What a wild 1,600 Thursday night at Delsea, with Haddonfield senior Seth Clevenger running one of the 20-fastest miles or mile equivalent in South Jersey history and leading three others under 4:18 and a total of six under 4:20.

Clevenger won the 1,600 at the South Jersey Elite meet in 4:12.94, No. 19 in South Jersey history, a personal best and No. 2 this year in New Jersey.

It’s also No. 6 in Camden County history, and 2nd-fastest in Haddonfield history, behind only Colin Baker, who ran 4:09.39 in 2009.

Clevenger’s previous PR was a 4:15.36 full mile at a meet last month in Westfield, and that converts to 4:13.88 for 1,600 meters.

The South Jersey Elite continues the lineage of the old South Jersey Invitational, which was a boys-only meet that ran from 1992 through 2019. The previous meet record was 4:16.30, set by Oakcrest’s Ishmael Muhammad in 2014.

The only faster miler in New Jersey this year is state Group 4 champ and Meet of Champions XC runner-up Jackson Barna of Ridge, who ran 4:09.53 (equivalent to 4:08.07 for 1,600] chasing Arcbishop Wood’s Gary Martin last month at a meet at La Salle High School in Springfield Township, Montgomery County.

Clevenger took command of the race early, going out in 61.88 before coming through the 800 in 2:07.14 and the 1,200 in 3:11.71. He closed in 61.23.

West Deptford’s Jacob Cobb lowered his PR from 4:18.59 from last year’s Meet of Champions down to 4:16.52. That’s No. 15 on a very fast all-time Glouester County list and just under the previous school record of 4:16.74, set by Kevin Cianfarini at the 2014 South Jersey Group 2 meet at Egg Harbor.

Next across the line was Cinnaminson junior Tyler Schill, who ran 4:17.41 and demolished his PR of 4:27.89 from this past indoor season at the South Jersey Group 2 meet at the Bubble. Schill’s time makes him the fastest junior in New Jersey this year, and he becomes the fifth Cinnaminson runner to go sub-4:18, joining Matt Poskus [4:14.06 in 2007], Jon Anderson [4:15.28 in 2004], Brian Tetreault [4:15.44 in 2007] and Austin Gabay [4:16.02 in 2019]. Schill was in 7th place with a lap to go before moving up to 3rd with a 61.23 final lap.

Woodbury’s Peyton Shute continued his tremendous sophomore season by taking 4th in 4:17.46, lowering his PR from 4:21.80 at the state Group 1 meet at the Bubble this past winter. His time is No. 14 in the U.S. among sophomores according to the MileSplit database and No. 1 among New Jersey sophs. Watch out Rich Caton. He’s Woodbury’s school record holder with a 4:12.5 converted from a 4:13.9 full mile when he won the Penn Relays mile in 1978, outleaning Michael Cleary of Fordham Prep. Shute has two years plus to catch Caton.

Also under 4:20 were Delsea senior Andrew Littlehales [PR 4:19.74] and Haddon Heights junior Colin Patterson [PR 4:19.82]. Littlehales PR’d by about a second. Patterson had never broken 4:27 before.

The race produced the six of the 9-fastest times in the state this year.

Here’s the updated all-time South Jersey 1,600-meter list followed by the all-time Camden and Gloucester County lists.

All-Time Camden County 1,600-Meter List
4:08.7y ….. Mike Elder [Haddon Twp.], 1973
4:09.30 … Colin Baker [Haddonfield], 2009
4:11.78 … Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2015
4:12.02y … Murad Campbell [Overbrook], 1999
4:12.3y ….. Ed Blakeley [Haddon Twp.], 1975
4:12.92 … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 2022
4:13.26y … Greg Pelose [Haddonfield], 2015
4:13.5y … Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 1988
4:13.71 … Dominick Munson [Timber Creek], 2015
4:14.1y … Charles McCarthy [Paul VI], 1972

All-Time Gloucester County 1,600 List
4:08.58 … Kyle Rakitis [Kingsway], 2021
4:10.1y ….. Mike Mantini [Gateway], 1979
4:11.07 … Xavier Fraction [Washington Twp.], 2009
4:11.84 … Tom Cooke [Kingsway], 2012
4:12.08 … Bill Dolan [Clearview], 2014
4:12.5y ….. Dick Caton [Woodbury], 1978
4:13.23 … Justin Branco [Delsea], 2015
4:13.46 … Stone Caraccio [Kingsway], 2019
4:13.4y … Greg Stremmel [Gateway[, 1973
4:13.83 … Carmen Cavella [Washington Twp.], 2003
4:15.0y … Bob Marino [Williamstown], 1975
4:15.0h … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 1997
4:16.01 … Noah Culbreath [Kingsway], 2014
4:16.07 … Carmen Cavella [Washington Twp.], 2003
4:16.52 … Jacob Cobb [West Deptford], 2022

Senior Nicole Clifford ran the 19th-fastest 800 time in South Jersey history Thursday night and led a 1-2-3-4 Cherokee sweep at the South Jersey Elite meet at Delsea.

