Northern Highlands wins North 1, Group 3 title by Paul Schwartz of The Record
TOMS RIVER — Caroline O’Sullivan’s second win Saturday night drew Northern Valley/Old Tappan within four points of heavily favored Northern Highlands in the North 1, Group 3 sectional track and field championships. But the Florio twins weren’t worried.
“Coach (Tom Buono) had told us how important our races were going to be in the 55-meter dash,” said Olivia Florio, who won the title in 7.34 seconds, fastest time by a North Jersey athlete this winter.
“He put a lot of emphasis on the 55 and indoors that’s the only event we do,” added Morgan Florio, who was second in a personal best of 7.44. “We knew that we had a chance to do it but to actually accomplish that is pretty special.”
After winning none of the first seven events, Northern Highlands dominated the last three in the girls meet for an easy 79-37-37 win over defending champion NV/Old Tappan and Roxbury. It was the third title in four years for Highlands and head coach Buono.
“I always worry about a meet but after the Florios came through in the sprint, we got three personal bests in the 3,200 (a win by freshman Daisy Liljegren and a 4-5 finish by the Hebner twins, Monica and Isabel),” said Buono. “I could relax after that.”
And then, with Olivia Florio subbing for a banged-up Julia Healy in the 4-x-400, the Highlanders set the only Group record of the night, running 4:03.61 and finishing the meet with a flourish.
“If I don’t hear anyone cheering for me in the 4-x-400, I don’t do well,” said Olivia.
“So I find a spot where I can yell something that only I would yell at her and it makes her feel better,” said Morgan with a laugh. “I love doing that.”
O’Sullivan looks primed to repeat her state Group 3 800 championship after breezing to a 2:19.18 win after running 5:09.11 in the 1,600 earlier in the meet.
“I think she’s ready to do something special,” said NV/OT coach Pete Dunn.
Indian Hills’ bid for a third straight boys title came up short despite a 1-2-3 sweep in the 3,200 for the second straight year. A difficult race for the Braves’ 800 runners and an unfortunate injury in practice Wednesday to jumper/hurdler Hank Anderson (a broken arm) proved too much for the Braves to overcome, although they finished second to Morris Hills, 53-45.
Passaic Valley’s Erick Alvarez enjoyed a terrific night, jumping 6-2 in the high jump for an upset victory and then breaking eight seconds for the first time in winning the 55 hurdles in 7.99 seconds, just .03 ahead of three other runners, including the Northern Highlands duo of Dan Monchek and Brendan Holleran.
“It was a crazy race,” said Alvarez. “I glanced to my right and saw Brendan and to my left I saw Dan and I felt everyone’s breath the entire race. This is the most excited I’ve ever been after a race.”