Demarest’s Catherine Light shines at Meet of Champions by Robert Aitken Jr. of The Record

COLUMBUS — Catherine Light has been a bright spot for NV/Demarest’s throwing team.

After throwing a 128-2 and a 124-0, Light left her best throws for last, winning first in the girls discus at the 50th State Meet of Champions Saturday afternoon at Northern Burlington High School.

Light came into the event seeded fifth in the group of 30 throwers and reached the final eight. In the finals, Light began with a foul, but came back in her second attempt with a throw of 131-6.  That throw would be outdone moments later by senior Shelby Bigsby of Montclair. Bigsby led with a distance of 131-8 heading into the final round of throws, but Light would make her best throw in her final high school attempt.

Light threw a 132-2, taking the title by six inches over Bigsby and the rest of the field. Light improved on her distance of 124-0 that won her the Group 2 title just one week earlier. Light took little time to celebrate before cheering on teammate Connor Scaglione in the boys shot put final nearby. Scaglione would finish fourth in his event with a throw of 60-8.5.

Light will now make her next throws at the University of Monmouth alongside two of her opponents from Saturday. Ridgewood’s Lexi Uzoaru, who finished eighth last season, took sixth place this year with a distance of 123-1. Light and Uzoaru will also be joined by Hasbrouck Heights senior Kassie Ketcho, who competed against both seniors in the girls shot put. Light finished 21st in shot put with a distance of 35-2.25, while Uzoaru took fifth for the Maroons with shot put distance of 41-6.25.

Wayne Valley’s Peloso sets Passaic County record

Senior Greg Peloso has come close before to set the Passaic County record in the boys javelin, but it was in his last high school race that Peloso was able to pass the mark.

Peloso took third place in the boys javelin, setting a new county mark with 193-3. Peloso shattered the record of 189-10, previously set by Caleb Hart of Hawthorne Christian in 2014.

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“Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to break it,” said Peloso about his record-breaking throw. “I walked over there and saw the mark and though ‘Oh, that might actually be it’.”

Peloso finishes third behind senior Austin Parsons of The Pingry School (195-06) and senior Nickolas Mirabelli from Ranocas Valley. Mirabelli set a new state record in the event, throwing for an incredible 227-10. Mirabelli broke a four-year old record of 224-10, set by Florence’s Curtis Thompson. Peloso came into the event seeded eighth overall.

“Initially, I was just happy to be here,” said Peloso. “Last year, I didn’t have a chance to be here. I had an injury to my groin and that ended my season. Just being here and being among these amazing throwers like Nick [Mirabelli] is just amazing.”

Peloso’s finish now has the senior contemplating competing in Nationals for javelin, but hasn’t yet decided if he will be competing.