"Fours Are Wild"
Lady Minutemen Use Speed to Secure a Wildcard Qualifier for NJSIAA Meet of Champions
June 3rd, Egg Harbor Township - The Lady Minutemen came into the meet as heavy contenders to place in the scoring positions at the Group 4 championships. Brandishing a stout 3rd seed and running from lane 3, the ladies were poised to make history.
Unfortunately, luck was not on our side. The Lady Minutemen disappointed with a lethargic, lackluster performance. Finishing a surprising 8th place, they did not automatically qualify for the Meet of Champions. On a brighter side, the MOC has wildcards. The top 6 finishers from each of the 6 groups automatically qualify for the MOC. In addition to the 36 auto-qualifiers, they admit the top 6 non-qualifying performances from all 6 groups combined (aka wildcards). By finishing in a time of 49.47, the Lady Minutemen earned the 3rd fastest non-qualifier, or wildcard, of the 6 groups.
Since the inclusion of the 4x100m at the sectional level in 2013, the Elizabeth girl's program has qualified a team for the group meet every year with the exception of the inaugural year (when the team was comprised of four freshmen). This is the 2nd time in 5 years that the team has qualified for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
State Championship 4x100m Performances
Sectionals Groups MOC
2013 53.16 (7th)
2014 50.35 (4th) 50.08 (9th) wc 49.83 (20th)
2015 50.49 (3rd) 50.11 (13th)
2016 49.12 (4th) DNF
2017 48.68 (2nd) 49.47 (8th) wc ???
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Unfortunately, luck was not on our side. The Lady Minutemen disappointed with a lethargic, lackluster performance. Finishing a surprising 8th place, they did not automatically qualify for the Meet of Champions. On a brighter side, the MOC has wildcards. The top 6 finishers from each of the 6 groups automatically qualify for the MOC. In addition to the 36 auto-qualifiers, they admit the top 6 non-qualifying performances from all 6 groups combined (aka wildcards). By finishing in a time of 49.47, the Lady Minutemen earned the 3rd fastest non-qualifier, or wildcard, of the 6 groups.
Since the inclusion of the 4x100m at the sectional level in 2013, the Elizabeth girl's program has qualified a team for the group meet every year with the exception of the inaugural year (when the team was comprised of four freshmen). This is the 2nd time in 5 years that the team has qualified for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
State Championship 4x100m Performances
Sectionals Groups MOC
2013 53.16 (7th)
2014 50.35 (4th) 50.08 (9th) wc 49.83 (20th)
2015 50.49 (3rd) 50.11 (13th)
2016 49.12 (4th) DNF
2017 48.68 (2nd) 49.47 (8th) wc ???
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State Sectional Sensations!
Sprite Lady Minutemen Scare Two School Records At State Sectionals
May 26-27, Basking Ridge - My note after every 4x100m race this year was that "we are a 48.0 team". That's easier said than done, especially since you have to avoid dropped batons, zone violations, injuries, and bad luck. The Lady Minutemen avoided all four, producing only the 3rd sub-48 second relay in school history at the NJSIAA Sectional State Championships at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, NJ.
At the onset of the season, the decision was made to move super-sophomore Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite from 2nd leg to anchor leg. If we were going to eclipse the 49-second barrier, it would be with Ya-sha-rah as our closer.
Junior Destinee Everett-Scott blasted out of the blocks and positioned the team into the heart of the race. Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite screamed the 2nd leg, handing off to Junior Narcise Gelin. Gelin and Ya-sha-rah maximized their final exchange, culminating in a 48.68 2nd place performance. They also etched themselves as the #2 relay team in school history!
In the meet-ending 4x400m, the same foursome returned to click off another #2 All-Time performance. Destinee (1:00.7), Chaa-nah-yah (1:00.1), Narcise (1:02.8) and Ya-sha-rah (58.5) stopped the clock in 4:02.41. It was only the second time in school history that a 4x400 team has run under 4:03. Both relays have advanced to next week's Group 4 Championships in Egg Harbor, NJ.
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At the onset of the season, the decision was made to move super-sophomore Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite from 2nd leg to anchor leg. If we were going to eclipse the 49-second barrier, it would be with Ya-sha-rah as our closer.
Junior Destinee Everett-Scott blasted out of the blocks and positioned the team into the heart of the race. Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite screamed the 2nd leg, handing off to Junior Narcise Gelin. Gelin and Ya-sha-rah maximized their final exchange, culminating in a 48.68 2nd place performance. They also etched themselves as the #2 relay team in school history!
