On March 2nd, Declan Kelly and James Nolan traveled to Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York, to take on New Jersey’s top competition in the Meet of Champions. Simply qualifying for this event is an accomplishment in itself, as this meet is loaded with future division one talent.
The day started off with James Nolan’s 800 meter race. This race, similar to the others, was filled with the state’s best runners, and featured division one talent. The race got off to a hot start, with Nolan powering to sixth place. Despite the strong start, as the race went on, he dropped farther back in the pack. Nolan finished with a time of 2:05. While this might not have been a PR for James, the winner of the race finished with a time of 1:51, proving how deep this field was and how difficult it is to place well. While this was an important race, an even more important competition lies waiting in Boston, at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. Here Nolan will have an opportunity to possibly compete in another 800 against the Nation’s best competition.
Next up was the 1600 meter race, where senior Declan Kelly took the starting line. This race also consisted of NJ’s top runners, featuring multiple future collegiate athletes. In the first 200 meters of the race, Kelly was dead last, but comfortably moved up in the pack. As the race went on, he settled into about the 10th spot, where he would finish. His final time was 4:26, only three seconds off his PR of 4:22.2 (second 1600 all time in OP history). Declan will also compete at Nationals in two weeks.
While the final decision on what events they will run at Nationals has not yet been decided, there are multiple options to choose from. Both Kelly and Nolan have the opportunity to run the 4×800, the Distance Medley Relay, the Sprint Medley Relay, and/or the 800. The team attended the Nike Indoor Nationals last season, but they sought out tougher competition this year by choosing to run at New Balance Nationals. Toon in online to watch the Rams take on the country’s best runners from March 13th – 15th. Declan Kelly, James Nolan, and the rest of the Rams are sure to make a statement on high school track’s biggest stage.
