Wait … what???
Kingsway sophomore Nicole Lipieta, who had a 1,600 PR of 5:20, ran 4:57.63 in the 1,600 at the Holmdel Twilight Series Royal Rumble 2021 Wednesday evening.
Lipieta placed second to Colts Neck senior Lilly Shapiro, who won the race in a U.S. No. 1 4:40.15, No. 2 in New Jersey history behind Danielle Tauro of Southern Regional, who ran a 4:39.25 full mile to win the 2006 Nike Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro (converting to 4:37.45 for 1,600).
As for Lipieta, her previous-best was a 5:20.33 at Cherokee in an outdoor meet held in March during the indoor season. She did run a fast 3,200 at Cherokee last month, taking sixth in a field of 74 girls with an 11:06.14 at the Night of 3200s.
But 4:57?
Lipieta’s time is No. 6 in the state this year and No. 3 in South Jersey, behind Haddonfield seniors Sarah Naticchia [4:57.12] and Allison Colflesh [4:57.41], who both ran slightly faster this past weekend at the Camden County Championships at Haddon Township.
Her time is No. 29 in South Jersey history and No. 8 in Gloucester County history, fastest since Delsea’s Celine Mazzi ran 4:56.23 at the 2014 state Group 3 meet at South Plainfield. (Mazzi ran 4:54.58 at the 2014 indoor Meet of Champions at the Bubble).
There’s no Gloucester County Championships or Tri-County Conference Championships listed on the 2021 MileSplit outdoor schedule so it’s possible she won’t race again in a major event until the South Jersey Group 3 sectionals at Delsea the weekend of June 4-5.
Here’s a look at the fastest times in Gloucester County history, with Kingsway girls taking up five of the top 12 spots!
4:41.5y … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
4:49.26 … Rachel Vick [Kingsway], 2017
4:55.70 … Dina Iacone [Washington Twp.], 2012
4:56.43 … Liz Locke [Kingsway], 2010
4:56.55 … Maria Ruiz [Williamstown], 2009
4:56.23 … Celine Mazzi [Delsea], 2014
4:57.48 … Felicia O’Donnell [Delsea], 2011
4:57.63 … Nicole Lipieta [Kingsway], 2021
4:59.38 … Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 2009
4:59.54 … Amanda Goetschius [Delsea], 2007
4:59.6h … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1985
4:59.89 … Destiny Stanford [Kingsway], 2017
5:00.61 … Lindsay Kane [Washington Twp.], 2012
5:00.7h … Patti Addis [Williamstown], 1984
5:02.08 … Vickie Ajimoko [Williamstown], 2013
TriCounty race takes place on Friday 5/21 @Kingsway
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Thanks for that. Yeah, wasn’t listed anywhere that I could find but glad they got the meet in!
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