From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

The Winslow girls raced to a commanding win in the Philadelphia Area 1,600-Meter Relay Friday at the 128th annual Penn Relays at Franklin Field.

Olivia Okaro, Dominique Clement, Djassi Dean and Cinniya Robinson ran 3:46.85 and finished 15 meters ahead of 2nd-place Friends Central of Philadelphia, which ran 3:48.57.

Winslow’s 3:46.85 is No. 10 in South Jersey history and 7th-fastest ever run by a South Jersey school in any race at the Penn Relays.

Winslow had placed 2nd to Timber Creek in the South Jersey 4-by-4 on Thursday in 3:49.66. Timber Creek qualified for the Championship of America with its 3:46.04 Thursday and placed 6th Friday in 3:46.96 with junior Billie Frazier, junior Ryan Jennings, sophomore Samiyah Puckett and senior Naylah Jones.

For Winslow, the Philadelphia Area title was their 3rd following wins in 2004 [3:49.30] and 2022 [3:51.70]. Their time is fastest by a South Jersey school in the Philadelphia Area Championship race since Willingboro ran 3:46.18 to win the 2000 race.

Other Philadelphia Area winners from South Jersey include Willingboro in 1998 [3:49.53], Eastern in 2003 [3:49.74], Woodrow Wilson in 2005 [3:50.60] and Washington Township in 2007 [3:52.88].

Okaro led off with a 56.60 split and Clement ran 56.53 on the second leg. Despite coming through 800 meters in a quick 1:53.13, Winslow was 2nd at the second handoff, about 10 meters behind Friends Central.

But Dean gave Winslow the lead with a 57.97 leg and Robinson ran a 55.75 anchor to maintain the lead and give the Eagles the 2nd-fastest time in school history. Winslow ran 3:46.67 to win the 2018 Meet of Champions at Northern Burlington.

With Timber Creek at 3:46.04 and Winslow at 3:46.85 with county, conference and state meets still to come, this is already the first time in history two South Jersey 4-by-4s have run sub-3:47 the same year.

All-Time Fastest South Jersey 4-by-4s at Penn Relays
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022 Championship of America [6th]
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995 Championship of America [4th]
3:45.74 … Willingboro, 1999 Championship of America [1st]
3:45.94 … Camden, 1995 South Jersey [1st]
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024 South Jersey [1st]
3:46.18 … Willingboro, 2000 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:46.85 … Winslow Twp., 2024 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:46.96 … Timber Creek, 2024 Championship of America [6]
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003 South Jersey Large School [1]
3:47.39 … Clayton, 2022 South Jersey Small School [1]
3:48.08 … Winslow Twp., 2017 Philadelphia Area [3rd]
3:48.80 … Willingboro, 1999 South Jersey Large School [1]
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.46 … Eastern, 2003 South Jersey Large School [2]
3:49.66 … Winslow, 2024 South Jersey Lartge School [2]
3:49.74 … Eastern, 2003 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.97 … Lenape, 2015 Philadelphia Area [3rd]
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998 Philadelphia Area [1st]

All-Time New Jersey 4-by-4 List
3:35.90 … Union Catholic, 2015
3:38.92 … Union Catholic, 2017
3:40.36 … Columbia, 2013
3:41.03 … Montclair, 1998
3:41.19 … Columbia, 2014
3:42.54 … Columbia, 2010
3:42.59 … Union Catholic, 2016
3:42.97 … Union Catholic, 2019
3:43.3h … Plainfield, 1981
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2003
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:44.9h … Columbia, 1980
3:45.11 … Union Catholic, 2024
3:45.12 … Trenton, 2001
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023
3:46.67 … Winslow, 2018
3:46.71 … Union Catholic, 2023
3:46.73 … Scotch Plains-Fanwood
3:46.85 … Winslow Twp., 2024
3:46.96 … Timber Creek, 2024

