Winslow Township’s My’Syiah Brawner broke her own New Jersey freshman triple jump record Saturday on Day 3 of West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Brawner had set the record with a 39-5 ½ at South Jersey Group 3 sectionals at Delsea earlier this month. The previous record was 38-10 ½, set by Adaobi Unachukwu of Marlboro at the 2006 Monmouth County Championships at Neptune.

Brawner’s mark is No. 4 in South Jersey history and No. 23 in state history with three years to go. She also broke her own Camden County record, which was previously 39-3 set by Genevievbe Okoro of Eastern at the 2010 state Group 4 meet at Egg Harbor.

On Friday, Brawner placed 3rd in the freshman long jump at 18-4 ¼ and 2nd in the freshman high jump at 5-3 ¼. Earlier Saturday, she led off Winslow’s shuttle hurdles team, which placed 6th and earned All-America honors. And soon after the triple jump, she ran 15.35 to match her lifetime best and place 6th in the freshman 100-meter hurdles.

Brawner opened with a 39-0 ½ Saturday, then jumped 38-0 and 38-2 ¾ to finish the trials. In the finals, she went 38-5 and 38-1 ½ before finishing with her 39-10 ½ on the final jump of her freshman year.

Second place Sophie Hoang of Carolina jumped 37-7 ½ so Brawner had the six-best jumps of the competition.

Brawner’s first two jumps were wind-aided, but the 39-10 ½ had a legal 1.9 assisting wind.

Only one freshman boy from South Jersey jumped farther this year. Vineland’s Christopher Thomas hit 41-1 at the Cape-Atlantic Championships at Bridgeton last month.

That jump should put her at No. 3 on the U.S. Under-18 list and No. 25 on the Under-20 list.

Two of the top four triple jumpers in South Jersey history competed this year. Ocean City junior Sophia Curtis won the Meet of Champions at 40-7 ½ after placing 3rd at Boston Nationals indoors at 41-3 ¼. She didn’t triple jump at West Philly Nationals this weekend, but she did earn All-America honors in the 400-meter hurdles with a 6th-place finish on Friday.

Curtis and Brawner rank No. 1 and 2 in New Jersey this year.

In his final high school meet, Cinnaminson senior Malicah Etienne popped a PR and the 2nd-best discus throw in Burlington County history.

Etienne, who won the shot at Group 2 sectionals and states and PR’d at 55-11 for 7th place in the Thursday at the Meet of Champions, didn’t get a legal mark in the discus at sectionals, but he competed at West Philly Nationals Friday at Franklin Field and placed 7th with a 177-4 on his 3rd throw of the trials.

Etienne’s previous PR was a 176-9 at the Delsea Crusader Field Event Meet last month. The only superior throw in Burlington County history was also by a Cinnaminson thrower – Kamron Kobolak’s 185-6 to win the 2018 Meet of Champions at Northern Burlington.

Etienne plans to continue his track career at Georgian Court in Lakewood, whose coach is one-time Holy Cross high jump state champion Mike Murawski – a Cinnaminson native.

It’s been an incredible year for the discus in South Jersey. A record eight throwers surpassed 160 feet, four went over 170 feet and two over 180.

Here’s a look at all the South Jersey throwers over 175 feet:
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
184-8 … Damere Lassiter [Glassboro], 2023
184- 4 … Adam Hunt [Collingswood], 2017
183-9 … Jason Nwosu [Delsea], 2022
183-4 … Janier Armstead [Penns Grove], 2023
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
177-4 … Malicah Etienne [Cinnaminson], 2023
174- 9 … John Ridinger [West Deptford], 1982
173-10 … Mark Rifkin [Cherry Hill West], 1978
175- 7 … John Clark [Pennsville], 2007

Other highlights from Franklin Field on Friday:

♦  Pennsauken placed 8th in the Championship 800-meter relay in 1:27.51 with junior Elijah Jennings, senior Bryce Tucker, senior Premier Wynn and freshman KaRon Ali.

♦  Freshman Julian Coppage-Seepersaud’s blazing 48.29 anchor gave Rancocas Valley 3rd place and All-America honors in the 1,000-meter sprint medley – 100, 200, 300 and 400. Sophomore David Smith, freshman Thomas Howard Jr. and senior Jadon Kendrick ran the first three legs for the Red Devils, who finished less than a second behind national champion Oak Park (Mich.), which ran 1:56.48. Coppage-Seepersaud had the fastest anchor leg in the field.

♦  Pennsauken senior Bryce Tucker ran 51.49 for 2nd place in the 400-meter hurdles. He finished 2nd to Kai Evans of Lake Minneola (Fla.) High, who PR’d at 51.44. Deptford senior Lathan Brown also earned All-America honors with a 5th-place finish thanks to his 53.44.

