REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Stuart Country Day School star high jumper Allison Walsh clears the bar in an an indoor meet. Earlier this month, senior standout Walsh placed first in the high jump at the the state Prep B outdoor championship meet. While Stuart had initially finished second to Villa Walsh by one point at the May 7 competition, it was declared as co-champions of the meet last week after an appeal. With the Tartans having won the Prep B indoor title this past winter, it marks the first time the program has both track titles in the same school year.

By Bill Alden

Competing in the state Prep B outdoor championships, the Stuart Country Day School track team believed it had done enough to win the meet.

Stuart piled up 115.50 points at the competition held on May 7 at Newark Academy, highlighted by senior star Michelle Kwafo winning the 100 meter dash, the 200, and the 100 hurdles with classmate Allison Walsh taking first in the high jump and the 4×400 relay ending the meet with a win and a school record.

“We figured we would be around 100 points, getting 115.50 was very good. Other people came through at the last moment,” said Stuart head coach Len Klepack.

“We have good sprinters, good jumpers and we got a young girl, Taj’hanna Tyson, a sophomore, who scored second in the shot put. That was unexpected.”

But despite all the stellar performances, Stuart left the track at Newark Academy that day with a bittersweet feeling as it finished in second, one point behind Villa Walsh and its total of 116.50.

“They were happy that they scored that many points; the meet ended with the 4×400 that was so exciting for them to break the school record,” said Klepack.

“Their mind was on enjoying what those four girls did. You are a state champion in an event that you hadn’t won, but then you found out you lost by one point.”

But in a case of better late than never, Stuart was officially named last week by the New Jersey Independent School Athletic Association (NJISAA) as the 2018 Prep B co-champion. The designation stemmed from an appeal of points earned based on NJISAA rules and regulations as they apply to the Prep B Championship.

“The feeling is that we were deserving; they were in our estimation the best group of athletes that the school has assembled for that one sport,” said Klepack, who guided the Tartans to the Prep B indoor title this past winter as the program won both track titles in the same school year for the first time ever.

“It is deserving because of the hard work and the time they have put into it and the results. They won it, in my mind, on the field.”

Senior star Kwafo was clearly the best in the field as she added a second place finish in the long jump to her three titles.

“She has at least eight state titles; she is a very good athlete and multi-talented in the hurdle, long jumps, sprints,” said Klepack, noting that Kwafo is heading to the Coast Guard Academy where she will be competing for its track program. 

Senior high jumper Walsh’s title was her third, having won the indoor title in both 2017 and 2018.

“Allison is probably the most consistent of all of our athletes,” asserted Klepack. “She is also one who gives her knowledge to others.”

Junior Francois is developing into a consistent performer, starring in the hurdles and anchoring the champion 4×400 relay.

“Priscilla finished second in the intermediate hurdles; we put her in the 100 hurdles and she had her best race ever in the straightaway finishing third,” added Klepack.

Sophomores Heather Kwafo, Jasmine Hansford, and Alex Ottomanelli are emerging as top racers.

“One future star is going to be Michelle’s sister, Heather, she has talent and leg speed,” said Klepack.

“Jasmine is another one who is multi-talented. She scored in the triple jump, in the 4×100 and then she came beck and did her best split in the 4×400. Alex scored in the intermediate hurdles and that is a new event for her. She led off and gave us a 30-meter lead in the 4×400. She did her best time by three seconds on the leadoff leg. They want to be competitive, so you find talent.”

In Klepack’s view, the blend of competitive fire, discipline, and togetherness is the formula that has spurred the program to new heights.

“It says how hard these young ladies have worked to balance athletics and academics,” said Klepack.

“We have been teaching them about how to prioritize time management, dedication, and focus. We got leadership from people like Allison, Kenya Brenya, and Sonia Mohandas, who are the captains. They became more aware of each other, feeling good for what they do and the other teammates, even those who didn’t score. They are rooting for each of them.”