Rumson Fair-Haven pole vaulters have put the field back in track and field. Often times playing second fiddle to the track competitors, the Bulldogs’ trio of high risers have made this field event a must-see. Seniors Greg Stypul and Leonard Izzo and sophomore Griffin Izzo are three of the best in the state. Leonard Izzo and Stypul have scaled 13-6 and teamed up to win the County Relays pole vault relay crown. Griffin Izzo is close behind his brother and Stypul, having a personal best of 12-6. This trio can pile up the points in championship meets.
Red Bank Regional’s Tyler Lisko (Sr.) is another contender have cleared 13-0.
Back to the track, there are outstanding sprinters to watch led by Middletown South senior Alec Stillitano who has been a winner in races from 55 meters indoors and 100 up to the 400 outdoors. A good sign for the Eagle is the new personal best for the 55-meter dash (6.52) he set in winning the county championship. The senior has won his share of county, conference and state sectional titles over his career. No doubt he’d like to go out with a state championship this spring. Stillitano has outdoor bests of 10.98 (100), 21.80 (200) and 47.49 (400).
Middletown North’s Jack Chenoweth and Middletown South’s Quinn Curley, both seniors, will resume their indoor rivalry. Chenoweth won both the county and conference championships, but Curley turned the tables in Central Jersey III. Their battles figure to push them to faster times in their outdoor duels.
Other sprinters to watch include Rumson’s Laef Golden (Sr.) and Cole Herman (Jr.), Colts Neck’s Michael Friscia (So.), Christian Brothers Academy’s Aidan MacManus (Sr.) and Red Bank Catholic’s Jeremiah Newman (Sr.).
CBA’s Kam Coleman (Sr.) is one of the best all-around track and field athletes in the area. A standout sprinter, he’s also a champion hurdler doing both the 110s and 400 IM. As if that weren’t enough, he competes in the long jump, triple jump and high jump for the Colts – and he does more than just compete. He has hopped, skipped and jumped 47-5 in the triple jump and leaped 20-8 ¼ in the long jump.
When looking at the distances, where else to go but Christian Brothers Academy and its state championship cross country team. The Colts dominate the 800 to 3,200 meters behind Nicholas Sullivan (Sr.), Jack Falkowski (Jr.), Alex Mastroly (Sr.), Zach Shroba (Sr.), Joe Barrett (Jr.) and Lucas Ward (Sr.). Each can run any of the three events with equal effectiveness.
Colts Neck’s Hunter Celkupa (So.) has made himself someone to watch after winning both the 1,600 and 3,200 races at the indoor state sectional. Teammate John Shapiro (So.) is better the longer the race.
Red Bank Catholic junior Patrick Coyle can run with the best in the 800, and Middletown North’s Aaron Guensch (Sr.) is another 800 to 1,600-meter threat.
In the field, Rumson-Fair Haven’s John Connors (Sr.) is a double threat in the long jump and high jump. He has won state sectionals in the latter. Connors’ teammate Markus Brown (Jr.) excels in the triple jump. Middletown North’s Trevor Reid (Sr.) will duel with Connors in the high jump.
Throwers to watch are Middletown South’s James Letts (Sr.), CBA’s Nick Williams (Jr.) and Colts Neck’s Albert Yodakis (So.) in the shot put and discus, and CBA’s Jack Ostrowsky (Sr.) in the javelin.
If you liked this article, then please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