♦  Ocean City junior Sophia Curtis ran 1:01.67 for 6th place and All-America honors in the 400-meter hurdles. She scratched in the triple jump.

♦  Delsea senior Lillie Widmer ran a big outdoor 3,200 PR of 10:54.38, which converts to 10:50.58 for 3,200 meters. She ran 10:39.88 indoors at the Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze, but her outdoor lifetime best and season-best was 11:11.74 (for 3,200 meters). Her time is No. 7 in Gloucester County history and fastest in 11 years. Ocean City sophomore Maeve Smith ran 11:04.59, the 3,200 equivalent of 11:00.74.

10:12.8h … Michelle Rowen (Washington Twp.], 1983
10:19.31 … Chelsea Ley (Kingsway], 2009
10:29.28 … Rachel Vick (Kingsway], 2017
10:30.57 … Dina Iacone (Washington Twp.], 2012
10:35.59 … Amanda Goetschius (Delsea], 2007
10:37.47 … Meghan McGlinchey (West Depford], 2009
10:50.58 … Lillie Widmer [Delsea], 2023
10:54.05 … Maria Ruiz [Williamstown], 2009
10:55.18 … Nicole Lipieta [Kingsway], 2023
10:59.25 … Pam Adams [Gateway], 1976

♦  Delsea’s Matthew Littlehales took 5th in the freshman two-mile in a PR 9:34.12, which would convert to a 9:30.79 for 3,200 meters. That’s 2nd-fastest by a South Jersey freshman in the last 15 years, behind Cherokee’s Nick Kuenkel, who ran 9:27.73 at the 2021 state Group 4 meet at Franklin.

♦  Winslow’s Ma’Syiah Brawner placed 3rd in the freshman long jump with an 18-4 ¼ on her 6th and final jump and 2nd in the freshman high jump with a 5-3 ¼.

♦  Haddon Heights senior Matthew Iuvara won the Rising Stars 400-meter intermediates with a PR 54.62. This is Iuvara’s first year running the 400IH, and this was only the 6th meet that he’s ever competed in the intermediates.

♦. Freshman Sianni Wynn’s 55.49 anchor gave Pennsauken 10th place in the girls 1,000-meter sprint med. Sophomore Nevaeh Lassiter, sophomore Amina Dyer and sophomore Ameenah Rodriguez also ran.

♦. In a race that didn’t begin until after midnight, Mainland junior Gillian Lovett placed 14th in the 2,000-meter steeplechase in 7:03.83. That looks like the fastest time by a South Jersey girl since Pennsauken’s Amanda Bakley ran 6:57.49 at 2015 Greensboro Nationals.

♦  Northern Burlington placed 7th in the Rising Stars 800-meter relay in 1:29.33, with junior Jordan Wilkerson, senior Bryan Carroll, senior Darryl Pitt and senior Samuel Thomas.

♦  Ocean City freshman Callie Duff cleared 5-0 1/4 and placed 5th in the freshman high jump.

Delsea’s Jonathan Harris capped his remarkable sophomore season by becoming the first South Jersey sophomore to medal in a Meet of Champions shot put in more than a quarter of a century.

Harris placed 6th at the Meet of Champions with a big PR of 57-7.

Because physical development is such a big part of the weight throws, the shot is not an event that younger athletes often excel at. Harris is only the 6th soph to finish in the top six at Meet of Champs since 1999 (and two of the first five threw under 55 feet).

He’s the first South Jersey sophomore to place in a Meet of Champions in 27 years, since another Gloucester County thrower, Paulsboro’s Jon Kalnas, threw 59-0 ¼ to place 4th in the 1996 meet at South Plainfield.

Harris, a 1st-year thrower, first hit 50 feet at indoor Easterns at the Armory, where he placed 5th at 52-0. He improved to 53-1 ½ at Woodbury and 55-2 at South Jersey Elite and then 56-4 ½ to win Group 3 sectionals before taking 2nd at states with a 55-0 behind Mount Olive senior Nicholas Frattina’s 61-3 ¾.

At the Meet of Champs, Harris edged Cinnaminson senior Malicah Etienne [7th at 55-11] for top South Jersey honors.

His 57-7 is best by a South Jersey sophomore in 12 years, since Braheme Days Jr. of Bridgeton threw 61-7 ¼ at the 2011 South Jersey Open at Buena.

Harris moved into the No. 11 spot on a very deep, very competitive all-time Gloucester County list, five inches out of the top 10. He’s No. 4 in Delsea history.

He’s also No. 11 sophomore nationally according to MileSplit’s national database. Harris threw 57-7 too late to get into the Championship division of West Philly Nationals, but he’ll throw in the Rising Stars competition at 3 p.m. Saturday at Franklin Field along with Delsea junior Greg Masso, who has thrown 55-4 ¾ this spring.

