“I wouldn’t expect much from me right now,” the Princeton-bound senior said. “I’m just going out there to enjoy myself and do the best I can, to put myself in a position where hopefully I’m good enough to help my team when the sectionals and state meets come. That’s the main goal.”
Mullett didn’t run a step in January or February after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his shin. In March he was beset by various ailments — hip, ankle, knee — that delayed his comeback further. He started training regularly in April and is up to 40 miles per week, including interval workouts.
“I’m finally starting to feel like my old self again,” he said. “Regardless of how I run tomorrow, I’m looking forward to getting back.”
Mullett, who clocked 9:04 for 3200 meters last spring and qualified for Foot Locker Nationals in cross country, has been pulled into shape by trying to keep pace with fellow senior Stewart Wood.
“The whole thing has made me appreciate the sport and how much I like it,” Mullett said. “In this conference we’re all really good friends. I’m happy I’ll be able to race with these guys before I graduate. In some ways this might be better. I’m not putting as much pressure on myself; I’m doing it more out of a sense of joy.”
Skyland story lines
Here are five more things to look for at the Skyland meet, which starts at 2 p.m. at Hillsborough:
Hurdles showdown: Arguably the two best girls hurdlers in the state will go head to head in two events as Franklin senior Danielle Delgado and North Hunterdon senior Morgan Harvey continue their epic rivalry. They could win the highs and intermediate, respectively, at next month’s NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
Girls jumps: Records could fall as Hillsborough sophomore star Kelsey Vieira is challenged by Franklin’s Irina Ewing and Selena Thorne in the long and triple. In the high jump, Thorne, Ridge’s Jessica Creedon and Montgomery’s Hannah Taylor are three of the best in New Jersey.
Boys discus: Throwing in the rain and cold, Montgomery junior Vlad Castillo busted out a 173-2 heave in a dual meet against Franklin. Could a 180-footer and Somerset County record be on tap if the weather complies?
Girls team trophy: Powerhouses Franklin and Hillsborough split the conference and Somerset County relay titles last month. Franklin would seem to have an edge here with its abundance of individual star power, including throwers Christina Abiola and Ashley Berry.
Boys team trophy: Hunterdon Central gave Franklin a run for its money at the Skyland Relays. The Red Devils will give it another go here but Franklin’s middle distance corps could account for a ton of points. Phillipsburg could be a sleeper.
Athletes of the Week
Obafemi Animashaun, Union Catholic: The North Carolina-bound senior earned gold medals in the shuttle hurdles (59.39), 4×100 (42.98), 4×200 (1:29.64) and 3×400 hurdles (a meet-best 54.05) at the Union County Relays.
Jess Lee, Montgomery: The senior won the 100 (12.5), 200 (27.0), 100 hurdles (15.2) and long jump (16-5) as the Cougars knocked off Franklin in a cold and wet dual meet.
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