UPDATE: Columbia HS girls’ 4×400 relay team takes first place at state Group 4 indoor track and field meet

Note: Updates includes comments by Chris Faraone, the new CHS girls’ track and field coach

MAPLEWOOD – The Columbia High School girls’ 4×400-meter relay team finished in first place at the state indoor track and field Group 4 Championship meet at the Bennett Complex in Toms River on Feb. 19.

Cheyenne Trigg, Sienna Farrell, Catherine Jordan, and Briana Reckling combined to run 4:01.75.

The effort gave the Cougars their only points of the meet as they finished with 10 points to tie for 10th in the team standings. The other teams tied for 10th were Freehold, Hackensack and Williamstown. Ridgewood won the girls’ team title.

In the 400-meter run, Trigg finished 11th in 1:00.74 and Jordan took 16th in 1:02.03. Reckling took 13th in the 800-meter run in 2:23.80. Dahria Lewis finished 18th in the shot put with a throw of 32 feet, 10 inches for CHS.

On the boys’ side, Roody Ovil was seventh in the high jump at 6 feet; Donte Rolley-Wiliams took 15th in the 800 run in 2:01.44; Jared Pangallozzi took 19th in the 3,200 run in 10:03.60 and the 4×400 relay of Vendardson Vital, Jeremiah Richardson, Martin Battle and Williams-Rolley took 19th in 3:36.22.

The girls’ 4×400 relay team qualified for the state Meet of Champions on Feb. 27 at the Bennett Complex. The top six finishers in each event, plus wild-card berths, qualified for the Meet of Champions.

The state Group 4 meet consisted of the top six finishers in each event from the sectional meets.

Chris Faraone named new CHS girls’ track/cross-country coach

Chris Faraone has been named the new CHS girls’ indoor and outdoor track and field coach. He also is the new head cross-country coach.

Faraone replaces Lisa Morgan, who will step down at the end of the indoor season. Morgan was the girls’ indoor and outdoor coach and head cross-country coach. In August, she announced her decision to become the head track coach at Bloomfield College this spring.

Faraone, pronounced “Fah-rone,” spent the past nine seasons as the head coach at Union High School where he was graduated in 2000.

Under Morgan, who has been at the helm since 2008, the CHS girls’ track and field program has been a powerhouse. The Cougars have enjoyed enormous success on the conference, county, state and national levels.

Under Morgan, who has been at the helm since 2008, the CHS girls’ track and field program has been a powerhouse. The Cougars have enjoyed enormous success on the conference, county, state and national levels.

“I am very excited to be given the opportunity to lead this team of exceptional young people,” said Faraone. “Columbia Track and Field program is one with a storied history, and to have this chance to coach and contribute to this legacy, is one I am truly honored to have.”

Faraone enjoyed much success as the track coach at Union. Under his guidance, Haisha Bisiolu won three indoor state Meet of Champions titles and won the 100-meter dash at the state outdoor M of C last spring; Jennifer Edobi competed in the 800-meters at the Junior World Championships.

“We have had many relays do well at (the) Penn (Relays), and many young women go on to do outstanding things at college,” said Faraone. “The real highlights will always be the times I spent with the team and the coaching staff. They were all outstanding people, and have aided me greatly in becoming the coach I am today. While I am excited to move on to Columbia those teams and people will always hold a special place in my memories.”

Faraone is looking to continue the tradition of excellence at Columbia.

“My goals and expectations for this year are simple; we as a team want to continue to grow and improve to reach our potential. We have assembled a amazing coaching staff, and the young people at Columbia are hungry to learn and grow. They have high standards and I am confident that we can continue to add to the legacy that is Columbia Track and Field.”