Clifford won the race in 2:12.14, shattering her PR of 2:17.39 from last year’s outdoor Meet of Champions at South Plainfield in June.

Junior Kelsey Niglio placed 2nd in 2:15.32, freshman Megan Niglio 3rd in 2:19.45 and sophomore Kerry O’Day 4th in 2:20.57.

Clifford was out in 62.94, with Kelsey Niglio right behind her in 63.24. Megan Niglio was out in 70.34 but closed in 69.12/.

Megan Niglio destroyed her previous 800 PR in what was only her second lifetime 800 and first outdoors. In her previous 800 she ran 2:27.25 indoors at the Bubble in February. O’Day’s previous PR was a 2:23.99 at the Oregon Relays in Eugene last month.

Add their times up and you have 9:07.48 for a hypothetical 3,200-meter relay.

Clifford’s time is No. 3 in the state this year, behind only Lilly Shapiro of Colts Neck, who ran a U.S. No. 7 2:06.94, and Red Bank Catholic’s Kate DeSousa, who ran 2:11.63, both in the Colts Neck Invitational last month.

Clifford’s time is No. 5 in Burlington County history. She just missed the school record of 2:12.09 set in 1990 by Monica Olkowski when she won the Meet of Champions.

Here’s the all-time Burlington County top 10 list:
2:10.55 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape], 2019
2:11.07 … Miya Johnson [Lenape], 2007
2:11.56 … Mary Bohi [Seneca], 2009
2:11.88 … Kayla Martin [Seneca], 2015
2:12.09 … Monica Olkowski [Cherokee], 1990
2:12.13 … Nicole Clifford [Cherokee], 2022
2:12.78 … Megan Quimby [Lenape], 2015
2:12.93 … Carly Pettipaw [Lenape], 2015
2:13.38 … Julia DeSpirito [Shawnee], 2014
2:13.40 … Kelsey Niglio [Cherokee], 2021
2:14.8 … Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], 1984
2:14.70 … Kelly Victory [Lenape], 2000

Placing 5th through 7th and also PR’ing Thursday were Mainland sophomore Gillian Lovett [2:21.12], Haddonfield junior Thea Spellmeyer [2:22.50] and Pennsville senior Taylor Burchfield [12:24.55].

Here’s a look at every girl in South Jersey history who’s run sub-2:13:
2:07.33 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009
2:08.87 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2001
2:09.2h … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1999
2:09.50 … Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], 2005
2:09.84 … Rachel Stremme [Ocean City], 2014
2:10.1h … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
2:10.55 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape], 2019
2:10.57 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2009
2:10.79 … Krista Ferrara [Vineland], 1991
2:10.9h … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1985
2:11.07 … Miya Johnson [Lenape], 2007
2:11.45 … Sydney Coppolino [Sterling], 2017
2:11.56 … Mary Bohi [Seneca], 2009
2:11.80 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2016
2:11.88 … Kayla Martin [Seneca], 2015
2:11.94 … Bridget Flynn [Ocean City], 2014
2:12.04 … Kami Joi Hickson [Washington Twp.], 2017
2:12.09 … Monica Olkowski [Cherokee], 1990
2:12.13 … Nicole Clifford [Cherokee], 2022
2:12.28 … Rachel Vick [Kingsway], 2017
2:12.61 … Felicia O’Donnell [Delsea], 2009
2:12.63 … Liz Locke [Kingsway], 2010
2:12.77 … Lauren McHale [Ocean City], 1998
2:12.78 … Megan Quimby [Lenape], 2015
2:12.83 … Brooke Kott [Millville], 2008
2:12.85 … Greta Feldman [Haddonfield], 2008
2:12.93 … Carly Pettipaw [Lenape], 2015
2:12.8h … Eva Marie Berardi [Williamstown], 1979

One PR wasn’t enough for D.J. Germann.

