Oakcrest senior Royanah Farmer ran the 2nd-fastest 100-meter dash in Atlantic County history Friday, winning the county meet with a personal-best 11.98.
Farmer outran senior Amalinally Pemberton of Atlantic County Tech and senior Hannah Ross of Absegami, who both PR’d in 2nd and 3rd in 12.31 and 12.36 in the Atlantic County Championships at Stockton University in Galloway Township.
Farmer’s time is 2nd-fastest in county history, behind Egg Harbor’s Lauren Princz, who ran 11.66 in 2018 and set the meet record of 11.76 in the 2021 meet at Buena.
Farmer’s previous PR was a 12.27 from the Lenape Day of Sprints and Hurdles last month. This is only her 2nd year of track. She ran 12.94 last year.
Along the way, Farmer broke the school record of 12.10 set by Nijgia Snapp at the 2008 Cape-Atlantic League Championships at Atlantic City. Snapp was a 400 specialist, who ran 53.64 for 4th place at the 2008 Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro, N.C.
Farmer is only the second girl under 12 seconds in New Jersey this year. Timber Creek junior Naylah Jones ran 11.96 last weekend at the Camden County Championships at Haddon Township. Farmer’s time is No. 26 in South Jersey history.
Farmer also won the 200 in 25.36, with Pemberton again 2nd with a PR 25.77. Her PR is 25.26 from Lenape Day of Sprints and Hurdles.
Farmer is now No. 1 in New Jersey Group 2 in the 100 and No. 2 in the 200, behind Willingboro sophomore Nester Wea, who ran 24.99 at the South Jersey Open.
All-Time Atlantic County 100-Meter Dash List
11.66 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018
12.08 … Angie Clybourn [Egg Harbor Twp.], 1991
12.10 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2008
12.19 … Shereese Price [Pleasantville], 1998
12.22 … Nichole Hill [Oakcrest], 1997
12.22 … Ayanna Garrett [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2015
12.24 … Rebekah Clark [Pleasantville], 2017
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 