In the meet-ending 4x400m, the same foursome returned to click off another #2 All-Time performance. Destinee (1:00.7), Chaa-nah-yah (1:00.1), Narcise (1:02.8) and Ya-sha-rah (58.5) stopped the clock in 4:02.41. It was only the second time in school history that a 4x400 team has run under 4:03. Both relays have advanced to next week's Group 4 Championships in Egg Harbor, NJ.
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Young Lady Minutemen Earning Stripes At County Championships
May 18-19, Plainfield - Track & field is a tough sport. There can be 100 competitors in a race, and if you finish 7th, you're relegated to the irrelevance of a non-scorer. Laypersons only want to know if you've WON, and if not, you're not considered proficient in your craft. Win, lose, or draw, the Lady Minutemen laid everything on the line at the 2017 Union County Championships at Hub Stine Field in Plainfield.
The stunner of the meet was turned in by demure freshman Nyanza Brooks in the triple jump. Competing in the event for only the 2nd time EVER, Nyanza hopped, skipped, and jumped 32 feet, 11 1/2". Her leap was good for 8th overall and 4th on the EHS all-time list.
In the long jump, junior Narcise Gelin also contributed an 8th place showing with a leap of 16 feet, 3 1/4".
In the 100m, the Lady Minutemen squeezed 3 runners under 13.0 seconds for the 2nd consecutive week. Sophomore Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite blazed to a heat-winning 12.65, but her mark was only good enough for 11th place, 3 places short of making the final. Junior Destinee Everett-Scott competed in a separate heat, finishing runner-up with a huge personal best of 12.71. Unfortunately, her time was only 13th and not sufficient to make the 8-runner final. Yet, it was adequate enough to slate Destinee in as the 8th best 100m performer in EHS history! Competing in the 100m for the first time ever, junior Narcise Gelin fired out of the blocks and flashed through the camera in 12.82. She nestled into the archives at #10 all-time in that event.
Later on in the program, the ladies contested the 400m, where they earned a measure of respect for their efforts.
Racing from a tight lane 1, Ya-sha-rah cranked out a commendable 59.50. Her performance was sufficient enough for 6th place and one precious county point! Younger sister and precocious freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite pitched in with a personal best and heat-winner 1:00.59. Her new 400m time was good enough for #9 all-time. Not to be outdone, Destinee posted a nifty 1:00.75 heat-winner for 12th overall and #10 all-time.
The Lady Minutemen collected their only medal of the meet in the 4x400m relay. The team of Destinee, Chaa-nah-yah, junior Ruth Louis, and Ya-sha-rah placed 3rd in a respectable 4:07.62.
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The stunner of the meet was turned in by demure freshman Nyanza Brooks in the triple jump. Competing in the event for only the 2nd time EVER, Nyanza hopped, skipped, and jumped 32 feet, 11 1/2". Her leap was good for 8th overall and 4th on the EHS all-time list.
In the long jump, junior Narcise Gelin also contributed an 8th place showing with a leap of 16 feet, 3 1/4".
In the 100m, the Lady Minutemen squeezed 3 runners under 13.0 seconds for the 2nd consecutive week. Sophomore Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite blazed to a heat-winning 12.65, but her mark was only good enough for 11th place, 3 places short of making the final. Junior Destinee Everett-Scott competed in a separate heat, finishing runner-up with a huge personal best of 12.71. Unfortunately, her time was only 13th and not sufficient to make the 8-runner final. Yet, it was adequate enough to slate Destinee in as the 8th best 100m performer in EHS history! Competing in the 100m for the first time ever, junior Narcise Gelin fired out of the blocks and flashed through the camera in 12.82. She nestled into the archives at #10 all-time in that event.
Later on in the program, the ladies contested the 400m, where they earned a measure of respect for their efforts.
Racing from a tight lane 1, Ya-sha-rah cranked out a commendable 59.50. Her performance was sufficient enough for 6th place and one precious county point! Younger sister and precocious freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite pitched in with a personal best and heat-winner 1:00.59. Her new 400m time was good enough for #9 all-time. Not to be outdone, Destinee posted a nifty 1:00.75 heat-winner for 12th overall and #10 all-time.
The Lady Minutemen collected their only medal of the meet in the 4x400m relay. The team of Destinee, Chaa-nah-yah, junior Ruth Louis, and Ya-sha-rah placed 3rd in a respectable 4:07.62.
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"One and Done!"
Lady Minutemen Erase 31 Year-Old School Record
May 5-6, Westfield, NJ - The determined Lady Minutemen completed a historic weekend at the 2017 Union County Relays at Kehler Stadium, Westfield.
