UC’s Cox, Sheppard, Randolph Win Meet of Champions Titles
By Jim Lambert
Taylor Cox, Paige Sheppard and Rhia Robinson all smashed records when they scored victories and Cayleigh Kaiser also took down a record to highlight action for the Union Catholic track and field teams at Sunday’s NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze.
In one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the meet, Sheppard, a freshman, and defending champion Emma Zawatski of Freehold Township clashed in a memorable matchup.
The race more than lived up to the hype as Sheppard, who ran 2:19.70 for the final 800 and 64.47 for the final 400, unleashed a wicked kick when she passed Zawatski just before the bell. Sheppard then leveled up and ran a 31.93 final 200 to hold off Zawatski and win the sizzling showdown, 4:48.13 to 4:48.95.
Sheppard, who finished a couple steps behind Zawatski when they went 1-2 at the XC M of C in November, broke the meet record of 4:48.23 set in 2009 by Jillian Smith of Southern and her 4:48.13 is the fastest time in NJ history ever for a 1,600-meter race. Note: There are faster times in state history for the mile, but not for a 1,600 race).
Cox keeps getting faster and faster and keeps breaking records.
The Union Catholic junior was at her best on Sunday when she blasted her way over the barriers to win her second straight 55 hurdle title, this time ripping a 7.73 to shatter the meet record of 7.82 set in 2015 by the great Sydney McLaughlin of Union Catholic. Cox’s 7.73 is No. 1 in the nation this season, and No. 3 in NJ history!!
But that’s not all.
About five minutes after the hurdles, Cox was back in the starting blocks for the 55 dash final, and she once again torched the track by running 6.90 to place second to Wynn’s 6.81. Cox’s 6.90 is No. 2 in meet history and No. 7 all-time in NJ.
In the girls 400, Randolph of Union Catholic reset her state freshman 400 record when she won the 2-lapper in 55.53.
Another state freshman record was smashed by Kaiser with her fifth-place time of 10:43.69 in the 3,200.
Here are more highlights for the UC girls.
Jimmiea King ran a personal best 2:11.08 to place second in the girls 800. Taylor Aska was fourth in the girls 55 dash in 7.02. Sophia Thompson ran 4:57.68 to finish sixth in the 1,600, the 4×800 squad ran 9:35.04 to finish fifth, Sydney Chadwick was fifth in the 400 in 57.58, and Natalia Thompson soared 17-9 to place sixth in the long jump.
For the UC boys, Avery Atexide ran a personal best of 49.17 to place fourth in the 400, and ran on the fourth-place 4×400 relay that ran 3:21.53. In the long jump, Justice Hicks placed third with a 21-11 1.2, and Noah Cooper soared 21-10.50 to finish fourth.
