From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

It was a historic evening Thursday night for South Jersey distance medley teams at Bob Roggy Stadium in Holmdel.

Kingsway ran 10:25.44, Camden Catholic 10:26.90 and Rancocas Valley 10:33.63 at the Holmdel Twilight Series Penn Relays Qualifier, and although I still have some research to do it appears that it’s the first time ever that three South Jersey schools have run sub-10:35 in the same race.

Kingsway and Camden Catholic finished first and second, withWest Morris Central third in 10:31.49 and R.V. fourth. They’re the four-fastest times in New Jersey this year and No. 16, 18, 29 and 35 in the U.S., according to the MileSplit database.

Kingsway’s time is No. 19 in South Jersey history and third-fastest in Gloucester County history, behind two Washington Township times — 10:10.74 in 2000 and 10:19.11 in 2009.

Camden Catholic’s time is No. 22 in South Jersey history and a school record, and R.V.’s time is the Red Devils’ third-best ever, behind a 10:20.92 in 2015 and a 10:32.85 in 2016.

Penn Relays DMR and 3,200-meter relay high school acceptances will be announced Monday. Schools need to run 10:35 to be considered, but it generally takes a time considerably faster to be among the approximately 15 teams accepted into the one-race Championship of America final.

Camden Catholic’s splits: 3:13 for Richard Castañeda, 55 for Ray Derman, 1:59 for Denny Kelly and a 4:18 anchor for Matt Coffee.

 If anybody has splits for Kingsway or Rancocas Valley, please post them in the comments section!

Thanks!