Girls track & field: Toms River North, Southern share Shore Conference crown
NEPTUNE — Shore Conference track & field has a rich tradition dating back six decades, yet it’s become trendy for some programs to downplay the importance of the championship meet and sit athletes out.
Not the Toms River North girls.
The Mariners threw everything they had into Saturday’s meet and came out with a share of the team title — the program’s first since 1994 and third ever.
“We’re a team,” longtime head coach Mike Salvaggione said. “I have a lot of girls on this team who have sacrificed individual stuff for team stuff, and that’s why we’ve been successful. I knew we hadn’t won it since 1994, and I’m never going to leave a title on the floor.”
The Mariners got victories from junior Ayotunde Folawewo in the triple jump (37 feet, 6 inches), senior Olivia Takla in the 1600 (5:17) and senior Emma Fortuna in the high jump (5-2).
Beyond those golds it was their balance and depth that led to 70 points, which matched Southern’s winning total.
“With a team like this, and I emphasize team, we’re going to come here and do our best to win it,” Salvaggione said. “We’re going to bring it.”
Gutsy finish by Southern’s Haack
The girls team title came down to the final event, the long jump. Southern needed a victory by senior Marlyse Haack to pull even with Toms River North.
“I didn’t think we would win, but I was hoping to do my best,” Haack said.
That was not easy. She recently sprained a foot triple jumping. After icing it and wrapping it, she decided to focus on the long jump. It all came together on her fifth attempt, a distance of 17-3.75. That improved on her personal best of 17-1 and was a quarter of an inch farther than runner-up Alexandria Scott of St. John Vianney.
Southern, which also got victories by seniors Megan Campenile in the javelin (134-10) and Kelly Enterline in the shot put (39-11.5), as well as the 4x400 (4:02), earned its first Shore Conference girls title since 2019 and 11th overall.
“I’m just really happy that it’s our senior year and his has happened for us,” Haack said.
Top 10 girls performances
1. Laura Gugliotta, Howell: The senior recovered from a false start in the 100 dash to win the 200 (a Shore Conference-leading (24.78) and 400 (55.93).
2. Olivia Takla, Toms River North: Doing the distance double in the heat, the senior won the 1600 in 5:17 and placed fourth in the 3200 in 11:34. She also anchored the 4x400 to third place.
3. Ayotunde Folawewo, Toms River North: The junior won the triple jump (37-6) and placed third in the 100 hurdles (15.03).
4. Marlyse Haack, Southern: The senior won the long jump with a personal-best distance of 17-3.75 to lift the Rams into a tie for the team title.
5. Shea Burke, Point Pleasant Borough: The junior won the 100 hurdles in a personal-best and Shore Conference-leading 14.45.
6. Megan Campanile, Southern: The senior won the javelin by 19 feet with a distance of 134-10.
7. Catherine Vota, Colts Neck: The junior won the discus with a distance of 128-0.
8. Kelly Enterline, Southern: The senior won the shot put with a distance of 39-11.5.
9. Caroline Dohonoe, Shore: The senior outkicked a spirited lead pack to win the 800 in 2:11.82.
10. Valencia Gosser, Barnegat: The senior was the surprise winner in the 100 dash with a time of 12.64.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Girls track: Toms River North, Southern share Shore Conference crown
