2009 Group II Central Jersey Sections

A week after sharing the Union County track title, the Cranford High School Girls’ track team grabbed an even bigger prize when they won their first ever state section title at the Central Jersey Group II Section 2 meet at Monmouth Regional in Tinton Falls May 22-23. Double victories by junior Kelly Burke and sophomore Natalie Englese propelled the Cougars to a 66-60 victory over Delaware Valley.

The meet was decided in the final event, the 4 by 400 relay. Tied with Delaware Valley at 58 points each, the Cougars rode a sizzling 55.7 anchor leg by Englese to move from fifth to second and capture eight points. Delaware Valley wound up fifth.

“It is very exciting to win the first State Sectional Title for the Girls in school history. The girls knew they could win the meet and they went after it. Having a talented team comes around once in a while, but to have a talented team that wants to win and leave their mark in the record books is unbelievable. We don’t take it for granted for one second,” said Coach Pete Kane, who in his third year has built the Cougars into a perennial power.

Burke had a remarkable meet, winning the triple jump with a prodigious leap of 39-5, smashing her school record and eclipsing the one week old county mark set last week by rival Emily Vargas of Johnson, who was second in the sections. The two had a memorable dual at the Union County meet, where Burke first set the county mark of 38-5, only to have Vargas take it back at 38-9. There was no such drama this time around as Burke took command and would have eclipsed 40 feet but fouled.

“She wants 40 feet now and I think she can get it this weekend. She has such a strong work ethic. She just wants to be the best. It's that attitude and her athleticism that will take her places,” said Kane.

Burke also took the pole vault with a jump of 11-0, a height matched by only one other Group 2 athlete. “Kelly is ready to jump as high as she needs to this weekend,” said Kane.

Burke ran third on the relay and also added six points with a third place in the long jump. Senior Clare Humen, who led off the relay also added a fifth in the triple jump.

Before anchoring the relay, Englese took the 200 and 400 meters. Englese, who battled through hamstring problems earlier in the season, competed with a broken nose, the result of a soccer game the previous weekend. Englese was a question mark going into the weekend. She had the nose snapped back into place, splinted and stitched. Then she had the splint taken off and she ran.

“She is a very tough kid. The kids respect her for it. I couldn't have a better example of a leader that leads by example than Natalie and what she did for us last weekend,” said Kane.

Englese had one of her most competitive 400 meter races but pulled away in the final 100 to prevailing in 56.63. Englese had an easier time in the 200, taking a large lead after the turn and increasing it on the straightaway, finishing in a time of 25.43.

“Her training allows her to hold her top speed when the other girls start to tire,” said Kane.

The Cougars also got key points from sophomore Bridget Miller, who finished third in the 3200 with a time of 11L40.01, sprinting past rival Cathy Goncalves of Johnson.

“She has never beaten the girl Goncalves from Johnson and she went out there and did it. I told her before the race that we were tied and she could do something big for us in her 3200. She gave me a look like, don't worry,” aid Kane.

Senior Julianne Grandal improved her final javelin throw to 117 and moved up from fifth to fourth, picking up four more crucial points. While Englese and Burke were the headliners, it was the points from Humen, Miller and Grandal that made the difference in the tight meet.


With Burke top seeded in her two events and Englese, seeded first and third, the Cougars are one of the favorites to win the Group 2 championship Friday and Saturday May 29-30 at South Plainfield.