All-Time Gloucester County 57-Foot List
64-10 ½ … Jon Kalnas [Paulsboro], 1997
62-10 ¼ … Nick Pulli [West Deptford], 2014
61-10 ½ … Harry Dilks [Pitman], 1971
61-6 … Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 2013
60-11 ½ … Ryan Knight [Delsea], 1996
59-7 ¾ … Chris Pressley [Woodbury], 2003
59-3 … Kwabena Keene [Washington Twp.], 2008
58-8 ½ … Bob Baylor [Paulsboro], 1965
58-0 ½ … Bill Goldsborough [Delsea Reg.], 2018
58-0 … Shamsiddan Little [Paulsboro], 2013
57-7 … Jonathan Harris [Delsea], 2023
57-1 … Rich Lewis [Williamstown], 1985

Rancocas Valley Kevin Burr Jr. first picked up a javelin in April. On Thursday, he threw over 200 feet.

Burr Jr., one of the wildest stories in 2023 New Jersey track, took 2nd in the javelin Thursday at the Meet of Champions just two months after first trying the event.

He threw a lifetime-best 204-4, No. 7 in South Jersey history with the new implement, first used in 2003. Field event series weren’t provided in the results because the NJSIAA doesn’t care about track and field and has no clue how to run a track meet.

But Burr Jr. placed 2nd to Mahwah’s George Kalkanis, who won with a lifetime-best of his own at 205-9. Nonetheless, a remarkable season for Burr, who threw 132-1 and 141-9 in his first two meets before hitting 179-9 at the County Open.

He took off from there with PRs of 187-7 at the Olympic Conference Championships and 193-4 at sectionals. He won county, conference, sectional and state titles before a close second in the MoC.

Kalkanis and Burr are ranked No. 10 and 13 in the U.S. according to MileSplit’s national database.

Rancocas Valley has produced two meet of Champions javelin champs – Jason Cowden in 1999 and Nick Mirabelli with his state-record 227-10 in 2018. Mirabelli’s father Mark has worked with Burr Jr. this spring.

Burr Jr.’s 204-4 is the best mark by a South Jersey thrower in six years and the 7th-best mark ever by a South Jersey thrower at the Meet of Champions.

There have been 10 200-foot throwers with the current javelin and half of them are from Burlington County.

Burr and Kalkanis are both entered in West Philly Nationals. The championship javelin is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday at Franklin Field.

All-Time Meet of Champions 200-Foot List
227-10 … Nick Mirabelli [Rancocas Valley], 2018 [1]
224-10 … Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2014 [1]
220-11 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2017 [1]
214-6 … Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 2013 [1]
213-2 … Kaleb Zuidema [Midland Park], 2011 [1]
212-5 … Dean Sullivan [Delbarton], 2011 [2]
212-2 … Alexander Georgiou [Timber Creek], 2017 [2]
211-7 …….. Mirabelli, 2014 [2]
209-4 … Steven Jernee [Ocean City], 2017 [3]
208-11 … Kevin Seery [Hanover Park], 2011 [3]
208-1 … Jason Santa Cruz [Old Tappan], 2019 [1]
207-6 …….. Zuidema [Midland Park], 2010 [1]
206-1 … Mike Brazzel [North Arlington], 2014 [3]
205-9 … George Kalkanis [Mahwah], 2023 [1]
205-8 …….. Antonucci, 2016 [1]
205-2 … Stephen Burk [Parsippany], 2012 [1]
204-4 … Kevin Burr Jr. [Rancocas Valley], 2023 [2]
204-3 … Marion Easley [Somerville], 2005 [1]
202-9 … Brian Florek [Old Bridge], 2007 [1]
202-0 … Steve Pierce [Ridgewood], 2006 [1]
201-1 …….. Florek, 2008 [1]
200-8 … Seth Zuidema [Midland Park], 2014 [4]
200-3 … Cody Unger [Jefferson], 2008 [2]

