Sports
Boys Track Stars Are Champs
Mattis, Lockhart-Robbins, 4x400 all victorious as squad wins CJ Group IV title
The East Brunswick High boys track team didn't just have a good meet, it had the best one among the Central Jersey Group IV field.
Competing at Hillsborough on May 27-28, East Brunswick scored 83 points, placed first in its section and advanced nine boys on to the overall Group IV finals, which will be held June 3-4 at Old Bridge.
"It was the second year in a row that we won the Central Jersey Group IV title, but you have to go back close to 40 years for the last time we won before that," standout thrower Sam Mattis said.
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"We knew we could win this. The surprising thing is we won by a lot. That made us all feel really good."
While East Brunswick got contributions from numerous athletes, Mattis and Leonard Lockhart-Robbins accounted for over half the points scored.
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Mattis won both the shot put (55' 3 1/2) and discus (197' 7").
"Sometimes, competition brings out the best in me," Mattis said. "I can't really worry about what everyone else is doing. I just have to focus and do the best I can do in each event."
Lockhart-Robbins was first in both the 200 (22.03) and 400 (47.65). He also placed second in the 100 (10.84) and combined with Gabriel Wood, Thomas Marciante and Donald Urschel to win the 4x400 in a time of 3:20.08.
"We're all friends on the team and are confident in each other's abilities," Mattis said. "I didn't get to see all the races, but I did see the 200. It was amazing. Leonard is amazing."
The top six finishers in each event advance on to compete in the Group IV finals. Julian Quintin qualified in three events. He was third in the long jump (21' 6 1/2"), third in the triple jump (45' 4 1/2") and fourth in the 100 (11.14).
East Brunswick was very strong in the sprints. In addition to Lockhart-Robbins and Quintin, Dennis Willis also qualified in the 100 by placing sixth in a time of 11.26. Urschel added a fourth in the 200 (22.67).
The other two East Brunswick boys to advance were Tyler Flood in the pole vault (sixth at 12 feet) and Alexander Malveaux in the 100 hurdles (fifth at 15.40).
"I think we can do well again next week," Mattis said. "I know Leonard can do well. I know I can do well. I think several of our other sprinters, the 4x400 and our other guys will also get points."
