From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

The Paul VI girls ran the fastest distance medley in South Jersey this year Saturday at the Rowland Relays at Haddon Township.

PVI won the race in 12:33.19 with Shaelan McNally leading off with a 3:36 split, freshman distance runner Kara Salamone dipping down to the 400 and splitting  69, freshman Grace Gutowski splitting 2:23 and sophomore Giovanna Mantuano anchoring in 5:22.

Paul VI’s time is No. 4 in New Jersey this year behind three schools that raced in somewhat more prominent events – Manalapan [12:07.02] and Pingry [12:16.83] ran at Penn and Union Catholic [12:27.48] at Arcadia [Calif.].

Paul VI on the other hand raced with no competition, winning by half a lap. Hopefully, the Eagles can find a fast race somewhere over the next couple weeks. Shame the East Coast Relays isn’t around anymore.

This was Paul VI’s 3rd-fastest outdoor time ever and fastest since 1983, when they ran 12:28.7 – not sure where. Still working on figuring that out. They also ran 12:27.9 in 1982. They ran 12:31.11 indoors in December at Ocean Breeze, just missing the Penn Relays qualifying time by about eight seconds.