Two PRs weren’t enough either.

Germann, an Egg Harbor Township junior, PR’d in three events Thursday night at the South Jersey Elite meet at Delsea and won the 100, 200 and long jump.

He moved into the top 10 in New Jersey in all three events.

 Germann lowered his 100 PR from 10.96 to 10.85 in the trials and then matched that with another 10.85 to win the final. That puts him at No. 4 in the state and No. 1 in South Jersey. He led four sprinters under 11 seconds – Northern Burlington junior Samuel Thomas placed 2nd with a school-record 10.93 after a 10.94 in the trials (previous record was 11.02 by Jarrett East-Brown in 2008), Delsea junior Ziyan Smith took 3rd in 10.97 and Moorestown senior ran 10.99 for 4th after a school-record 10.87 in the trials (Kamal Stewart 10.95 in 2011). All the races were wind-legal.

 In the 200, Germann lowered his PR from 22.13 to 21.78, No. 2 in the state this year, and he did it into a 0.6 meters-per-second wind. Mainland’s Cody Pierce ran a PR 22.01 for second to make it a 1-2 Atlantic County finish, and NBC’s Thomas recorded a big PR 22.16 3rd, with Kingsway senior Evan Corcoran also PR’ing in 4th at 22.17.

 Germann extended his long jump PR from 21-5 to 22-2 ½ in winning the long jump by six inches over Mainland junior William Murray, who jumped 21-8 ½. Germann is No. 8 in the state in the long jump and No. 3 among South Jersey long jumpers, behind Timber Creek senior Chace Pearson [23-4 ¾ at Woodbury] and Palmyra junior Kwinten Ives [23-1 ¼ at Woodbury].

Incredible breakthrough day for Timber Creek sophomore Naylah Jones, who ran the fastest 100 in New Jersey this year at the South Jersey Elite meet at Delsea Thursday night.

Jones, who entered the meet with a PR of 12.83 from last year’s Tri-County Conference Championships at Kingsway, ran 12.18 leading all qualifiers in the trials – into a 0.9 meters-per-second wind – and then won the final in 12.25, also wind-legal.

That 12.18 puts Jones No. 1 in the state, and No. 2 is Winslow’s Jaia James, who ran 12.24 in the trials and placed second in the final in 12.44. James’ 12.24 was only 2-100ths of a second off her PR of 12.22 that she ran when she won Group 3 sectionals last spring at Delsea.

As for Jones, her 12.18 is No. 2 in school history, just off the school record of 12.06 set in 2011 by Bryanna Williams in the trials at Group 3 states at South Plainfield.

Jones finished indoors on a high note with a PR 7.36 for 55 meters at Group 3 states, good for third place. That was No. 3 in South Jersey behind James [7.20] and Rancocas Valley hurdler Anabella Chin [7.31] and No. 4 among all New Jersey sophomores.

Jones also PR’d in the 200 with a 25.91. Her previous PR was 26.44 indoors in February at Ocean Breeze.

Lenape senior Justin Penny led a ridiculously fast and deep 800 Thursday night at the South Jersey Elite meet at Delsea.

The deepest 800 ever run in South Jersey produced 8 of the top 15 times in New Jersey this year, with Penny running a New Jersey-No. 2 1:54.60 and leading six half-milers under 1:57 and 15 under two minutes. Which is insane.

The top 12 runners all PR’d – by an average of 2.46 seconds per runner.

Penny obliterated his PR of 1:58.46, which he ran indoors at the Bubble at the state Group 4 meet in February. It was his fastest outdoor 800 by more than four seconds. He ran 1:59.0 in a dual meet.

His time is No. 3 in Lenape history, behind Clayton Baloche [1:53.54 in 1992] and Ryan Garvin [1:53.84 in 2009].

Penny edged Camden Catholic senior Billy Clewell, who was second in 1:54.88, No. 3 in the state this year. Clewell’s previous PR was 1:56.87 at the indoor Meet of Champions in March, also at the Bubble. Clewell’s outdoor PR was 1:58.56 at last year’s Meet of Champions in South Plainfield. Clewell missed the school record of 1:54.87 – set by Colin Pierlott at the 2013 state Parochial A meet at South Plainfield – by 1-100th of a second.

Cherokee junior Patrick Ditmars placed 3rd, leading four Cherokee runners under two minutes. Ditmars was 3rd [1:55.01], senior Conor Jacob 4th [1:56.26], sophomore Robert Poplau 8th and [1:57.54] and junior Thomas Bromley 10th [1:59.23].

