Shore’s McGrath wins Group I 1,600 title
Blue Devils finish third at state meet
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

When the indoor track and field season comes to a conclusion Sunday, Shore Regional will be well represented.

The NJSIAA Indoor Meet of Champions at Princeton University closes the curtain on a 2004-05 season that was filled with distractions and featured the Monmouth County Championships being held in the Jersey City Armory.

The Groups I and IV state championships, which determined the final field for the MOC, were held in Princeton’s Jadwin Gymnasium Sunday, and several Blue Devil boys and girls extended their seasons.

Shore’s girls were right in the hunt for the Group I state title, but ended up tying for third place with Bishop Eustace with 33 points, just three behind champion Queen of Peace.

Martine McGrath was the big winner for the Blue Devils, winning the 1,600-meter run in 5:18.33. McGrath has had a very solid season and her state championship caps a wonderful season for the senior. Teammate Laura Embrey was fifth (5:34.38) as the Blue Devils turned to their cross country prowess for points.

McGrath came back after her 1,600 triumph and added a second place in the 3,200 meters (11:56.29), behind Midland Park’s Amy Van Alstine (11:33.95). Nicole Ullmeyer picked up points for the Blue Devils with her fifth place (12:20.59).

Justine Carnevale was fifth in the 800 (2:28.14) as Shore’s distance runners scored 24 points.

Shore proved to be more than a distance running team at Princeton, as Kristen Pierce scored in the 200 and 400 dashes. She was third in the 400 (1:00.58) and sixth in the 200 (27.36).

Pole vaulter Jill Cummings picked up two points finishing fifth (7-0).

The Blue Devil boys, fresh off their huge victory at the Monmouth County Championships, finished eighth Sunday with 12 points.

On the track, Matt Villane was fourth in the 200 (24.01), Taylor Kirk came in fifth in the 400 (53.04), and Scott Britton was fifth in the 800 (2:04.87). Jason Wrubel provided the Blue Devils with their other points, finishing fourth in the shot put (49-0).

High jumpers Villane and Ryan Dwyer tied for eighth (5-4) and earned wild card passes to the MOC. The top six finishers in each event on Sunday automatically qualified for the MOC. The six best non-qualifying performances from among Groups I and IV earned wild card berths.

The Meet of Champions gets under way Sunday in Jadwin at 2 p.m.