By Andy Loigu

The New Jersey Meet of Champions brings together all the track and field medal winners from the four public schools groups and the non-public schools’ championship meets. Like the Olympics, North Burlington hosted a showcase for the best of the best on Saturday.

Alexa Westley made Warren Hills High School and New Jersey distance running history by becoming the first girl in 18 years to win the 3,200 meter run in back to back years, at the Meet of Champions (MOC). Conditions were ideal with temperatures in the upper 70s.

She ran a personal best 10:30.06, winning the race by 9.56 seconds and topping her winning time from last year, which was 10:35.41. She knew it would probably take her personal best performance to win, because she was up against a much faster field than she faced in winning the North 2 Group 3 and statewide Group 3 meets leading up the MOC.

The Warren Hills junior praised the runner up, Emily Nugent of North Hunterdon (a group 4 school) for pushing her to such a great performance. Westley did not pull away from her until the final lap. “I could hear her right behind me,” she said, “and I was like, this is the gear you have to use that you haven’t used all season.” She said she focused on maintaining proper fundamental striding with increased speed during practices all week.

The Blue Streaks’ coach, Ken Kurpat, was generous in his praise. “That’s one of the gutsiest races she’s ever run. I’m extremely proud,” he declared

All-time, she’s only the fifth girl to repeat in the event at the MOC.

Westley said she’d set an ambitious goal some time ago to reach 10:30 by the time the MOC comes around.

She swept the sectional, group, and MOC titles by running a faster time in each race. Interestingly enough, she finished her “triple crown” the same day Justify did on the track at Belmont.

Alexa “Whatever It Takes” Westley has made local sports history and the Warren Hills sports community congratulates her for her inspiring preparation and effort.

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Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.