From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Camden’s 4-by-200 ran the No. 2 time in the country over the weekend, winning the Freedom Games final in 1:30.09 at the Ocean Breeze complex on Staten Island, N.Y.

Sophomore Hakeem Evans led off for Camden, followed by juniors JaJuan Hudson and Donald Williams and senior anchor Damon Rice.

The only faster time in the U.S. also comes from New Jersey. East Orange ran 1:28.76 last month at the AT&T Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational at the 168th Street Armory.

Camden led all qualifiers in the trials with a 1:30.91. In the final, it was Camden vs. Henry A. Wise High School of Upper Marlboro, Md., just outside Washington, D.C. Wise finished second in 1:30.89.

Camden’s time is No. 18 in South Jersey history but seventh in Camden history! So Camden now holds seven of the top 18 times ever run indoors in South Jersey. But it’s also Camden’s fastest 800-meter relay in 14 years, since the 2004 team set the South Jersey record of 1:26.90 at the 2004 Easterns.

Here’s the all-time South Jersey list:

1:26.90 … Camden, 2004
1:27.60 … Vineland, 2004
1:28.0h … Edgewood, 2001
1:28.45 … Camden, 2002
1:28.46 … Lenape, 2000
1:28.91 … Camden, 2000
1:29.06 … Oakcrest, 2012
1:29.17 … Camden, 2001
1:29.29 … Rancocas Valley, 2017
1:29.52 … Vineland, 2003
1:29.57 … Camden, 1997
1:29.61 … Camden, 1999
1:29.72 … Timber Creek, 2013
1:29.74 … Pennsauken, 2016
1:29.87 … Timber Creek, 2016
1:29.92 … Deptford, 2017
1:29.97 … Pleasantville, 2008
1:30.09 … Camden, 2018
1:30.12 … Delsea, 2007