Millville junior Leah Howard uncorked the No. 3 javelin throw in Cumberland County history Friday, winning the South Jersey Group 4 title with a 138-6 at Buena.
Howard and Eastern sophomore Zoe Goldberg, two of the state’s top-five javelin throwers, locked up in a terrific competition, with both surpassing 130 feet. Goldberg was second at 131-9.
Howard’s mark trails only Vineland’s Maria Jimenez [160-8 in 2012] and Millville’s Jocelyn McRae [141-0 in 2006] on the all-time Cumberland County list and is No. 18 all-time South Jersey. Goldberg is already the No. 3 sophomore in South Jersey history with her 136-7 at the Weat Deptford Relays.
Howard won last year with a 123-3, and she’s Millville’s first repeat sectional winner in any event since Sylvia Galarza won the shot and disc in both 2003 and 2004.
Unfortunately, the Buena timing system does not provide field event series information in the results.
Here is the all-time South Jersey 135-foot list:
168- 6 … Brielle Smith [Oakcrest], 2019
160- 8 … Maria Jimenez [Vineland], 2012
152- 9 … Kate Johnston [Haddonfield], 2012
152- 4 … Jill Shaner [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2009
148- 8 … Caitlin Cielo [Eastern], 2002
146- 7 … Victoria Imbesi [Our Lady of Mercy], 2008
143-11 … Ayana Culhane [Absegami], 2016
142- 6 … Kaela Schrier [Cherokee], 2016
142- 1 … Alexa Gardner [Hammonton], 2018
141- 6 … Lindsay Minch [Pennsville], 2009
141- 5 … Kelly Yanucil [Bordentown], 2013
141- 1 … Tumelo Nwanma [Vineland], 2016
141- 0 … Jocelyn McRae [Millville], 2006
140- 8 … Julianne Foering [Rancocas Valley], 2017
140- 0 … Melissa Lake [Cherokee], 2011
139- 9 … Heather Juhring [Kingsway], 2011
139- 0 … Danielle Steff [Rancocas Valley], 2016
138- 6 … Leah Howard [Millville], 2022
138- 4 … Megan Saxvanderweyden [Pennsville], 2015
137- 6 … Mercedes Glover [Burlington Twp.], 2010
137- 6 … Alyssa Whipkey [Pennsville], 2015
137- 1 … Ayana Culhane [Absegami], 2016
136- 7 … Zoe Goldberg [Eastern], 2022
136- 6 … Danielle Still [Bishop Eustace], 2002
136- 0 … Shamire Rothmiller [Glassboro], 2008
135-10 … Mary Wilks [Bridgeton], 2007
135- 6 … Faith Blamon [Cinnaminson], 2012
135- 2 … Nicolette Burns [Kingsway], 2013
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 