games

NEW YORK, NY (January 22, 2005) - Invitation directors Larry Byrne and Jim Spier extended invitations to the elite Varsity runners in the nation to compete in the Boys One Mile Run at the 98th Annual Millrose Games, scheduled for February 4, 2005 in Madison Square Garden. Junior Anthony LaMastro received one of the coveted invites.

Based on Anthony's performances in the NJ Group 2 Championships (800m and 1600m champion), and his recent second place finish at the 10th Annual New Balance Games, he will be one of nine elite high school runners to compete in the Millrose Boy's One Mile Run. LaMastro will be the first Pope John athlete to make the trip to the world famous arena in midtown Manhattan.

More information

BFS Works! Tim Lynott is the Proof!

POPE JOHN HIGH SCHOOL (February 1, 2005) - Three years ago Coach Corcoran knew that an opportunity was afoot - a new weight room was opening and he knew what to do. The decision was made early on that the lifting program that appeared best suited for the diverse needs of a track and field program was BFS - Bigger, Faster, Stronger. Corcoran bought the BFS books and videos, the plyo boxes and equipment, shared them with his assistants - and then the fun and games began.

The team accomplishments are well-known, many of the individual athletes have been crowned as champions, and others have garnered post-season accolades - but that is only a small part of the BFS success story. Everyone of our athletes who follows the program achieves a fitness level beyond any that they previously attained. I'm going to profile one of those athletes here.

Tim Lynott ('06) was a gangly, and not very coordinated freshman when he came out for spring track two years ago. He wasn't fast, he wasn't quick, and he wasn't very strong. Today, Tim is still not fast, but he sure is strong and quick. Today, during max week, Tim proved that BFS works. Today (and yesterday), Tim set new personal records in two core lifts, the dead lift and the box squat. Yesterday, in the dead lift Lynott moved an impressive 435 lbs., a team record that he and fellow thrower Jason Lieb ('05) share for that exercise. But today, Tim lifted some serious weight - 515 lbs. - setting a new all-time team record in the box squat, and bettering his max by 110 pounds.

What does all of this mean? How does it translate into success in the thrower's circle? How does it lead to team success? Here's how. For Lynott, there is no doubt that a breakthrough throw will come soon. He knows that he is strong and that all he has to do is put together the proper throw technique and he will become a big time shot putter. He has learned that hard work pays off and that all he has to do is continue the work and be patient for the reward. For others on the team, Tim stands as an object lesson. "If Tim can do it, so can I", is the thought in everyone's mind when they step into the weight room. The results speak for themselves: four girls box squatting 300 lbs. or more (Laura Carhart - 300, Alison Heslin - 300, Kate Lynch - 310, Claire Schoen - 315); three girls box squatting two and one-half times their weight (Alex Bush, Lynch, and Katie Frick); and several boys exceeding their previous lift maxes by 100 pounds or more.

The bottom line - BFS works, and Tim Lynott along with his teammates prove it!

LaMastro Places Sixth in Millrose Mile

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NYC (February 4, 2005) - Anthony LaMastro ('06) is one cool customer. Here he was walking into Madison Square Garden, the site of so many historic sporting events that it would be impossible to list them all, and he didn't seem to be the least bit awed by what he was about to do - compete as one of eight elite high school milers in the 98th Millrose Games. He is the first Pope John athlete to be invited to this prestigious meet. This reporter wished him good luck as he and Coach Corcoran went through the competitors' entrance, then went to join the 12,000+ other spectators in the arena, including a very boisterous PJ contingent.

The Millrose Games are like no other track and field meet. The competitors are a mix of top professionals, Olympians, college athletes, and elite prep athletes. The meet runs like a finely tuned watch - with all the hype and spectacle of a three-ring circus or a championship boxing match, because at the Millrose New York City style entertainment mixes easily with sport at its highest level - with the athletes being the stars. Into this maelstrom of spotlights, blaring music, rhythmic clapping, and wild cheers LaMastro stepped on the track - promptly at 9:10 PM as called for in the program.