All-Time State Javelin List
New Implement [since 2003]
227-10 … Nick Mirabelli [Rancocas Valley], 2017
224-10 … Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2014
224-1 … Kaleb Zuidema [Midland Park], 2010
220-11 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
217-9 … Dean Sullivan [Delbarton], 2011
216-6 … Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 2014
212-2 … Alexander Georgia [Timber Creek], 2017
209-11 … Steven Burk [Parsippany], 2012
209-5 … Kevin Steimle [Mahwah], 2009
209-4 … Steve Jernee [Ocean City], 2017
209-0 … Josh Suttmeier [North Huntedon], 2010
208-11 … Kevin Seery [Hanover Park], 2011
208-6 … Robert Paneque [Jackson Memorial], 2022
208-1 … Jason Santa Cruz [Old Tappan], 2019
207-7 … Seth Zuidema [Midland Park], 2014
206-11 … Erik Heymann [Westwood], 2005
206-7 … Chris Arias [CBA], 2020
206-6 … Ryan Gebhardt [Walkill Valley], 2015
206-1 … Mike Brazzel [North Arlington], 2014
206-0 … Brian Florek [Old Bridge], 2008
205-11 … Rob Scales [Middletown South], 2004
205-9 … George Kalkanis [Mahwah], 2023
204-4 … Kevin Burr Jr. [Rancocas Valley], 2023
204-3 … Marion Easley [Somerville], 2005
203-7 … Jim Malizia [St. Joe’s Reg.], 2002
203-6 … Stephen Benigno [Cherry Hill East], 2014
202-10 … Chandler Balter [Livingston], 2013
202-6 … Jeff Gingerella [Wood-Ridge], 2008
202-6 … Jim Tully [CBA], 2010
202-4 … Brandon Heroux [Westfield], 2008
202-2 … Mark Paski [Delbarton], 2006
202-0 … Steven Pierce [Ridgewood], 2006
201-8 … Dajon Chappell [Morris Hills], 2017
201-6 … Joe Martinek [Hopatcong], 2007
201-5 … Zachary Torrell [Lacey Twp.], 2011
201-4 … Will Gonzalez [Cedar Grove], 2010
201-1 … Sean Biehn [Burlington City], 2006
200-8 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
200-7 … John Dixon [Ridgefield Park], 1996
200-3 … Cody Unger [Jefferson Twp.], 2008
200-2 … Kyle Elliott [Cresskill], 2008

All-Time South Jersey Javelin List
New Implement [since 2003]
227-10 … Nick Mirabelli [Rancocas Valley], 2017
224-10 … Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2014
220-11 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
216-6 … Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 2014
212-2 … Alexander Georgia [Timber Creek], 2017
209-4 … Steve Jernee [Ocean City], 2017
204-4 … Kevin Burr Jr. [Rancocas Valley], 2023
203-6 … Stephen Benigno [Cherry Hill East], 2014
201-1 … Sean Biehn [Burlington City], 2006
200-8 … Cade Antonucci [Holy Spirit], 2016
199-10 … Kobe Roberts [Mainland Reg.], 2018
196- 9 … Terrence Smith [Oakcrest], 2016
195-11 … Joshua Moore [Middle Twp.], 2017
194-5 … Austin Hudak [Hammonton], 2022
192- 6 … Matt Rafferty (Northern Burlington), 2012
192- 6 … Chris Reider (Eastern), 2010
192- 3 … Shane McDevitt (Cinnaminson), 2014
192- 1 … Nick Cando [Eastern], 2004
191- 6 … Robert Marks (Rancocas Valley), 2016
191- 5 … Andrew Pierce (Cumberland Reg.), 2009
190- 2 … Ian Meneswisch (Highland), 2003
190- 0 … Andrew Forbes (Williamstown), 2011

Millville’s Leah Howard continued her remarkable senior year with a 20-foot win in the javelin at the Meet of Champions Thursday at Franklin.

Although no series information was provided in the official results, Howard won with a 159-4 throw – her 5th straight meet over 150 feet. Paramus Catholic senior Tyaja Thomas was a distant 2nd with a best throw of 139-1.

Howard’s throw is 2nd-best in meet history behind the meet-record 163-8 by Oakcrest’s Brielle Smith in 2018. Smith’s winning throw in 2019 was 157-0, so the top three marks in meet history come from the Cape-Atlantic League.

Eastern junior Zoe Goldberg uncorked her best throw of the year, placing 3rd with a 136-3, only four inches off her PR from last year’s West Deptford Relays. She’s the top returning thrower in the state.

Howard, 2nd in the Meet of Champs last year, didn’t lose to a New Jersey girl all year. Her only loss came at the Penn Relays, where she was 3rd between a girl from New York and a girl from Pennsylvania.

Howard came into the season with a lifetime best of 148-2 from her win at last year’s state Group 4 meet. She surpassed that quickly in April with a 151-10 at the Lenape Girls Invitational, then hit 163-1 at the Woodbury Relays, the No. 2 throw in state history behind the Smith’s 168-6 at Woodbury in 2019. That’s No. 5 in the U.S. this year.

She’s entered in the javelin at the Franklin Field Nationals and will throw at noon Sunday.

The only other Millville girl to win a Meet of Champions title was Sylvia Galarza in the shot put in 2004.

