UC’s Amaya Chadwick wins high hurdles at Meet of Champions
Morant, Evans, Lufrano, Ysaac also star for the Vikings
Amaya Chadwick experienced a wide range of emotions after she crossed the finish line in the 100-meter high hurdles at Saturday’s NJSIAA Meet of Champions at North Burlington High School in Columbus.
At first, the senior at Union Catholic thought she lost her dramatic battle with Reanda Richards of West Essex in a race that was impossible to tell who won as they both leaned across the line at the same time.
But then about 10 minutes after the race concluded, Chadwick found out she won the race in one of the closest races in meet history. Chadwick and Richards were both timed in 13.77.
The victory was especially sweet for Chadwick after she had come so agonizingly close to winning at the M of C in the past. Chadwick was second at the 2016 and 2017 outdoor M of C in the high hurdles, and was second at the 2017 Indoor M of C in the 55 hurdles.
“I was so upset right after the race because I thought I was going to be second again,” said the Purdue-bound Chadwick. “Then when I found out I won I was relieved and excited. This was my last chance to win this and to do with my fastest time in a race that close is just so crazy. My emotions have been all over the place. I am just thankful to finally win this on my last try.
Watch a video interview with Chadwick here
Chadwick wasn’t the only Viking to star in the meet.
Sophomore Leena Morant finished second in the 800 in a personal best and NJ #3 2:10.61, just off the school record of 2:10.03 set in 2015 by Amari Onque-Shabazz, and she split 55.8 on the runner-up 4×400 that ran 3:47.08.
Junior Jerika Lufrano broke her own school record in the 3,200 by running 10:49.87 to place seventh. Zamira Ysaac ran 1:02.41 to finish seventh in the 400 hurdles and split 57.4 on the 4×400. Khamil Evans finished third in the 400 in 55.47 and anchored the 4×400 in 55.3. Avery Jordan led off the 4×400 for UC with a 58.1 carry.
