When you say “the bubble” to the average VHS student, he or she might think of bubble gum or bath bubbles. But when you mention “the bubble” to Verona Winter Track athletes, they think of something entirely different.

To a track athlete, “the bubble” triggers images of a two-hour bus ride down the Parkway to the Jersey Shore.  A destination normally associated with warm sunny days, in the case of winter track, it is associated with stress, competition and nasty cold weather.

“The bubble” is a track dome located in Tom’s River and it is the site of the state sectional meet. On Tuesday February 5th, the VHS Winter Track team left school early and set off on the long, bumpy, ride.

For the girls’ team, it was definitely worth the long ride as they were named Group 1, Section I Champs.

Sophomore Julia Ashley placed first in three individual races with meet records in the 400 meter and the 55 meter. Julia was also seconds off of the 800m meet record, and would likely have broken it if not for a very unusual accident.  Julia collided with an official who bumped her off the track. After the race, the distraught official apologetically hugged Julia with eyes full of tears.

While Julia was upset and mad that she collided with the official she knew she couldn’t hold a grudge. “I can’t be mad at him because it was unintentional,” she said.

Other meet highlights included Melanie Egan placing second in both the 1600m and the 3200m.

The 1600m relay team of Kelsey Attamante, Angel Barkley, Marybeth Grund and Julia Ashley also placed second.

Gabriela Mercurio finished third in pole vault followed by Jordan Seubert placing sixth.

Kelsey Attamante came in fourth in the 800m followed by Sarah Conboy placing sixth.

Marybeth Grund finished fourth in the 55m hurdles.

Colleen Farrell in the 55m, Laura Williams in high-jump and Diana Moczula in shot-put all placed sixth.

Needless to say it was a joint effort as the girls’ total of 73 points won them the section title, the second year in a row.

On the boys’ side, medals were won as well.

Tyler Kirkwood placed second in high jump.

The boys 1600m relay team of Christopher Sweeny, Michael Perri, Shaun Degnan, and Aaron Seubert placed third.

Christopher Sweeney placed fourth in the 400m and third in the 55m hurdles.

Shaun Degnan placed fourth in the 800m.

Although the boys did not come home with a trophy, they were quite pleased with the pizza Coaches Leporati and Palmerezzi bought for the late night bus ride home.