All-Time Meet of Champions Javelin List
[new implement]
163-8 … Brielle Smith [Oakcrest], 2018 [1]
159-4 … Leah Thomas [Millville], 2023 [1]
157-0 …….. Smith, 2019 [1]
154-11 … Nia Barnes [West Orange], 2011 [1]
150-10 … Nicole Woods [Demarest], 2022 [1]
150-3 … Shauntierhah Douglas [Garfield], 2012 [1]
149-10 … Lisa Sesink-Clee [Academy Holy Angels], 2013 [1]
149-5 … Nicole Woods [Demarest], 2021 [1]
149-1 … Alianna Eucker [Bergen County Tech], 2019 [2]
148-0 … Daina Pucurs [Demarest], 2004 [1]
146-11 … Elaina Mezzasalma [Marlboro], 2010 [1]
145-4 … Rachel Kern [Howell], 2017 [1]
145-0 … Alianna Eucker [Westwood], 2021 [2]
144-4 … Kelly Robinson [Raritan], 2003 [1]
144-3 … Shannon Sullivan [Immaculate Heart], 2008 [1]
144-1 …….. Barnes, 2010 [2]
143-9 … Maria Jimmenez [Vineland], 2012 [3]
143-4 … Amanda Harmata [Raritan], 2004 [2]
142-9 … Alexis Appezzato [Somerville], 2010 [3]
142-1 … Alex Kelly [Hanover Park], 2008 [2]
141-4 … Stephanie Petine [Bloomfield], 2003 [2]
141-4 Amanda Harmata [Raritan], 2003 [3]
141-2 …….. Smith, 2017 [2]
141-2 Fiona Letko [North Hunterdon], 2018 [2]
140-3 ….. Eucker [Bergen County Tech], 2018 [3]

Old Javelin
1979 … Emma Painter [Clayton], 147-0
1980 … Emma Painter [Clayton], 152-7
1982 … Liz Pellerin [Holy Cross], 141-7
1984 … Lillian Rivera [Pemberton], 138-5
1989 … Liz Griesback [Cherry Hill East], 127-2
1991 … Janet Morris [Kingsway], 122-2
1998 … Lynlee Phillips [Shawnee], 142-0
1999 … Lynlee Phillips [Shawnee], 152-1
2001 … Chelsea Salisbury [Buena], 139-6
New Javelin
2015 … Megan Sax Vanderwyden [Pennsviolle], 138-3
2016 … Kaela Schrier [Cherokee], 134-10
2018 … Brielle Smith [Oakcrest], 163-8
2019 … Brielle Smith [Oakcrest], 157-0
2023 … Leah Howard [Millville], 159-4

Pennsauken’s Sianni Wynn became the first South Jersey freshman in 16 years to win a Meet of Champions title Thursday when she cruised to a win in the 400 at Franklin High.

Wynn, the No. 3 freshman in the U.S. with her 53.97 at states last weekend, didn’t need to run that fast Thursday, sailing to a still-very-fast 54.56 and a comfortable win over Ridgefield junior Kylie Castillo, who ran 55.43 and finished six meters back.

Wynn is the 5th South Jersey freshman to win a Meet of Champions title. The others are Michelle Glover of Pennsauken, who won the 100-yard dash in 1978 before transferring to Willingboro and winning four more Meet of Champions titles, English Gardner of Eastern in the 100 in 2007, Egg Harbor’s Lauren Princz in the 200 in 2008 and Delsea’s Alanna Woolfolk in the high jump in 2021. She won this year’s high jump as a junior at Clayton.

Wynn is only the 3rd Pennsauken girl to win an MoC title. Glover won the 100 in 1978 and Thananya Wooden won the inaugural triple jump in 2000.

She’s the first South Jersey girl to win the Meet of Champions 400 since Seneca’s Michelle Brown won her 3rd straight in 2010.

Wynn, who won the 55 at the indoor Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze, hasn’t lost a 400-meter race this spring and was unbeaten at 400 meters indoors until nationals. Her only losses at any distance this spring were to Meet of Champions 100 winner Naylah Jones of Timber Creek in a 100 at Fast Times at Cherokee back in April and to Elizabeth’s Cynthia Boakye in the 200 at Group 4 states. Boakye won the MoC 200 on Thursday. So Wynn has never lost an outdoor high school race to anybody who wasn’t a Meet of Champions winner.

Wynn came back to anchor Pennsauken’s 4th-place 1,600-meter relay team, which ran 3:54.94. sophomore Amina Dyer, freshman Sanaya Dupree and sophomore Ameenah Rodriguez ran the first three legs for Pennsauken.

Cherokee didn’t like the way things went at the Meet of Champions. So they found another meet.

The Cherokee girls, disappointed in their performance at the Meet of Champions Thursday at Franklin Township High, raced down to Franklin Field in West Philly in two cars – Franklin to Franklin, about 65 miles, at rush hour, through a city missing a chunk of its main highway – and arrived just in time to jump in the 4-mile relay.

When the Meet of Champions was postponed a day from Wednesday to Thursday, it meant Cherokee – and a bunch of other schools – had to choose between the Meet of Champions and Franklin Field Nationals.

