Brick Memorial girls’ track team ready to take off

Many track coaches speak of the indoor season as a primer for outdoors. Brick Memorial coach Carol Giannella is no exception, but she also feels she has four runners who can make their presence felt in the NJSIAA Group IV meet.

Leading the way is senior Amy Dannwolf, who comes off a solid cross country season and finished 18th in the 800 meters outdoors in the Meet of Champions. She will run the 880 and 1,600, as will senior Lauren Loeb, who also draws high expectations from Giannella.

Juniors Erin Gorski, a hurdler and sprinter, and distance runner Jen Olszewski also figure to have extended seasons.

"Erin, in the hurdles, has come a long way," said Giannella. "She should get to the states, along with Amy, who is experienced in that, and Jen and Lauren."

Freshman Kaitlin Toomey, coming off a solid soccer season for the NJSIAA Group IV champions, has made some great first impressions as a sprinter.

Other speedsters include junior Jessica Soto, sophomores Jackie Stier and Kim Lyons, and freshman Jen Kosh. Freshman Jessica Imbriacio has done well in distance running.

Seniors and twin sisters Holly and Heather McLaughlin and Kathleen Maresco are coming on strong in the shot put.

Giannella feels she has two solid relays in the distance medley with Dannwolf, Loeb, Imbriacio and Olszewski, and the sprint medley with Soto, Gorski, Stier and Lyons.

"The thing I like about them most is how they function as a group and do many things together," said Giannella.

She hopes their efforts begin to bear results Monday (Dec. 23) when they open their season in the Spiked Shoe Festival at the 168th Street Armory in New York, and then the Ocean County Relays on Jan. 4.

— Wayne Witkowski