You’re not supposed to PR by 10 seconds in the mile, but that’s exactly what Highland junior Cortland Webb did Saturday.
Webb came into the SJTCA meet at the Bubble with a 1,600 PR of 4:35.81 from Haddonfield Distance Night this past May and an indoor PR of 4:37.82 from last year’s Group 3 sectionals at the Bubble.
Webb blew those PRs out of the water at the Bubble, winning the Winter Meet No. 8 in 4:24.55 and finishing 35 meters ahead of the field.
His time is No. 2 in South Jersey this year, behind Woodbury junior Peyton Shute’s 4:23.23 at Ocean Breeze earlier this week. It’s No. 8 in New Jersey and No. 4 among underclassmen.
It’s fastest by a Highland miler since Yarayah Hawkins ran a 4:23.33 full mile at Easterns in 2019, which converts to 4:21.80. Steve Maine [4:22.79 in 2014] and Ben Woodard [4:23.63 in 2018] have also run faster. Highland’s outdoor record is 4:14.4 hand-timed by Steve Mazur at 1992 sectionals at Bridgeton.
Senior Gavin Gallo gave Highland a 1-2 finish. Gallo ran 4:31.10, lowering his indoor PR from 4:37.99 at the Bubble last year and his lifetime best from 4:31.53 at last year’s outdoor Camden County Championships at Haddon Township.
Clearview senior Cavan Agatone made it three under 4:32 with a 3rd-place time of 4:31.34. He ran 4:23.68 last spring outdoors at the South Jersey Elite at Delsea but lowered his indoor PR from 4:31.65 earlier this month on a much faster track at Ocean Breeze.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 