The Cherokee girls opted for the MoC but after the 800, they made a quick decision to carpool down to Philly. They were entered in the 4-by-mile and never scratched, so all they had to do was show up and run.

Now, it’s not ideal to race at different meets 65 miles apart a few hours apart without a proper cooldown at the first meet or a proper warmup at the second meet.

But Cherokee made the best of a difficult situation and placed 6th, earning All-America honors for sophomore Megan Niglio, senior Kelsey Niglio, freshman Madeline Meder and junior Kerry O’Day.

No splits available – thanks “pttiming” – but Cherokee ran 21:03.39, which is actually 3rd-fastest in South Jersey history. The Chiefs set the South Jersey record of 20:42.80 with the Niglio sisters, O’Day and Nicole Clifford, who graduated last year.

Cherokee’s time is for the full four-mile relay. A few meets, like East Coast Relays used to have the metric equivalent – the 6,400-meter relay. Haddonfield has run 20:48.70 [in 2000] for the 6,400-meter relay, but you can’t convert up, so we have to keep separate lists for the 4-by-1,600 and the 4-by-mile. For the sake of comparison, subtract 7.2 seconds to convert a 4-mile relay to 6,400 meters. But we’d rather keep separate lists.

Anyway, congrats to Cherokee. The day might not have gone exactly as planned, but it ended up with an All-America performance.

20:42.80 … Cherokee, 2022
20:48.7h … Haddonfield, 2000
21:03.39 … Cherokee, 2023
21:07.81y … Shawnee, 2014
21:24.1h … Cherokee, 2000
21:24.30y … Bishop Eustace, 2010
21:32.24 … Woodrow Wilson, 2001
21:35.0h … Lenape, 2012
21:36.25 … Haddonfield, 2007
21:43.9h … Woodrow Wilson, 2000
21:44.25 … Kingsway, 2019
21:44.7h … Cherry Hill East, 2006

Ocean City junior Sophia Curtis surpassed the 40-foot barrier for the 5th time this year and won the Meet of Champions triple jump title with a leap 40-7 ½ at Franklin High Thursday.

Curtis, the No. 2 seed in the 400-meter intermediates at 1:00.42, skipped the 400 hurdles to focus on the triple jump with the hurdles Friday at Franklin Field Nationals.

Although her series info isn’t available – and seriously, what timing company in this day and age can’t provide field event series info? That’s pathetic – we do know Curtis won by more than a foot over Morris Hills senior Adannia Agbo, who jumped 39-3 ¾. Alexandra Bonn of Union Catholic – who edged Curtis to win the indoor MoC and was also the defending outdoor champ – finished 3rd with a 39-3. Winslow’s Ma’Syiah Brawner, the state freshman record holder at 39-5 ½, placed 4th at 38-11 ¾.

Curtis, who spent her first two years at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del., fell just short of her outdoor PR of 40-10 ¼ from the Penn Relays. She jumped 41-3 ¼ at Boston Nationals indoors, a South Jersey indoor record and No. 2 in state history. She’s entered in both the intermediates and triple jump at Franklin Field Nationals.

The only jumpers in Meet of Champions history who’ve gone farther than 40-7 ½ are former American record holder Keturah Orji of Mount Olive [44-1 ¼ in 2014, 42-6 ½ in 2013] and Atlantic City’s Claudine Smith [42-2 in 2019. Mahogany Jenkins of Watchung Hills also jumped 41-7 ½ in 2019.

Curtis is the 5th South Jersey girl to win the Meet of Champions triple jump since it was added in 2000. Thananya Wooden of Pennsauken won the inaugural triple jump in 2000 [36-9] and Shameka Marshall of Oakcrest won a year later [38-10 ¾]. Jessica Mills of West Deptford [39-6 in 2005], Smith in 2019 and Egg Harbor’s Mariah Stephens in 2021 [37-10 ¼].

Here’s a look at the all-time Meet of Champions performance list:

