From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Ajani Dwyer of Washington Township, Jamir Brown of Riverside, Lumberton’s Greg Foster and Highland’s Floyd Whitaker will respresent South Jersey at the NCAA Division 1 Championships.

Dwyer, Brown, Foster and Whitaker are among the athletes listed in the final acceptanes list relased by the NCAA Thursday afternoon.

The NCAA Championships are scheduled for March 13-14 at the Randall Tyson Track Center at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Brown is the No. 14 seed in the 60-meter hurdles with his 7.56 in the trials at the ACC Championships last month in Boston. The hurdles trials are scheduled for 6:55 p.m. Friday, March 13, with the final at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Dwyer qualified in both the 60- and 200-meter dashes. He’s the No.6 seed in the 55 with a 6.52 last month on his home track in State College and No. 9 seed with a 20.51 in Indianapolis two weeks ago at the Big Ten Championships. On Friday, the 60 trials are at 5:45 p.m. and the 200 qualifying at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the 60 final is at 4:40 p.m. with the 200 final at 5:40 p.m.

Foster, a Lawrenceville Prep graduate who grew up in Lumberton, is the No. 2 seed in the long jump with his Ivy League-record 27-0 ¼ last weekend at the Armory. The long jump is at 7 p.m. Friday.

Whitaker, NCAA runner-up last spring, is the No. 8 seed in the triple jump with his PR 53-11 ¼ last month at the SEC Championships in College Station, Texas. The triple jump is at 5 p.m. Saturday.

For the full lists of acceptances:
Women: https://www.rtspt.com/ncaa/d1indoor26/women_accepted.htm
Men: https://www.rtspt.com/ncaa/d1indoor26/men_accepted.htm

Rancocas Valley senior Josiah Lajeunesse moved into the all-time South Jersey top 10 in the indoor triple jump with a big PR at the 90^th annual Easterns Tuesday night.

Lajeunesse jumped 45-11 ½ on his 3^rd attempt and placed 3^rd  at the Armory. His improved his PR from 45-2 ½ at the Bubble from two weeks ago and broke the Burlington County indoor record [and school record] of 45-3 ½ set by Zakiyy Williams at the 2015 Varsity Classic at the Armory.

His 45-11 ½ is No. 9 in South Jersey history and best since Highland’s Floyd Whitaker – the NCAA Division 1 triple jump runner-up last year for Oklahoma – went 46-10 ¾ at 2020 Easterns.

Lajeunesse had a PR of 42-7 ¾ coming into the indoor season from last year’s Burlington County Open at Lenape but extended it to 43-9 ¼ at the Ott Center last month in his first competition of the year and then 45-2 ½ at the Bubble.

Lajeunesse had a solid series at Easterns, opening with a 44-4 ½ and 43-9 before two 45-foot jumps – 45-11 ½ and 45-0 ½.

He’s No. 2 in South Jersey this year behind Glassboro sophomore Moses Robles [46-4 ½ at the Ott in December] and No. 9 in the state. He’s seeded 12^th at Sunday’s Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze, but that’s with the 45-2 ½ mark.

Lajeunesse has also PR’d this year in the long jump with a 20-9 ¼ at the Ott in February in his only long jump competition this year. His PR coming into the season was 18-0 from a dual meet in April at R.V.

49- 1 …..… Khaliel Burnett [Delsea], 2018
48- 9 …..… Dominique Irons [Haddon Heights], 2013
48- 8 ½ … Tristan Wilson [Delsea], 2014
48- 1 ¼ … Wayne Walls [Camden], 2009
47- 3 …..… Rhodeni Spence [Woodrow Wilson], 2007
46-10 ¾ … Floyd Whitaker [Highland], 2020
46- 5 …….. Orion Joyner [Kingsway], 2019
46- 3 ½ … Keon Grady [Delsea], 2018
45-11 ½ … Josiah Lajeunesse [Rancocas Valley], 2026
45-10 …..… Kevin Kevelier [Collingswood], 2020
45-3 ½ … Zakiyy Williams [Rancocas Valley], 2015
45-3 ½ … Ezra Williams-Thomas [Moorestown], 2025
45- 0 …….. Earnest Daniel [Kingsway], 2017

Deptford seniors Johann Hernandez and Damon Alberson, junior Xavion Holmes and freshman Liam Brown became the first South Jersey school under 1:30 thi year and won the Easterns 800-meter relay Tuesday night at the Armory.

Deptford ran a season-best 1:30.18 in the trials and then dropped to 1:29.55 in the final, winning by seven meters over Hunterdon Central, who was 2^nd in 1:30.27.

This is the 2^nd 4-by-2 win at Easterns for Deptford, who won the 2015 race in 1:30.51 with Walter Victor, Anthony Hernandez, Derrick Clement and Eric Hill.

Deptford is the first South Jersey school to win Easterns 4-by-200 since Rancocas Valley with Brian Merriman, Sam Keleekai, Rob Hawkins and Brandon Boggs.

Deptford’s time is 4^th-fastest in New Jersey this year.