They got the ball rolling on Thursday in the 4x100m relay. Competing from a tight lane two, the foursome of Destinee Everett-Scott, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, Narcise Gelin, and Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite rocketed a nifty 49.33. The performance was good for a 4th place overall finish and nestled the consistent group in at #5 on the all-time sprint list.
Later on in the Thursday program, Narcise's twin Narcelle joined the 4x100 trio to post a respectable 4:33.63 clocking in the 1600m Sprint Medley Relay.
With a "threat" of inclement weather threatening the integrity of the meet on Friday, the second day of the championship was moved to Saturday. The first race up for the Lady Minutemen was the 4x200m, and they wasted little time in rewriting Elizabeth's track & field record book by extracting a 31 year-old sprint record.
Ya-sha-rah led off with a blistering 24.7 leg. She handed off the baton to her sister Chaa-nah-yah, who blazed a 25.7 second leg to position the team in 3rd place. Narcise continued the record pursuit with a 26.0 3rd leg. Destinee closed the deal with a 26.9 anchor, and thus, a record performance.
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They got the ball rolling on Thursday in the 4x100m relay. Competing from a tight lane two, the foursome of Destinee Everett-Scott, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, Narcise Gelin, and Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite rocketed a nifty 49.33. The performance was good for a 4th place overall finish and nestled the consistent group in at #5 on the all-time sprint list.
Later on in the Thursday program, Narcise's twin Narcelle joined the 4x100 trio to post a respectable 4:33.63 clocking in the 1600m Sprint Medley Relay.
With a "threat" of inclement weather threatening the integrity of the meet on Friday, the second day of the championship was moved to Saturday. The first race up for the Lady Minutemen was the 4x200m, and they wasted little time in rewriting Elizabeth's track & field record book by extracting a 31 year-old sprint record.
Ya-sha-rah led off with a blistering 24.7 leg. She handed off the baton to her sister Chaa-nah-yah, who blazed a 25.7 second leg to position the team in 3rd place. Narcise continued the record pursuit with a 26.0 3rd leg. Destinee closed the deal with a 26.9 anchor, and thus, a record performance.
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2017 Spring Schedule
DATE MEET LOCATION TIME
April 1, 2017 Pawlowski Relays Ridgewood BF MS 9:00 AM
April 4, 2017 Union Williams' Field 4:00 PM
April 8, 2017 Comet Relays Hackensack HS 9:00 AM
April 12, 2017 Scotch Plains Williams' Field 4:00 PM
April 15, 2017 East Brunswick Relays East Brunswick HS 9:00 AM
April 19, 2017 Westfield/Plainfield Westfield HS 4:00 PM
April 22, 2017 Blue Devil Classic Westfield HS 9:00 AM
April 25, 2017 Linden/Plainfield Williams' Field 4:00 PM
April 27, 2017 Penn Relays University of Penn TBD
May 4-5, 2017 Union County Relays Westfield HS 4:00 PM
May 12-13, 2017 U.C.C. Championships Berkeley Heights 4:00 PM; 9:00 AM
May 18-19, 2017 U.C. Championships Plainfield HS 4:00 PM
May 22, 2017 East Coast Relays Randolph HS 3:30PM
May 26-27, 2017 NJSIAA Sectionals Ridge HS 4:00 PM; 10:00 AM
June 2-3, 2017 NJSIAA Groups Egg Harbor 4:00 PM; 10:00 AM
June 10, 2017 NJSIAA All-Groups Bayville HS TBD
June 16-18, 2017 New Balance Nationals Greensboro, NC TBD
* The dates in BLACK italics are dual meets and will be contested by all approved team members.
* The dates in BLUE are relay meets and will be contested by relay teams ONLY.
* The dates in RED are team championships limited to three (3) participants per event.
* The dates in GREEN are events contested via qualification ONLY.
