From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Emma Crozier-Carole, a junior from Mainland Regional, recorded the 3^rd-highest heptathlon score in North Carolina Wilmington history this weekend at the CAA Championships in Elon, N.C.

Carole increased her PR from 4,329 points at the 2024 CAA meet, also at Elon, to 4,578 points and placed 6^th in the Coastal Athletic Association meet.

Crozier-Carole’s 4,578-point total is highest by a NCW woman in 11 years, since Shelby Hall scored 4,600 points at the 2015 CAA meet in Williamsburg, Va. Anna Raynor set the school record with 5,222 points in Rock Hill, S.C.

Crozier-Carole ran 14.92 in the opening hurdles for 852 points, then cleared 5-4 ½ in the high jump for 783 points, threw the shot 38-2 ¾ for 638 points and finished Day 1 with a 26.76 in the 200 for  732 points.

On Day 2, Saturday, she started out with a 17-7 to score 660 points, threw the javelin 98-7 for 478 points and ran the 800 in 2:52.83 for 435 points.

Crozier-Carole has a long jump PR of 19-8 with a legal 1.1 wind from a home meet in March. That’s also 3^rd in school history. She also placed 5^th in the long jump at the CAA meet with an 18-8 ½.

Crozier-Carole was a sectional champion in the hurdles and high jump and a state medalist in the high jump and long jump.

It was great to see Isabella Alvarez’s name in the results of the South Jersey Group 2 meet in her first competition in almost a year.

Alvarez, who had a historic freshman season last spring, placed 2^nd in both the javelin and shot put after undergoing knee surgery that wiped out her indoor season and most of her outdoor season. The South Jersey Group 2 meet at Delsea was her first high school competition since the Meet of Champions at Pennsauken last June, although she did compete in some AAU meets after that.

As a freshman last spring, Alvarez was the state Group 2 champion in the hurdles with a 14.56 and shot put with a 38-10 ¾ and placed 2^nd in the high jump at 5-4 and 4^th in the long jump with a 17-6 ¼. She had PRs of 14.41, 39-8, 5-6 and 18-6 ½ as well as 35-5 ¾ in the triple jump and 118-1 in the javelin.

Among New Jersey freshmen last year, she ranked 1^st in the high jump and shot put, 2^nd to Jasmine Jackson in the hurdles, 2^nd in the long jump and 2^nd in the javelin and 5^th in the triple jump.

At sectionals this past weekend, she threw the javelin on Friday and hit 108-0 on her 4^th attempt, which gave her the lead until Middle Township junior Allison Nagle hit 109-9 on her final throw.

In the shot, Alvarez threw a PR 40-3 ½ on her final attempt and finished 1 ½ inches behind Elizabeth Buschiazzo of Barnegat. That’s the best throw ever by an Atlantic County sophomore.

She goes into states as the No. 3 seed in the javelin and No. 2 seed in the shot put.

The Kingsway girls broke 3:50 in the 4-by-4 for the first time in school history Saturday at the South Jersey Group 4 meet at Lenape, and their 3:49.92 is 4^th-fastest in New Jersey this year and 3^rd-fastest in Gloucester County history.

Sophomore Talia Griscom, junior Kenya Nobles, junior Norah Brown and sophomore Noemi Haller placed 2^ndto Sianni Wynn and Pennsauken, who ran 3:43.56, with Griscom leading off in 57.70, Nobles splitting 57.17,, Brown 56.58 and Haller 56.81.

Kingsway’s time was below the previous Group 4 and overall South Jersey sectional meet record of 3:50.27 set by Lenape’s Skyla O’Connor, Shannon Lambert, Megan Quimby and Shelby Whetstone at Egg Harbor in 2017.

The only school to run faster at the 16 sectional meets was Pennsauken, with its overall sectional record.

Kingsway broke its school record of 3:52.50 set last year by Jonelle Lewis, Haller, Brown and Camryn Stanard at the Meet of Champions at Pennsauken.