South Jersey Easterns 800-Meter Relay Winners
1988 … Willingboro, 1:31.33y
1995 … Woodrow Wilson, 1:30.87
1996 … Woodrow Wilson, 1:31.17
1999 … Camden, 1:29.61
2000 … Lenape, 1:28.46
2002 … Camden, 1:28.82
2003 … Vineland, 1:29.52
2004 … Camden, 1:26.90
2013 … Timber Creek, 1:29.72
2015 … Deptford, 1:30.51
2016 … Pennsauken, 1:29.74
2017 … Rancocas Valley, 1:29.29
2026 … Deptford, 1:29.55

All-Time South Jersey Indoor 800-Meter Relay
1:26.90 … Camden, 2004
1:27.60 … Vineland, 2004
1:28.0h … Edgewood, 2001
1:28.28 … Washington Twp., 2024
1:28.45 … Camden, 2002
1:28.46 … Lenape, 2000
1:28.48 … Camden, 2007
1:28.77 … Pennsauken, 2023
1:28.77 … Camden, 2025
1:28.80 … Deptford, 2023
1:28.91 … Camden, 2000
1:29.06 … Oakcrest, 2012
1:29.16 … Rancocas Valley, 2025
1:29.17 … Camden, 2001
1:29.29 … Rancocas Valley, 2017
1:29.33 … Delsea, 2024
1:29.52 … Vineland, 2003
1:29.55 … Deptford, 2026
1:29.57 … Camden, 1997
1:29.61 … Camden, 1999
1:29.72 … Timber Creek, 2013
1:29.74 … Pennsauken, 2016
1:29.81 … Pennsauken, 2022
1:29.87 … Timber Creek, 2016
1:29.92 … Deptford, 2017
1:29.92 … Deptford, 2018
1:29.97 … Pleasantville, 2008

All-Time Gloucester County Indoor 800-Meter Relay
1:28.28 … Washington Twp., 2024
1:29.33 … Delsea, 2024
1:29.55 … Deptford, 2026
1:29.80 … Deptford, 2023
1:29.92 … Deptford, 2017
1:29.92 … Deptford, 2018
1:30.12 … Delsea, 2007
1:30.40 … Delsea, 2009
1:30.60 … Delsea, 2008
1:31.76 … West Deptford, 2006

Moses Robles smashed his own South Jersey sophomore record Tuesday night and recorded the best mark by a South Jersey long jumper in six years when he won the Easterns long jump at the Armory.

Robles soared 23-4 on his 2^nd jump, breaking his own South Jersey sophomore record of 22-9 ¾ from the Ott Center in January. His jump is 3^rd-best in Gloucester County history and best in 14 years, since Woodbury’s. Anthony Averett went 23-7 ¾ at 2012 Easterns at the Armory.

Robles moved up to No. 13 in South Jersey history and No. 24 in state history. According to the MileSplit national database, he’s the No. 4 sophomore in the U.S. The state sophomore record is 23-7 ¼ in 2015 at FDU in Hackensack by Justes Nance of Blair Academy in Warren County.

Robles opened with a 22-0 before hitting the big 23-4 on his 2^nd jump. He went 22-11 on his final jump of the trials before a 22-7 ¼ and a 22-1 to open the finals and then a foul.

He won by 4 ¾ inches over Brendan Alef of Demarest, who jumped 22-11 ¼ on his 3^rd attempt.

With Damere Lassiter in the shot put in 2024, Ty Blackman in the 1,600 last year and Robles this year, Glassboro has had an Easterns winner three straight years after not having one since sprinter George Hartsfield won the 60-yard dash in 1965.

Moses only long jumped Tuesday, but he’s the No. 1 sophomore triple jumper in New Jersey at 46-4 ½ and 2 sophomore high jumper at 6-6. He’s No. 4 overall in New Jersey ing the long jump this year, tied for 5^th in the high jump and 6^th in the triple.

South Jersey Easterns Long Jump Winners
1978 … Carl Lewis [Willingboro, N.J.] 23-11 ¼
1979 … Carl Lewis [Willingboro, N.J.0 25-5 ½
1982 … Isaac Samuels [Willingboro-Kennedy, N.J.] 22-11 ½
1983 … Isaac Samuels [Willingboro-Kennedy, N .J.] 24-0 ¼
1987 … John Meekins [Cinnaminson, N.J.] 22-9 ¾
1988 … Rich Winstead [Egg Harbor Twp., N.J.] 23-1
1990 … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro, N.J.] 24-6 ¼
1991 … Jermaine Jackson [Camden-Wilson, N.J.] 22-7
2003 … Mike Morrison [Willingboro, N.J.] 23-2
2011 … Andrew Athias [Cherry Hill East, N.J.] 23-4
2012 … Anthony Averett [Woodbury, N.J.] 23-7 ¾
2013 … Antwan Dickerson [Pennsauken, N.J.] 22-11 ½
2020 … Floyd Whitaker [Highland, N.J.] 22-8
2022 … Ahmad Fogg [Egg Harbor Township, N.J.] 21-9

All-Time Glassboro Easterns Winners
2026 … Moses Robles, Long Jump [23-
2025 … Ty Blackman, 1,600-Meter Run [4:19.56]
2024 … Damere Lassiter, Shot Put [60-1]
1965 … George Hartsfield, 60-Yard Dash [6.3y]