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April 1, 2017 Pawlowski Relays Ridgewood BF MS 9:00 AM
April 4, 2017 Union Williams' Field 4:00 PM
April 8, 2017 Comet Relays Hackensack HS 9:00 AM
April 12, 2017 Scotch Plains Williams' Field 4:00 PM
April 15, 2017 East Brunswick Relays East Brunswick HS 9:00 AM
April 19, 2017 Westfield/Plainfield Westfield HS 4:00 PM
April 22, 2017 Blue Devil Classic Westfield HS 9:00 AM
April 25, 2017 Linden/Plainfield Williams' Field 4:00 PM
April 27, 2017 Penn Relays University of Penn TBD
May 4-5, 2017 Union County Relays Westfield HS 4:00 PM
May 12-13, 2017 U.C.C. Championships Berkeley Heights 4:00 PM; 9:00 AM
May 18-19, 2017 U.C. Championships Plainfield HS 4:00 PM
May 22, 2017 East Coast Relays Randolph HS 3:30PM
May 26-27, 2017 NJSIAA Sectionals Ridge HS 4:00 PM; 10:00 AM
June 2-3, 2017 NJSIAA Groups Egg Harbor 4:00 PM; 10:00 AM
June 10, 2017 NJSIAA All-Groups Bayville HS TBD
June 16-18, 2017 New Balance Nationals Greensboro, NC TBD
* The dates in BLACK italics are dual meets and will be contested by all approved team members.
* The dates in BLUE are relay meets and will be contested by relay teams ONLY.
* The dates in RED are team championships limited to three (3) participants per event.
* The dates in GREEN are events contested via qualification ONLY.
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Lady Minutemen Place The Stamp On A Historic Season
4x200m Relay Produces Another Stellar Performance; #2 All-Time
March 10th, Manhattan - The gritty group of Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, Destinee Everett-Scott, Ruth Louis, and Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite have "Earned to Eat" every time they stepped onto the track. The final race of an eventful indoor campaign made no difference, as the girls saved their best for last at the 2017 New Balance Nationals at the 168th Street Armory in NYC.
The temperate foursome produced a seasonal best of 1:45.70, eking out one last effort that lopped .11 of a second off of the #2 all-time mark they produced 10 days prior.
JOB WELL DONE! On to outdoors....L.M.
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The temperate foursome produced a seasonal best of 1:45.70, eking out one last effort that lopped .11 of a second off of the #2 all-time mark they produced 10 days prior.
JOB WELL DONE! On to outdoors....L.M.
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1:45.81 - #2 All-Time
Quartet Produces Fastest EHS Mark In 17 Years!
February 28th, Manhattan - When it comes to championship caliber meets, you never know how your team is going to perform. They can false start, drop the stick, or even fall. Lucky for us, none of those incidents occurred at the 2017 Eastern States Championships at the 168th Armory in Manhattan.
We were well aware that our school record of 1:44.65 was run back in 2000. We didn't break the school record, but we produced the fastest time since that day.
Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite (26.1) and Destinee Everett-Scott (25.7) got us off to the fastest two-lap start this season (51.78). Ruth Louis (27.3) held ground on the 3rd leg with a personal best carry. Chaa-naa-yah Brathwaite brought the baton across the finish line with a personal best 26.3, securing history for the group.
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We were well aware that our school record of 1:44.65 was run back in 2000. We didn't break the school record, but we produced the fastest time since that day.
Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite (26.1) and Destinee Everett-Scott (25.7) got us off to the fastest two-lap start this season (51.78). Ruth Louis (27.3) held ground on the 3rd leg with a personal best carry. Chaa-naa-yah Brathwaite brought the baton across the finish line with a personal best 26.3, securing history for the group.
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Brathwaite First in EHS History
to Sub-26 200m
Stout Sophomore Notches Hefty School Record
February 25th, Manhattan - After a 20+ day hiatus, the Lady Minutemen returned to the track to tune-up before the Eastern States Championships. There was no race rust evident as the rested youngsters produced 8 personal bests at the 2017 North Shore High School Pre-National Invitational in Manhattan.
The 55m trio of Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, and Destinee Everett-Scott turned in stunning performances in the 55m dash.
Ya-sha-rah stopped the clock at 7.44 seconds. It was the fastest performance by a Lady Minuteman in 28 years!! Her time ranks only 2nd to the 7.20 run by the legendary Tondra Taylor in 1989. Destinee also turned in a 7.44, but the mark was determined slower than Ya-sha-rah's when opened to the thousandth of a second. Nonetheless, it was the 3rd best mark in school history. Adding to that bit of history was the precocious Chaa-nah-yah, racing to an unexpected 7.48 finish. She became the 4th fastest 55m in school history. It was the time ever that Elizabeth High School has produced 3 sub-7.5 runners in school history. Ruth Louis finished off the rare short sprint barrage with a 7.94 personal best of her own.
