WINNING TRACK: Members of the Princeton High boys’ track squad celebrate after winning the team title at the North 2 Group 3 indoor sectional meet at the Bennett Center in Toms River. It was the program’s first-ever indoor sectional crown and the first sectional title for PHS boys’ winter or spring track since 1989.

This past fall, the Princeton High boys’ cross country team ended a long dry spell, advancing to the Meet of Champions for the first time since 1986.

Last Saturday, the PHS boys’ track squad made more history, taking the team championship at the North 2 Group 3 sectional, earning the program’s first-ever indoor sectional crown and first sectional title for PHS boys’ winter or spring track since 1989.

“The relief and the wonder of the kids was fantastic, they were beside themselves,” said PHS boys’ head coach Ben Samara.

“It means so much to the program. I think it can serve as a springboard and open the floodgates a little bit.”

Junior Alex Roth and Sophomore Will Hare led the way in the distance events. Roth was second in the 1600 (4:25.35) and second in the 3200 (9:26.48). Hare was fourth in the 1600 (4:29.87) and third in the 3200 (9:46.52). Sophomore Alex Ackerman also finished sixth in the 3200 (9:50.88).

Sophomore Nick Delaney (2:01.78) and junior Cy Watsky (2:02.89) finished second and fifth, respectively, in the 800 meters. The 4×400 relay team of Oliver Hamit, Jeremy Cohen, Watsky, and Delaney ran 3:34.1 to seal the victory with a fourth place finish. In the 55 dash, junior Alex Solopenkov (6.84) finished third. Also scoring for PHS was Theo Tel, who finished sixth in the high jump with a leap of 5’ 8.

While PHS came into the meet expecting to be a contender, earning the crown was a pleasant surprise.

“We talked a lot about confidence, being bigger than the moment and really believing in ourselves that we could do it,” said Samara. “But we didn’t
expect to do it at all.”

In reflecting on the triumph, Samara credited the team’s distance runners with setting the pace.

“Roth and Hare ran out of their minds really, they were absolutely incredible,” asserted Samara.

“I didn’t look at what the percentage was between Roth and Hare in the mile and two mile and Delaney and Watsky in the 800; that was such a large chunk of our points. Nick Delaney has been running really well, he is another one of those distance guys. The consistency is what staggers me, year in year out. One leaves and there is another one right there. That distance crew is so valuable at Princeton High. We know if we are going to win a title, we are going to ride on the backs of our distance crew. That is really our backbone.”

Sparked by Solopenkov, PHS was able to score in the sprints. “We agreed that Alex is going to focus on these short sprints and he committed himself to the program and the team and to what we are doing,” added Samara.

“His times just immediately dropped and he is the backbone, moving forward of that sprint crew. He is a fabulous kid.”

On the girls’ side, PHS took fourth, highlighted by senior Jordan Vine, who won the 400 meters with a time of 1:00.17. Vine (7.65) also picked up a crucial point with a sixth-place finish in the 55 meter dash. Sophomore Chloe Taylor (11:31.05) and senior Lou Mialhe (11:37.66) finished second and third, respectively, in the 3200. In the 1600, Mialhe finished fourth (5:17.29). Junior Noa Levy cleared 4’10 in the high jump to finish third on misses.

In Samara’s view, Vine’s performance was
inspirational. “Jordan has run fantastic,” said Samara.

“About three weeks ago at group relays, she was spiked when we were running the 4×200. They thought it was a fracture and she thought her career was done. She thought that was it. I could see it in her eyes, it was heart-wrenching. They took the bandage off and they realized the pressure was a little too tight and it was actually not a fracture. She came out three days later and ever since then, she has been blowing the doors off everybody in everything that she does. It is a second life for her and she has taken the sprint group on her back. She has been a fantastic captain, she is really a special kid.”

As with the boys, the PHS girls’ distance runners were key. “They brought us back from the dead,” said Samara, referring to the heroics of Taylor and Mialhe.

“They got nine points more in the two mile than we thought we were going to get, that put us back in the conversation. You get points in 1600, you get a second and third, 14 points, in the two mile. Coach (James) Smirk and his distance crew are just phenomenal.”

In Samara’s view, words of encouragement from former PHS coach Marc Anderson, who guided the program during its halcyon days in the 1970s and 1980s and is currently an assistant with the Princeton University men’s track team, helped fuel the title performance.

“With Marc being a good friend, we had him come talk to the team last week before sectionals and it brings everything full circle,” said Samara. “I feel like we are finally continuing the tradition now.”