Rutgers Prep Track and Field Team Impresses in Debut

The new RPS track and field team is off and running after a strong debut at the Somerset County Championships on January 2.

Kara Vandal ’26 led the way with three first-place finishes in the long jump, high jump, and 55m hurdles. Layla Rasool ’29 won the 1600m, while Cienna Dandridge ’28 took first in the 400m. Rasool, Dandridge, Suhailah Abdullah ’28, and Kailee Shannon ’26 earned themselves a top-10 finish in the 4x200 relay. On the boys side, Lucian Kiraz ’27 placed fifth in the 1600m in a field of 65 runners.

This meet was the team’s first foray into county-level competition. These athletes train with outside club programs and were given the opportunity this season to represent Rutgers Prep at select major events.

Great job by all our runners and coach Ben Hawkins! We’re looking forward to seeing what the team does next at the Skyland Conference Indoor Championship on February 1.