I was constantly reminding Ya-sha-rah for two weeks that if we didn't break the school record in the 200m, that our season would be bittersweet. She had a 26.69 personal best from her freshman year, and a 26.61 from December. She also had a 25.91 outdoor personal best from last year. Ya-sha-rah settled into lane 5 at about 9:35PM. It was all a blur from the time the gun went off and until she crossed the line. When the time rolled across the digital screen, the school record was history! 25.69 seconds was not only an indoor school record, it would stand as #3 on the outdoor list! Destinee ascended to #4 on the all-time list with her nifty 26.71 finish. Chaa-nah-yah jumped onto the all-time list at #7 with her 27.11. Ruth chipped in the final personal best with a 28.30.
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The 55m trio of Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, and Destinee Everett-Scott turned in stunning performances in the 55m dash.
Ya-sha-rah stopped the clock at 7.44 seconds. It was the fastest performance by a Lady Minuteman in 28 years!! Her time ranks only 2nd to the 7.20 run by the legendary Tondra Taylor in 1989. Destinee also turned in a 7.44, but the mark was determined slower than Ya-sha-rah's when opened to the thousandth of a second. Nonetheless, it was the 3rd best mark in school history. Adding to that bit of history was the precocious Chaa-nah-yah, racing to an unexpected 7.48 finish. She became the 4th fastest 55m in school history. It was the time ever that Elizabeth High School has produced 3 sub-7.5 runners in school history. Ruth Louis finished off the rare short sprint barrage with a 7.94 personal best of her own.
I was constantly reminding Ya-sha-rah for two weeks that if we didn't break the school record in the 200m, that our season would be bittersweet. She had a 26.69 personal best from her freshman year, and a 26.61 from December. She also had a 25.91 outdoor personal best from last year. Ya-sha-rah settled into lane 5 at about 9:35PM. It was all a blur from the time the gun went off and until she crossed the line. When the time rolled across the digital screen, the school record was history! 25.69 seconds was not only an indoor school record, it would stand as #3 on the outdoor list! Destinee ascended to #4 on the all-time list with her nifty 26.71 finish. Chaa-nah-yah jumped onto the all-time list at #7 with her 27.11. Ruth chipped in the final personal best with a 28.30.
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Brathwaite, 4 x 400m Relay Score At NJSIAA State Sectional Championships
Lady Minutemen Validate Their Hard Work With State Medals
February 4th, Toms River - The varsity level Lady Minutemen have been working vigorously to improve their level of intensity from week to week, meet to meet. They confirmed their diligence at the 2017 NJSIAA Section 2 Group 4 State Championships in Toms River.
Identical to the Union County Championships, the Sectionals kicked off with the 400m. Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite and junior Destinee Everett-Scott locked up in a battle in one of the seeded heats. Destinee produced another sub-1:03 (1:02.74), while Chaa-nah-yah clocked another personal best with a 1:03.73 finish. Running from the top seeded race, Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite battled the state's finest, logging in a credible 1:01.24 6th place finish. The Lady Minutemen placed 3 runners in the top 12 finishers. There were 43 entrants.
Junior Naphka Francois produced the only sub-10 second hurdle race in two years with a 9.99 9th place finish.
The usual 55m trio had tough sledding, where Destinee Everett-Scott returned to the final for the second consecutive year. She finished 8th in the final with a near-personal best 7.50.
Heading into the meet-ending 4 x 400m, the anxious ladies were fully aware that they needed a top 6 finish to score and medal. Ya-sha-rah (1:02.2), Chaa-nah-yah (1:05.6), Ruth (1:05.6) and Destinee (1:02.3) slid into the scoring places with a 5th place 4:15.93. It was also the 7th best performance all-time.
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Identical to the Union County Championships, the Sectionals kicked off with the 400m. Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite and junior Destinee Everett-Scott locked up in a battle in one of the seeded heats. Destinee produced another sub-1:03 (1:02.74), while Chaa-nah-yah clocked another personal best with a 1:03.73 finish. Running from the top seeded race, Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite battled the state's finest, logging in a credible 1:01.24 6th place finish. The Lady Minutemen placed 3 runners in the top 12 finishers. There were 43 entrants.
Junior Naphka Francois produced the only sub-10 second hurdle race in two years with a 9.99 9th place finish.
The usual 55m trio had tough sledding, where Destinee Everett-Scott returned to the final for the second consecutive year. She finished 8th in the final with a near-personal best 7.50.
Heading into the meet-ending 4 x 400m, the anxious ladies were fully aware that they needed a top 6 finish to score and medal. Ya-sha-rah (1:02.2), Chaa-nah-yah (1:05.6), Ruth (1:05.6) and Destinee (1:02.3) slid into the scoring places with a 5th place 4:15.93. It was also the 7th best performance all-time.
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Benchmark Complete! 1:47.2!