44-1 ¼ Keturah Orji [Mount Olive], 2014 [1]
42-6 ½ ….. Orji, 2013 [1]
42-2 … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2019 [1]
41-7 ½ … Mahogany Jenkins [Watchung Hills], 2019 [2]
41-0 ½ ….. Orji, 2012 [1]
40-7 ½ … Sophia Curtis [Ocean City], 2023
40-7 … Shanai Heber [Paterson Kennedy], 2008 [1]
40-5 … Iana Amsterdam [Newark Tech], 2013 [2]
40-3 … Kayla Richardson [Columbia], 2014 [2]
40-2 … Tiffany Bautista [Paramus Catholic], 2018 [1]
40-1 ½ … Ebony Young [Hillsborough], 2009 [1]
40-0 ½ ….. Amsterdam, 2012 [2]
40-0 … Ada Unachukwu [Marlboro], 2008 [2]
39-10 ¾ … Kaitlyn Salisbury [Hawthorne], 2016 [1]
39-10 ….. Bautista, 2019 [3]
39-9 … Stephanie McIntyre [South Brunswick], 2007 [1]
39-9 … Bonvie Fosam [Robbinsville], 2017 [1]
39-8 ¾ … Gena Pickett [Mahwah], 2012 [3]
39-8 ½ ….. Unachukwu, 2009 [2]
39-7 ¼ Shaya Wilkerson [Lenape], 2012 [4]
39-7 ¼ Samantha Lopes [Wallkill Valley], 2017 [2]
39-7 ….… Salisbury, 2015 [1]
39-7 … Kathryn Brown [Kinnelon], 2019 [4]
39-6 ¾ … Nnenna Ibe [North Brunswick], 2015 [2]
39-6 … Jessica Mills [West Deptford], 2005 [1]
39-5 ½ … Liz Montague [Cherokee], 2014 [3]
39-4 ¾ … Mahogany Jenkins [Watchung Hills], 2018 [2]
39-4 ½ … Eiloghosa Ewere [Hillsborough], 2011 [2]
39-4 … Adefunke Sonaike [Montgomery], 2010 [1]
39-4 ….. Fosam, 2016 [2]
39-3 ¾ … Adannia Agbo [Morris Hills], 2023 [2]
39-3 ½ Kaylee Stenderowicz [Kittatinny], 2019 [5]
39-3 … Alexandera Bonn [Union Catholic], 2023 [3]
39-2 ¼ … Mariah Hubbard [Absegami], 2016 [3]
39-2 … Essence Mayers [Lakewood], 2011 [3]
39-1 ¾ … Jamina Morris [J.P. Stevens], 2016 [4]
39-1 ½ … Adefunke Sonaike [Montgomery], 2012 [5]
39-0 ¼ … Alicia Gupte [Montville], 2018 [3]
39-0 ….. Wilkerson, 2011 [4]
38-11 ¾ … Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 2023 [4]
38-11 ½ … Stephanie McIntyre [South Brunswick], 2006 [1]
38-11 ¼ … Ashley Edwards [Northern Burlington], 2014 [4]
38-11 ¼ … Lauren Stern [Mahwah], 2018 [4]
38-11 ¼ … Aytunde Folawewo [Toms River North], 2023 [5]
38-11 … Ashley Edwards [Northern Burlington], 2015 [3]
38-7 ¾ … Morgan Summer [Mount Olive], 2023 [6]
38-6 ½ ….. Jenkins, 2017 [3]
38-6 ¼ … Rosie Menyhert [[Hillsborough], 2015 [5]
38-9 ¼ ….. Young, 2008 [3]
38-9 … Christina Epps [Morristown], 2009 [3]
38-8 ½ … Bryanna Grant [Cranford], 2013 [3]
38-8 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2001 [1]
38-8 … Javona Ford [Millville], 2010 [2]
38-7 ¾ … Adrienne Williams [Notre Dame], 2011 [5]
38-6 ½ … Regine Hunter [Cranford], 2013 [4]
38-6 ½ … Emily Vargas [Johnson], 2009 [4]
38-6 ¾ … Zia Barr [Teaneck], 2018 [5]
38-6 ¾ …….. Bonn [Union Catholic], 2022 [1]
38-5 ¾ … Regine Hunter [Cranford], 2012 [6]
38-5 ½ … Tatiana Camilo [Woodbridge], 2023 [7]
38-5 … Natalie Suess [New Egypt], 2016 [5]
38-5 ½ … Meghan O’Malley [Randolph], 2019 [6]
38-5 ¼ … Bella Palmiotto [Manchester Twp.], 2023 [8]
38-4 … Kassidy Mulryne [Allentown], 2018 [6]
38-3 … Kirsten Bowens [Mahwah], 2009 [5]
38-2 ½ ….. Ibe, 2014 [5]
38-2 ½ … Kelsey Viera [Hillsborough], 2015 [5]
38-1 … Kelly Burke [Cranford], 2010 [3]
38-1 … Bryell Wheeler [Princeton], 2012 [7]
38-0 ¾ … Genevieve Okoro [Eastern], 2010 [4]
38-0 ¼ … Felicia Quainoo [Union Catholic], 2019 [7]
38-0 … Rachel Montague [Cherokee], 2008 [4]

Naylah Jones and the Timber Creek girls ran one of the fastest times in meet history and South Jersey history and won the 4-by-4 at the Meet of Champions 4-by-4 by a whopping 40 meters Thursday at Franklin Townshp.

Timber Creek’s 3:46.38 at Franklin High is No. 7 in South Jersey history, No. 18 in state history and No. 8 in meet history. The only South Jersey school to ever run faster at a Meet of Champions is Willingboro, which won the 2002 race at South Plainfield in 3:44.64.