All-Time South Jersey 4-by-4 List
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023
3:46.67 … Winslow Twp., 2018
3:46.85 … Winslow Twp., 2024
3:47.16 … Eastern, 2003
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.4h … Camden, 1978
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006
3:48.00 … Wilson, 2001
3:48.17 … Wilson, 2006
3:48.6y … Camden,, 1978
3:48.78 … Lenape, 2014
3:48.7h … Washington Twp., 1999
3:48.87 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
3:48.91 … Penns Grove, 2013
3:49.25 … Lenape, 2015
3:49.2y … Camden, 1979
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004
3:49.43 … Willingboro, 1997
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998
3:49.63 … Winslow Twp., 2016
3:46.66 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:49.93 … Willingboro, 2009

All-Time South Jersey Penn Relays 4-by-4 List
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022 Championship of America [6th]
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995 Championship of America [4th]
3:45.74 … Willingboro, 1999 Championship of America [1st]
3:45.94 … Camden, 1995 South Jersey [1st]
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024 South Jersey [1st]
3:46.18 … Willingboro, 2000 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003 South Jersey Large School [1st]
3:47.39 … Clayton, 2022 South Jersey Small School [1st]
3:48.08 … Winslow Twp., 2017 Philadelphia Area [3rd]
3:48.80 … Willingboro, 1999 South Jersey Large School [1st]
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.46 … Eastern, 2003 South Jersey Large School [2nd]
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.66 … Winslow Twp., 2024 South Jersey Large School [2nd]
3:49.74 … Eastern, 2003 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.97 … Lenape, 2015 Philadelphia Area [3rd]

Northern Burlington junior Liliah Gordon ran the 3rd-fastest 3,000 in South Jersey history Friday at the Penn Relays and raved within 5 ½ seconds of the South Jersey record.

Gordon ran 9:45.66 at the 128th Penn Relays at Franklin Field and placed 8th among some of the top runners in the country. She was the top New Jersey finisher and dropped nearly 12 seconds off her PR 9:57.23 from last year’s Penn Relays.

Her time is fastest by a South Jersey girl since Megan Lacy of Cherokee ran 9:44.72 and set a Burlington County record at the 2012 Penn Relays. Gordon missed the county record by less than a second.

Olympian Marielle Hall of Haddonfield set the South Jersey record of 9:40.23 at the 2010 Penn Relays.

Gordon’s pace – 78.09 seconds per lap – comes out to 10:24.70 for the more commonly run 3,200. Her 3,200 PR is 10:26.49 at last year’s indoor Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze.

Her time is No. 14 in state history and 4th-fastest over the past decade. She sliced a fraction off the South Jersey junior class record of 9:45.83 set by Highland’s Megan Venables at the 2010 Penn Relays. Venables was inducted into the South Jersey Track and Field Hall of Fame last month.

Her time is fastest by a New Jersey underclassman at Penn since Julia Trethaway of West Morris Central in Chester, Morris County, ran 9:41.39 in 2019.

Gordon ran incredibly even splits – 36.70 for the first 200, then 78.25, 78.69, 79.43, 78.41, 78.52 and 78.91, closing in 76.79. So from 200 meters to 2,600 meters, she ran six laps all between 78.25 and 79.43.

Addison Ritzenheim of Niwot, Colo., won the race in 9:17.81. Her father, Dathan, was the American record holder at 5,000 meters in 2009 and 2010.

All-Time South Jersey 3,000-Meter List
9:40.23 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2010 Penn Relays
9:44.72 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 2012 Penn Relays
9:45.66 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2024 Penn Relays
9:45.73 … Megan Venables [Highland], 2010 Penn Relays
9:50.11 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], 2017 Penn Relays
9:50.95 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2016 Penn Relays
9:53.19 … Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 2009 Penn Relays
9:55.0h … Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East], 2007 Penn Relays
9:57.12 … Dina Iacone [Washington Twp.], 2007 Penn Relays
9:57.23 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2023 Penn Relays
9:57.9h … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1981 Penn Relays
9:59.5h … Deanna Germano [Shawnee], 1985 Penn Relays

