Sayreville War Memorial High School’s girls track and field team enters the spring season with an array of talented sprinters, and many of them will also compete in the hurdles.
Seniors Amber Edwards, Paula Marques and Julie Rodgers lead the sprinters, and all three will compete in the hurdle relays. Although Marques has not competed yet, the Bombers showed their depth at Westfield High School’s Blue Devil Relays, as Edwards, Rodgers, junior Danajah Fleming and freshman Dakota Gergas took first place. Sayreville also placed at the Metuchen Relays, with junior Angela Cotugno stepping in for Gergas.
“We have a tremendous group of sprinters, and they’re all willing to do the hurdles,” Sayreville coach Jerry Carney said. “We have high expectations for the hurdles, but I really wish I could enter two hurdle relay teams because we have so many talented girls.”
The Bombers’ other sprinters include juniors Rachel Chan and Gabby Smith, and sophomores Sunshine Johnson, Evelyn Nkanga, Madison Sudol and Bailey Vick. Smith also handles middle-distance events, and Sudol will participate in the intermediate hurdles.
The group’s versatility extends to the jumping events. Edwards is the Bombers’ best in the high jump, with a 17-plus foot effort to her credit, and Marques is right behind. Edwards has also exceeded 37 feet in the triple jump. Nkanga will compete in both the high and long jumps as well. Carney also boasts a deep roster of young middle- and long-distance runners. Melanie Lopez and three freshmen — Rhea Soman, Raeanne Suchcicki and Veronica Torres — will compete at 1,600 and 3,200 meters for the Bombers. Cotugno, Gergas, sophomore Nura Sbeah, and freshmen Kiana Ayala and Taiya Lewis will compete primarily at 800 meters. Cotugno and Gergas will also be used in the intermediate hurdles.
“This is one of the most versatile teams I’ve had,” Carney said. “The girls all work hard and can compete in multiple events. This year, we also have more height than in the past several years, which should really help us in the jumps.”
Sayreville also has a deep group of throwers who work under the tutelage of assistant coach Lynn Taylor. Sophomore Eryn Handy tossed the shot over 34 feet at the Blue Devil Classic, where she combined with junior Brielle Fennell to take second in the relay. In addition, Fennell throws the discus, as does her younger sister, Brittany, a sophomore. Junior Tamara Wilson has already tossed the discus more then 70 feet in the early going.
Rodgers and junior Klaudia Patryn are the primary javelin participants. Rodgers has already made an 82-foot toss this spring, and Patryn is coming off a strong sophomore year when she was approaching the 90-foot mark. Sbeah and fellow sophomore Iayna Wright will also compete in the javelin.
Next up for the Bombers are the Penn Relays, where the team’s sprinters will compete, starting on April 24. Then it’s on to the Lion Invitational at Middletown High School North, an individual meet where all of Sayreville’s girls will compete.