Girls Track: Malone leads Rumson-Fair Haven to Shore Conference title; SJV's Scott stars
NEPTUNE – Reese Reynolds Malone settled into the blocks for the 100-meter dash trials at Saturday’s Shore Conference Track & Field Championships with one goal in mind: Advance to the eight-runner final.
“This was my first time running an open 100 ever,” the Rumson-Fair Haven High School sophomore said. “I didn’t know what I could do.”
Now everybody knows. Malone didn’t just make the final – she won it with room to spare, clocking 12.35 seconds.
“I had no clue I could win,” she said.
A couple of hours later Malone won again, this time in the 800 meters. She clocked 2:11.22 to edge three-time state champion Emma Zawatski of Freehold Township (2:11.50).
“I look up to Emma so much – she’s such an amazing runner,” Malone said. “It’s amazing I could compete with her. I’m still learning how to run 800s, so I’m just following everyone and trusting my speed. It ended up being my speed that helped me in that last 100.”
Malone's 100-800 double victory – an exceedingly rare occurrence at this level and possibly the first in the history of the Shore Conference meet – sparked Rumson-Fair Haven to the team title. And the Bulldogs did it without superstar runner Clemmie Lilley, who was taking a college recruiting visit, plus several seniors who had prom Friday night.
“We went in thinking maybe we would win, but we’re missing Clemmie and some seniors so we thought it would be hard,” Malone said. “With all of the great people who’ve been on this team, you just want to meet up to expectations and make them proud. It’s amazing to be on a team with such a great reputation.”
Junior Izzy Rodriguez had a big hand in the triumph, placing second in the 400 hurdles (1:03.64) and third in the 800 (2:12.58). The Bulldogs also won the 4x400 in 4:00.85 with Malone (59.9 split), Rodriguez (59.4), Hannah Nitka (59.9) and Cassedy Stypul (1:01.2) carrying.
All told, Rumson-Fair Haven finished with 64 points, holding off runner-up Holmdel (52) for the trophy.
Malone’s monster day was the latest step forward for an emerging talent who should be a major factor as Rumson-Fair Haven pursues the NJSIAA Group 2 title next month.
“We can’t tell what her potential is because this has been such a sudden storm,” Bulldogs coach Tim McLoone said.
Along with several other coaches, McLoone lamented the increasing amount of athletes (mostly runners) who skip the Shore Conference meet. Other non-championship meets have cropped up, crowding the schedule, but none have anywhere near the historical prestige of this one.
“Somewhere along the line, starting about 10 years ago some schools said well, it’s not that important because it doesn’t advance you in the state meets,” he said. “Why can’t it be a stand-alone thing? Imagine a basketball team saying, ‘Oh, we’re not going to the conference championship.’”
McLoone wondered if switching back to a two-day, weeknight meet might drive up participation.
“It bums me out that people don’t take it seriously,” he said. “We’ve seen some historical people do great stuff here. It’s been a launching pad for Olympians.”
Vianney’s Scott a triple-winner
The lone athlete to win three individual events Saturday, male or female, was St. John Vianney’s Alexandria Scott. The senior won the girls 400 hurdles (1:00.45), 100 hurdles (14.97) and 200 (25.45). All three times are personal bests.
“I love to run, so this was an honor,” she said. “I know I’m ready from my training. All of it is paying off.”
Scott was surprised at how good her legs felt in the 200 – her fourth race of the day – and was thrilled to break the 15-second barrier in the 100 hurdles.
“I don’t get to race it frequently, so that’s exciting,” she said.
It’s all part of the buildup toward her goal of sub-60 in the 400 hurdles and a potential NJSIAA Meet of Champions title in the event. Worth noting: The Shore Conference record of 59.69 by Lakewood’s Shelly Mitchell has stood since 1988.
“I keep chasing that 59 and that’s what’s driving me,” Scott said. “That’s the dream.”
Shore Conference meet: Top 5 Girls Performers
1. Alexandria Scott, St. John Vianney
The senior won the 400 hurdles (1:00.45), 100 hurdles (14.97) and 200 (25.45).
2. Reese Reynolds Malone, Rumson-Fair Haven
The sophomore won the 100 dash (12.35) and 800 (2:11.22) and ran on the first-place 4x400 (59.9 split).
3. (tie) Eve Segal, Ocean Township
The senior won the shot put (44-5) and placed second in the discus (133-9), both school records.
3. (tie) Julia Santos, Toms River South
The junior won the discus (135-9) and placed second in the shot put (43-2).
5. Alexa DiNardo, Holmdel
The senior won the long jump (17-11) and placed second in the triple jump (35-8.5).
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Girls Track: Malone leads Rumson-Fair Haven to Shore Conference title
