We’re just starting championship season, and Deptford senior Kiara Lester is already approaching her career bests.
Lester fashioned a very quick double at the Group 2 sectionals in the Toms River Bubble, winning the 55-meter dash in 7.22 and the 400 in 57.38.
Lester, who will run for Miami next year, was pushed in both races by Pemberton sophomore Aliyah Taylor, who was second in 7.36 and 58.21.
Through the weekend meets, Lester ranks No. 1 in New Jersey in the 55 and No. 2 in the 400 behind only Cheyenne Trigg of Columbia, who ran 57.36 at the Hispanic Games.
She is unbeaten so far this winter in both the 55 and the 400.
Lester is just off her PR in the 55, a 7.17 she set as a sophomore at sectionals. She’s closing on her indoor 400 PR as well. She ran 57.41 when she won states last year. Her outdoor PR is 55.72 from last year’s sectionals, which she won.
Her 57.38 broke her own South Jersey Group 2 indoor sectionals meet record that she set last year with a 58.17.
Lester, also an 18-foot long jumper, is a six-time Meet of Champions medalist and five-time state champ. Her one M-of-C win came in the 200 last winter.