All-Time New Jersey 3,000-Meter List
9:18.11 … Angelina Perez [Lakeland Regional], 2022
9:20.98 … Charlotte Bednar [The Lawrenceville School], 2022
9:33.7h …Meg Waldron (Bernards), 1981
9:37.15 …Kathleen McCafferty (Oak Knoll Academy), 2008
9:37.1h …Jodie Bilotta (North Hunterdon), 1987
9:37.91 …Ashley Higginson (Colts Neck), 2007
9:40.11 …Monal Chokshi (Bridgewater-(Raritan West), 1991
9:40.23 …Marielle Hall (Haddonfield), 2010
9:41.24 …Chris Constantin (Kittatinny), 1988
9:41.39 … Julia Trethaway [West Morris Central], 2019
9:41.7h …Anne Letko (North Hunterdon), 1981
9:44.72 …Megan Lacy (Cherokee), 2012
9:44.87 …Melanie Thompson (Voorhees), 2008
9:45.66 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2024
9:45.83 …Megan Venables (Highland), 2010
9:46.76 …Megan Curham (Villa Walsh Academy), 2013
9:47.10 …Danielle Tauro (Southern Regional), 2007
9:47.8h …Janet Smith (North Edison), 1984
9:48.59 …Grace Dwyer (Nottingham), 2014
9:49.51 … Alexa Westley [Warren Hills], 2024
9:49.0h …Theresa Gschwind (Summit), 1981

 

Fantastic meet Friday at Penn for the versatile Teyana Ames, a Rutgers sophomore from Atlantic County Tech.

Ames recorded a more than two-foot shot put PR on her 1st throw at the 128th annual Penn Relays. She threw 47-10 ¾ and placed 5th,, less than a foot behind winner Olamide Enajekpo of George Mason, who threw 48-9 ½ on her 2nd throw.

Ames’ previous PR was 45-9 ¾ from an indoor meet in January in Boston. Her outdoor PR was 45-9 ½ at a home meet in Piscataway last year.

Ames’ versatility is remarkable. She’s not only a 47-foot shot putter but a 5-7 high jumper, a mark she hit at the Armory last indoor season.

After hitting the 47-10 ¾ on her first throw, Ames threw 45-7, 42-6 ¾, 44-1 ½ and 42-10 ¾.

Her 47-10 ¾ is No. 6 in Rutgers history and No. 2 among South Jersey athletes. Sylvia Galarza of Millville threw 49-2 ¼ when she won the 2007 Penn Relays.

It’s also No. 8 all-time by a woman who attended a South Jersey high school.

62-3 ½ … Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], May 20, 2021, Tucson, Ariz.
58-6 ¼ … Jamine Moton [Delsea], May 13, 2001, Clemson, S.C.
50-5 … Victoria Imbesi [Our Lady of Mercy], May 6, 2012, Philadelphia
49-10 ¾ … Shamere Rothmiller [Glassboro], May 4, 2007, Greensboro, N.C.
49-10 … Tara Daniels [Kingsway], Feb. 6, 2016, Boston
49-2 ¼ … Sylvia Galarza [Millville], April 26, 2007, Philadelphia
48-7 … Melinda Boykin [Bridgeton], May 19, 2001, Princeton
47-10 ¾ … Teyana Ames [Atlantic County Tech], April 26, 2024, Philadelphia
46-11 ¼ … Erica Davis [Northern Burlington], April 27, 2007, Philadelphia
46-8 ¼ … Janiece Rose [Delsea], May 15, 2015, Muncie, Ind.

Kingsway grad Kyle Rakitis, a Rutgers freshman, ran a 4:05.38 anchor and the Scarlet Knights smashed a 44-year-old school record in the Penn Relays distance medley Friday.

Rutgers ran 9:43.66 and placed 4th in the DMR, behind Buffalo [9:43.14], Maryland [9:43.43] and Penn State [9:43.45].

