Champions of America

Red Bank Regional girls win
distance medley relay at Penn Relays
By tim morris
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT Red Bank Regional’s Beth Mayer breaks away from the pack at the start of the distance medley at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia on April 24.

In the moment of their finest triumph, Amanda and Katy Trotter found the time to praise their teammates.

Freshman Christina Nelson and junior Beth Mayer ran with a confidence and composure beyond their years and experience in helping Red Bank Regional capture the Championship of America crown in the High School Girls’ Distance Medley Relay at the Penn Relays Thursday in Philadelphia.

"They had great poise out there," said Amanda Trotter. "I couldn’t do that as a freshman."

With the Trotters as the bookends of this magnificent victory, the RBR girls ran an 11:46.59, the fifth fastest time ever run in the 109-year history of the relays, erasing any lingering memories of last year’s narrow loss to Boys and Girls of New York.

Amanda Trotter takes off in the 1,200 leg of the distance medley at the Penn Relays.

"It’s an exhilarating feeling," said Katy Trotter after her team’s historic run. "Everything went smoothly today. Everyone ran great. Everything has gone perfectly for us."

There were questions if RBR’s DMR team could get back to where it was in 2002, when the Bucs were the indoor and outdoor national champions and set an indoor national record. At the Penn Relays they lost to their rivals from New York City, Boys and Girls, after one of the greatest races in meet history that wasn’t decided until the finish line, with B&G getting the nod, 11:49.345-11:49.74, over RBR.

With Katie Kingsbery (800) and Christine Hurley (400) graduated, the Bucs had to replace half the team, and there was plenty of in-house competition. No spot was a given. It pushed Mayer.

"I wanted to be a part of this team," she said. "I’ve worked hard so I could be."

Katy Trotter builds a substantial lead while running the final leg of the DM on April 24.

Nelson had to earn her spot on the 800 leg as well.

Certainly, having runners the talent of Amanda and Katy Trotter makes any relay team dangerous. However, it takes more than talent to be a championship relay team; it takes chemistry as well. Runners have to feed off each other and to buy into the team concept. Mayer and Nelson credited the Trotters with welcoming them with open arms, making them comfortable and bringing out the best in each.

"They’re very supportive," said Mayer. "They didn’t put pressure on us and they make it fun."

Nelson credited the Trotters with helping her and Mayer find a comfort zone.

Red Bank’s incomparable Trotter sisters celebrate their team’s win, after blazing past the field in the distance medley relay.

"They are really helpful," said Nelson. "They made me feel like I’ve been a part of the team and not a newcomer. I wanted to take advantage of the experience."

For their part, Mayer and Nelson were an inspiration for the Trotters.

"It’s a great feeling knowing they look up to me," Amanda said.

It’s Mayer’s work ethic, according to Bucs coach Geoff Harrison, that helped bring the team together.

"Beth wanted to be a part of this team last year," he said. "She made Christine work harder. Beth gives it 110 percent every day. Her determination is what bonds the team."

Although Nelson’s talent had preceded her to Red Bank (she broke the Trotters’ records at Middle School), whether she could handle the pressure of competing for a national-ranked team at the highest level was a question.

"Relays make Christina a better runner," said Harrison. "Being part of a team means something to her. She’s so worried about letting down her teammates it helps control her nerves."

The Bucs’ new lineup silenced its doubters in the winter at the Eastern States Indoor Championships, where they turned in a national-leading 11:52.9 in capturing the championship at the Armory in New York City.

From that moment, they knew the Penn Relays were within their grasp and that became a priority for the Red Bank quartet. When the day arrived last Thursday, they were as ready as any team could be.

Amanda Trotter got the Bucs off to the start they expected in the lead-off 1,200-meter leg, handing the baton off to Mayer in first place. Trotter bided her time, following Caitlin Klaas of Hatboro-Horshman (Pa.), who went straight to the lead and set a strong opening pace at first. Trotter took charge on the final lap, and when she kicked it into high gear, no one was able to respond, and she eventually built up a 20-meter cushion with her 3:34.6.

"I was happy with my time," she said. "I know what I can do and I just stayed in contact with her [Klaas]."

Mayer followed with a 1:01.8 400.

"I ran pretty much what I wanted to," said Mayer.

Nelson followed with the important 800-meter leg, holding a 20-meter lead.

According to coach Geoff Harrison, everything was going according to schedule.

"I told Christina that she would get the baton in the lead and that she would be up against faster runners," he pointed out. "I didn’t want her to get caught up in a speed race for the first lap. I told her to relax and let her adrenaline carry her to the turn and then run the best 500 meters she can."Which was all Nelson said she was looking to do.

"I wanted to try and hold on and run the best I can," she said.

Although Bronxville (N.Y.) would take the lead by 15 meters after a blistering 2:14.8 by Elizabeth Bergold, Nelson ran a gutsy 2:20.3 that had Katy Trotter in an excellent position for the anchor 1,600 meters.

Trotter stalked Bronxville anchor Cathy Mullen for a lap before moving to the front 500 meters into the race. Once Trotter took charge, the outcome was never in doubt — although she didn’t look at it that way.

"There’s always a little uncertainty," she said. "There were so many good runners, like Nicole Blood [of Saratoga Springs N.Y., who beat Trotter back in January in the high school mile at the Millrose Games] behind me. I was going to leave it all on the track."

On the final lap, Trotter couldn’t help but take a peek behind her with 250 meters remaining to make sure that she had things in hand. She recalled last year’s race when she and B&G’s Akilah Vargas exchanged the lead right up to the tape with Vargas holding on for the win. Trotter would have nothing to do with a replay of that. This year her glance backward was just reaffirming what everyone watching the race already knew: she and Red Bank were on their way to victory at the nation’s most famous meet.

"In the backstretch I looked back, and that’s when I knew we had it," she said.

Trotter’s sizzling 4:49.9 anchor leg had left Blood (4:50.6) running for second place for Saratoga Springs (11:56.39).

Shortly after crossing the finishing line, Trotter was joined by her teammates who embraced to share their special moment.

"This is awesome," said Mayer.

For Harrison, it was a perfect day and a perfect race.

"What a great day," he said. "Every girl did exactly what was asked of them. I couldn’t have asked for more.

"It really hit me when I was down on the field with them, when they were on the podium and I saw the glow on their faces," he added.

With their 11:46.59 ranking so high all-time, a national record is within their reach. The mark is 11:41.28, set by San Lorenzo Valley, Calif., at the Penn Relays in 2000. The Bucs will chase after it next month at the National Scholastic Championships in Raleigh, N.C., when they defend their championship.

However, that is another day down the road. For now, it’s more than enough for the Bucs to be Champions of America winners and to admire the gold watches they won for winning the Penn Relays DMR.

In other action, Ocean Township’s Erin Enderley finished 16th in the high school girls’ 3,000-meter race clocking 10:28.03.