TROY, N.Y. — The defending NJCAA track and field champion Chaparrals broke out in style during Thursday's first day of competition with a pair of national titles.
Pole vaulter
Mya Mangan cleared 10 feet, 2 ¾ inches to win her event, and the 4 x 800 relay team dominated for the victory as the Chaps stand in third place with their opening day 29 points at the NJCAA D3 Track and Field Championships, held at Hudson Valley Community College.
Mineral Area leads with 40, followed by RC Gloucester with 32.
The pole vault was a key event for the Chaps, who picked up a fourth-place effort from
Akira Lebron (2.42 m / 7-11 ¼). Then in the triple jump, Lebron placed fifth at 10.53 m.
It was clear from the beginning the 4 x 800 relay was the class of the event as
Belle Adduci sped to a 2:32.91 split to give the Chaps the lead they did not relinquish.
Alyssa Gaski,
Morgan Clifford and
Lillian Buzani all ran with the lead.
In the one preliminary event, the 4 x 100 relay team comprised of
Alexandra Ochab, Mangan,
Paulina Stachura and
Kiara Carter ran the second-fastest time in 50.41 seconds.
The Chaps look to add to their point total Friday when the finals are contested in the long jump, high jump, and javelin. Lebron competes in all three events, with teammates Ochab (long jump) and Stachura (high jump) looking to earn a place on the podium.
NJCAA D3 Track and Field Championships
May 12-14, 2022
Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, N.Y.
Thursday results
Women
Team (Top 5 after 6 of 22 events): Mineral Area 40, RC Gloucester 32, Chaparrals 29, Suffolk 22, Howard 14.
Finals
Pole vault: 1.
Mya Mangan (3.12 m / 10-2 ¾); 4.
Akira Lebron (2.42 m / 7-11 ¼)
Triple jump: 5.
Akira Lebron (10.53 m / 34-6 ¾)
4 x 800 relay: 1.
Belle Adduci,
Alyssa Gaski,
Morgan Clifford,
Lillian Buzani, 10:22.20 (splits — Adduci 2:32.91, Gaski 2:41.09, Clifford 2:37.25, Buzani 2:30.96)
Preliminaries (advance to Saturday's finals)
4 x 400 relay: Alexandra Ochab,
Mya Mangan,
Paulina Stachura,
Kiara Carter, 50.41 (2
nd fastest time in prelims).