Gavin Richards from North Hunterdon High School in Annandaale led off with a 2:58.59 leg for 1,200 meters, Gabriel Rodriguez of Union High split 48.55 on the 400 and Christopher Hill from Franklin High ran 1:51.15 on the 800 to set up Rakitis.

Rakitis, a transfer from Virginia, was coming off a PR 3:47 PR for 1,500 meters, 7th-fastest in Rutgers history.

The previous Rutgers DMR record was 9:46.7 set at the 1979 Rutgers Relays in Piscataway. The Rutgers record book does not list the runners on that team.

St. Joe’s placed 7th in 9:48.35 with 9:48.35, not far from the Hawks’ school record of 9:43.65 set in 2015. Anchor Camden Catholic anchor Matt Coffey split 4:07.37.

Rider ran 10:01.94 for 9th place with Camden Catholic graduate Richie Castaneda leading off in 3:04.17 and Egg Harbor grad Gobi Thurairajah splitting 1:54.98 for the 800 leg.

Rancocas Valley’s sophomore Jameer Bellamy, sophomore Xavier Bancroft, junior David Smith and sophomore Julian Coppage-Seepersand ran the fastest 400-meter relay of all New Jersey schools at the Penn Relays Friday and qualified for the Northeast Championship Race on Saturday.

R.V. ran 42.38, the 15th-fastest time of about 500 high schools that raced at Franklin Field. Of the 14 schools that ran faster than the Red Devils, eight were from Jamaica, three from Maryland and one each from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

They missed qualifying for the Championship of America race by just 54-100ths of a second.

The time is fastest in New Jersey this year. R.V.’s school record is 41.99 with its win at the 2021 Meet of Champions in South Plainfield.

Rancocas Valley will race in the Northeast Championship race at 4:25 p.m. Saturday. They’re the No. 2 seed behind Coatesville of Chester County, which ran 41.88

Williamstown [43.29], Willingboro [43.32], Glassboro [43.37], Deptford [43.46], Timber Creek [43.48], Winslow Township [43.48], Pennsauken [43.78]. Millville [43.81] and Sterling [43.91] also ran sub-44.

 

Bishop Eustace junior Shawn Brady, who just set a discus PR at the Woodbury Relays last weekend, did it again Friday morning at the Penn Relays.

Brady led South Jersey throwers in 6th, 7th and 8th place in the discus on the river fields outside Franklin Field with his first 170-foot throw. And his 2nd and 3rd.

Brady threw 169-10 at Woodbury but topped that Friday with a 173-8 on his 1st throw. He added a 171-0 on his 2nd attempt and a 171-6 on his 4th. Brady averaged 166-8 on his six throws.

His 173-8 is No. 7 in Camden County history. He hit 173-8 a day after Hammonton’s Anthony Liakhnovich threw a PR 178-0 at Delsea.

Glassboro senior Damere Lassiter placed 7th with a 168-2 on his 5th throw, and he had six throws at 163-1 or better. Bordentown senior Brock Schenck took 8th with a personal-best 167-6, well above his previous PR of 162-1 from earlier this month at the Don Danser Relays at Rancocas Valley.