All-Time Easterns Long Just List
26-0 ¾ … Dion Bentley (Penn Hills, Pa.), 1989
25-7 ¾ … Marvin Ford (Uniondale, N.Y.), 1993
25-5 ½ … Carl Lewis (Willingboro), 1979
25-3 ¾ … Eric Metcalf (O’Connell, Va.), 1985
24-10 ½ … Ron Dickerson (State College, Pa.), 1989
24-6 ¾ … Gerard Reynolds (Willingboro), 1990
24-2 … Jason Grimes (Overbrook, Pa.), 1977
24-1 ½ … Boris Goins (Cardozo, Wash., D.C.), 1985
24-0 ¼ … Isaac Samuels (Kennedy), 1983
24-0 ¼ … Justest Nance (Blair Academy), 2016
23-11 ¾ … … Reynolds, 1989
23-11 ¼ … Lewis, 1978
23-11 ¼ … Lucas Kerley (So. Jefferson, N.Y.), 1989
23- 8 ½ … Ryan Manning (West Orange), 2006
23- 8 … Steven Gaskin (M.L. King, N.Y.), 1989
23- 7 ¾ … Anthony Averett (Woodbury), 2012
23- 5 ½ … Rahdel Savage (Abraham Clark), 2007
23- 5 ¼ … David Jones (Montclair), 1985
23- 5 … James Naisby (East Islip, N.Y.), 1985
23- 5 … I-Perfection Harris (Poly Prep, N.Y.), 2001
23- 4 ½ … Tony Bolton (Franklin Twp.), 1985
23- 4 ½ … Sherman Gramby (Elizabeth), 1986
23- 4 ½ … Jonathan Weather (Franklin, Pa.), 1995
23- 4 ½ … Nils Wildberg (Princeton), 2019

23-4 … Moses Robles [Glassboro], 2026

All-Time South Jersey Long Jump List
25-5 ½ … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1979
24-6 ¼ … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], 1990
24-2 ½ … Isaac Samuels [Kennedy], 1983
24-0 ¾ … Mike Morrison [Willingboro], 2003
24-0 ½ … William Spearmon [Wilson], 1996
23-11 ½ … Kerry Vivett [Edgewood], 1985
22-10 ¾ … Nick Brown [Bridgeton], 1999
23-10 ….. Matt Rose [Bordentown], 1985
23-9 …… Syteek Farrington [Camden], 2009
23-7 ¾ … Anthony Averett [Woodbury], 2012
23-5 ½ … Floyd Whitaker [Highland Reg.], 2020
23-4 ½ … Maurice Hunter [Woodbury], 1983
23-4 ….. Andrew Athias [Cherry Hill East], 2011
23-4 … Moses Robles [Glassboro], 2026
23-3 ¾ … Jamar Byrd [Vineland], 2005
23-3 … Chace Pearson [Timber Creek], 2022
23-2 ½ … Rich Winstead [Egg Harbor Twp.], 1988
23-1 ….. Mikhail Micheaux [Eastern], 2014
23-0 ….. Derek King [Cumberland Reg.], 1984

And here’s the all-time New Jersey indoor long jump list
25-5 ½ … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1979
25-4 ½  … Greg Foster [Lawrenceville School], 2022
24-6 ¼ … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], 1990
24-3 ¾  … Hanif Kendrick [Franklin]. 2007
24-3 ¼  … Kaelen Mitchell [Piscataway], 2021
24-2 ½ … Isaac Samuels [Kennedy], 1983
24-0 ¾ … Mike Morrison [Willingboro], 2003
24-0 ¼ … Justes Nance [Blair Academy], 2016
24-0 ½ … William Spearmon [Wilson], 1996
24-0 ½ … Malik Mohammad [Newark West Side], 2026
23-11 ¾ … Corey Crawford [Indian Hills], 2010
23-11 ½ … Kerry Vivett [Edgewood], 1985
22-10 ¾ … Nick Brown [Bridgeton], 1999
23-10 ….. Matt Rose [Bordentown], 1985
23-9 ½  … James Bivins [Donovan Catholic], 2021
23-9 …… Syteek Farrington [Camden], 2009
23-7 ¾ … Anthony Averett [Woodbury], 2012
23-6 … Brendan Alef [Demarest], 2026
23-5 ½ … Floyd Whitaker [Highland Reg.], 2020
23-5 ½ … Rahdel Savage [Roselle], 2007
23-4 ¾ … Zack Bazile [St. Joe’s], 2014
23-4 ½  … Nils Wildberg [Princeton], 2019
23-4 ½ … Maurice Hunter [Woodbury], 1983
23-4 ….. Andrew Athias [Cherry Hill East], 2011
23-4 … Moses Robles [Glassboro], 2026
23-3 ¾ … Jamar Byrd [Vineland], 2005
23-3 1/2 … Matias Pellegrino [Morris Knolls], 2018
23-3 … Jamal Williams [Teaneck], 2012
23-3 … Jon Pitt [South Brunswick], 2013
23-3 … Chace Pearson [Timber Creek], 2022
23-3 … Patrick Warren [Montgomery], 2016
23-2 ¼ … Tyler Heller [Hunterdon Central], 2020
23-2 ¼ … Damian Scouloukas [Hunterdon Central], 2023
23-2 ½ … Rich Winstead [Egg Harbor Twp.], 1988
23-2 … Victor Cotto [Bayonne], 2017
23-2 … Damarion Potts [South Brunswick], 2023
23-6 ½ … Liam Paneque [Demarest], 2025
23-1 ¾ … Nnaemeka Amaechina [Central Regional], 2025
23-1 ….. Mikhail Micheaux [Eastern], 2014
23-0 ½ … Noah Cooper [Union Catholic], 2023
23-0 ….. Derek King [Cumberland Reg.], 1984
23-0 … Evan Beaugris [Somerville], 2026

Junior Jade Pinder smashed her former teammate’s Willingboro school record in the 200 with the fastest time by a Burlington County girl in 26 years Tuesday night at the 90^th annual Easterns at the Armory.