The race was a great one. At the half-mile mark any of the competitors had a chance to win the race. As the race neared the last quarter, Chris Barnicle of Newton North HS in Massachusetts took the lead, followed by Bryan Scotland of St. Benedicts and Anthony. The three of them opened a gap on the rest of the field. If the cheers of the PJ contingent, that included Fr. McHugh, could have energized Anthony he may have won the race, but with a lap and a half to go LaMastro just could not hold on. He fought right to the end, finishing sixth overall, beating the other junior in the field, and gaining invaluable experience. According to Coach Corcoran, the only time that Anthony looked like someone other than a seasoned pro was when he requesting photos with professional milers, Bernard Legat and Alan Webb, and half-miler David Krummenaker.


Takin' the Garden Train	Anthony battles Bryan Scotland	Tony gets congratulations from his friends

All in all it was a great night in the Big Apple for young Mr. LaMastro and all of his fans.

Daily Record Article

Youth is Served at the NJCTC Frosh-Soph Meet as Sophomore Girls Shine

FDU ROTHMAN CENTER, TEANECK, NJ (February 6, 2005) - The NJCTC Frosh-Soph Meet is a great opportunity for the young athletes to compete in a format that allows them to exhibit their talents against kids their own age. The meet is divided by class so that freshmen compete against freshmen and sophomores against sophomores. In reality, the meet is actually four contests in one, with team awards given to the best Freshman Boys and Girls teams and the best Soph Boys and Girls.

All of the youngsters competed well, but on this day the Sophomore Girls were simply outstanding, either winning or placing in eight of the eleven events contested. Despite this apparent dominance, the meet came down to the 4 x 400, because, after ten events were completed, the score was knotted at 73 - 73 between our girls and the sophomore girls of Saint Dominic's Academy. To win outright, the relay team had to finish in front of SDA. The meet was over after the first leg as the PJ girls made the first hand-off in first place with SDA crossing in fifth. The girls did not back in though, they went on to win the 4 x 400 in a time of 4:34.9. The final standings for the top five teams was PJ - 83, SDA - 76, Bishop Eustace - 49, Red Bank Catholic - 28, and Saint Rose - 27. Twelve teams competed in the meet on the girls side.

Multiple scorers included Carolyn Bieganousky who took first place in both the 600m (1:47.00) and 1000m runs (3:33.0), a third place in the 55m high hurdles (10.1), and a first place as the second leg of the 4 x 400 relay team; Tara Downing - first place in the 55m dash (7.7) and as the opening leg in the 4 x 400, along with a third place in the 300m run (46.5); and Alex Bush - second to Bieganousky in both the 600 (1:47.4) and 1000m runs (3:34), and a first place as the anchor leg of the 4 x 400. Other sophomore medal winners were Danielle LeGrande, second place in the shot put (29-8); Caitlin Meehan, sixth place in the 55m dash (8.30); Kelsey Murphy, third place in the 1600m run (6:13.3); and Amy Sapol, the third leg of the winning 4 x 400 team.

The other multiple winner of the day was James Nolan, who took first place in both the Soph Boys Long Jump (17-6.5) and the High Jump (5-6). Multiple medal winners included Nick Beese, second in the Frosh Boys 3200m run (10:37.0) and 1600m run (5:09.7); Jon Juleus, first in the Frosh Boys 1600m run (5:09.4) and third in the 3200m run (11:03.0); Courtney Lynch, fifth in the Frosh Girls 300m run (50.0) and third as part of the Freshmen Girls 4 x 400m relay team (4:55.8); Jess Peterson, fourth in the Frosh Girls 1000m run (3:36.0), and third as part of the relay team; and Catie Dauer, sixth in the Frosh Girls 3200m (14:33.0), and third as part of the relay team. The remaining medalists were Zaharo Tsekouras, third as part of the Frosh Girls' 4 x 400 relay, and Matt Pezzulo, fifth place in the Soph Boys 600m run (1:33.2). Pezzulo set a new sophomore class record in the process, breaking Mark Peterson's mark that was established in 2000.

The Varsity team returns to the track tomorrow when they will compete in the Varsity Classic at the Armory Track & Field Center, starting at 4:30 PM.