All-Time South Jersey Discus List
216-11 … Ron Dayne [Overbrook], 1996
199-6 … Braheme Days Jr. [Bridgeton], 2013
197-0 … James Plummer [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
192-5 … Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 2013
191-11 … Franklin Simms [St. Augustine], 2022
189-7 … Ray Wilks [Bridgeton], 1995
185-11 … John Mooers [Middle Twp.], 2015
185-10 … Russ Willett [Penns Grove], 1985
185-7 … Matt Huckabee [Timber Creek], 2010
185-6 … Kamron Kobolak [Cinnaminson], 2018
185-5 … Ken Manahan [Deptford], 1976
184-8 … Damere Lassiter [Glassboro], 2023
184-4 … Adam Hunt [Collingswood], 2017
183-9 … Jason Nwosu [Delsea], 2022
183-4 … Janier Armstead [Penns Grove], 2023
181-10 … Jason Winrow [Cumberland Reg.], 1989
180-3 … Howard Clark [Pennsauken], 1998
179-11 … Nick Pulli [West Deptford], 2014
179-11 … Will Cioffi [Pitman], 2013
178-0 … Jim Stites [Millville], 1970
178-0 … Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton], 2024
177-4 … Malicah Etienne [Cinnaminson], 2023
174-9 … John Ridinger [West Deptford], 1982
173-10 … Mark Rifkin [Cherry Hill West], 1978
175-7 … John Clark [Pennsville], 2007
174-11 … Rich Lewis [Williamstown], 1985
174-11 … Cade Berardelli [Delsea], 2022
174-6 … Josh Dillard [Lindenwold], 2005
174-4 … Dennis Norman [Cherokee], 1997
174-3 … Alex Lewis [Delran], 2000
173-8 … Shaun Brady [Bishop Eustace], 2024
173-6 … Ryan Knight [Delsea], 1996
173-3 … Jake Nwosu [Delsea], 2019
173-2 … Darren Wan [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
172-1 … Derek Frazier [Williamstown], 1978
171-10 … Steve Muse [Kennedy], 1984
171-6 … Rashaun Graves [Willingboro], 2013
171-4 … Jon Kalnas [Paulsboro], 1998
170-10 … John McNeil [Kennedy], 1976
170-5 … Devon Brooks [Rancocas Valley], 2023
170-4 … Kurtis Johnson [Burlington Twp.], 1987
170-0 … Anthony Robertson [Penns Grove], 2014

Cherokee’s 3,200-meter relay team advanced to Saturday’s Championship of America 3,200-Meter Relay with the 4th-fastest time of the four qualifying races Friday morning at the 128th annual Penn Relays at Franklin Field.

Senior Nick Kuenkel, freshman Ben Realley, sophomore Logan Bromley and senior Bobby Poplau ran 7:51.14 to place 4th in the first of two large-school races following two small-school races.

Eight of the 12 qualifiers came from that first large school race, with just one from the two small-school races and three from the final race.

Cherokee will race in the Championship of America at 4:10 p.m. Saturday. It’s Cherokee’s first Championship of America 4-by-8 since 2012, when they placed 9th in 7:49.85 despite a dropped baton.

Cherokee is the first South Jersey school to make the Championship of America 4-by-8 since Egg Harbor placed 5th in 2017 in 7:47.13 with Robert Dessoye, Alex Dessoye, Aidin Hendriks and Eric Barnes.

Despite losing the two-fastest legs from last year’s Meet of Champions-winning 7:41.17 team – Conor Jacob and Patrick Ditmars – Cherokee is now the fastest team in New Jersey this year.

Kuenkel led off in 1:56.55 and had Cherokee near the front in a fairly fast race, and Realley – a rare 9th-grader running on one of the greatest stages in high school track – followed with a clutch 1:58.83 split to move the Chiefs from 6th to 5th .

Bromley, also in his first Penn Relays, ran the exact same time on the 3rd leg and moved Cherokee into 4th. Poplau anchored in 1:56.55 to keep Cherokee well ahead of 5th-place Toms River North.

So Cherokee had the 4th-fastest time going into the final race, which meant eight schools had to run faster to bump them. But when that race went out slowly – the lead group was out in 1:58-high to 1:59-low – it was clear Cherokee was safely through and would race again Saturday.

The cut-off for the Championship race turned out to be 7:57.10. The only other New Jersey schools to qualify were Toms River North [7:52.51] and West Orange [7:54.27].

The top three qualifiers were Jamaica College of Kingston [7:54.38], Newburgh (N.Y.) Free Academy [7:45.54] and Christian Brothers Academy of Memphis, Tenn. [7:47.72].

This is Cherokee’s 4th Championship of America 4-by-8. The Chiefs placed 9th in 2012 in 9:49.85 with Colin Merrigan, Shawn Wilson, Ross Staudt and Drew Viscidy.