Pinder won the 200 in 24.90 after a 24.56 in the trials. That 24.56 broke the school record of 24.59 set lasat year by Nester Wea at Boston Nationals. It’s fastest by a Burlington County girl since Moorestown’s Amandi Rhett won 2000 Easterns at the Armory in 24.46.

Pinder’s time is No. 11 in South Jersey history and No. 6 in New Jersey this year. Corbin Raston of East Orange led all qualifiers in the trials with a 24.47 but didn’t compete in the final.

Pinder is the first Willingboro girl to win an individual event at Easterns in 23 years, since Okechi Ogbuokiri won the 400 in 55.14. She’s the first South Jersey girl to win Eastrns 200 since Winslow’s Shakira Dancy won the 2017 race in 24.39.

Coming into the meet, Pinder’s 200 PR was 24.79 from the Ott Center in January. She nevre broke 26 seconds until her first race this year, at Ocean Breeze in December.

All-Time. South Jersey 200-Meter Dash List
23.17 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2026
23.93 … Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek], 2024
24.15 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2024
24.38 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006
24.39 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017
24.41 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2026
24.42 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
24.46 … Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 2000
24.52 … Cecelia Gerstenbecher [Delsea], 2017
24.55 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.], 2026
24.56 … Jade Pinder [Willingboro], 2026
24.57 … Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], 2024
24.59 … Nester Wea [Willingboro], 2025
24.61 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
24.61 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2017
24.68 … Olivia Okaro [Winslow Twp.], 2026
24.5h … Jennifer Jackson [Eastern], 2003
24.78 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996
24.78 … Brianna Growalt [Atlantic County Tech], 2026
24.83 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2014
24.83 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2020
24.94 … Shardae Anderson [Paulsboro], 2005
24.96 … Jackie Dim [Washington Twp.], 2008
24.96 … Toni Glatz [Delsea], 2017
24.99 … Aliya Harrison [Sterling], 2018
24.99 … Sanaya Dupree [Pennsauken], 2026

Willingboro Easterns Winners
Michelle Glover, 1980 60-Yard Dash [6.5]
Okechi Ogbuokiri, 2003 400-Meter Dash [55.14]
Carol Lewis, 1980 Long Jump [20-6 ¼]
Selena Burton, 1995 Long Jump [17-3]
Jade Pindre, 2026 200-Meter Dash [24.90, 24.56 in trials]

South Jersey Easterns 200 Winners
2004 … Avionne Sloan [Camden, N.J.] 25.11
2012 … Ste’cye McNeil [Winslow, N.J.] 24.65
2017 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp., N.J.] 24.39

Rancocas Valley senior Angelina Brown popped the longest indoor long jump by a Burlington County girl in 45 years and the 8^th-best in South Jersey history at the 90^th annual Easterns Tuesday at the Armory.

Brown improved her PR from 17-3, which she jumped at Ocean Breeze in January, to 18-10 and won by 7 ½ inches over Jordan Bowers-Strickland of Newark West Side, who jumped 18-2 ½.

Brown actually had the three-best jumps of her life in her series, with a 17-11 ½ on her 2^nd jump, the 18-10 on her 3^rd and then an 18-0 on her 4^th.

This is Brown’s 1^st season as a long jumper. She didn’t long jump at all last spring, focusing on sprints and high jump. But she’s now No. 2 in Burlington County history behind Olympian Carol Lewis, who jumped 21-7 ½ at the 1981 Dallas Times Herald Invitational at Reunion Arena. That was not only a South Jersey record that still stands and a U.S. high school record but an American record as well.

Brown broke the 38-year-old indoor school record of 18-4 ¾ set by legendary Tonya Lee at 1988 Easterns at Harvard’s Gordon Track in Cambridge, Mass. Lee was an intermediate hurdles All-America at Tennessee and made the finals at the 1996 Olympic Trials.

Brown joins Lee, Aliya Taylor [400 in 1988], Bethany Biggi [high jump in 2019], Annabella Chin [hurdles in 2022] and Lauren Fadairo [triple jump in 2024] as R.V.’s fifth Easterns winner on the girls side.

She’s the 8^th South Jersey girl to win the Easterns long jump, the first since Millville’s Leah Ellis in 2019.

Brown is No. 2 in New Jersey this year.

Brown also PR’d in the 200 at Easterns with a 22.33 in qualifying, which wound up placing her 12^th overall.  That’s 9^th--fastest in South Jersey this year. It’s 3^rd-fastest all-time at R.V., behind Taylor’s 24.61 at 2017 Armory Nationals and a 25.19 by Morgan Gordon at 2009 Easterns.

