Another state record for Cougars' Higginson
Good night for Forys brothers at Sam Howell Invitational
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Princeton University and Ashley Higginson got a glimpse of the future Friday night, and it's very bright for both.

Running on what will be her home track next year, Higginson shattered the scholastic state record for the 5,000-meter run, beating the record by almost a full minute with her terrific 16:38.31. The Colts Neck High School senior finished second in the open race at the Sam Howell Invitational at Princeton, competing against mostly college runners, some of whom will be her Tiger teammates at this time next year.

"It was exciting to be running on my future home track and to run with my future teammates," she said. "I was lucky to have three girls who wanted to run an 80-second pace."

Higginson was aided in her record chase by a trio of Tigers, who helped her run a steady-paced race throughout. The record was all but hers after running the first 3,200 meters in 10:40.4 (5:16.7-5:23.7). She followed that up with a 5:16 for her third 1,600 and closed strong with a 35.7 final 200 meters to place second behind Renee Gunning, who represented Puma and ran a 16:27.86.

Jackson's Jen Clausen had held the previous state record for the 5K at 17:34.40.

"It never gets to be old hat," Higginson said of her state record, which came on the heels of her indoor two-mile state mark last month in winning the national championship. "I definitely planned on getting it."

Higginson left her future home with some fond memories Friday, and her teammates couldn't help but be impressed by the caliber of talent that is coming to Old Nassau.

It was a good night for the Forys brothers, Matt and Craig, who seldom get to see each other run. Matt, a senior at Bucknell University, was running the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while brother Craig, a senior at Colts Neck, was in the open 5,000 looking for a state record as well.

The brothers, who still talk to each other regularly, admit they seldom discuss their running; they let their track performances speak for themselves, and Friday night they spoke loudly.

Matt, who at this time last year was unable to compete in this event because of an injury, is healthy again and enjoying his finest form. He came to Princeton looking for a personal best and a qualifying time for the NCAA East Region. He achieved both goals with a strong, front-running 8:50.10, which was 19 seconds under his previous pb, and more importantly well under the 9:07 NCAA Regional qualifying time.

"This was my first meet [of the season]," said Forys. "I wanted to get a Regional qualifier. Things have been going really well. I feel great.

"It's [steeplechase] a lot of fun," he added. "It's a little different."

Forys' performance was magnified by the fact that he was on his own, pushing the pace from the start.

"I knew in the first 30 meters that no one was going to take the lead," he said.

He pressed on, winning by 17 seconds and achieving his goal for the meet.

With the steeplechase qualifier attained, Forys said he will focus on the 5K in upcoming meets.

After his cool-down jog, Forys was back to watch his brother in the 5,000. Craig Forys had hoped to break the state 5K record (14:25.8 by Bernards' Chris Hallinan). He was on target through 3,200 meters (a speedy 9:12.4), but hit the wall during the third mile.

"On the ninth lap it got hard," said Craig Forys, the indoor two-mile national champion. "From there I just wanted to finish."

Forys, who found himself leading the pack with no one to pace off, fought his way through the pain, and a closing 32.8 200 brought him home in 14:28.95, third-fastest time all-time in New Jersey and a pb by 14 seconds.

"I wanted to go around 14:20," he said after finishing sixth. "It wasn't a bad race.

"I use this race as a marker to see the things I need to work on," he added. "I was looking to mix it up a bit. I have a lot to shoot for."

The Sam Howell Invitational was held over two days and two former Freehold Regional District athletes made their marks for their respective colleges.

Justin Frick, a state high jump champion at Freehold Borough and now a freshman at Princeton, won the men's high jump at 6-83/4 on Saturday.

Leslie Holleran, a former star distance runner at Howell High School now competing for Rutgers University, was fifth in the women's 1,500 meters (4:55.19).