Haddonfield seniors Sarah Naticchia and Allison Colflesh went 1-2 in the 1,600, both running PRs and both running sub-4:55.
Naticchia won the race in 4:54.25 and Colflesh was a step back in 4:54.76. Another Haddonfield senior, Olivia Stoner, placed seventh and PR’d at 5:04.80.
She’s had numerous seconds and thirds – and had her junior year wiped out – but this is Naticchia’s first state title in track or cross country.
Naticchia and Colflesh moved into the No. 9 and No. 11 spots on the all-time South Jersey list, a list that now has five Haddonfield runners among the top 11 (Olympian Erin Donohue No. 1 at 4:41.16, Brian Gess No. 3 at 4:45.97, Olympian Marielle Hall No. 4 at 4:48.73).
Naticchia’s previous PR was a 4:55.90 when she placed third at the last state meet two years ago at Central Regional in Bayville.
Colflesh’s previous PR was 4:57.41 at the Camden County Championships at Haddon Township.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 