Hillsborough ran through a remarkable season and ended it by taking first place in the Girls NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4, Sectional Championships. Their final score of 67 points set them apart from competitors such as Hunterdon Central (57) and Old Bridge (34). The team previously won the 2026 Skyland Conference Championship on Feb. 1 with a score of 101 points and kept its momentum going.
“I had the chance to run alongside great teammates and capture many championship wins,” senior Stella Martinez said. “The meets and overall season went well for me and it was a great way to close out my high school winter career.”
The competition was tough at the track, with many of the top contenders remaining focused before the events began. Freshman Luciana Damiano ran alongside senior Emma Stibitz in the 55-meter Dash finals, earning Hillsborough’s first event podium finishes. Damiano placed second with a time of 7.28 seconds time and Stibitz in third with a time of 7.35 seconds. They later ran in the 400-meter Dash finals together. Across seven intense heats, Stibitz ran a 58.75 that earned her third place, while Damiano ran a 1:00.93 and finished in fifth place.
Hillsborough runners clinched top spots throughout the meet. Senior Ava Lucariello ran in the 800-meter finals in the third heat and earned second place with a time of 2:21.02. Senior Cassandra Montoya followed in the 1600-meter finals. Montoya’s time of 5:22.27 placed her in fifth just behind South Brunswick High School runners.
“I will be continuing track in college, so I’m not fully done, but I enjoy winter track,” senior Emma Burd said. “Some highlights would definitely be competing at New Balance Indoor Nationals because to run at the track at new balance is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Burd ran alongside senior Stella Martinez in the 55-meter hurdles finals. Martinez took second in 8.49 seconds, and Burd took fifth in 8.88. The Raiders had their best win during the 4×40-meter relay finals. They used their training over the past season and ran a 4:08.49, which earned them first place.
Hillsborough has since attended the Eastern States Championships, the NJSIAA State Indoor Meet of Champions, and the New Balance Nationals Indoor. The team’s continuous efforts have not gone unnoticed as they hold multiple regional titles earned just this past season.
“I feel honored to have the privilege of coaching such fine athletes but more importantly great people,” said head coach Richard Refi.
