On February 22, Seton Hall Prep Winter Track Team marked a historical record by winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A State championships.  It’s the first time the Pirates have won this title since 1980, when they shared the championship with Don Bosco and Christian Brothers Academy.  The Indoor State Championships, which was held at the Bennet Center in Toms River, is one of the most competitive meets of the season.  The Pirates came in strong and defeated all odds to win this title. 

Pirates started off the meet with 24 points in a great triple led by Xavier Donaldson, with a 1-2-3 win in the 400-meter dash.  Xavier Donaldson ’23 took first place with 49.27, followed by second place Ryan Matulonis ’23 (49.60) and Nick Devita ‘23, who took third (51.15).  The momentum kept going into the 800-meter, with Ryan Matulonis, Nick Devita and Russell Webb ’23 scoring top six in the event.  “It really came down to the 800, because we did not have any runners participating in the 2-mile, so our job was to get as many points in as possible within just that little race,” voiced Webb.  

The Pirates continued strong throughout the meet with the 55-meter dash. Xavier Donaldson coming in first place with a time of 6.44 and Darren Burton placing sixth with a time of 6.69. High jumper Stephen Niamke, also contributed greatly, clearing a 6’2” in the high jump and winning 2nd place for the Prep. Burton expressed how much athletic talent the Pirates current track team has.   

The contributions and great performances from the whole team led to an 83-75 win over Christian Brother’s Academy.  “We all really came together and got to know each other on a deeper level and after the big win we took a victory lap around the track,” voiced Donaldson. 

The Pirates are looking forward to finishing off the winter track season strong by breaking the state record in the 4×400 relay.  Spring season is coming up soon and the Pirates are ready!