All-Time South Jersey Long Jump List
21-7 ½ … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1981
19-8 ¼ … Tionna Tobias [Winslow], 2016
19-8 ……. Cidae’a Woods [Winslow], 2014
19-7 ½ … Helen Wilks [Bridgeton], 1993
19-3 ½ … Ma’syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 2024
19-3 …….. Leah Ellis [Millville], 2019
18-10 ½ … Jaidah Garrett [Absegami], 2025
18-10 … Angelina Brown [Rancocas Valley], 2026
18-9 …….. Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2002
18-8 ¾ … Artrelia Turner [Wilson], 1984
18-8 ½ … Leeya Joseph [Winslow Twp.], 2025
18-7 ¼ … Shelly Bailey [Woodbury], 1982
18-6 ½ … Tisifinee Taylor [Woodbury], 2002
18-6 ½ … Asia Young [Holy Spirit], 2016`
18-5 ¾ … Lindsey Walsh [Lenape], 2008
18-5 ¼ … Tacquaya Tobias [Our Lady of Mercy], 2011
18-5 …… Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2019
18-4 ¾ … Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 1988
18-4 ½ … Kristin Tricocci [Cinnaminson], 2004
18-4 ¼ … Gabrielle Germann [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2020
18-4 … Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville], 2025
18-3 ½ … Tanisha Jarrett [Cumberland Reg.], 1991
18-2 ¾ … Sable Loper [Woodrow Wilson], 2005
18-2 ¼ … Karissa Watson [Williamstown], 2020
18-1 ¾ … Robin Taylor [Deptford], 1980
18-1¾ … Emily Carson [Haddonfield], 2013
18-1 ½ … Shonda Burroughs [Vineland], 1999
18-1 … Tawana McLean [Deptford], 1980
18-1 ……. Jasmine Staten [Lenape], 2015
18-1 … Tierra Hooker [Timber Creek], 2020
18-0 ½ … Chantina Walker [Winslow Twp.], 2025

All-Time Easterns Long Jump List
20-8 … Keturah Orji (Mount Olive), 2014
20-7 ¾ … Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic), 2017
20-6 ¼ … Carol Lewis (Willingboro), 1980
19-11 ½ … Noelle Graham (Taft, N.Y.), 1998
19-8 ¼ … Tionna Tobias (Winslow Twp.), 2018
19-8 … Cidae’a Woods (Winslow Twp.), 2013
19-7 ¾ … Adja Sackor (Worcester Tech., Mass.), 2016
19-7 ½ … Keyon Soley (Uniondale, N.Y.), 1998
19-7 ½ … Lynn Layne (New Rochelle, N.Y.), 2006
19-5 ½ … Claire Connor (Rahway), 1984
19-5 ½ …… Connor, 1984
19-5 ½ … Jennifer Clayton (Suffern, N.Y.), 2009
19- 4 ¾ …… Woods, 2014
19-4 ½ … Chinela Davis (North Rockland, N.Y.), 2001
19-4 … Celeste Holder (Parsippany), 2006
19-3 ½ … Keturah Orji (Mount Olive), 2012
19- 2 … Leah Ellis (Millville), 2019
19- 1 ½ … Carlene Cummings (Englewood), 1998
19- 1 ¼ … Erica Alston (Paul Robeson, N.Y.), 2002
19- 0 ¾ …… Connor, 1983
19-0 ½ … Kaitlin Salisbury (Hawthorne), 2016
18-11 ¾ … Pam Hughes (Hope, R.I.), 1986
18-11 ¾ … Nya Thomas [North Rockland, N.Y,], 2025
18-11 … Jen McDermott (Ridgewood), 1989
18-11 … Shenre Dawkins (New Rochelle, N.Y.), 1999
18-11 … Nicole Cummings (Peekskill, N.Y.), 2010
18-10 … Angelina Brown [Rancocas Valley, N.J.], 2026

South Jersey Easterns Long Jump Winners
1980 … Carol Lewis [Willingboro, N.J.] 20-6 ¼
1988 … Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley, N.J.] 18-4 ¾
1995 … Selina Burton [Willingboro, N.J.] 17-3
2008 … Lindsey Walsh [Lenape, N.J.] 18-5 ¾
2013 … Cidae’a Woods [Winslow Twp., N.J.] 19-8
2018 … Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp., N.J.] 19-8 ¼
2019 … Leah Ellis [Millville, N.J.] 19-3
2026 … Angelina Brown [Rancocas Valley], 18-10

Rancocas Valley Easterns Winners
1988 … Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley, N.J.] Long Jump [18-4 ¾]
2017 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley, N.J.], 400 [55.21]
2019 … Bethany Biggi [Rancocas Valley, N.J.] High Jump [5-6]
2022 … Annabella Chin [Rancocas Valley, N.J.] 55-Meter Hurdles [8.21]
2024 … Lauren Fadairo [Rancocas Valley, N.J.] Triple Jump [38-1 ½]

Atlantic County Tech junior Brianna Growalt won the hurdles Tuesday night at Easterns with the 5th-fastest time in South Jersey history.

Growalt won the 55-meter highs at the 90th annual Easterns at the Armory in 7.93, just 4-100ths off the South Jersey record of 7.89 set in 2006 by Pleasantville’s Nia Ali at 2006 Easterns on the same track.

Her time is fastest ever by a South Jersey junior and 11th-fastest in state history.

Growalt, the state Group 4 champion, entered the meet with a PR of 8.09 from last month at Ocean Breeze. She lowered it to 8.05 in the trials, then 7.99 in the semifinals before the 7.93 to win the final, where she out-raced Kayla Ewing of Morristown, who was 2nd in 7.97.

