Del Gizzo changes tactics not results in State Group 3 win by Paul Schwartz of The Record
COLUMBUS – Lexi Del Gizzo knew her 2016 strategy in the 800 meters was no longer relevant in 2017.
Maybe it would have brought her a second consecutive Group 3 title in the event, but never a second straight State Meet of Champions win, which is the Tenafly senior’s ultimate goal for this year.
“I can’t just sit and kick anymore, I’ve got to take the race out,’’ said Del Gizzo, who led the race from wire to wire and just missed her personal best with a terrific 2:10.39 clocking, defeating Northern Valley/Old Tappan’s Caroline O’Sullivan for the second straight year in the event at Northern Burlington High School.
Del Gizzo, who had rallied from eighth place with 400 to go last year with a hellacious kick to win her first Group 3 title, took the exact opposite tack this time. She went out in 64.5 for 400 with O’Sullivan on her shoulder. And like last year she ran the third 200 with purpose, but this time instead of getting her back into the race it broke the race open.
“I watched some old races involving Madison Holleran (of Northern Highlands) and Corinne Myers (of Westwood) and saw how they went right to the front and controlled the race from there,’’ said Del Gizzo of the two most recent Bergen County 800 state champions (other than herself). “I’ve been training differently from last year and the focus is wholly on the 800 as opposed to in the past, where I trained a lot for the 400.’’
“The goal is to be able to go out at the Meet of Champs and at nationals as fast as possible and try and roll with the leaders,’’ said Tenafly coach Dave Burns. “Victoria Vanriele (the indoor 800 state champ from Governor Livingston) goes out even faster and we want to stay with her.’’
“I miss not running the 400 (at groups) this year but it’s the right thing to do,’’ said the Georgetown-bound Del Gizzo.
Rubinetti, Purcell win pole vault titles
North Jersey continued to solidify its reputation as the girls pole vault hotbed of the state, with Michelle Rubinetti of NV/Demarest and Melissa Purcell of Pascack Valley winning the Groups 2 and 3 championships Saturday.
Rubinetti edged Francesca Porambo of Bernards on misses after both cleared 12 feet in Group 2 to repeat her 2016 championship. Three other North Jersey athletes medalled in the group.
“Now I come to every meet with the confidence that I’m going to jump well, no matter what the conditions, no matter how I’m feeling,’’ said Rubinetti, who set the Bergen County record at 12-6 two weeks ago. “I love this place and I’m excited that the Meet of Champs is here next week. The last few years, girls who make 12 feet on their first attempt go on to win at MOC and I have to concentrate on doing that next week.”
Purcell, who also cleared 12 feet, reversed a loss to Jessica Ippolito of Fair Lawn last year at this meet and erased memories of the foot problems that cost her most of the indoor season this year.
“At the beginning of spring I started to feel well and being able to get back into form,’’ said Purcell. “I’m very very happy right now and I’m already looking forward to next week.’’
Ippolito was second and two other North Jersey vaulters also placed. With wild cards, North Jersey may end up with nearly the field at Saturday’s Meet of Champs, also at Northern Burlington.
“It’s like every meet’s a state meet back home,’’ said Purcell. “It keeps us sharp.’’