With reigning state champion Paige Sheppard just a few strides ahead as they charged down the homestretch at the Meet of Champions, Leah Starkey felt her mind go completely blank.

All she could think was: Just go. Go as fast as you can in the final 200 meters. Pray you come out on top against one of the best high school distance runners in the country.

Thanks to an unbelievable kick, Leah Starkey came out on top — in what was arguably the greatest finish ever seen in a Meet of Champions girls’ race.

The Ocean Township sophomore finished just two seconds ahead of Sheppard, crossing the line in 17:15. It’s the third-fastest time in Holmdel Park history, just eight seconds behind the state record set by Lakeland’s Angelina Perez in 2021 (17:07).

“I was a little surprised at the time,” Sta

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