All-Time Gloucester County Sub-3:57 list
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:48.7h … Washington Twp., 1999
3:49.92 … Kingsway, 2026
3:52.50 … Kingsway, 2025
3:52.88 … Washington Twp., 2007
3:53.60 … Washington Twp., 2005
3:54.74 … Delea, 2011
3:55.34 … Kingsway, 2013
3:55.54 … Paulsboro, 2018
3:55.76 … Washington Twp., 2006
3:56.44 … Delsea, 2012
3:56.67 … Clayton, 2021
3:56.73 … Williamstown, 2011
3:56.81 … Kingsway, 2015
3:56.86 … Delsea, 2009

3:57.06 … Clearview, 2010
3:57.74 … Paulsboro, 2019
3:57.76 … Delsea, 2014
3:57.99 … Kingsway, 2012

All-Time South Jersey 1,600-Meter Relay List
3:40.64 … Winslow Twp., 2026
3:41.89 … Pennsauken, 2026
3:43.46 … Winslow Twp., 2025
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3;44.43 … Winslow Twp., 2024
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:45.77 … Willingboro, 2026
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023
3:46.66 … Timber Creek, 2024
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
3:49.01 … Eastern, 2024
3:49.92 … Kingsway, 2026
3:49.93 … Willingboro, 2009

Cinnaminson’s Eddie Frey, posted a pole vault PR Saturday, placed 2^nd in the CAA Championships and broke the Monmouth freshman record.

Frey began the day with a college PR of 14-7 ¼ from an indoor meet at the Ott Center in January after clearing 15-6 three times as a Cinnaminson senior last spring.

At the Coastal Athletic Conference Championships in Elon, N.C., he cleared 15-7 on his 3^rd attempt, moving into the No. 6 spot in Monmouth history and breaking the Monmouth freshman record of 15-5 ½ set by Jacob George of Haddon Township last month at TCNJ.

William & Mary freshman Leighton McGee won the conference title on fewer misses at 15-7. Both missed three attempts at 15-10 ¾.

George placed 5^th at 14-7 ½. George was the state Group 1 champ last year and Frey was Group 2 runner-up.

Here’s my best attempt at an all-time South Jersey alumni pole vault top-10. Note that Nick Gilanelli also vaulted for Monmouth and that 15-9 from 20 years ago was then a school record and is still No. 4 in school history. A

Lemme know who’s missing!

18-0… Nico Morales [Delsea], May 16, 2025, Eugene, Ore.

17-8 ½ … Ryan Merlino [Oakcrest], April 19, 2026, Piscataway

17-3 ½ … Noah Kreisman [Cherry Hill East], April 20, 2024, Columbia, S.C.

16-10 … Mike Maira [Seneca], March 1, 2014, College Station, Texas

16-0 … Marco Morales [Delsea], Feb. 11, 2020, Staten Island, N.Y.

16-0 … Bob Green [Haddon Heights], May 1, 1992, Voorhees

15-9 … Nick Gilanelli [Moorestown], April 15, 2006, Charlottesville

15-7 … Brandon Kurtz [Absegami], May 25, 1991, Bridgeton

15-7 … Eddie Frey [Cinnaminson], May 16, 2026, Elon, N.C.

15-6 … Matt Mancini [Cinnaminson], April 10, 2020, Princeton

15-6 … Dan Batdorf [West Deptford], Feb. 23, 2008, Toms River
15-5 ½ … Jacob George [Haddon Twp.], April 24, 2026, Ewing

Cinnaminson’s Eddie Frey, posted a pole vault PR Saturday, placed 2^nd in the CAA Championships and broke the Monmouth freshman record.

Frey began the day with a college PR of 14-7 ¼ from an indoor meet at the Ott Center in January after clearing 15-6 three times as a Cinnaminson senior last spring.

At the Coastal Athletic Conference Championships in Elon, N.C., he cleared 15-7 on his 3^rd attempt, moving into the No. 6 spot in Monmouth history and breaking the Monmouth freshman record of 15-5 ½ set by Jacob George of Haddon Township last month at TCNJ.

William & Mary freshman Leighton McGee won the conference title on fewer misses at 15-7. Both missed three attempts at 15-10 ¾.

George placed 5^th at 14-7 ½. George was the state Group 1 champ last year and Frey was Group 2 runner-up.

Here’s my best attempt at an all-time South Jersey alumni pole vault top-10. Note that Nick Gilanelli also vaulted for Monmouth and that 15-9 from 20 years ago was then a school record and still No. 4 in school history.

Lemme know who’s missing!