Championship of America 4-by-8 Qualifiers
7:45.38 … Jamaica College [3]
7:45.54 … Newburgh Free Academy [3]
7:47.72 … CBA [Tenn.] [3]
7:51.14 … Cherokee [3]
7:52.05 … Central Bucks West [4]
7:52.51 … Toms River North [3]
7:53.76 … Council Rock North [3]
7:53.86 … Kingston College [4]
7:54.27 … West Orange [3]
7:54.32 … Woodbridge [3]
7:55.63 … St. John’s College [1]
7:57.10 … Lake Braddock [4]

 

Hammonton juniort Anthony Liakhnovich bombed a more than 10-foot discus PR Thursday at the Delsea Field Event meet.

Liakhnovich won the discus with a throw of 178-0. That’s No. 2 in the state this year behind Bergen Catholic junior Benjamin Shue, who threw 204-10 earlier this month in a meet in Paramus.

Liakhnovich’s previous discus PR was a 167-5 just last week at the Woodbury Relays. Before that it was 136-10 from sophomore year at last year’s Cape Atlantic meet at Bridgeton.

His throw is No. 3 in Atlantic County history and No. 20 on the all-time South Jersey list. He’s also PR’d in the shot put this spring with a 59-10, which is No. 4 in the state this year.

Paulsboro senior Javion Payne placed 2nd with a PR of his own at 160-5, a nearly 10-foot PR over his 150-7 at South Jersey Group 1 sectionals last spring at Pennsauken.

All-Time South Jersey Discus List
216-11 … Ron Dayne [Overbrook], 1996
199-6 … Braheme Days Jr. [Bridgeton], 2013
197-0 … James Plummer [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
192-5 … Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 2013
191-11 … Franklin Simms [St. Augustine], 2022
189-7 … Ray Wilks [Bridgeton], 1995
185-11 … John Mooers [Middle Twp.], 2015
185-10 … Russ Willett [Penns Grove], 1985
185-7 … Matt Huckabee [Timber Creek], 2010
185-6 … Kamron Kobolak [Cinnaminson], 2018
185-5 … Ken Manahan [Deptford], 1976
184-8 … Damere Lassiter [Glassboro], 2023
184-4 … Adam Hunt [Collingswood], 2017
183-9 … Jason Nwosu [Delsea], 2022
183-4 … Janier Armstead [Penns Grove], 2023
181-10 … Jason Winrow [Cumberland Reg.], 1989
180-3 … Howard Clark [Pennsauken], 1998
179-11 … Nick Pulli [West Deptford], 2014
179-11 … Will Cioffi [Pitman], 2013
178-0 … Jim Stites [Millville], 1970
178-0 … Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton], 2024
177-4 … Malicah Etienne [Cinnaminson], 2023
174-9 … John Ridinger [West Deptford], 1982
173-10 … Mark Rifkin [Cherry Hill West], 1978
175-7 … John Clark [Pennsville], 2007
174-11 … Rich Lewis [Williamstown], 1985
174-11 … Cade Berardelli [Delsea], 2022
174-6 … Josh Dillard [Lindenwold], 2005
174-4 … Dennis Norman [Cherokee], 1997
174-3 … Alex Lewis [Delran], 2000
173-6 … Ryan Knight [Delsea], 1996
173-3 … Jake Nwosu [Delsea], 2019
173-2 … Darren Wan [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
172-1 … Derek Frazier [Williamstown], 1978
171-10 … Steve Muse [Kennedy], 1984
171-6 … Rashaun Graves [Willingboro], 2013
171-4 … Jon Kalnas [Paulsboro], 1998
170-10 … John McNeil [Kennedy], 1976
170-5 … Devon Brooks [Rancocas Valley], 2023
170-4 … Kurtis Johnson [Burlington Twp.], 1987
170-0 … Anthony Robertson [Penns Grove], 2014

All-Time Atlantic County Discus List
197-0 … James Plummer [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
191-11 … Franklin Simms [St. Augustine], 2022
178-0 … Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton], 2024
173-2 … Darren Wan [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
169-1 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2017
168-3 … Nate Karl [Hammonton], 2019
167-9 … Steve Hague [Buena], 2007
164-8 … Dontaye Rivera [Pleasantville], 2010
162-2 … Kevin Miller [Oakcrest], 2009
161-11 … Tyler Anzisi [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018

Naylah Jones, Billie Frazier, Taylor Gaines and Ryan Jennings ran the 6th-fastest 1,600-meter relay in South Jersey history and qualified for the prestigious Championship of America at the 128th annual Penn Relays Thursday at Franklin Field.

