Hammonton senior Alexa Gardner popped a 135-7 to win the state Group 3 javelin title Friday at Central Regional in Bayville.
Gardner won by more than 10 feet over junior Kali Grayson of Long Branch.
It was the second straight state Group 3 javelin title for Gardner, who won last year’s meet with a 142-1 bomb.
Ayana Culhane of Absegami won the 2016 meet with a 143-11, so Atlantic County girls have won the state Group 3 javelin title three years in a row.
Gardner’s top throw this year is a 138-8 last weekend at sectionals. She has now been over 130 feet in four straight meets, and she’s unbeaten since placing second to Oakcrest’s Brielle Smith’s 150-3 at the Atlantic County meet at Buena.
Gardner is the first girl to win consecutive state Group 3 javelin titles since Hannah Mayer of Northern Highlands in 2009 and 2010
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 