From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Pennsauken earned All-America honors Friday with the fastest 800-meter relay by a South Jersey school this year.

Senior Nadir Paige, junior Bryce Tucker, sophomore Elijah Jennings and junior Premier Wynn ran 1:28.28 and placed 8th at the New Balance Nationals at Franklin Field.

That’s No. 2 in the state this year, just 10-100ths of a second behind the 1:28.18 East Brunswick ran at the Middlesex County Relays last month at South Brunswick.

It’s also fastest by a South Jersey school in six years, since Paul VI ran 1:27.38 at the Woodbury Relays.

Pennsauken’s best previous time this year was a 1:28.84 at the Woodbury Relays. Their school record is 1:27.68 at the 2016 Willingboro Relays.

Tucker is now a five-time All-America before the end of his junior year.

He also earned All-America honors with a 4th-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles on Friday. He ran a season-best 53.01, his fastest time since he won last year’s Meet of Champions in 52.17. He’ll be back on the track Saturday to defend his M-of-C title.

Tucker also earned All-America honors with a 4th-place finish in the 400 indoors at Ocean Breeze Nationals this past winter as well as on Pennsauken’s 800- and 1,600-meter relay teams.

All-Time South Jersey 800-Meter Relay List
1:24.49 … Winslow Twp., 2003
1:24.90 … Camden, 2004
1:26.05 … Camden, 2000
1:26.68 … Camden, 1997
1:27.38 … Paul VI, 2016
1:27.52 … Woodrow Wilson, 1996
1:27.66 … Oakcrest, 2011
1:27.68 … Pennsauken, 2016
1:27.69 … Oakcrest, 2012
1:27.74 … Pleasantville, 1994
1:27.75 … Willingboro, 2007
1:27.80 … Pleasantville, 1999
1:27.84 … Winslow Twp., 2002
1:27.90 … Winslow Twp., 2008
1:27.96 … Williamstown, 2015
1:27.98 … Camden, 2002
1:28.01 … Camden, 1999
1:28.02 … Edgewood, 2000
1:27.9 ….. Edgewood, 1985
1:27.9 ….. Winslow Twp., 2008
1:28.23 … Rancocas Valley, 2015
1:28.0h … Willingboro, 1979
1:28.0h … Edgewood, 1984
1:28.0h … Edgewood, 1985
1:28.0h … Camden, 2001
1:28.0h … Winslow Twp., 2004
1:28.28 … Pennsauken, 2022
1:28.29 … Cherry Hill East, 2012
1:28.35 … Timber Creek, 2014
1:28.37 … Camden, 2005
1:28.38 … Paul VI, 2018
1:28.40 … Cherokee, 2008
1:28.42 … Pennsauken, 2005
1:28.2h … Cumberland Regional, 1981
1:28.44 … Lenape, 1996
1:28.47 … Pennsauken
1:28.52 … Timber Creek, 2013
1:28.57 … Deptford, 2017
1:28.62 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2017
1:28.62 … Delsea, 2010
1:28.64 … Rancocas Valley, 2014
1:28.4h … Woodrow Wilson, 1986
1:28.4h … Edgewood, 2001
1:28.65 … Camden, 2000
1:28.70 … Paul VI, 2021
1:28.79 … Willingboro, 1999
1:28.82 … Buena, 2000
1:28.6h … Willingboro, 1982
1:28.6h … Willingboro, 1990
1:28.6h … Vineland, 2002
1:28.90 … Delsea, 2008
1:28.7h … Willingboro, 1977
1:28.7h … Edgewood, 1982
1:28.7h … Edgewood, 1982
1:28.96 … Deptford, 2015
1:28.96 … Egg Harbor Twp.,2015
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