Records Set at Varsity Classic

ARMORY TRACK & FIELD CENTER, NYC (February 7, 2005) - Over 120 schools were represented at the NJ Varsity Classic, one of the largest meets of the season. The Pope John athletes participated for two reasons - to qualify athletes and relays for Easterns and Nationals, and to set records in the process. Both missions accomplished!

The evening started with a great performance by Jeremy Scheid ('07). Jeremy literally jumped off the bus, ran several blocks to the Armory for his warm-up, then stepped on the track to run the 3200. He was ready, and his fifth place finish in a PR of 9:45.2 was testimony to his mental and physical preparation. Alessandra LaMastro ('06) also set a PR in the 1600m run, finishing in 5:36.9.

A new junior class record was set by Liz So ('06) when she ran a great 1600m race. Her time of 5:26.7 was good enough for fourth place overall, and lowered her PR by several seconds. Liz competed every step of the way displaying great toughness, a excellent portent of things to come.

Two relays qualified for Nationals and broke school records. The girls' Distance Medley Relay team of Brynn Merritt ('06), who led off running a 3:54.1 1200m leg; Rachel Posthumus ('06) who ran the 400m second leg in 1:01.0; Sarah Abbott ('05) who raced the 800m third leg in 2:24.6; and Lara Heigis ('07), whose 5:17.2 1600m anchor leg brought the team across the finish line in 12:36.9. The national standard for this race is 12:40.0. The girls' 4 x 800m team of Sam Bell ('06), Merritt, Heigis, and Abbott also qualified for Nationals with a time of 9:52.6. The Boys' DMR of Tom Roy ('07), Peter Murphy ('05), Matt Carlson ('06), and Anthony LaMastro ('06), qualified for Easterns with a time of 10:43.5.

Finally, Jason Harper ('05) also earned a trip to the Nationals when he ran a 6.3 in the 55m dash. This performance was good enough for fourth place and also broke the Pope John record of 6.4 set by George Peterson ('01) in 2001.

Pope John Results

PRs and Placements at the Garfield Shot Put and High Jump Invite

GARFIELD HS (February 9, 2005) - Athletes who compete in the field events often feel overlooked as the track athletes get all the glamour and attention. This is particularly true for the throwers who often do not compete at the same venue as the track stars. Not so at Garfield, where the throwers and high jumpers are in the center ring. It pumps them up and great performances are bound to occur. This was the case tonight as Erin Conway ('06), Briana Perez ('06), James Nolan ('07), and Tim Lynott ('06) all set personal records in the shot put, while Courtney Morris ('06) set a PR in the high jump.

In the Varsity Girls competition Briana Perez took sixth place with a toss of 33-2.75. Briana had a great six throw series, with all of her puts being 31 feet or longer. Her PR came on her last throw, as she missed fifth place by one-quarter of an inch. Based on her performance Perez will be invited back for the Garfield Championship Invite this coming Wednesday. Competing in the Novice Division, Erin Conway bested her PR by a remarkable 2' 4" with a throw of 27-10. Erin has been working very hard in practice and in the weight room and now she is starting to see the dividends. She has great potential in this sport.

In the Boys Varsity competition, Tim Lynott had a breakthrough day throwing over 40 feet for the first time. His opening toss of 40-7 was followed by his PR setting put of 40-9. His varsity teammate, Jason Lieb, had a good day as well, throwing 43-10. In the novice competition, James Nolan, a multi-eventer just learning how to throw, set a PR of 31-3. In the same division, Kevin Flannery ('07) was two inches short of his PR of 32-8 when he tossed 32-6.

Finally, Courtney Morris, leaped a PR 5-2 in the high jump. The six jump rule prevented him from going higher on a night when it appeared that he had a lot more in him.

NJCTC Championships Produce Record-Setting Performances

FDU ROTHMAN CENTER, HACKENSACK, NJ (February 11, 2005) - With both the Boys and Girls competing for the NJ Catholic School championships, outstanding efforts and extraordinary performances were to be expected, and the athletes didn't disappoint their fans and coaches. Several class and school records were set, and Pope John athletes won several events racking up valuable team points.

