BIG STRIDES: Princeton High star runner Paige Metzheiser heads to the finish line in a cross country race earlier in her career. Last weekend at Central Jersey Group 3 sectional meet, senior Metzheiser took third in the 800 (2:20.57) and fourth in the 1,600 (5:09.22) to help PHS place fourth in the team standings. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Featuring strength from the sprints to the distance events, the Princeton High girls’ track team used that balance to excel last weekend at the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional meet.

“I think a big part of our success this season has been on the track and that theme continued this weekend,” said PHS head coach Jim Smirk, whose team placed fourth of 18 teams in the sectional held at Northern Burlington High and saw a number of athletes earn the top-6 finishes necessary to book them spots in the upcoming state group meet.

Junior Maia Hauschild set the pace in the sprints, taking fourth in the 200 (25.97) and second in the 400 (58.57). Freshman Jackie Patterson took sixth in the 400 (1:00.02).

“Maia has had moments this season where she has looked brilliant and other times where she looked like she was trying to figure things out,” said Smirk. “She figured things out last weekend. She has also been a mentor for Jackie Patterson who has learned a lot from her.”

In the middle distance events, senior Paige Metzheiser continued her superb final campaign, taking third in the 800 (2:20.57) and fourth in the 1,600 (5:09.22).

“Paige is an amazing athlete for us; she has always been a team player,” asserted Smirk.

“She said she wanted to take a shot at the mile, she has been watching it and she had a personal record against a quality field. She has been a go-to athlete all season in the 800.”

Junior Lou Mialhe stepped up in the 3,200, taking fifth (11:16.83) with senior Mary Sutton coming in eighth (11:41.16).

“Lou has been a miler and we put her in the 2-mile and she didn’t disappoint,” said Smirk of Mialhe, who also took eighth in the 400 hurdles. “She had a personal best of 11:16.”

Youth was also served for PHS at the meet as sophomore Noa Levy tied for second in the high jump (5’0) with sophomore Aileen Wu taking eighth in the 800 (2:26.88), freshman Chloe Taylor placing 11th in the 3,200 (11:58.16), and sophomore Annefleur Hartmenshenn helping the 4×800 relay take second (9:43.58).

“In the winter, Noa was inconsistent, the focus was fitness,” said Smirk, whose team is next in action when its qualified athletes compete in the Group 3 meet from May 29-30 at South Plainfield.

“She was patient and that is hard for a young athlete. It is paying off. Aileen Wu had breakout race in the 800. Annefleur Hartmenshenn did well in the 4×800. We were wondering who was the fourth girl in the 4×800 and she stepped right in there.”