Kyle Greenleaf has put in a lot of work during the past year to drop his time on the track.

RIGHT THERE: Barnegat senior Kyle Greenleaf (center) sprints toward the finish line to complete the 400-meter dash during the NJSIAA Group 2 Championships on May 31. Greenleaf placed second to earn a spot in the Meet of Champions. (Photos by David Biggy)

“Last year, I stopped here at the group meet and I said I wasn’t going to let that happen again,” said the Barnegat senior moments after qualifying for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions by placing second in the 400-meter dash during the Group 2 Championships on May 31. “I placed seventh and just missed the cut last year, and it felt terrible. I didn’t want to feel that again, so I pushed myself a lot harder.”