Our latest installment in the all-time New Jersey top-100 performance list is the boys outdoor 400-meter dash, including converted 440 times.
There are a few marks on this one that I just couldn’t find the origin for, mainly from the 1970s and 1980s but a few from the 1990s. I’ve checked every county, conference, sectional, state and Meet of Champions result for the missing marks. Generally, most of the marks I can’t find are from meets like outdoor Easterns, Golden West or in-season out-of-state meets that were never reported to the local newspaper.
If you have any info for the missing meets, please let me know! And if there are any marks missing or incorrect, also let me know!
All-Time N.J. Boys Outdoor 400-Meter Dash Top-100 List
45.71 … Clayton Parros [Seton Hall Prep], 2009 [2nd, Great Southwest, Albuquerque, N.M.]
46.02 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984 [1st, International Prep Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.28 … Zyaire Clemes [Trenton], 2013 [3rd, New Balance Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
46.34 … Ray Williams [Scotch Plains-Fanwood], 2002 [2nd, adidas Outdoor Championships, Raleigh, N.C.]
46.43 … Najee Glass [St. Peter’s], 2011 [1st, Meet of Champions, Carl Sandburg Middle School, Old Bridge]
46.4y … Ron Freeman [Jefferson], 1965 [1st, C.J. Group 4, Union]
46.62 … Gary Satterwhite [Rahway], 1985 [2nd, International Prep Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.62 … Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 1991 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.67 … Jamaad Muse [Timber Creek], 2014 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.68 … Lance Wigfall [East Orange], 2003 [1st, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
46.73 … Mario Heslop [Franklin Twp.], 2018 [1st, Group 4 States, Franklin]
46.77 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004 [1st, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
46.81 … Andrew Valmon [Manchester Twp.], 1983 [2nd, Jumbo Elliott, Villanova]
46.81 … Taylor McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2014 [7th, USATF Junior Nationals, Eugene, Ore.]
46.82 … Brandon Outlaw [Moorestown], 2017 [1st, C.J. Group 3, Bernards]
46.84 … Kevin Lyles [Franklin], 1991 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.84 … Mario Heslop [Franklin], 2017 [1st, Group 4 States, Franklin]
46.87 … Ty Adams [Monmouth Reg.], 1993 [2nd, Keebler Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.88 … Shaquan Brown [JFK Paterson], 2005 [3rd, Nike Outdoor Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
46.90 … Antonio Abney [Willingboro], 2007 [5th, Nike Outdoor Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
46.8h … Darrell Jeffress [Trenton], 1978 [2nd, International Prep Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.94 … Bryant McCombs [Old Bridge], 2005 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.95 … Darrell Bush [Woodbury], 2012 [2nd, Meet of Champions, Old Bridge]
46.95 … Charles Cox [Monmouth Reg.], 2007 [1st, C.J. Group 3 Sectionals, Monmouth Reg.]
46.98 … Adian Sanderson [Ewing], 2003 [1st, Group 3 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.03 … Royce Reed [Bridgeton], 1994 [4th, American Airlines National Scholastic, Raleigh, N.C.]
46.9h … Tony Valentine [Plainfield], 1983 [2nd, Group 4 States, Rutgers Stadium]
47.16 … Isaiah Gill [Plainfield], 2008 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.18 … Walt McCall [Hackensack], 1988 [3rd, International Prep Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
47.19 … Tyrone Ross [Metuchen], 1997 [6th, National Scholastic Outdoors, Raleigh, N.C.]
47.21 … Jermaine Griffith [Nottingham], 2013 [3rd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.22 … Taj Burgess [Carteret], 2017 [2nd, Meet of Champions, Northern Burlington]
47.1h … Harold Rollins [Lakewood], 1985 [1st, S.J. Group 3, Buena Reg.]
47.1h … Darron Outler [Lenape], 1984 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.30 … Rob Gary [Lenape], 1998 [1st, Group 4 States, South Plainfield]
47.33 … Joey Mendel [Wayne Hills], 1999 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.2y … Duval Moore [Asbury Park], 1965 [2nd, C.J. Group 4, Union]
47.2y … Joe Bryant [Englewood], 1966 [1st, Group 3 States, Rutgers Stadium]
47.3y … Levin Handy [Vineland], 1969 [1st, Group 4 States, Highland Park
47.2h … Walt James [East Orange], 1980 [1st, N.J. Section 2, Group 4, Elizabeth]
47.2h … Brian Bennett [Edgewood], 1985 [1st, S.J. Group 4, Buena Reg.]