The meet started out very well for the Lions' Boys when Anthony LaMastro ('06) won the 1000m run in 2:38.5, establishing a new school record in the process. A few minutes later, Mike Mazur ('05) won the Long Jump with a leap of 20-5.75, and Dan Allen ('06) tacked on some additional team points with a fifth place finish in the same event (19-5). Unfortunately for the Boys, these would be the only wins of the evening, despite some excellent efforts and numerous placements in other events. Pope John finished in fourth place behind CBA, St. Benedict's, and DePaul.

*Athlete*	*Event*	*Place*	*Time/Distance*
Dan Allen	55m Dash	3rd	6.8
Steve Napolitano	55m Dash	5th	6.8
Anthony LaMastro	1000m Run	1st	2:38.5 (School Record)
Tom Roy	1600m Run	6th	4:41.8
Anthony LaMastro	3200m Run	4th	9:54.3
Mike Mazur	Long Jump	1st	20-5.75
Dan Allen	Long Jump	5th	19-5
Bryan Downing, Albert Taylor, Matt Carlson, Robert Lennon	4 x 800m	3rd	8:51.1

Meanwhile, despite other record setting performances and some great efforts, the Lady Lions managed to win just one event, the 4 x 400 relay. The last event of the meet saw Noelle Marra ('06), Kate Lynch ('06), Carolyn Bieganousky ('07), and Alex Bush ('07) dust the other competitors in a time of 4:15.9. Nonetheless, just like the boys, the girls had many placements some of which produced class and school records, but not enough team points to win the championship.

*Athlete*	*Event*	*Place*	*Time/Distance*
Tara Downing	55m Dash	5th	7.9 (Sophomore Record)
Rachel Posthumus	300m Run	5th	44.5
Carolyn Bieganousky	600m Run	3rd	1:46.4
Alex Bush	600m Run	4th	1:46.5
Rachel Posthumus	600m Run	6th	1:46.7
Sarah Abbott	1000m Run	3rd	3:10.4 (School Record)
Lara Heigis	1000m Run	4th	3:10.5
Lara Heigis	1600m Run	3rd	5:21.8
Sarah Abbott	1600m Run	5th	5:29.8
Liz So	3200m Run	5th	12:09.0
Briana Perez	Shot Put	3rd	32-6.5
Danielle LeGrande	Shot Put	4th	32-6.25 (Sophomore Record)
Alison Heslin, Brynn Merritt, Alessandra LaMastro, Liz So	4 x 800m	2nd	10:26.0
Noelle Marra, Kate Lynch, Carolyn Bieganousky, Alex Bush	4 x 400m	1st	4:15.9

At the end the girls finished in third place behind Monsignor Donovan and Bishop Eustace.

It must also be noted that Sarah Abbott's Pope John record in the 1000m marks her second school record setting performance of the week. On Monday at the Varsity Classic, Sarah's 800m leg in the Distance Medley Relay established a new Pope John record of 2:24.6. Great job Sarah!

The teams have a week to prepare for their next meet, the Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday, February 19 at the Armory Track & Field Center.

PJ Records

School Records Fall at Hall of Fame Classic

THE ARMORY TRACK & FIELD CENTER, NYC (February 19, 2005) - Three Pope John indoor records fell, one was tied, personal records were set, and medals were won at the Coca Cola Hall of Fame Classic today. Seven states, the District of Columbia, and Bermuda all sent athletes to the second annual Classic, so great performances were to be expected - and they were delivered.

The girls led the way by setting three new school records. Individually, Liz LeMasters ('06) broke the High Jump record of Amy Goralczyk ('01) (4' 6") that had stood since 2001 by leaping 4' 8". Prior to setting the record Liz' best jump was 4' 4". With the opening height set at 4' 6", Liz was justifiably nervous, but she cleared that height with relative ease on her first jump. Her record setting 4' 8" jump came on her second attempt at that height, and you could see LeMasters' confidence grow as the bar was raised to 4'10". Although she didn't clear that height today, there is no doubt that she will continue to go higher based on her hard work at practice and in the weight room.