Growalt’s time is No. 2 in New Jersey this year behind Winslow sophomore Jasmine Jackson, who ran 7.90 at the Armory in January. It’s No. 11 in the U.S. according to the MileSplit national database and No. 2 among juniors, behind only Salai Russell of Bullis School in Potomac, Md., who ran 7.91 at the Armory in December.

Growalt is also South Jersey’s No. 6 long jumper this year at 17-6 ½ from the Ott Center in December, but with three rounds of hurdles she only hurdled on Tuesday.

Growalt is the 10th South Jersey girl to. win the Easterns title going back to Edgewood’s Zonya Cross in 1983.

All-Time South Jersey Hurdles List
7.89 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
7.89 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
7.90 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow], 2026 [#7]
7.92 … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1981
7.93 … Brianna Growalt [Atlantic Tech], 2026 [U.S. #11]
7.94 … Lenaami Morton [Camden], 2017
7.98 … Nichole Belcher [Woodrow Wilson], 1992
7.98 … Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp.], 2019
7.99 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2025
8.01 … Samantha Sharper [Woodrow Wilson], 2008
8.03 … Alethia Jenkins [Pennsauken], 2000
8.03 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2020
8.03 … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2018
8.04 … Zonya Cross [Edgewood], 1983
8.05 … Sherese Price [Pleasantville], 1998
8.06 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006

All-Time New Jersey 55-Meter Hurdles List
7.53 … Taylor Cox [Union Catholic], 2025
7.60 … Sydney McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2015
7.71 … Charmaine Walker [Plainfield], 1997
7.75 … Grace O’Shea [Ramapo], 2019
7.81 … Dawn Bowles [Neptune], 1988
7.89 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
7.89 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
7.90 … Quaycian Davis [East Orange], 2023
7.90 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.], 2026
7.92 … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1981
7.93 … Wendy Vereen [Trenton], 1984
7.93 … Brianna Growalt [Atlantic Tech], 2026 [U.S. #11]
7.94 … Lenaami Morton [Camden], 2017
7.95 … Abigail Davis [Old Tappan], 2024
7.96 … Porsche Dobson [Kent Place], 2003
7.96 … Amaya Chadwick [Union Catholic], 2017
7.97 … Sofia Swindell [Lawrenceville School], 2025
7.97 … Kayla Ewing [Morristown], 2026
7.98 … Nichole Belcher [Woodrow Wilson], 1992
7.98 … Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp.], 2019
7.99 … Racquel Vassal [East Orange], 2007
7.99 … Patricia Dziekonska [West Windsor-Plainsboro North], 2014
7.99 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2025
7.99 … Racuqel Vassell [East Orange], 2007

All-Time Easterns Hurdles List
7.66 … Sydney McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2015
7.71 … Charmaine Walker [Plainfield], 1997
7.75 … Grace O’Shea [Ramapo, N.J.], 2019
7.75s …… McLaughlin, 2015
7.76 … Lindsay Rowe [Benjamin Cardoza, N.Y.], 2007
7.77 … … O’Shea, 2019s
7.81 … … O’Shea, 2019q
7.82 … Dawn Bowles [Neptune], 1988
7.87s …… McLaughlin, 2015
7.88 … Alyssa Sandy [Paul Robeson, N.Y.], 2016
7.89 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
7.89 … Ste’cye McNeil [Winslow], 2012
7.89s …… Sandy, 2016
7.91 … Lindsay Rowe [Benjamin Cardoza, N.Y.], 2007
7.92 … Shenea Dawkins [New Rochelle], 2002
7.93 … Wendy Vereen [Trenton], 1983
7.93 … Brianna Growalt [Atlantic Tech], 2026
7.94 … Lateisha Philson [Benjamin Cardoza, N.Y.], 2011
7.7+ …… Vereen, 1984
7.96s … Porscha Dobson [Kent Place], 2003
7.97 … Shantell Bingham [Episcopal], 2011
7.97 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.], 2025
7.97 … Kayla Ewing [Morristown], 2026
7.98 … Akayla Anderson [Benjamin Cardozo, N.Y.], 2012
7.99q …… Rowe, 2007
7.99 … Raquel Vassell [East Orange], 2007
7.99q ……. Growalt, 2026

a1983 … Zonya Cross [Edgewood, N.J.] 8.04y
2000 … Alethia Jenkins [Pennsauken, N.J.] 8.03
2006 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville, N.J.] 7.89
2008 … Samantha Sharper [Woodrow Wilson, N.J.] 8.01
2012 … Ste’cye McNeil [Winslow, N.J.] 7.89
2014 … Cidae’a Woods [Winslow, N.J.] 8.12
2018 … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City, N.J.] 8.05
2022 … Annabella Chin [Rancocas Valley, N.J.] 8.21
2025 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp., N.J.] 7.97
2026 … Brianna Growalt [Atlantic Tech, N.J.] 7.93

Deptford senior Mason Henry won the pole vault Tuesday night at the 90^th annual Easterns at the Armory with a lifetime-best jump and equalling No. 3 in South Jersey history.

Henry, who PR’d at 15-2 at sectionals and then won the state Group 3 title at 15-0, cleared 15-6 on his 2^nd attempt. That ties No. 13 in state history. Five of the six South Jersey vaulters who’ve cleared 15-6 indoors are from Gloucester County.

Henry is Deptford’s first Easterns individual winner since sprinter John Boxley won the 60-yard dash at the 1970 meet at the Armory in 6.5. Deptford also won the 4-by-200 in 2015.

