From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

With Willingboro sophomore Nester Wea and Ocean City junior both winning three individual events at states Saturday, we thought it would be fun to look back at all the state championship triple winners South Jersey has ever produced.

No relays here. We looked for all the boys and girls who’ve won three individual events in the same state meet.

The girls state meet began in 1973, but I didn’t find any triple winners before 1980, and I suspect there were rules back then limiting girls to two events. Not sure if there was ever a similar rule for the boys, but the earliest I saw a boy place in three events was 1974.

If you notice anyone missing, please let me know in the comments section!

BOYS
**Brady Shute [Woodbury], Group 1 2022 [800, 1,600, 3,200]
Kenneth Karcher [Maple Shade], Group 1 2017 [200, 400, 400IH]
Ben Mitchell [St. Joe’s-Hammonton], Parochial B 2015 [400IH, LJ, HJ]
Rocco Ordille [St. Joe’s-Hammonton], Parochial B 2014 [100, 200, LJ, TJ]
*Carl Watson [St. Joe’s-Hammonton], Parochial B 2011 [100, 200, 400]
*Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], Group 3 2010 [100, 200, 400]
Anthony Miles [Winslow Twp.], Group 3 2003 [100, 200, LJ]
Ed Young [Wildwood Catholic], Parochial B 2003 [110HH, 400IH, HJ]
Joe Lewis [Pleasantville], Group 2 1998 [400, 800, 400IH]
Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], Group 1 1997 [800, 1,600, 400IH]
Royce Reed [Bridgeton], Group 3 1995 [200, 400, 400IH, Jav.]
*Royce Reed [Bridgeton], Group 3 1994 [200, 400, 400IH]
Kevin White [Haddon Heights], Group 2 1992 [100, 200, 400IH]
Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], Group 3 1989 [110HH, 400IH, LJ]
Jon Dickey [Penns Grove], Group 1 1985 [100, 200, 110HH, LJ]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], Group 4 1984 [100, 200, 400]
*Matt Rose [Bordentown], Group 1 1984 [200, 400, LJ]
*Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], Group 4 1983 [100, 200, 400]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], Group 4 1979 [100, 200, LJ]

GIRLS
**Nester Wea [Willingboro], 2023 Group 2 [100, 200, 400]
*Sophia Curtis [Ocean City], 2023 Group 3 [400, 400IH, TJ]
Arianna Sharpe [Clayton], 2022 Group 1 [100, 200, 400]
Dennisha Page [Wilson], 2019 Group 3 [100, 200, 400]
**Shakirah Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2016 Group 3 [100, 200, 400]
*Kiera Lester [Deptford], 2015 Group 2 [100, 200, 400]
**Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2015 Group 2 [800, 1,600, 3,200]
Gabrielle Bennett [Winslow Twp.], 2015 Group 3 [100HH, HJ, LJ]
*Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2013 Group 3 [100, 200, 100HH, 400IH]
*Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2012 Group 3 [100, 200, 100HH, 400IH]
Tacquaya Tobias [Our Lady of Mercy], 2011 Parochial B [100, 200, LJ]
Rajeana Marigna [Palmyra], 2008 Group 1 [100, 200, 400]
*Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2005 Group 4 [200, 400, 100HH, 400IH]
Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2003 Group 2 [100, 200, 400, LJ]
*Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2002 Group 2 [100, 200, 400, LJ]
***Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2000 Group 2 [200, 400, LJ]
*Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2000 Group 2 [800, 1,600, 3,200, Jav]
**Erin Donohue [Haddonfield],1999 Group 2 [800, 1,600, 3,200, Jav]
***Erin Donohue [Haddonfield],1999 Group 2 [800, 1,600, 3,200]
Candyce DeLoatch [Schalick], 1996 Group 1 [100, 200, 400]
Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996 Group 3 [100, 200, 400]
Tamika Nelson [Buena], 1993 Group 2 [100, 200, 400]
Ivy Foster [Haddon Heights], 1991 Group 1 [100, 200, 400]
Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 1987 Group 3 [100HH, 400IH, LJ, HJ]
Kelli James [Bishop Eustace], 1987 Parochial B [100HH, HJ, LJ]
Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1986 Group 1 [800, 1,600, 3,200]
Dana Roberts [Holy Cross], 1984 Parochial A [100, 200, LJ]
Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1984 Group 1 [100, 200, 100HH]
Lillian Rivera [Pemberton], 1984 Group 4 [SP, Di, Jav]
*Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1983 Group 1 [100, 200, 100HH]
Tina Walls [Williamstown], 1982 [100HH, 400IH, LJ]
Kathy Rankins [Haddon Heights], 1980 [100, 200, LJ]