Lady Minutemen Punch Their Ticket To Easterns With #3 All-Time Performance
February 1st, Manhattan - I informed the 4 x 200m relay team that they needed to run at least 1:47.9 to extend our season into February. A second consecutive trip to the Eastern States Championships would establish our quality consistency over the past two seasons.
The tenacious quartet did not disappoint, as they produced an outstanding seasonal best at the Metropolitan Invitational at the 168th Street Armory in NYC.
Sophomore Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite screamed the lead-off leg in 24.8 (first sub-25 200m in school history!). Junior Destinee Everett-Scott kept the baton moving with a steady 27.2. Junior Ruth Louis battled through the 3rd leg with a 27.8 personal best. The anchor, freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, closed in on the leader with 100m to go. After a slight collision on the final turn, Chaa-nah-yah crossed the line in 1:47.2. It was the 3rd fastest 4 x 200m ever run by an EHS girls' relay squad!
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The tenacious quartet did not disappoint, as they produced an outstanding seasonal best at the Metropolitan Invitational at the 168th Street Armory in NYC.
Sophomore Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite screamed the lead-off leg in 24.8 (first sub-25 200m in school history!). Junior Destinee Everett-Scott kept the baton moving with a steady 27.2. Junior Ruth Louis battled through the 3rd leg with a 27.8 personal best. The anchor, freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, closed in on the leader with 100m to go. After a slight collision on the final turn, Chaa-nah-yah crossed the line in 1:47.2. It was the 3rd fastest 4 x 200m ever run by an EHS girls' relay squad!
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Elizabeth Rounding Into Form
Several Lady Minutemen Produce All-Time Bests In Jersey City
Jersey City, January 28th - After a couple of mediocre outings, the Lady Minutemen displayed their upward development at the 2017 Union County Championships in the venerable Jersey City Armory.
In the opening event, the 400m, the Lady Minutemen placed two athletes in the top 10, as all three entries posted massive personal bests.
Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite obliterated her heat with a stunning 1:00.75, #2 on the all-time list. Only Latitia Salley (58.8h, 2010) has run faster. Destinee Everett-Scott closed well behind Ya-sha-rah to post an all-time #8 1:02.41. In her first foray at this distance ever, freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite finished 2nd in her heat with a hard-fought 1:03.94.
The same trio returned to the track in the 55m dash, looking for similar success. Unfortunately, junior and 2016 finalist Everett-Scott false started in the trials. Undaunted, Ya-sha-rah blazed down the track in a personal best 7.49, picking up another #2 all-time performance. Younger sister Chaa-nah-yah continued her improvement with a 7.63 contribution.
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In the opening event, the 400m, the Lady Minutemen placed two athletes in the top 10, as all three entries posted massive personal bests.
Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite obliterated her heat with a stunning 1:00.75, #2 on the all-time list. Only Latitia Salley (58.8h, 2010) has run faster. Destinee Everett-Scott closed well behind Ya-sha-rah to post an all-time #8 1:02.41. In her first foray at this distance ever, freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite finished 2nd in her heat with a hard-fought 1:03.94.
The same trio returned to the track in the 55m dash, looking for similar success. Unfortunately, junior and 2016 finalist Everett-Scott false started in the trials. Undaunted, Ya-sha-rah blazed down the track in a personal best 7.49, picking up another #2 all-time performance. Younger sister Chaa-nah-yah continued her improvement with a 7.63 contribution.
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Lady Minutemen Battle At NJSIAA State Relays
Medals Hard To Come By In Toms River
January 21st, Toms River - The going is always rough in Group 4. It's the state's toughest division with as many as 50 contesting teams in some events. Despite the fact that the Lady Minutemen acquired no hardware at the States, they still exerted strong efforts in their events.
The shuttle hurdle relay squad, which placed 3rd at the Union County Relays, finished 28th out of 38 in 37.80.
In the 4 x 200m relay, the Lady Minutemen came agonizingly close to placing in the top 6 to score and medal. Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, Narcelle Gelin, and Destinee Everett-Scott raced to a 1:50.03 8th place finish. 50 teams contested the 4 x 200m race.
In the sprint medley relay, the Lady Minutemen finished a respectable 17th out of 47 teams. The SMR, which features a 400-200-200-800 line-up, received outstanding runs from lead-off Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite (1:01.2) and anchor Destinee Everett-Scott (2:36.5). Everett-Scott flexed her range by doubling up in the longest sprint distance.
The shuttle hurdle relay squad, which placed 3rd at the Union County Relays, finished 28th out of 38 in 37.80.