He’s the 3^rd South Jersey vaulter to win at Easterns, after Haddonfield’s Mark Murphy won in 1985 at Jadwin with a 14-6 and West Deptford’s Dan Batdorf won at the Armory in 2008 with a 15-6.

Henry passed till 13-6, which he cleared on his 1^st attempt. He needed two jumps at 14-0 and took all three at 14-6 but got over the bar at 15-0 on his 1^st try. The 15-6 came on his 2^nd jump, and he took three tries at 16-0, which would have tied the South Jersey record shared by future Rutgers teammates Marco Morales of Delsea and Ryan Merlino of Rutgers.

Henry’s 15-6 is No. 1 in New Jersey this year going into Meet of Champions Sunday at Ocean Breeze.

Delsea senior Mason Murray cleared 14-0 and placed 5^th. He’s No. 2 in New Jersey this year at 14-6.

17-0 … Bill Lange [Bridgewater-Raritan], 1980
16-10 … Bradley Jelmert [Watchung Hills], 2020
16-6 ¼ … Brian O’Sullivan [Hillsborough], 2023
16-6 … Owen Keating [Popton Lakes], 2025
16-3 ¼ … Adam Sarafian [Ocean Township], 2004
16-2 ¼ … Don Heyburn [Cranford], 1980
16-1 ¼ … Craig Hunter [Robbinsville], 2013
16-0 … Marco Morales [Delsea], 2020
16-0 … Ryan Merlino [Oakcrest], 2024
16-0 … Cade Zeolla [West Morris Central], 2025
15-10 … Bill Hartley [Southern Regional], 1976
15-9 … Liam Landau [Pascack Hills], 15-9
15-6 … Vince Reilly [St. Joe’s-Metuchen], 1977
15-6 … Eric Richard [Bridgewater East], 1981
15-6 … Casey DiCesare [Irvington], 2005
15-6 … Dan Batdorf [West Deptford], 2008
15-6 … Luke Annicharico [Old Tappan], 2014
15-6 … Simon Schenk [Princeton], 2018
15-6 … Brian McSweeney [East Brunswick], 2019
15-6 … Nico Morales [Delsea], 2020
15-6 … Conor Reilly [Union Catholic], 2020
15-6 … Max Zuckerman [Pascack Hills], 2022
15-6 … Connor Munson [Westwood], 2022
15-6 … Marcus Hood [Deptford], 2025
15-6 … Shawn Keenan [Roxbury], 2025
15-6 … Mason Henry [Deptford], 2026

16-0 … Marco Morales [Delsea], 2020
16-0 … Ryan Merlino [Oakcrest], 2024
15-6 … Dan Batdorf [West Deptford], 2008
15-6 … Nico Morales [Delsea Reg.], 2019
15-6 … Marcus Hood [Deptford], 2025
15-6 … Mason Henry [Delsea], 2026
15-1 … Dylan Altland [Kingsway], 2014
15-0 … Mike Rivard [Haddonfield], 2009
15-0 … Noah Kriesman [Cherry Hill East], 2021
15-0 … Henry Cifaloglio [Delsea], 2025
14-11 ¼ … Tom Jeffers [Triton], 2011
14-7 … Brian Banks [Eastern], 2011
14-6 … Michael Oberg [Ocean City], 2011
14-6 … Jarrod Brovero [Delsea], 2016
14-6 … Kyle Loveland [Moorestown], 2016
14-6 … Mike Davis [Haddonfield], 2004
14-6 … Mike Maira [Seneca], 2009
14-6 … Ed Frey [Cinnaminson], 2025
14-6 … Ethan Plut [Moorestown, 2025
14-6 … Jacob George [Haddon Twp.], 2025
14-6 … Mason Murray [Deptford], 2026

16-0 … Marco Morales [Delsea], 2020 [in]
16-0 … Bob Green [Haddon Heights], 1992 [out]
15-7 … Brandon Kurtz [Absegami], 1991 [out]
15-7 … Nico Morales [Delsea Reg.], 2019 [out]
15-6 … Dylan Altland [Kingsway], 2014 [out]
15-6 … Dan Batdorf [West Deptford], 2008 [in]

Atlantic County Tech junior Brianna Growalt ran the 15^th-fastest hurdles time in South Jersey history Tuesday afternoon at the 90^th annual Easterns at the Armory.

[Edit – Brianna ran 7.99 in the semis, No. 8 in South Jersey history]

Growalt ran 8.05 in the first of 11 heats of the 55-meter hurdles, lowering her PR from 8.09. That’s tied for 3^rd-fastest in Atlantic County history. It’s also No. 18 in the U.S. this year.

It’s also 3^rd-fastest in New Jersey this year, behind Winslow sophomore Jasmine Jackson [7.90] and Morristown’s Kayla Ewing, who led all qualifiers with a PR 8.01 Tuesday, No. 14 on the U.S. list.

Mainland Regional senior Camryn DeMorat was the 3^rd-fastest qualifier, and her 8.35 is

Willingboro junior Trinity Brapoh was 7^th-fastest qualifier for the semifinals with an 8.37 is 7^th-fastest in Atlantic County history.

