The Willingboro girls track team jumped and cheered wildly as the team results were read out at the NJSIAA sectional track meet at Delsea High School on Saturday, learning they had edged out Haddonfield for the South Jersey, Group 2 title. It was the first girls title in recent memory for Willingboro after Haddonfield had a stranglehold on the girls crown for the past five years. They were led by team captain Nester Wea, which changed with a thunderous celebration near the scoring tent.
By winning the 4x400, Willingboro scored 139 points to Haddonfield’s 136 to walk away with the South Jersey Group 2 sectional victory. Winslow captured the Group 3 title, fending off Timber Creek after another day of outstanding performances from Naylah Jones and Ryan Jennings. “It took a total team effort to win this sectional title,” Willingboro coach Doug Key said.
“Everyone on this team understood what they needed to do and everyone did their jobs. It was in the field, jumps and throws and everyone knew we needed them. “We knew if we were going to win, every point mattered.
Fifth and sixth place mattered.” Wea was the catalyst, defending her titles in the 200 and 400 dashes to go with her in the 100-meter dash on Friday. Key said Wea had battled injuries all season and just recently started to feel like her old self again.
“She’s the big dog,” Key said of his star runner, who is only a junior. “Everyone rallied around Nester. She’s been injured and nursing an injury s.