Timber Creek won the South Jersey Large School race in 3:46.04, 6th-fastest of nearly 600 high schools competing in the 4-by-4. The nine-fastest schools from 44 races advance to the Championship of America, scheduled for 4:55 p.m. Friday. Timber Creek will be in Lane 4.

Timber Creek’s time is 5th-fastest ever by a South Jersey school at Penn behind two 1995 Camden times, Willingboro when it won the Championship of America in 1999 and Clayton in 2022.

The 3:46.04 is fastest in the South Jersey race in 29 years, since Camden ran 3:45.94 in 1995. It’s also the fastest by a Camden County school since that race.

This is Timber Creek’s first trip to the Championship of America 4-by-4. In the last 30 years, only five other schools have qualified: Camden placed 4th in 1994 with Chantell Parks, Tynisha Revels, Aishia Lawson and Medina Salaam and 4th in 1995 with Revels, Salaam, Lawson and Alishia Lawson, Willingboro won in 1999 in 3:45.74 with Takia Canty, Shakirah Rutherford, Latasha Taylor and Danielle Myricks and then placed 8th in 2002 with Channel Hamilton, Halimah Bashir, Rhea Mann and Okechi Ogbuokiri, and Clayton was 6th in 2002 with Arianna Sharpe, Ariel Sharpe, Amirah Sharpe and Kelsey Thomas in 3:44.67.

Junior Billie Frazier led off with a 58.27 split, senior Naylah Jones ran 55.23 , freshman substitute runner Taylor Gaines split 57.30 and junior Ryan Jennings anchored in 55.25. Chloe Jones, one of Timber Creek’s regular quarter-milers, is hurt and did not race.

Earlier in the day, Timber Creek ran the 6th-fastest 400-meter relay in South Jersey history with Chloe Jones, Naylah Jones, Jennings and sophomore Samiyah Puckett. Timber Creek is now No. 18 in state history in both relays.

Timber Creek girls run 6th-fastest 400-meter relay in South Jersey history at Penn, advance to Northeast Championship race along with Winslow!!!!!!!!

Winslow ran 2nd in the South Jersey Large-School race in 3:49.66 with senior Djassi Dean [59.93], sophomore Olivia Okaro [56.22], senior Dominique Clement [57.07] and freshman Cinniya Robinson [56.45].

That was the 13th-fastest time among all schools, 7th-fastest among U.S. schools and 3rd-fastest among New Jersey schools, behind a North Jersey parochial school and Timber Creek.

Winslow qualified for the Philadelphia Area 1,600-Meter Relay Championship, which is scheduled for 4:50 p.m. Friday. Winslow is the 3rd seed behind Friends Central of Wynnewood [3:47.67] and Chester [3:49.02] and will race in Lane 3.

Pennsauken placed 3rd in 4:00.32 with Amina Dyer [59.93], Sianni Wynn [57.57], Olivia Dupree [59.45] and Sanaya Dupree [1:00.88]

Willingboro ran 4:02.97 and won the Small-School race with Jaden Murry [61.50], freshman Maya Bolden [59.74], Sunny Oyibo [61.72] and Kaila Speight [1:00.03].

It was Willingboro’s first South Jersey win since 2010, when the Chimeras won the Small-School race in 3:54.82. The Boro also won the Large-School or combined race in 1996 [4:00.45], 1997 [3:55.82], 1998 [3:53.55], 1999 [3:48.80], 2000 [3:53.15], 2001 [3:51.80], 2002 [3:51.45] and 2003 [3:47.30].

