From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

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