18-0… Nico Morales [Delsea], May 16, 2025, Eugene, Ore.
17-8 ½ … Ryan Merlino [Oakcrest], April 19, 2026, Piscataway
17-3 ½ … Noah Kreisman [Cherry Hill East], April 20, 2024, Columbia, S.C.
16-10 … Mike Maira [Seneca], March 1, 2014, College Station, Texas
16-0 … Marco Morales [Delsea], Feb. 11, 2020, Staten Island, N.Y.
16-0 … Bob Green [Haddon Heights], May 1, 1992, Voorhees
15-9 … Nick Gilanelli [Moorestown], April 15, 2006, Charlottesville
15-7 … Brandon Kurtz [Absegami], May 25, 1991, Bridgeton
15-7 … Eddie Frey [Cinnaminson], May 16, 2026, Elon, N.C.
15-6 … Matt Mancini [Cinnaminson], April 10, 2020, Princeton
15-6 … Dan Batdorf [West Deptford], Feb. 23, 2008, Toms River
15-5 ½ … Jacob George [Haddon Twp.], April 24, 2026, Ewing

Haddonfield’s Rebecca Hoover moved into the all-time Penn top-10 in the pole vault with a PR 12-8 ½ Saturday in Princeton.

Hoover increased her PR from 12-8, which she cleared at the 2024 Camden County Championships at Haddon Township. She just cleared a collegiate PR of 12-7 ½ at Widener last month.

Hoover’s 12-8 ½ is No. 9 on the all-time Penn list.

At the Ivy League Championships Saturday at Weaver Stadium, Hoover cleared 11-10 ¾ and 12-4 ¾ on her 1^stattempt and 12-8 ¾ on her 3^rd. She finished 8^th and was second among freshmen behind Princeton’s Lotte Gretzler, who attended Schule Für Hochbegabtenförderung High School in Schwabenheim, Germany.

Here’s my best attempt at an all-time South Jersey women’s pole vault alumni list! Who’s missing?

14-4 1/2 … Kaitlyn Dermen [Millville], Jan. 31, 2025, New York
14-0 ¾ … Stephanie Maugham [Shawnee], April 6, 2002, Fresno, Calif.
13-8 … Anna Heim [Moorestown], May 13, 2010, Springfield, Mass.
13-5 ¼ … Hannah Byrd-Leitner [Moorestown], March 21, 2026, Charlottesville
13-5 … Danielle O’Reilly [Shawnee], Feb. 9, 2004, New York
13-3 ¾ … Ashley Preston [Delsea], April 17, 2021, Philadelphia
12-11 ½ … Jessica Kloss [Moorestown], May 16, 2009, Princeton
12-11 ½ … Julia Greeley [Seneca], Feb. 7, 2025, Staten Island
12-9 ½ … Casey Sturts [Buena], March 2, 2018, Boston
12-8 3/4 … Gabrielle Vetere [Washington Twp.], Jan. 31, 2025, New York
12-8 ½ … Rebecca Hoover [Haddonfield], May 16, 2026, Princeton

Princeton’s Greg Foster from Lumberton won his 7^th consecutive Ivy League long jump championship Friday and his 9^th Ivy title overall, and he did it in record fashion.

Foster set school, meet and overall conference records with a 26-5 ½ jump on his final attempt at Princeton’s Weaver Stadium. His previous-best outdoor jump was a 26-3 ½ last month at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Foster set school, meet and conference indoor records with a 27-0 ½ at the Armory on Feb. 28, which ranks him 3^rd among U.S. men this year.

Foster went 7-for-7 in Ivy League long jump competitions in his Princeton career and also won two conference titles in the hurdles.

The 26-5 ½ places him 8^th in NCAA Division 1 (and 7^th among legal jumps) going into NCAA East Regionals in Lexington, Ky., May 27-30.

Foster also placed 2^nd in the 110-meter highs with a 13.88, finishing 1-100^th of a second behind teammate Easton Tan, who PR’d with an 13.87.

Princeton won its 3^rd straight Ivy League team title, outscoring 2^nd-place Harvard 219-130.

Two races and two PRs for Washington Township’s Yashahya Brown, a sophomore at Hampton.

Brown ran 13.81 with a legal 0.7 tailwind in the trials of the Coastal Athletic Association Championships on Friday in Elon, N.C., and then placed 3^rd in the final in 13.80 with a 0.5, another PR.

His time is No. 10 on the all-time South Jersey Alumni List.

Brown’s PR previously was 13.82, which he ran last year as a freshman at Rutgers in a meet in Tampa. His best time at Hampton before this weekend was 14.03 in Lynchburg, Va., earlier this month, and his best previous wind-legal time this year was 14.09 in Greensboro, N.C., last month.

All-Time South Jersey 110-Meter Hurdles Alumni List
12.94 … Jack Pierce [Woodbury], June 22, 1996, Atlanta

13.12 … Anwar Moore [Camden], May 5, 2007, Modesto, Calif. [+1.9]

13.25 … Jamir Brown [Riverside], May 14, 2026, Louisville, Ky. [+0.7]

13.43 … Isaac Williams [Willingboro], April 16, 2016, Walnut, Calif.