47.3y … Fred Brown [Weequahic], 1972 [1st, N.J. Section 2 Group 3, Elizabeth]
47.4y … Bill Butler [East Orange], 1972 [2nd, N.J. Section 2 Group 3, Elizabeth]
47.3h … Charles Pennington [Plainfield], 1984 [1st, Plainfield Invitational, Hub Stine Field, Plainfield]
47.3h … Keith Barker [Weequahic], 1992 [1st, N.J. Section 2 Group 3, Morristown]
47.3h … Curtis Mcintyre [Bridgeton], 1992 [unknown]
47.44 … Amir Brock [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2017 [2nd, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.46 … Kevin Sembrat [Roxbury], 2018 [1st, Group 3 States, Central Reg.]
47.48 … Hakim Johnson [Toms River South], 1998 [2nd, Group 4 States, South Plainfield]
47.48 … Ron Hillian [Eastern], 2002 [3rd, Meet of Champions, South Brunswick]
47.49 … Nadale Buntin [J.P. Stevens], 2018 [1st, Greater Middlsex County, Carl Sandburg Middle School, Old Bridge]
47.53 … Thomas Kalieta Jr. [Matawan], 2016 [2nd, Group 2 States, Northern Burlington]
47.4h … Jack Armour [Lincoln], 1980 [found 47.9, Union County meet]
47.4h … John Marshall [Plainfield], 1981 [1st, Group 4 States, Rutgers Stadium]
47.4h … Will Hamilton [Elizabeth], 1984 [unknown]
47.4h … Ken Moore [Overbrook], 1984 [4th, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.4h … Brandy Wells [Montclair], 1984 [1st, Essex-Union, site unknown]
47.4h … Glenwood Jackson [East Orange], 1984 [unknown]
47.4h … Chuck Carter [Eastern], 1985 [1st, Camden County, Haddon Twp.]
47.4h … John Grimsley [Newark West Side], 1989 [1st, N.J. Section 2 Group 4 Sectionals, Morristown]
47.4h … Charlz Hester [Toms River South], 1998 [1st, S.J. Group 3, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.57 … Nakia Fenner [Newark East Side], 1994 [unknown]
47.58 … Clayton Gravesande [Franklin Twp.], 2010 [1st, N.J. Section 2 Group 4 Sectionals, Ridge]
47.59 … Jade Smith [Camden], 2002 [4th, Meet of Champions, South Brunswick]
47.60 … Jordan Jimerson [Union Catholic], 2013 [2nd, World Youth, Edwardsville, Ill.]
47.62 … Barry Douglas [Willingboro], 1993 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.64 … Keith Griffith [Florence], 2010 [4th, Princeton Elite, Princeton]
47.5h … Jim Adams [Hanover Park], 1980 [unknown]
47.65 … Leonard Robbins [East Brunswick], 2011 [1st, C.J. Group 4 Sectionals, Hillsborough]
47.67 … Alex Moore [JFK-Iselin], 2017 [2nd, Group 3 States, Northern Burlington]
47.68 … Nick Brown [Bridgeton], 1999 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.68 … Keith Taylor [Elizabeth], 2003 [2nd, adidas Outdoor Nationals, Raleigh, N.C.]
47.68 … Cory Poole [East Orange], 2017 [3rd, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.69 … Colin Winslow [Sayreville], 2013 [2nd, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.73 … David Fields [Monmouth Reg.], 1989 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.6h … Keith Davis [Lincoln], 1970 [2nd, Easterns, Randall’s Island]
47.6h … Mike Penniston [Neptune], 1976 [unknown]
47.6h … George Cooper [Newark Central], 1983 [3rd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.6h … Steve Brown [McCorristin], 1983 [1st, Easterns, Randall’s Island]
47.6h … Rob Totten [Peddie], 1997 [unknown]
47.6h … Devon Matthews [Pleasantville], 1999 [2nd, S.J. Group 2 Sectionals, Buena Reg.]
