 |
a DyeStat Featured meet |
|---|
Girls 400m Hurdles -
Leslie Njoku 59.28 lives up to Hudson County traditions
by Elliott Denman
Once upon a time, Hudson County, NJ was a major producer
of big-time track athletes. Such notables as Andy Stanfield, Al Blozis,
Charlie Mays, Bob Rodenkirchen, Charley Slade, Ian Pyka and Johnny Kopil all had
Hudson County roots.
Now, it's Leslie Njoku's turn to make a name for herself.
The McNair Academic of Jersey City junior came in as the champion of her
state and goes home as the champion of the nation.
With a solid 59.28 performance, Njoku led all NON pursuers. Three other
Northeasterners - Nicole Saunders of Menchville, Va. (59.50), Ryann Krais of
Methacton, Pa. (59.64) and Dalilah Muhammad of Queens, NYC (59.82) - grabbed spots
2-3-4 and were the only others under a minute.
"You come into a meet, thinking you're going to have a hard time winning, and
then you walk away with a gold medal - that's amazing," said Njoku.
"There is so much great competition here. From the (pre-meet) times I saw, I
knew everyone was close, so you don't know.
"I made a move off the (second) turn, and I just tried o stay smooth over the
last hurdle.
"The beginning of my season was crazy. I didn't do as well as I'd hoped at
Penn Relays. But during the state meet I stepped up my game, and all this gives
me a lot of confidence."
Not here, though, was senior Krystal Cantey who won the 2005 NON in a meet
record 56.83 for Winslow Township, NJ. The National record of 55.20 by Leslie
Maxie dates back to 1984.
Results
Licensed to C.F.P.I. Timing & Data Hy-Tek's Meet Manager
Nike Outdoor Nationals - 6/15/2006 to 6/17/2006
North Carolina A+T University, Greensboro, NC
Results
Girls 400 Meter Hurdles
================================================================
National: $ 55.20 5/26/1984 Leslie Maxie, Millbrae, CA
Meet: # 56.83 6/18/2005 Krystal Cantey, Winslow, Atco, NJ
Freshman: 58.82 2000 Tiffany Abney, Merion Mercy, Merion, PA
Sophomore: 55.96 7/15/2005 Ebony Collins, Wilson, Long Beach, CA
Junior: 55.20 5/26/1984 Leslie Maxie, Mills, Millbrae, CA
Senior: 56.82 2000 Sheena Johnson, Gar-Field, Woodbridge VA
Name Year School Finals
================================================================
Section 1
1 Kristin Andrews 07 Manalapan HS,Manala 1:04.61
2 Tamara Dixon 09 Quick Striders T,An 1:05.14
3 Jamie Leacock 07 Rebel TC,Howell, NJ 1:07.16
4 Brianna Rollins 09 Northwestern Hs-,Mi 1:09.60
5 Amanda Filiberto 07 Asharoken Runnin,No 1:12.25
Section 2
1 Kali Watkins 07 Menchville HS,Newpo 1:02.80
2 Jasmine Isley 08 Charlotte Latin,Cha 1:02.85
3 Kristina Chapman 07 Hampton HS,Hampton, 1:04.33
4 Stephanie Reusch 07 Old Rochester Re,Ro 1:05.22
5 Godline Deterville 07 Boys and Girls H,Br 1:05.38
6 Ellen Wortham 08 Knoxville TC,Knoxvi 1:06.65
7 Chenel McFadden 06 Hillside HS,Durham, 1:07.12
8 Naquia Williams 09 Northwestern Hs-,Mi 1:10.88
Section 3
1 Avonie Parchment 06 Central FL Sprin,Ap 1:02.84
2 Sharyn Dahl 07 Hudson HS,Hudson, W 1:03.54
3 Nefeteri Williams 06 Proviso West HS,Bel 1:03.77
4 Apryl Johnson 09 Marietta,Marietta, 1:04.02
5 Holland Thomas 07 W Windsor Plains,Pr 1:04.61
6 Lauren Holland 06 Heathwood Hall,Colu 1:04.97
Section 4
1 Breanda Crump 09 Mt. Vernon Hs-Ny,Mo 1:03.03
2 Ayla Smith 06 John Handley Hs-,Wi 1:03.97
-- Radiance Basden 08 Western Guilford,Gr DQ hooking hurdle
Section 5
1 Tierra Brown 07 Hampton HS,Hampton, 1:00.45
2 Josefine Kvist 08 Ridge HS,Basking Ri 1:02.10
3 Alexandra Coppadge 06 Wilmington Frien,Wi 1:02.47
4 Rolanda Bruce 06 East Orange Camp,Ea 1:02.48
5 Bianca Blair 07 Knoxville TC,Knoxvi 1:03.71
6 Caroline Vaughn 06 Unat-GA-Atlanta,Alp 1:04.07
Section 6
1 Leslie Njoku 07 McNair Academic,Jer 59.28
2 Nicole Saunders 07 Menchville HS,Newpo 59.50
3 Ryann Krais 08 Methacton TC,Eaglev 59.64
4 Dalilah Muhammad 08 Benjamin Cardozo,Ja 59.82
5 Takecia Jameson 07 Blazin' Raiders,Gre 1:00.69
6 Sandra Iwunze 06 Westbury HS,Houston 1:01.19
7 Shaquanda Meylor 06 Woodrow Wilson H,Ca 1:01.36
8 Latoya James 07 Durham Striders,Bur 1:01.48