Girls Win 4th Straight NPA State Relay Title

The Union Catholic girls did it again!

In a performance that solidified its status as the top team in New Jersey, the Vikings threw down a remarkable display by sweeping all six track events and steamrolling its way to a 72-37 victory over runner-up Paramus Catholic to capture its fourth straight State Non-Public A Relay title on Thursday night at the Bennett Center in Toms River.

UC won the shuttle hurdles in a NJ #2 32.34, the distance medley in a school record and NJ #1 12:24.00, the sprint medley in 4:20.58, the 4×200 in 1:46.21, the 4×400 in 4:09.59, and the 4×800 in 9:41.47. In the field, the Vikings placed second in shot put and fourth in the high jump.

Several athletes had outstanding performances to lead the Vikings to the dominating victory.

Jerika Lufrano anchored the DMR with a 5:10.3 carry and ran 2:28.7 in the 4×800. Zamira Ysaac led off the DMR with a 3:52.6 split and ran 60.7 in the 4×400. Mia Bennet-Jones ran 61.4 in the DMR and 63.4 in the 4×400. Leena Morant went 2:19 in the DMR and 2:27 on the anchor of the SMR. Khamil Evans ran 25.6 in the 4×200 and 58.8 in the SMR. Brianna Ewing ran 7.7 in the shuttle hurdles and 26.6 in the 4×200. Sydney Tucker ran 26.5 in the 4×200 and 27.1 in the SMR. Felicia Quainoo ran 8.2 in the shuttles and 27.2 in the 4×200. Ashleigh Patterson split 63.1 in the 4×400 and 2:24 in the 4×800. Morgan Williams ran 62.1 in the 4×400 and split 2:24.5 in the 4×800. Angelique Williams ran 8.5 in the shuttles and cleared 5-0 in the high jump. In the shot put, Sophia Martinez threw a 33-1 1/2 and Christina Samuels had a 31-9.

“The goal was to sweep the track events like we did at the county meet,” said UC head girls track and field coach Mike McCabe. “We wanted to dominate on the track and go as big as we could in the fields, and just perform at our best. I’m really happy with the way so many girls stepped up for us.”