13.48 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], May 12, 2023, Raleigh, N.C. [+1.2]

13.51 … Martin Booker [Camden], June 7, 1986, Indianapolis

13.54 … Sultan Tucker [Delsea], May 22, 2004, St-Martin, France
13.77 … Jeffrey Young [Camden], May 11, 2022, Bloomington, Ind.
13.78 … Greg Foster [Lumberton], May 11, 2025, New Haven, Conn. [+0.5]
13.80 … Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], May 17, 2026, Elon, N.C. [+0.5]

Huge weekend for Hampton freshman Jayden Poteat from Winslow, who recorded speedy PRs in the 200 and 400 at the Coastal Athletic Conference Championships in Elon, N.C.

Poteat moved into the all-time South Jersey alumni top-10 in both races. Hampton does not have an all-time top-10 performance list on its web site, unfortunately, so can’t tell you where he ranks in school history.

Poteat’s previous PRs were 21.05 in the 200 from last month in Greensboro, N.C., and 47.21 from the indoor conference meet in February in Boston. He dropped to 46.38 in the trials before his breakthrough 45.97 in the final.

Poteat is only the 5th New Jersey sprinter ever to run sub-21 and sub-46 at any point in his life. Olympic gold medalist Dennis Mitchell from Edgewood had PRs of 20.09 and 45.26 and Erison Hurtault of Matawan [20.86, 45.40],  Clayton Parros of Seton Hall Prep [20.85, 45.25] and Clayton Gravesande of Franklin [20.95, 45.93] also pulled off that rare double.

Poteat placed 2^nd in the 400 final. He was 7^th in the 200 after running that 20.94 in the qualifying rounds.

With his 45.97, Poteat is the No. 11 freshman in NCAA Division 1, four spots below Alabama freshman Alexander Osayemi from Clayton, who ran 45.59 at the SEC Championships at Auburn this weekend.

Peter Simpson won the 1,600 and 3,200, and the Haddonfield boys piled up 68 points in the 800, 1,600, 3,200 and 4-by-8 and rolled to their 2^nd straight sectional title and 10^th overall.

Haddonfield outscored 2^nd-place Pleasantville 109-53, with Manchester 3^rd with 51, followed by Overbrook and Pemberton [47 each], Seneca [41], West Deptford [37], Haddon Heights [34], Cedar Creek [29], Pinelands [26], Sterling [25] and Barnegat [24].

Haddonfield won its 1^st sectional title in Group 3 in 1968, then won Group 1 in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988 and 1993 and has won Group 2 in 2015, 2016, 2024 and 2025.

Haddonfield hit the motherlode with 24 points in the 3,200, Simpson winning in 9:25.55, Ryan Gibson 2^nd in 9:30.80 and Benjamin Andrus 3^rd in 9:31.11. Simpson won the 1,600 in 4:20.19, closing in 2:06.93, and Andrus was 2^nd in 4:20.96, closin in 2:07.63. Senior Michael Sinnes placed 4^th in 4:31.67. Brandon Stoner won the 800 in 1:56.30, with junior Owen Snyder 5^th with a PR 1:59.77.

Haddonfield also won the 4-by-8, with Stoner, senior John Leibrandt, sophomore Augustan Coley and sophomore Connor Brand running 8:08.06.

Junior Ryder Bozine scored 18 points in the hurdles, winning the 400 intermediates in 56.50 and taking 2^nd in the 110 highs in 14.75, both PRs. Junior Mark Derets placed 3^rd in the 400IH in a PR 57.71 and senior Mark DiMedio was 6^th in the highs with 15.44.

Junior Jack Brand was 3^rd in the 400 [50.34], sophomore Ian Blair placed 6^th in the pole vault [11-0] and DiMedio was 6^th in the high jump [5-8].

Haddonfield also placed 2^nd in the 4-by-4 in 3:29.07 with Brand, Bozine, Derets and Stoner.

Seneca got wins from senior Chase Horner in the javelin [164-6] and junior Bradley Cooper in the high hurdles [14.73].

Overbrook senior John Froehlich ran a PR 48.48 to win the 400, Pemberton senior Jaden Goins ran PRs of 10.66 and 21.84 to sweep the sprints and Pleasantville senior Raliel Wiggins won the long jump at 24-0 ½.

Pleasantville won both sprint relays, with Semaj Dozier, Nazir Griffin, Wiggins and Jamaad Washington running 42.12 in the 4-by-1 and Dozier, Qwasim Jackson, Todd Watson and Brandon Williams running 3:23.57 to win the 4-by-4.