Madison 6th-Grader Tops NJSP 'Physical Challenge'

sixth-grader Claire Ralston took first place among middle school girls in the first New Jersey State Police Top Physical Challenge State Championship held in Sea Girt this month, the state police announced Thursday.

Top athletes from grades 5 through 12 were invited from schools throughout the New Jersey to compete in the June 5 contest.

Students were tested in a physical assessment that consisted of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, broad-jump and a shuttle run.

Madison Junior School physical education teacher Patrick Scarpello said Ralston is "a phenomenal athlete and an even better person."

"She is extremely humble about her ability and works diligently to be the best she can be," Scarpello said. "I am fortunate to have Claire in my physical education class and she has a wonderful personality, does everything to the best of her ability, and does not look for any attention when she has success. What a great young person!"

The Top Physical Challenge program was created in 2006 to show the importance of physical fitness as it relates to law enforcement. During the school year, troopers visit schools throughout the state and talk to students about the importance of fitness.

During the visits, students receive awards based on their performance, and students who achieve an overall score of 100% receive a gold coin and are invited to participate in the championship.

The rankings

Middle School Girls

• 1st  Claire Ralston; 6th Grade Madison Junior High School, Madison- 97.60%
• 2nd Gabby Alves; 8th Grade Millstone Twp. Middle School, Millstone- 96.20%
• 3rd  Kathleen Ngo; 7th Grade Assumption Regional, Galloway- 96.00%

 Middle School Boys

• 1st   Parker Adamo; 8th Grade Millstone Twp. Middle School, Millstone- 96.40%
• 2nd Colton Langworthy 8th Grade Alpha Public School, Alpha- 90.80%
• 3rd  Danny Teschko 8th Grade Gateway Regional HS, Woodbury Heights- 90.60%

High School Girls

• 1st  Wakiyah Hill 12th Grade Warren Co Tech, Washington- 89.20%
• 2nd Dana Smith 12th Grade Union County Vocational-Technical HS, Scotch Plains- 88.40%

High School Boys

• 1st  Michael Horestsky 12th Grade Warren Co. Tech, Washington- 96.90%
• 2nd Kristian Bokage 11th Grade Union County Vocational-Technical HS, Scotch Plains- 94.40%
• 3rd Mike Helmstetter 11th Grade Union County Vocational-Technical HS, Scotch Plains- 92.80%