By Andy Loigu

Hard work on the track has paid off for Alexa Westley. A Chariot of Fire in the truest sense of the term, the Warren Hills senior recently announced that she is committed to running track for the University of Wisconsin next fall.

The senior was chosen Group 3 All State First Team in cross country this fall, setting course records at various venues where she ran. She made history last June in track, winning the New Jersey Meet of Champions crown in the 3,200 meter run for the second consecutive year.

“That hasn’t been done since before I was born,” she said of her back-to-back titles. “It’s special for Warren Hills.”

Last spring, in going through the sectional, group and Meet of Champions races, she improved her time each step of the way.

“I’ve always had that competitive drive,” she said, looking back at the experience. “If nobody is close, pushing me, I still have the clock to run against, always looking for that personal best. You just go for it. If you get it you get it, there’s nothing to lose. It’s you and the clock. I don’t worry about the kind of pressure the reporters like to ask me about, I just dig deep, find my stride and let it loose.”

People who do the running it takes to achieve the performance level Westley has reached, generally are not in the sport for attention and glory. Few people attend cross country meets as avid fans. As legendary Olympic runners have said through the years, it (the satisfaction) comes from within. free of any external forces. Speaking as someone who once ran hurdles in order to be a better basketball player, third place was just fine with me, because I did the best I could do. I always told myself I was the fastest 200-pounder out there.

With her ability to impart wisdom in simple terms we all can understand, she can get work as a television analyst anytime. Perhaps her Wisconsin education will lead her into that direction

The Hackettstown boys soccer team finished with an 18-5-1 record, adding Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex and sectional titles to the program’s legacy. Its run ended in the Group 2 state semifinal at Ridge High School, with a 6-0 loss to a Glen Rock team which played its 24th consecutive game without a loss. The Panthers suffered their only loss in a 23-1-1 season in the state championship game against Holmdel.

Congratulations to the Tigers on an awesome season which brought spirit, excitement, and pride to the Hackettstown community.

*****

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.