In the 4 x 200m relay, the Lady Minutemen came agonizingly close to placing in the top 6 to score and medal. Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, Narcelle Gelin, and Destinee Everett-Scott raced to a 1:50.03 8th place finish. 50 teams contested the 4 x 200m race.
In the sprint medley relay, the Lady Minutemen finished a respectable 17th out of 47 teams. The SMR, which features a 400-200-200-800 line-up, received outstanding runs from lead-off Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite (1:01.2) and anchor Destinee Everett-Scott (2:36.5). Everett-Scott flexed her range by doubling up in the longest sprint distance.
Fabulous Freshman!!!
Younger Brathwaite Steals The Show With Stunning Performances
Manhattan, January 14th - Last season, Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, a sophomore, wowed us with sensational performances, including a sub-26 200m (25.91) outdoors and the fastest 100m (12.51) run in 19 years (Haneefah Norman - 12.29 (1997).
Well, there's a new Brathwaite in town in the form of fiesty freshman, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite (pronounced Ka-nuh-yuh). Chaa-nah-yah has been cleaning up in the freshman division this indoor season, collecting yet another 55m title (7.67) at the 2017 Molloy Stanner Games at the 168th Armory in Manhattan. But it was in the varsity 300m dash where she turned in a jaw-dropping performance.
Running from the unseeded section, Chaa-nah-yah blasted a 43.50 second run, the #3 performance in school history. She trails only her older sister (42.35) and Tamoya Brown (43.06) on the all-time list.
Junior Ruth Louis continues to impress the coaching staff, turning in personal bests of 8.01 in the 55m dash and 1:58.65 in the 600m. She also threw in a 10.99 55m hurdle's race.
Frosh Tashaneek Smith also had a busy day. She commenced her day with a personal best 1:14.7 400m lead-off in the freshman sprint medley relay. She used a quick turn-around to speed 8.23 seconds in the 55m. She topped off her day with yet another personal best of 48.42 in the 300m.
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Well, there's a new Brathwaite in town in the form of fiesty freshman, Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite (pronounced Ka-nuh-yuh). Chaa-nah-yah has been cleaning up in the freshman division this indoor season, collecting yet another 55m title (7.67) at the 2017 Molloy Stanner Games at the 168th Armory in Manhattan. But it was in the varsity 300m dash where she turned in a jaw-dropping performance.
Running from the unseeded section, Chaa-nah-yah blasted a 43.50 second run, the #3 performance in school history. She trails only her older sister (42.35) and Tamoya Brown (43.06) on the all-time list.
Junior Ruth Louis continues to impress the coaching staff, turning in personal bests of 8.01 in the 55m dash and 1:58.65 in the 600m. She also threw in a 10.99 55m hurdle's race.
Frosh Tashaneek Smith also had a busy day. She commenced her day with a personal best 1:14.7 400m lead-off in the freshman sprint medley relay. She used a quick turn-around to speed 8.23 seconds in the 55m. She topped off her day with yet another personal best of 48.42 in the 300m.
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Hurdlers Harness Hardware
Lady Minutemen Hurdles' Team Surprises With Bronze Medal Performance
January 8th, Jersey City - The Lady Minutemen turned in multiple stout performances at the 2017 Union County Relays at the Jersey City Armory.
Headlining the scoring barrage was the 3rd place shuttle hurdle relay squad. Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, Narcelle Gelin, Naphka Francois, and Ruth Louis stopped the clock at 37.35 seconds. It was the #5 recorded performance in school history (I said recorded. If any EHS alumni disputes these rankings, feel free to contact me!). The Lady Minutemen also collected 6 points toward their grand total.
Other scoring teams on the day:
4x200m Relay (6th place, 1 point)
4x400m Relay (5th place, 2 points)
Sprint Medley Relay (4th place, 4 points)
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Headlining the scoring barrage was the 3rd place shuttle hurdle relay squad. Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, Narcelle Gelin, Naphka Francois, and Ruth Louis stopped the clock at 37.35 seconds. It was the #5 recorded performance in school history (I said recorded. If any EHS alumni disputes these rankings, feel free to contact me!). The Lady Minutemen also collected 6 points toward their grand total.
Other scoring teams on the day:
4x200m Relay (6th place, 1 point)
4x400m Relay (5th place, 2 points)
Sprint Medley Relay (4th place, 4 points)
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Sprintfest At Oceanbreeze
Brathwaite Ascends The All-Time Charts; Young Minutemen Improve
December 28th, Staten Island - Led by the precocious Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, the Lady Minutemen continued their assault on the sprint record book at the 2016 Coach Glynn Holiday Festival in Staten Island, NY.
