Unachukwu takes second in Eastern States triple jump
Marlboro's Ada Unachukwu finished second in the girls triple jump at the Eastern State Championships.

The triple jump is not a contest in NJSIAAcompetitions and it's a shame because Unachukwu and Cranford's Kelly Burke could have put on quite a show.

Earlier in the season, Unachukwu got off a season-leading 38-5¼ beating Burke at the Jersey City Armor. At the Eastern States, held at the New York City Amory on Feb. 25, it was Burke's turn. She bested Unachukwu by just three-quarters of an inching, 37-8 to 37-7¼.

Unachukwu's 38-5¼ still stands as the best in the state this year and is No. 12 in the country. Burke also made the national rankings with her 37-8.

Unachukwu put on her running spikes and finished 12th in the 200-meter dash. Her 25.72 equaled the Freehold Regional District record set by Freehold Borough's Rose Drayton in 2004.

This winter, the Marlboro junior set District records in the 200-, 300- and 400- meter dashes, the long jump and triple jump.

In the boy's triple jump, District record holder Marcus Goode was 11th (43-11½).

Colts Neck's girls were ninth in the Distance Medley (12:13.82). Allison Linnell turned in a 3:36.1 for the opening 1,200-meter leg. Kathlyn Herrick turned in a 1:00.9 400 and Allie Flott split 2:24.8 for the 800 meters. Brianna Jackucewicz brought it home with a 5:12.0 1,600 meters.

The Cougar boys were 13th in the distance medley relay (10:39.30). Marik Leininger did 3:13.6 for the 1,200 and Vyautus Ulke split 50.5 for his 400 leg. Kevin O'Dowd did a 2:01.7 800 and Jason Weiner ran a 4:33.5 anchor 1,600.

Cougar frosh Mike O'Dowd was 14th in the boy's two-mile run 10:07.16.

Ashton Gooding was 21st in the triple jump (42-6) for the Cougars.

The National Scholastic Indoor Championships at the Armory are Friday through Sunday with the Nike Indoor Nationals Saturday and Sunday in Landover, Md.

It will be very difficult to say the least to top last year when the Cougar girls won the 4x1-mile relay for the second straight year, and Ashley Higginson won the twomile run at the Armory. In Landover, the Cougars' Craig Forys won the NIN twomile championship race.