Jackson Memorial High School athletics in the spotlight

In a 6-1 victory over Howell in a Shore Conference Tournament game, Kevin Needham struck out 10 batters as the Jackson Memorial Jaguars rolled to a routinewin. Needhamwon his fifth game of the season as Jackson improved to 16-5 overall.

Cory Carr smacked a three-run double in the sixth inning to provide Needhamplenty of insurance runs. Marc Asta poked three hits, including an RBI single in the second.

Jackson boys track wins SCT title; girls are runner-up

Sparked by the strength of itsmiddle distance runners, the Jackson Memorial boys track team captured its first Shore Conference championship in recentmemory. Jackson finished with a total of 59 points to edge Freehold by a single point.

The Jaguars' runners took first in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter events.Monroe Kearns took first in the 800 in a time of 1:55.88. Ben Forrest captured the 1,600 in 4:27.94, while Austin Santillo posted a wining time of 9:40.55 to win the 3,200.

For the girls, who finished with a total of 54 points, Shannon Watt and Sam Brady took individual titles.Wattwon the shot put with a throw of 44 feet 10 inches, while Brady won with a jump of 11 feet 2 inches. Watt placed second in the discus.

Jags sophomore TyliaGillon finished second in both the 100- and 200-meter events.

Lakewood's Essence Mayers finished runner-up in the long jump with a leap of 17-7.