The ladies 4 x 400 relay team of Noelle Marra ('06), Alex Bush ('07), Carolyn Bieganousky ('07), and Rachel Posthumus ('06) broke the record set in 2002 by Katie Bieganousky ('04), Sara Boutilier ('02), Caitlin O'Brien ('02), and Jess Boynton ('02). The girls time of 4:06.34 shattered the previous record by close to four full seconds. Marra, Posthumus, and Bush then joined with Tara Downing ('07) in the Sprint Medley Relay to break another 2002 record, that one set by K. Bieganousky, Boutilier, Boynton, and Katherine Hamon ('02). The new SMR record of 4:23.33 broke the previous mark by 9/10ths of a second.

On the Boys side, Mike Mazur ('05) pole vaulted 12' 6" to tie the mark set by Eric Speck in 1988. Mazur, along with teammate Dan Allen, have been working with legendary Warwick Valley coach, and pole vault expert, Tim St. Lawrence. The extra work has paid off, as Mazur's previous best was 10' 6". Throughout the competition Mazur looked very confident and very strong on the pole, including his record tying 12' 6" vault. Even his three misses at 13' looked strong. In speaking with Mike after the competition, he is absolutely certain that he will clear that height, having done so in practice with "Coach Saint".

Other notable performances include that of Jason Harper ('05) in the 55m dash. His time of 6.63 seconds was good enough for fourth place in the meet. Terence Quinn ('06) set a personal record in the 55m high hurdles with a time of 8.97 seconds. Terence has made tremendous improvement this winter, and if he decides to run in the spring he could contend for the school record of 8.0 set in 2000 by A.J. Zarra ('00). Another personal record was set by Tom Roy ('07), whose 2:00.4 split in the 4 x 800 is just two tenths of a second off the sophomore class record of Anthony LaMastro ('06) set just last year. Finally, the Sprint Medley Relay team of Peter Murphy ('05), Harper, Mazur, and LaMastro took sixth place in the meet with a time of 3:38.6.

PJ Records

Meet of Champions Report

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY (February 27, 2005) - Anthony LaMastro ('06) and Danny Allen ('06) were the lone Lions to compete in the Meet of Champions. Unfortunately, the results were not good for either athlete. Anthony and Dan had one of those days that happen on occasion in the sport of track and field - both were flat and their performances were flat in kind. Fortunately, the prestigious Eastern States Championships were scheduled for the next day giving both boys a chance to get back on their game.

Lara Heigis ('07), the other MOC and Eastern States qualifier missed both meets due to injury.

Eastern States Championships Recap

THE ARMORY TRACK & FIELD CENTER, NYC (February 28, 2005) - Several outstanding performances by Pope John athletes were the highlights at the Eastern States Championships today. Considered one of the most prestigious indoor meets in the nation, the Eastern States attracts top performers from up and down the East Coast. This annual was no exception, and lived up to the pre-meet hype.

On the girls side two PJ records fell in the same race. The 4 x 800m team of Samantha Bell ('06), Carolyn Bieganousky ('07), Alex Bush ('07), and Sarah Abbott ('05) ran a combined 9:43.0 breaking a short-lived record set just two weeks ago when Bell, Brynn Merritt ('06), Lara Heigis ('07), and Abbott ran 9:52.6. Abbott's split of 2:21.8 set a new indoor 800m mark, breaking her own record of 2:24.6. The outdoor mark of 2:18.9 set in 1985 by Kathy Frick ('85) is now clearly in Sarah's sight. Frick's record is the oldest of the girls' marks left in the book.

Another long standing record fell, this one on the boys' side, when Mike Mazur ('05) broke the long jump mark of 20-10 set in 1990 by Michael Lynch ('90). Mazur's leap of 21-3 came on his last jump and earned him a seventh place finish overall. Jeremy Scheid ('07) had his second outstanding performance in the last two meets, placing second in the two mile run in a time of 9:45.38. This puts Scheid in great shape as he gets ready to compete in the National Scholastic Indoor Championships scheduled for March 11 - 13 at the Armory. Finally, Jason Harper ('05) left no doubt that his 55m hand time record of 6.3 was legitimate, by running a fully automatic time of 6.59, another great set up for the Nationals.

PJ Records