47.75 … Ian Arcia [Montclair], 1994 [unknown]
47.76 … Carl Smith [Camden], 2005 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.78 … Harmodio Cruz [South Brunswick], 2017 [4th, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.79 … Duan Freeman [Winslow Twp.], 2003 [2nd, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.80 … Allan Lukenheimer [Old Bridge], 2007 [1st, C.J. Group 4 Sectionals, Hillsborough]
47.83 … Antraye Miles [Winslow Twp.], 2003 [3rd, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
47.7h … Elliott Johnson [Ewing], 1981 [1st, Meet of Champions]
47.7h … Tyrone Elijah [Barringer], 1983 [4th, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.7h … Barry Solomon [Asbury Park], 1984 [1st, Shore Conference, Brick]
47.7h … Maurice Gibbs [Vailsburg], 1986 [unknown]
47.84 … Garrett Kroner [Indian Hills], 2006 [3rd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.7h / 47.85 … Jason Bass [Morristown], 1990 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.8h … Hardge Davis [Montclair], 1966 [1st, State Federation Championships, Highland Park]
47.88 … Shawney Kersey [Woodbury], 2009 [1st, Group 1 States, South Plainfield]
47.88 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2011 [1st, Group 3 States, South Plainfield]
47.88 … Mike Andre [Ocean Township], 2012 [1st, C.J. Group 3 Sectionals, Monmouth Regional]
47.89 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 2019 [1st, Meet of Champions, Northern Burlington]
47.89 … Damon Merkerson [St. Mary’s-Rutherford], 2007 [4th, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
47.89 … Corey Wright [Neptune], 2006 [4th, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 
Reuben – here are a few things I found about the boys’ 400 list:
Fenner’s 47.57 was at the Essex County meet in ’94. http://essexcountytrack.bizland.com/1994%20Oudoor%20championships.pdf
Penniston’s 47.6h is likely a yards conversion from the 47.9 440 he ran at the Shore Conference meet in ’76. Ed Grant lists the conversion differential as .3. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16HgM0UTbykk8VFzrOPnDD56it6qY4XRf/view
Totten’s 47.6 probably should not be listed. In Ed’s annual from ’97, he mentions in the Outdoor Review that the time came at the Mercer County meet. It was originally timed at 46.6, but the officials realized afterwards that they had started the race from the 3-turn stagger mark, not the 2-turn mark, which Ed said ‘probably’ gave him a ‘one-second break’, which would account for why he listed the time at 47.6.
A theory on Arcia’s 47.75 – he finished second at the MOC that year, and the winning time was 47.75. Could be that time was credited to him by accident on Ed’s lists. Otherwise, the best time I found for him was 47.96 at the Essex meet.
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Good information. I kind of suspected Penniston’s time was that 47.9. Ed’s conversions were archaic. Using the modern conversions a 47.9 becomes 47.62, or 47.7.
I read about the mis-measured race from Mercer County but never dreamed Ed would just guess at what the time should have been. Pretty funny.
And that’s a good theory on Arcia. It’s got to be a typo. I have that 47.96 in parenthesis so I’ll just pop that in there.
Good information, thanks!
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You’re welcome, no problem! Yeah, Ed was the only one keeping these records for years so they are an amazing resource, but there are some issues here and there with some of the marks. It’s great that you are taking the time to put these out there so we can have the most accurate, updated lists.
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Yeah, I’ve been trying to double check every mark that ends in 0 to make sure it was really a FAT race, but I missed that one!
Ed’s annuals are an incredible resource but yeah, riddled with errors. It kills me that I’m missing four or five of his annuals, and the ones that I have are falling apart! I need to get a giant industrial size stapler to put them back together!
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One other update – Lunkenheimer’s 47.80 is actually 47.8h. I was at that meet and the timing system wasn’t working for the boys’ 400. You can see all the times for that race end in .0 : http://www.mctrack.org/NJSIAAMeets/SpringTrack/07ST/07SectionalCentralGroup4b.htm In the paper they were all listed to the tenth.
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Ok, last message on this thread, I promise! I think I found info on all the other unknowns except McIntyre. (The Star-Ledger archives on Genealogy Bank can be very helpful)
Will Hamilton’s 47.4h was run at the same meet as Brandy Wells: the Essex-Union All-Star meet (held in Elizabeth). Ed’s (‘Grant Edwards’) report on the meet said Wells won at the tape by “a third of a meter”.
Glenwood Jackson’s 47.4h was actually in 1985, not ’84, which is probably why you didn’t find it. He ran it to win the NJ Section 2 Group IV meet in Plainfield.
Jim Adams ran his 47.5h to take 4th at the International Prep Invitational at North Central College in Illinois.
Maurice Gibbs 47.7h was run at the Minuteman Games in Elizabeth, where he finished 1st.
Finally, Mario Heslop is listed twice (46.73 and 46.84).
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Great info, thanks for the research! The newspapers.com search function can be frustrating, a lot of times you really have to get creative with the search terms to get a hit!
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