All-Time South Jersey Hurdles List
7.89 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
7.89 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
7.90 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow], 2026
7.92 … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1981
7.94 … Lenaami Morton [Camden], 2017
7.98 … Nichole Belcher [Woodrow Wilson], 1992
7.98 … Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp.], 2019
7.99 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2025
7.99 … Brianna Growalt [Atlantic Tech], 2026 [U.S. #18]
8.01 … Samantha Sharper [Woodrow Wilson], 2008
8.03 … Alethia Jenkins [Pennsauken], 2000
8.03 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2020
8.03 … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2018
8.04 … Zonya Cross [Edgewood], 1983
8.05 … Sherese Price [Pleasantville], 1998
8.06 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006

South Jersey will send a skeleton crew up to the Armory for this year’s 90^th annual Easterns.

No Winslow relays, no Willingboro relays, no Haddonfield relays, no Sianni Wynn, no Matthew Littlehales, no Natalie Dumas, no Jaden Goins, no Jasmine Jackson, no Jasiah Gibbons. And so on.

But there will still be a handful of top South Jersey athletes to keep an eye on Tuesday night. Here’s a look at 20 of them. This isn’t meant to be a complete list, so sorry for anyone not listed!

And for a full set of entries, click here.

Jade Pinder, Willingboro, 200-meter dash: Pinder is No. 9 in the state this year with her 24.79 at the Ott Center in January. That’s No. 2 in Willingboro history indoors, behind only former teammate Nester Wea, who ran 24.59 last year in Boston. She’ll also race the 55.

Trinity Brapoh, Willingboro, 55HH: Brapoh ran 8.16 when she won the state Group 2 title at the Bubble last month. That’s 2^nd-fastest in Willingboro history behind Olympian Carol Lewis, who ran 7.92 at the Philadelphia Track Club Classic at the Spectrum in 1981.

Brianna Growalt, Atlantic County Tech, 55HH, LJ: Growalt is 3^rd-fastest in New Jersey this year in the hurdles with her 8.09 last month at Ocean Breeze. That’s 16^th-fastest in South Jersey history. She’s also No. 5 in South Jersey this year in the long jump with her 17-6 ¼ at the Ott back in December.

Brooklyn Ezekiel, Cherry Hill West, TJ: Ezekiel is No. 5 triple jumper in New Jersey this year with her 37-2 ½ at the Ott in January.

La’el Yates, Rancocas Valley, PV: Yates has cleared 11-0 in each of her last four meets and that puts her in a tie for 7^th in the state this year going into Easterns.

Erika Townsend, Kingsway, LJ: Townsend is the No. 14 freshman in the country with a 17-  11 ½ in January at the Bubble. That makes her the No. 4 freshman jumper in South Jersey history.

Sunsarai Moore, Glassboro, SP: Moore, a five-time state Group 1 shot and discus champ, is 10^th in New Jersey this year with her 39-11 ¼ at the Ott back in December.

Johann Hernandez, Deptford, 100, 200: Herandez is 6^th in South Jersey in the 55 at 6.53 and No. 2 in the 200 at 21.97.

Marc Maccario, St. Augustine, 200, 400: Maccario takes the long ride from Richland Township to Manhattan to try to drop his season-best times of 48.77 – South Jersey No. 1 and 4^th-fastest in New Jersey this year – and 22.19, No. 7 in South Jersey.

John Collier, Deptford, Zacchaeus Harrigan, Glassboro, 800: Harrigan and Collier are the two-fastest half-milers in South Jersey this year, 1:59.55 for Harrigan and 1:59.84 for Collier.

Brandon Stoner, Haddonfield, 800: Stoner, the state Group 2 runner-up with his PR of 2:00.06, looks to break two for the first time.

Joe Saicic, Glassboro, 1,600: Top sophomore miler in South Jersey this year and No. 4 state-wide, Saicic ran 4:29.56 at the state Group 1 meet.

Larry Norman, Deptford, 55HH: Norman is No. 2 in South Jersey in the 55-meter highs at 7.60 and will double back with a leg on Deptford’s 4-by-4.

Deptford, 4×2, 4×4: The Spartans are No. 9 in the state with a 1:30.51 from Ocean Breeze and No. 8 with a 3:23.83. Senior Damon Albertson, junior Xavion Holmes, Hernandez and freshman Liam Brown are listed in the 4-by-2 for Deptford, with Norman, Holmes, senior Kyle Jackson and senior Algen Ramirezin in the 4-by-4.

Supreme Stradford, Cherry Hill West, HJ: Stradford is No. 3 in New Jersey with his 6-8 clearance at the State Relays in the Bubble.

Mason Murray, Delsea, Mason Henry, Deptford, PV: The two Gloucester County Mason pole vaulters are No. 1 and 2 in New Jersey, Henry at 15-2 and Murray with his 14-6.

Moses Robles, Glassboro, LJ, TJ: Robles is No. 4 in the long jump in New Jersey at 22-9 ¾ and No. 6 in the triple jump with 46-4 ½ and he’s the top sophomore in New Jesrey in both jumps. He’s also No. 2 sophomore in New Jersey the high jump at 6-6 but will focus on the horizontal jumps Tuesday.

Jaiden Mitchell, Overbrook, LJ: Mitchell is 9^th in the state at 22-4 ½ and top junior in South Jersey.

Josiah Lajeunesse, Rancocas Valley, TJ: No. 2 in South Jersey and No. 12 state-wide, Lajeunesse has a season-best 45-2 ½ from the Bubble last month.