Higginson shatters state 5,000 mark
Sam Howell Invitational
04/08/2007
Ashley Higginson of Colts Neck shattered the state record in the 5,000-meter run while finishing second in 16:38.51 at the Sam Howell Invitational last night in Princeton. She also became the 12th fastest high school girl in U.S. history.

Higginson, competing against college and post-collegiate runners, hit the first 1,600 in 5:16 and the 3,200 in 10:40 as she obliterated the state record of 17:34.40 set last year by Jen Clausen of Jackson. Higginson's previous best 5-K time was 17:54.22, which she ran at the Sam Howell meet a year ago.

Craig Forys, Higginson's teammate, just missed in his state-record attempt in the men's 5-K, placing sixth in 14:28.95, No. 3 in state history. Forys, who hit 1,600 in 4:36 and 3,200 in 9:13, was bidding to better the state mark of 14:25.8 set in 1975 by Chris Hallinan of Bernards. Forys was 14th last year in 14:42.66

Also in the men's 5-K was sophomore Doug Smith of Gill St. Bernard's. Smith was third in his heat in 14:54.03, No. 8 all-time by a New Jersey runner.

Back