Group 1 Girls

After Clayton won its second straight State Group 1 title last June with the Sharpe triplets leading the way, there was a lot of speculation about what would happen when the trio graduated. Clayton answered with their greatest indoor season ever.

The Clippers came up with their biggest win in indoor school history when Erica Thomas, Alanna Woolfolk, sophomore Leila Ortiz, and Kelsey Taylor combined to win the 4×400(4:13.41). This led them to a 41-38 victory over defending champion Metuchen. They led Clayton 32-31, heading into the relay, placed third(4:15.14). Woolfolk, a two-time Meet of Champions winner in the high jump, gave Clayton 10 points when she won the event( clearing 5-6).

Clayton’s other points came from Kelsey Thomas(third in 400) and Maylisa Bluford, second in the shot(36.-8).

Emma Keating, the Meet of Champions winner in the pole vault last June, won the event(clearing 11-6) and finished second in the 55 hurdles( 8.78). Keating is the state leader in the pole vault(12-6).

Hand-Brooks started her day by placing second in the 400(personal-best 1:00.68). She also finished second in the 55 dash(7.44), and won the 55 hurdles for the second straight year(8.66).

Metuchen’s runner-up finish was led by Nelagh Matthews and sophomore Gianna Hernandez.

Matthews won the 55 dash(7.43) and Hernandez produced 19 points with a strong distance double. She won the 3,200( 11:44.12) and placed second in the 1,600( PR of 5:23.06).

Megan Donlevie won the 1,600( 5:15.67) to win her fourth State Group Championship. She has won two State XC titles, one outdoors last spring in the 1,600, and now one indoors.

Rising freshman Kiera Greene, ran a PR of 2:21.00( first in the 800).

Kylie Castillo continued her fantastic rookie season by winning the 400( 58.99).