Monster discus opener Monday for Cinnaminson senior Malicah Etienne at the Penn Relays Throws Qualifier in Lincroft.
Etienne placed 2nd in 174-5, a huge PR and the No. 24 throw in South Jersey history. Fabian Gonzalez of Southern Regional, the state Group 4 champ last year, won with a 183-5 throw.
Unfortunately, field event series are not available, which is ridiculous in this day and age. But here we are.
Etienne’s improvement in the discus has been dramatic. He didn’t throw as a freshman, had a PR of 134-3 as a sophomore and then hit 158-1 last spring to win the state Group 2 meet at Delsea.
So this is a 16-foot PR in his first meet of the year, although he was over 170 feet in a scrimmage last week.
His throw is No. 2 in Burlington County and also No. 2 in school history, behind Kamron Kobolak’s 185-6
Etienne also placed 3rd in the shot put at 55-5 ¾, another PR. Etienne PR’d at 54-2 indoors at the Group 2 state relays at the Bubble. His previous outdoor PR was 51-6 from the SJTCA Elite at Delsea last May. He’s Cinnaminson’s fourth 55-footer, following Kamron Kobolak [61-11 ¾ in 2018], Duane Sanders [58-7 in 2003] and Ryan Addlesberger [57-5 ¼ in 2015].
I was remiss in not mentioning R.V. senior Devon Brooks, who also PR’d with a 163-5 for 3rd place. Brooks’ previous PR was a 159-9 at the state Group 4 meet last year at Franklin High.
From what I can find, that’s a school record for Brooks. Nick Mirabelli, better known as the Meet of Champions javelin champ, threw 161-9 at the 2018 state Group 4 meet, also at Franklin.
All-Time Burlington County Discus Top 10
185- 6 … Kamron Kobolak [Cinnaminson], 2018
174-5 … Malicah Etienne [Cinnaminson], 2023
174- 4 … Dennis Norman [Cherokee], 1997
174- 3 … Alex Lewis [Delran], 2000
171-10 … Steve Muse [Kennedy], 1984
171- 6 … Rashaun Graves [Willingboro], 2013
170-10 … John McNeil [Kennedy], 1976
170- 4 … Kurtis Johnson [Burlington Twp.], 1987
169- 8 … Ell Ash [Willingboro], 2004
169- 7 … Chuck Spinner [Willingboro], 1979
All-Time South Jersey Discus 170-foot List
216-11 … Ron Dayne [Overbrook], 1996
199- 6 … Braheme Days Jr. [Bridgeton], 2013
197- 0 … James Plummer [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
192- 5 … Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 2013
191-11 … Franklin Simms [St. Augustine], 2022
189- 7 … Ray Wilks [Bridgeton], 1995
185-11 … John Mooers [Middle Twp.], 2015
185-10 … Russ Willett [Penns Grove], 1985
185- 7 … Matt Huckabee [Timber Creek], 2010
185- 6 … Kamron Kobolak [Cinnaminson], 2018
185- 5 … Ken Manahan [Deptford], 1976
184- 4 … Adam Hunt [Collingswood], 2017
183-9 … Jason Nwosu [Delsea], 2022
181-10 … Jason Winrow [Cumberland Reg.], 1989
180- 3 … Howard Clark [Pennsauken], 1998
179-11 … Nick Pulli [West Deptford], 2014
179-11 … Will Cioffi [Pitman], 2013
178- 0 … Jim Stites [Millville], 1970
174- 9 … John Ridinger [West Deptford], 1982
173-10 … Mark Rifkin [Cherry Hill West], 1978
175- 7 … John Clark [Pennsville], 2007
174-11 … Rich Lewis [Williamstown], 1985
174-11 … Cadee Berardelli [Delsea], 2022
174- 6 … Josh Dillard [Lindenwold], 2005
174-5 … Malicah Etienne [Cinnaminson], 2023
174- 4 … Dennis Norman [Cherokee], 1997
174- 3 … Alex Lewis [Delran], 2000
173- 6 … Ryan Knight [Delsea], 1996
173- 3 … Jake Nwosu [Delsea], 2019
173- 2 … Darren Wan [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
172- 1 … Derek Frazier [Williamstown], 1978
171-10 … Steve Muse [Kennedy], 1984
171- 6 … Rashaun Graves [Willingboro], 2013
171- 4 … Jon Kalnas [Paulsboro], 1998
170-10 … John McNeil [Kennedy], 1976
170- 4 … Kurtis Johnson [Burlington Twp.], 1987
170- 0 … Anthony Robertson [Penns Grove], 2014
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 