MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP — Anthony Agnoli was “feelin’ it” at the Group 3 Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 30. He made sure the crowd gathered around the shot put circle at Northern Burlington Regional High School was feelin’ it too.
After letting the shot put fly on his final attempt, Agnoli screamed, clapped, and then gave a fist pump before practically dancing around the sector to pick it up. The Montville senior won Group 3 with a final throw of 63 feet, 10½ inches. It was a four-foot personal best, his first time over 60 feet.
After picking up his shot from the officials, Anthony rushed over to celebrate with his older brother Joe, younger brother Michael, and mom Michelle Agnoli.
Anthony Agnoli had also won the Group 3 discus the day before, after fouling his first two throws.
“It felt really nice to finally get one over 60. I didn’t expect to be that far over. It’s insane,” said Agnoli, who has signed a National Letter of Intent with Monmouth University. “They’re clicking at practice. Over 60 was enough. I didn’t expect to throw that far.”
The top two finishers in each event in each group automatically advance to the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, which will be held June 3 at Pennsauken High School. The next 18 across all the groups will earn wild cards, for a maximum of 30 competitors per event.
West Morris girls piling up prizes again
West Morris added the Group 2 girls team trophy to its long list of titles this spring.
Not satisfied with just being the Morris County Relays small-school champ, the Wolfpack swarmed the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference East meet, as well as the Morris County Championships. West Morris is also the North 2, Group 2 girls winner.
Caroline Sardeira was first in the 400 meters (56.71) to get Saturday’s meet off to a great start. She anchored West Morris to second place in the Group 2 4×400, sealing the team title.
Junior Alanna Parkes was second in the Group 2 100 and 200 and third in the 100-meter hurdles. Junior Georgia Hostler was second in the long jump (18-¾).
Sophomore Johanna Olsen finished third in the Group 2 discus, with Jefferson sophomore Gwen Silipena fourth (PR 116-1).
“Last year, we were a really competitive team, but this year, it’s on a whole other level,” Sardeira said. “I’m really proud of the team. We’re really super motivated. Everyone seems so much more determined. We wanted a result for what we’ve been doing.”
The official time was 48.03 seconds, good enough to break the school and Sussex County record they’d set a week ago. But not quite under 48 seconds, not that it dimmed the celebration for long.
“Being part of the 4×1, especially such a great 4×1, for me it’s so special,” Haw said. “I hope (the younger girls) are excited to get in here next year. We’re setting a good record for them to go after.”
Learning to fly
At the start of track season, High Point junior Gabe Elston‘s goal was to finish in the pole vault top 15. After clearing 14 feet to tie the school record and win Group 2, Elston said, “I’ve exceeded my expectations.”
Elston took three additional attempts at a new personal best of 14-6, going up to a stiffer pole “to shoot myself to higher heights.” His revised goal at the MOC next week is to clear 15 feet and finish in the top three.
On Saturday, Morris Hills senior Gianna Ledford cleared 11 feet to finish second in Group 3 and also move on to the MOC pole vault.
“I came down here, do what I know how to do, and execute,” Elston said. “It’s a bigger meet. It means a little more. Being around people who are really good makes it a better time. I like competition. I like the nerves of having to beat someone else.”
Moving on to Meet of Champions
Ryan Foley was relieved as he crossed the finish line in the NJSIAA Group 3 800 meters. He was way ahead of the field in his heat, and he also managed to keep his queasy stomach in check.
Foley, a Mount Olive senior, won the event and will move on to the MOC. He’s already looking forward to challenging himself against the top runners from all over New Jersey.
“I’m happy I put it together,” said Foley, who signed a National Letter of Intent with Bryant University in Rhode Island. “I took off from training (on Thursday) to stay hydrated and eat well. I came back feeling a little better. I guess I prepared well.”
➤ Rohan Tucker will have a chance to defend his MOC 200-meter title. Tucker, a Madison senior, won the Group 2 200 and 400 on Saturday. He was also third in the 100 on Friday.
➤ The Group 3 boys 1,600 could have been a flashback to the Morris County Championships, just shorter. Chatham senior Marcus Valenzuela led the field in 4:13.73, followed by Morris Hills senior Nicholas Falcone and Morris Knolls senior Sean Wemmlinger.
Falcone had won the Group 3 3,200 on Friday afternoon.
➤ Montville freshman Gabriella Pelov won the Group 3 1,600 (5:05.98) by nearly three seconds.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris/Sussex highlights from Group track and field championships