The Profs are at the top of the rankings in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) following multiple really strong performances in the Fasttrack Invitational last Friday, Feb. 7 in Staten Island, New York. One of them is Gabriella Pagano, who has hit a hot streak in the team’s past three events; perfect timing as the Profs approach the home stretch of the season.

“She’s probably got so much more probably beyond what we can imagine,” said head coach Shedrick Elliott III. “In general, she’s leading that depth that we have so far.”

Last week, Elliott III claimed we have not seen the absolute best of Pagano quite yet. In Staten Island, Pagano hit a new top time within the NJAC in the 3000-meter run with a time of 10:06.64. With a trip to Boston coming up over the weekend, followed by the NJAC, Regional, and NCAA Championships, it’s the perfect time to be heating up, while temperatures outdoors do the opposite.

Pagano wasn’t alone in re-setting the bar in the NJAC, as Nevaeh Lorjuste set a new No. 1 time in the 400 meters within the conference with a time of 57.45, the third-best indoor time of her career.

“She’s only been around for about three weeks, she wasn’t here this fall,” said Elliott III. “She’s already put herself on the national board. She’s top-20, and that’s what it takes.”

Lorjuste will look to use the team’s upcoming trip to Boston for some cushion, and a chance to move even further into the NCAA Division III rankings for an opportunity to qualify for the NCAA tournament, which begins on March 14.

Jasmine Broadway registered the second-highest NJAC time at the Fasttrack Invitational, running a 25.63 in the 200 meters. The senior also hit her indoor personal record in the 400 meters, running a 59.91.

Broadway will look to finish her indoor career strong in her trip to Boston this weekend, followed by trips to Philadelphia and New York in the final portion of the season.

Shannon Stakelbeck ran a 19:17.55 in the 5000 meters, placing sixth, which is the new fifth-best time in NJAC. Erika Schinasi topped her season best in the pole vault, recording a jump of 2.75 meters.

This Friday, Elliott III and a van of athletes will head up to Boston to compete in the Valentine Invitational, hosted by Boston University. Another smaller group will head to Widener Indoor Classic on the campus of Penn University.

The event at Boston University begins at 9:00 a.m., while Widener’s event begins at 2:00 p.m.

The NJAC Championships begin exactly two weeks from Saturday.

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