Steinert’s Navarro is confident after second in 800 meters
BAYVILLE » Given that she wasn’t thrilled with her seed in the 800 meter run for the Group III meet, Steinert’s Ashley Navarro felt like she had something to prove.
Navarro locked up an automatic berth at the Meet of Champions by clocking a second-place finish in 2:12.70 on Saturday afternoon.
The Monmouth Universitybound senior finished with the third fastest time at the Central Regional site. Only Group II champion Victoria Vanriele of Governor Livingston (2:09.73) and Group III winner Caroline O’Sullivan of Old Tappan (2:11.04) were quicker.
That should give Navarro confidence that she can medal among the top half-milers in the state.
“It’s a great relief because I didn’t want to have to worry about other peoples’ (times) I had to beat,” Navarro said. “I know I can run up their with the top girls in the state. It makes me really confident.”
She nearly gave the Spartans a second group title when she pushed in front of O’Sullivan with 200 meters left.
“I definitely knew that I had to get out in this race because I wasn’t seeded at my best where I was I was,” Navarro said. “I ended up coming out in the second spot and I stayed on her heels, but I went a little too soon with my kick on the back 200.”
As a result, O’Sullivan nudged in front in the last 150 meters.
“You never know how much people have left in their tank when it comes to the 800 because it’s such a difficult race,” Navarro said. “(My adjustment) is wait to kick a little big longer and stay on her heels the entire time. Keep my gap a little bit closer.”
The Spartans had a strong weekend with senior Tatiana Dorner also booking her place with a 37-01.50 in the triple jump. That was good for fifth in the group and a wildcard position.
Terris Burton captured the boys 400 hurdles and Matt Coulanges earned a wildcard spot in the triple jump thanks to a school-record leap on 45-09.00 on Friday.