Starting with the O'Leary Lid-Lifter on December 17th and ending tonight with the Morris County Championships, over a dozen meets have been jammed into the span of just over a month.  Christmas and New Year's have come and gone, the Jets have at least one more game to play, some big stars have shone bright on the flat track, others have emerged, and they still don't let anyone wear spikes...

Nick Vena is the epitome of a big star, and has been since he was a frosh.  Pat Schellberg has now emerged as a true national class miler, and has grabbed headlines all season following his solid fall.  Many consider him the favorite for the HS mile at The Millrose Games next week.  First, he runs the last of many races in his career at Drew.  His Delbarton team is good, and may have an outside shot at being a factor for the team title. 

While Schellberg is a clear favorite in the 1600 (teammate Morgan Pearson is the likely pick for 2nd), a matchup with Morristown's Hamer Farag over 600m could be great.  Farag's heroic carries led the Colonials to the State Group 3 Relay Championship on Friday night, as well as an early 8:02 that gets his 4x8 squad into Millrose.  Schellberg is sharp, and will need to be tonight.  The Millrose Mile is a different beast, typically a winner needs to close big and have a big gear to shift into when the chips are down.  I will try to get the chance to get Mr. Schellberg a much deserverd Grotepoll.com t-shirt.  He is good at running.

Everytime Vena throws, records are on the line.  I will again go on record saying that I believe Vena will be an Olympic MEDALIST one day...in the DISCUS.  He's pretty good at the shot, too, probably some NCAA Titles in his future, but the DT will be where its at.  I do not have a Grotepoll.com t-shirt big enough for him, and although he is a great athlete, very agile, explosive, and skilled...I do not think he is particularly good at running. 

The team battle could be close, but Randolph should win with its 400 types and hurdlers and solid distance crew.  Farag may not be loading up in multiple events after the weekend effort.  His 4x8 teammates will also factor in the scoring in the 600 and 1000, and a close team battle could come down to Randolph and Morristown squaring off in the 4x4. 

On the girls side, X-C Meet of Champs 2nd-placer, Randolph, is the favorite behind distance depth led by Joelle Amaral and Natalie Anthony.  Mendham's Laura Vigilante, a 2008 FL Finalist, is focused and fit and may be real tough to beat in the 3200m.  Additionally, my dog Toby approves of her, as evidenced by the fact that he does not woof at her when he sees the Mendham squad running by our house in the afternoon. 

Some pretty good runners and teams have been on display from Morris County over recent years...the Morris Hills crew with the likes of Tansey, Pohorence, Soloff, and so on...Chatham's Ben Massam, Trinity Christian's Andrew Hanko, sprinters like Doug Cloninger, Marcel Van Eeeden, and so on...the girls side has seen the distance powerhouse of Roxbury with names like Ennis, Neutts, Penney, etc. dominate.  I've been to the meet just once, looking forward to it, but won't get there in time to catch a run with Lambert.