Those four combined to run the equivalent of a 7:48.04 for the 3,200-meter relay.

Ditmars’ time is No. 4 in New Jersey this year and Jacob is No. 8. Ditmars is also now No. 1 among New Jersey juniors, and Poplau is No. 2 among sophs.

In all, five Cherokee runners PR’d. Ditmars’ previous best was a 1:59.40 last May in a dual meet, Jacob ran 1:57.06 last June at Group 4 sectionals at Washington Township, Poplau eclipsed a 2:00.8 in a dual meet last month, and Bromley was 10th, lowering his PR from 2:00.22 from a meet in Westfield last month. And senior Lucas Hatch ran Cherokee senior Lucas Hatch 1:59.86, giving the Chiefs six runners this year under two-flat – including five underclassmen.

Ocean City senior Owen Ritti placed 5th in 1:56.33, No. 9 in New Jersey this year. Ritti’s previous lifetime best was a 1:57.01 in June at the state Group 3 meet at Pennsauken. His time is fastest by an Ocean City half-miler since Brett Johnson ran 1:53.49 at the 2008 state Group 3 meet at South Plainfield.

First-year junior Matthew Iuvara was next across the line, taking 6th in 1:56.94, snapping his PR of 1:59.20 from the indoor state Group 2 meet at the Bubble, where he placed second.

The first sophomore finisher was Timber Creek’s Robert Wakefield, who ran the fastest 800 this year in New Jersey by a sophomore, placing 7th in 1:57.60. His previous PR was 2:01.06 in February at the Armory.

Another sophomore, Pennsauken’s Ladanian McGrath, placed 8th in 1:58.93, lowering his PR from 2:01.40 from a dual meet last month.

Also under two minutes were Highland junior Cole Knoedler [11th in 1:59.42], Clearview junior Cavan Agatone [1:59.43], Lower Cape May senior Zeb Hinker [13th in 1:59.71] Cinnaminson junior Derek Coceano [15th in 1:59.93].

Previous PRs were 2:01.67 for Knoedler, 2:01.63 for Agatone, 2:01.86 for Hatch and 2:01.86 also for Coceano.

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Thjis meet was so good we’ll have posts on every winner over the next week. Check back here a few times a day for the latest updates!

Kevin McDonnell, a 2008 Camden Catholic graduate, placed 12th out of more than 25,000 runners Sunday in the Broad Street Run.

McDonnell ran 49:50 in the 10-mile race down Broad Street from Central High School in Northeast Philadelphia to this year’s finish on Pattison Avenue in front of the Eagles’ practice facility. That’s 4:58 pace per mile.

McDonnell, who lives in Cherry Hill, covered his first five miles in 24:39 and his second five miles in 25:11.

According to his profile on World Athletics’ web site, this was McDonnell’s first-ever 10-mile road race.

He has track PRs of 14:03.52 for 5,000 meters in Williamsburg, Va., and 29:16.01 for 10,000 meters in Lewisburg, Pa., both in 2013.

On the roads, he PR’d at 5K in April with a 15:01 in Boston and in the marathon with a 2:28.43 in January in Houston. Among his other road PRs are a 30:51 for 10K in Camden in 2013 and 1:07.54 half-marathon in Hardeeville, S.C., in December.

McDonnell ran for St. Joe’s and placed 10th in the 10,000 at the 2013 NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. He won the 2012 Atlantic 10 10,000  in Amherst, Mass.

Also in the top-100 were Nick Crits of Swedesboro [31st in 51:56], former Paul VI runner Michael Rankin [38th in 52:32], former Hammonton runner Shawn McBride of Haddon Township [45th in 52:52], Tyler Fisher of Cherry Hill [50th in 52:56], Tim Malloy of Cinnaminson [72nd in 54:18], John Wiseman of Thorofare [80th in 54:52] and Brett Milden of Blackwood [97th in 55:43].

Top South Jersey finisher in the women’s race was Erica Green of Collingswood, who placed 18th in 58:26.

Also in the top 100: Katie Florio of Cherry Hill [27th in 59:36], former Millville runner Amanda Eller of Woodbine [36th in 1:01.31], Emily Schaeffer of Avalon [49th in 1:02.42], former Washington Township runner Dina Iacone [53rd in 1:03.17], Jessica Pescatore of Mullica Hill [92nd in 1:06.36] and Jessica Rosetti of Ocean City [94th in 1:06.41].