Lambert, Muse Win Titles: Timber Creek Track Eyes Division Crown

After not competing in a week due to rain, the boys' track program embarked on the start of a busy four-day stretch on Saturday at the Camden County Track and Field Championships.

By all accounts, the day was a success.

Quanzell Lambert and Jamad Muse took home county titles as the Chargers finished second behind Cherry Hill East. The meet was the first part of a busy stretch that includes a dual meet against Winslow Monday—which will determine the division champion—and the Olympic Conference Meet on Tuesday.

“The day was really just about focusing on how we are trying to get through next three days,” said Timber Creek coach Chris Grottini. “We didn’t have anyone (do more than two events). We just spread it out among guys on team. There wasn’t one particular performance that jumped out at us but we were happy with the way we performed overall, since we had freshman and sophomores out there. It was good to see we have those good young kids in the program.”

As expected, Lambert was dominant in the shot put. His throw of 56 feet, .5 inches, was 9 feet farther than the second place finisher. Lambert also finished second in the discus, with teammate Schalor Blackshear and Highland’s Ahmaad Randall in third and fourth, respectively.

“(Lambert) felt good today,” Grottini said. “He is very professional about going about his business and doing it the right way. It was nice to see him throw 56 feet. He has thrown 57 before so it was nice to see him get it out there again.”

Muse won the 200 in 22.16 seconds, and also placed fourth in the 100, while Josh Gray placed second in the long jump and triple jump. Neither of Gray’s leaps were personal bets, but considering he has been nursing a sore heel, it was a positive day.

“He got beat by a couple inches in both jumps and with his injury we weren’t going to try to hammer him today,” Grottini said. “We were just trying to get him through the day. He’s a high 45-foot triple jumper and he only jumped 42 today. It’s not where he wants to be or expects to be, but given the week he had we all left today thinking it’s good just to see him getting in that competitive frame of mind.”

Now the focus turns to Monday’s home showdown with Winslow. Each team is perfect in the Olympic Patriot, so the winner of the meet will claim the title.

“I would still like to think that our kids are geared up for that and can perform well enough to bring a conference championship home,” Grottini said.

NOTES: Highland’s Steve Maine also had a standout day, winning the 1600 and 3200, by seven and eight seconds, respectively. The Tartan’s Steve Lafferty was second in the 3200 and pole vaulter Neil Rizzo and Joe Johnson were second and third in the pole vault. Timber Creek’s Calvin Lowe was second in the discus, while Triton’s Kyle Kirschner was third.