Holmdel

May 30, 2018

Holmdel Boys Claim County Hurdle Relay Championship

By Les Pierce

This past winter during the indoor season the Holmdel boys’ shuttle hurdle relay squad claimed gold at the Monmouth County Relay Championships.  Just days later their top hurdler, senior Marcello Pinnero, won the individual 55 meter hurdle county championship. However, the prospects for continued relay success in the spring campaign were dimmed when Pinnero suffered a foot injury that ended his high school track career.

The Hornets appear to have recovered, emerging as the area’s top hurdle relay squad, capturing three major championships and breaking the school record twice. Most recently Holmdel prevailed at the Monmouth County Relay Championships held at Howell HS on May 3.  A squad comprised of Anthony Prestigiacomo, Matt Sapienza, Mark Walier and Lucas Werner turned in a 1:00.63 clocking for the win with Matawan (1:02.28) and Freehold Township (1:03.94) in pursuit. The key to the triumph was Sapienza’s anchor leg as he started eight meters behind  Matawan’s anchor and overtook his opponent 40 meters from the finish line.

Holmdel is deep in hurdle talent providing Coach Maurice Bell the luxury of platooning personnel. Derek Vander Woude joined a squad Sapienza, Walier and Lucas that claimed titles earlier in the season at the Rebel Relays and the Rocket Relays.  Bell stated of his hurdle corps, “This is the most determined group that I have had the pleasure to work with. They are excited to practice every day and they are never satisfied. They really strive to be the best and that is all a coach can ask for!”