Florek caps career with second straight MOC title
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Old Bridge High School spring track team completed an outstanding campaign by winning the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Relays as well as the GMC championship.

ERIC SUCAR staff Old Bridge High School senior Travis Mahoney competes in the boys 3,200-meter run at the NJSIAA Track and Field Championships at South Plainfield High School on June 5.

In addition, Brian Florek won the state championship in the javelin with a throw of 201 feet 1 inch, marking the second year in a row he has accomplished this feat. Florek also topped the GMC and won the NJSIAACentral Jersey Group IV title for the second successive year. Not bad for a young man who first picked up a javelin as a freshman while waiting for his older brother to finish track practice.

The senior, who will continue his career at Kent State University in the fall, is undefeated in New Jersey this season. Old Bridge coach Jack Campbell noted that the only meet Florek did not win was the Penn Relays. Florek also brought home the discus title for the GMC, CJ Group IV and overall Group IV, the latter with a toss of 163 feet 2 inches.

Campbell's team, meanwhile, suffered just one loss, to South Brunswick, but it cost the Knights the GMC Red Division crown. Old Bridge rebounded to take the GMC postseason events and also finished second in Central Jersey Group IV behind Trenton Central and second in the overall Group IV meet behind Absegami.

"It was a little disappointing to finish second in the Red Division, but we kind of got back at South Brunswick," Campbell said. "Our guys worked hard and really had a great season. You can't ask for more. We either won or contended for the top in every meet we were in."

The Knights were especially strong in the weight events. Besides Florek, junior Jorge Merino won both the GMC and CJ Group IV shot put events, with throws well over the 50-foot mark. Steve DeCarlo also made his presence felt in the javelin - his personal best was 154 feet 7 inches, and junior Eric Mahler finished fifth in the GMC shot put event.

In the sprint medley it was Old Bridge coming out on top, as Sean Lunkenheimer, Danny Cuevas, sophomore Evan Petrovich and freshman Shoni Downes did the job.

Lunkenheimer, a junior, finished fourth in intermediate hurdles at the Meet of Champions, while Mahoney took eighth at 3,200 meters.

"This team really came together as the season went on," Campbell said. "They all just want to win and they never quit."