Once again, it was Ya-sha-rah stamping her signature on the upper echelon of the Elizabeth High School track & field annals. In the opening rounds of the 55m, she improved her #7 all-time position with a 7.58 sprint. She later returned to the track to post the #3 performance all-time in the 200m. Her 26.61 places her behind only two runners in the 30+ year history of Elizabeth High School girl's track & field.
Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, younger sister of Ya-sha-rah, has quickly established herself as one of the prominent freshmen in the state of New Jersey. She continued her dominance over the freshman division with victories in both the 55m (7.64) and the 200m (27.6h).
Junior Destinee Everett-Scott also submitted a notable 200m performance as well. Her time of 26.94 makes her the #6 200m runner all-time.
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Once again, it was Ya-sha-rah stamping her signature on the upper echelon of the Elizabeth High School track & field annals. In the opening rounds of the 55m, she improved her #7 all-time position with a 7.58 sprint. She later returned to the track to post the #3 performance all-time in the 200m. Her 26.61 places her behind only two runners in the 30+ year history of Elizabeth High School girl's track & field.
Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite, younger sister of Ya-sha-rah, has quickly established herself as one of the prominent freshmen in the state of New Jersey. She continued her dominance over the freshman division with victories in both the 55m (7.64) and the 200m (27.6h).
Junior Destinee Everett-Scott also submitted a notable 200m performance as well. Her time of 26.94 makes her the #6 200m runner all-time.
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Brathwaite Obliterates
Elizabeth Girls' 300m Record
December 26th, Manhattan - Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite, the sensational sophomore, left no room for error in 300m, rushing across the finish line in a school record 42.38 seconds at the 2016 North Shore High School Invitational. The new mark eclipsed the 43.06 turned in by Tamoya Brown in 2013.
Junior Narcelle Gelin made her season debut with credible personal bests of 7.73 in the 55m and 46.38 in the 300m.
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Junior Narcelle Gelin made her season debut with credible personal bests of 7.73 in the 55m and 46.38 in the 300m.
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Everett-Scott, Brathwaite Produce Quick Openers At Bishop Loughlin Games
Eager Lady Minutemen Alter EHS All-Time List In Season Opener
December 17th, Staten Island, NY - Junior Destinee Everett-Scott and Sophomore Ya-sha-rah Brathwaite wasted very little time igniting their seasons to sizzling starts at the 2016 Bishop Loughlin Games in Staten Island, NY.
Running in the same heat, Ya-sha-rah followed Destinee across the finish line in the 55m dash in a swift 7.59. Both young ladies dipped under 7.6 seconds, with Ya-sha-rah logging in as the #7 performer all-time! Destinee clocked a 7.57, but she already sits at #2 all-time with a 7.49 from last season. Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite also impressed with a 7.72 clocking.
This dynamic duo returned to the track later in the program to contest the 300m dash. They failed to disappoint, as the two rocketed to sub-44 second performances. Ya-sha-rah blazed to a 43.09 #2 all-time performance, missing the vulnerable school record by .03 hundredths of a second. Running from another section, Destinee clocked a respectable 43.76 for #5 EHS all-time.
Just when you thought the two were done, they joined junior Ruth Louis (29.1) and freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite (27.5) to turn in a 1:49.55 800m relay jaunt. The performance marks the first sub-1:50 race ever in December. It was also noteworthy enough to nestle in at #4 all-time on the school record list.
Running in the same heat, Ya-sha-rah followed Destinee across the finish line in the 55m dash in a swift 7.59. Both young ladies dipped under 7.6 seconds, with Ya-sha-rah logging in as the #7 performer all-time! Destinee clocked a 7.57, but she already sits at #2 all-time with a 7.49 from last season. Freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite also impressed with a 7.72 clocking.
This dynamic duo returned to the track later in the program to contest the 300m dash. They failed to disappoint, as the two rocketed to sub-44 second performances. Ya-sha-rah blazed to a 43.09 #2 all-time performance, missing the vulnerable school record by .03 hundredths of a second. Running from another section, Destinee clocked a respectable 43.76 for #5 EHS all-time.
Just when you thought the two were done, they joined junior Ruth Louis (29.1) and freshman Chaa-nah-yah Brathwaite (27.5) to turn in a 1:49.55 800m relay jaunt. The performance marks the first sub-1:50 race ever in December. It was also noteworthy enough to nestle in at #4 all-time on the school record list.