All-Time New Jersey 4-by-4 List
3:35.90 … Union Catholic, 2015
3:38.92 … Union Catholic, 2017
3:40.36 … Columbia, 2013
3:41.03 … Montclair, 1998
3:41.19 … Columbia, 2014
3:42.54 … Columbia, 2010
3:42.59 … Union Catholic, 2016
3:42.97 … Union Catholic, 2019
3:43.3h … Plainfield, 1981
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2003
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:44.9h … Columbia, 1980
3:45.11 … Union Catholic, 2024
3:45.12 … Trenton, 2001
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023
3:46.67 … Winslow, 2018
3:46.71 … Union Catholic, 2023
3:46.73 … Scotch Plains-Fanwood

All-Time South Jersey 4-by-4 List
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023
3:46.67 … Winslow Twp., 2018
3:47.16 … Eastern, 2003
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.4h … Camden, 1978
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006
3:48.00 … Wilson, 2001
3:48.17 … Wilson, 2006
3:48.6y … Camden,, 1978
3:48.78 … Lenape, 2014
3:48.7h … Washington Twp., 1999
3:48.87 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
3:48.91 … Penns Grove, 2013
3:49.25 … Lenape, 2015
3:49.2y … Camden, 1979
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004
3:49.43 … Willingboro, 1997
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998
3:49.63 … Winslow Twp., 2016
3:49.93 … Willingboro, 2009

All-Time South Jersey Penn Relays 4-by-4 List
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022 Championship of America [6th]
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995 Championship of America [4th]
3:45.74 … Willingboro, 1999 Championship of America [1st]
3:45.94 … Camden, 1995 South Jersey [1st]
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024 South Jersey [1st]
3:46.18 … Willingboro, 2000 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003 South Jersey Large School [1st]
3:47.39 … Clayton, 2022 South Jersey Small School [1st]
3:48.08 … Winslow Twp., 2017 Philadelphia Area [3rd]
3:48.80 … Willingboro, 1999 South Jersey Large School [1st]
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.46 … Eastern, 2003 South Jersey Large School [2nd]
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.66 … Winslow Twp., 2024 South Jersey Large School [2nd]
3:49.74 … Eastern, 2003 Philadelphia Area [1st]
3:49.97 … Lenape, 2015 Philadelphia Area [3rd]

Haddonfield junior Rebecca Hoover cleared 11-9 Thursday morning and placed 8th in the pole vault at the 128th annual Penn Relays at Franklin Field.

Hoover was one of 10 girls to clear 11-9 but by doing it on her 2nd attempt she placed higher than two girls who cleared it on their 3rd try.

The top New Jersey placer was Sherya Sathiyan of Morris Hills, who cleared 11-9 on her first attempt.

Hoover’s outdoor PR is 12-0, which she just cleared at a meet last weekend in Westfield. She’s cleared 12 feet four times indoors, including a lifetime-best 12-3 ¾ at Boston Nationals in March, which is No. 4 in South Jersey indoor history.

Hoover just began vaulting last year. In fact her first lifetime meet according to her MileSplit database was a year ago today in a dual meet at West Deptford, when she cleared 7-6. By states she had cleare 10-6. She cleared 11-6 for the first time early this past indoor season and 12 feet for the first time in January.

She ranks tied for 4th on the all-time South Jersey outdoor list with her 12-0 clearance last weekend.

Moorestown junior Hannah Byrd-Leitner, the state Group 3 champion indoors at 12-0, placed 11th with a first-attempt clearance at opening-height 11-3 on Thursday morning.

Pennsylvania vaulters went 1-2, with Veronica Vacca Mount St. Joseph Academy in Springfield Townshpi, Montgomery,  clearing 13-1 on her 1^st attempt and Madelyn Kelly of Villa Maria in Whiteland Township, Chester County, clearing 12-11 on her 2^nd.