ST. BENEDICT’S TRACK AND FIELD TEAM CAPTURES ANOTHER TITLE

Feb. 6, 2008

Brian Bucknor, fresh off being named The Star-Ledger Track Athlete of the Week, continued his impressive indoor season by leading St. Benedict’s to its third straight team title in the New Jersey Prep Track and Field Championships.

Bucknor won the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter run to help St. Benedict’s cruise to the team title with 125 points, more than doubling the point total of the second-place effort of Seton Hall Prep (60). The victory backs up the team title St. Benedict’s successfully defended two weeks ago in the Essex County Track and Field Championships at Seton Hall University.

“This is very unusual for us because usually this meet is very close,” said St. Benedict’s coach Marty Hannon. “But we’re one of the best teams in the state right now and are very solid across the board.”

Bucknor edged Clayton Parros of Seton Hall in the 200-meter final, a rematch of the county championship. This time, Bucknor ran a 22.13 to Parros’ 22.21. The senior also won the 400, an event in which St. Benedict’s swept the top three places.

Bucknor won the 400 in 50.38 and was followed by teammates Morgan Mack (51.05) and Kevin Parker (51.14). Bucker, Parker and Mack finished 1-3-4, respectively, in the 200.

All-America Brandon Jarrett, Jorge Marques and Joe McCloud also claimed gold medals for St. Benedict’s. Jarrett, who placed second in the 3,200, won the 1,600 in 4:27.33, Marques won the 800 in 2:01.86, while McCloud won the High Jump with a leap of 6-2. St. Benedict’s also got a solid effort from Kendell Cook, who placed second in the 55-meter high hurdles, running an 8.04. In the shot put, Eugene Okparaeke placed second (48-10) and Mark Harris finished third (48-10 ½) to help St. Benedict’s cohesive effort. “I’m very pleased with the way we’re running right now,” Hannon said. “Everyone is involved in that’s what makes it an overall team effort.”

ASSISTANT COACHES NEEDED FOR TRACK TEAM

St. Benedict’s is seeking both, an assistant distance and a sprint coach, to aid Marty Hannon with the track and field team. The position would be a combined track and F/T teaching position in area of a need—Math, Biology, Physics, English, Religion. Qualified applicants should contact coach Hannon at 973-822-9703 or mhannon@sbp.org or Dean of Faculty, Solomon Fleckman, at 973-792-5737 or sfleckman@sbp.org.