Sophomores Ryan Jennings [56.97] and Billie Frazier [58.46] and junior Chloe Jones [55.73] ran the first three legs to set up Naylah Jones’ 55.23 anchor.

Timber Creek’s time is fastest by a Camden County school in 28 years and led a 1-2-4-5 South Jersey finish along with Eastern [3:52.40], Pennsauken [3:54.94] and Willingboro [3:55.08].

The Chargers led by eight meters at the first handoff and just kept gapping the field. They went in as the No. 6 seed but ran nearly 10 seconds faster than their seed time of 3:56.16 from the state Group 3 meet.

The only faster time in Camden County history is Camden’s 3:45.41 from the 1995 Penn Relays Championship of America race, where they placed 4th.

Timber Creek’s time is fastest at a Meet of Champions since Union Catholic ran 3:44.20 to win the 2015 race with Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin leading off.

The race capped a monster day for Naylah Jones, who anchored Timber Creek’s winning 400-meter relay team and won the 100-meter dash for a rare triple Meet of Champions win.

The last school to win both the 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 at the same Meet of Champions is Columbia in 2010.

All-Time State List
3:35.90 … Union Catholic, 2015
3:38.92 … Union Catholic, 2017
3:40.36 … Columbia, 2013
3:41.03 … Montclair, 1998
3:41.19 … Columbia, 2014
3:42.54 … Columbia, 2010
3:42.59 … Union Catholic, 2016
3:42.97 … Union Catholic, 2019
3:43.3h … Plainfield, 1981
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2003
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:44.9h … Columbia, 1980
3:45.12 … Trenton, 2001
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023 [1]
3:46.67 … Winslow, 2018
3:47.08 … Union Catholic, 2018
3:47.16 … Eastern, 2003
3:47.41 … Willingboro, 2001
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006
3:47.7h … Columbia, 1982
3:47.7h … Trenton, 1983
3:47.94 … Columbia, 2009
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.67 … Winslow Twp., 2018
3:46.73 … Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 2021
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003
3:47.39 … Clayton, 2022
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.4h … Camden, 1978
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006

All-Time South Jersey list
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023 [1]
3:46.67 … Winslow, 2018
3:47.16 … Eastern, 2003
3:47.41 … Willingboro, 2001
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006
3:48.00 … Wilson, 2001
3:48.17 … Wilson, 2006
3:48.6y … Camden,, 1978
3:48.78 … Lenape, 2014
3:48.7h … Washington Twp., 1999
3:48.87 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
3:48.91 … Penns Grove, 2013
3:49.25 … Lenape, 2015
3:49.2y … Camden, 1979
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004
3:49.43 … Willingboro, 1997
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998
3:49.63 … Winslow Twp., 2016
3:49.93 … Willingboro, 2009

Fastest times in meet history
3:42.54 … Columbia, 2010 [1]
3:43.36 … Columbia, 2014 [1]
3:44.20 … Union Catholic, 2015 [1]
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002 [1]
3:45.12 … Trenton, 2001 [1]
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023 [1]
3:46.67 … Winslow Twp., 2018 [1]
3:46.68 … Union Catholic, 2016 [1]
3:46.73 … Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 2021 [1]
3:46.86 … Columbia, 2013 [1]
3:47.08 … Union Catholic, 2018 [2]
3:47.41 … Willingboro, 2001 [2]
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017 [1]
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006 [1]
3:47.83 … Union Catholic, 2017 [2]
3:47.94 … Columbia, 2009 [1]

Haddonfield junior Ava Thomas, 50 meters back with a lap to go, reeled in the leader just before the finish line and won the 3,200 at the Meet of Champions Thursday at Franklin Township.

Thomas became only the 3rd Haddonfield girl ever to win a Meet of Champions title and the first South Jersey girl to win a MoC 3,200 in 13 years.

Thomas ran a very patient race and even when New Jersey No. 1 Tilly O’Connor of St. Rose built a huge lead, Thomas just ran her race, reeling off even splits between 80 and 82 per lap.

With a lap to go, O’Connor’s lead was still 30 meters, with Lakeland’s Morgan Uhlorn 2nd and Thomas 3rd, with Middletown South’s Rosemary Shay just behind Thomas.

Thomas moved past Uhlorn and into 2nd on the final backstretch and began closing seriously on O’Connor – a 10:18 two-miler – on the last turn.

O’Connor’s lead was down to about 12 meters coming off the turn, and Thomas passed her with about 30 meters to go, stopping the clock at 10:44.34. Shay moved into 2nd just before the line, running 10:45.76, and O’Connor held on for 3rd in 10:46.36.

The only other MoC winners in Haddonfield history are Olympic gold medalist Erin Donohue [1,600 in 1999, 2000 and 2001, 3,200 in 1998, 2000 and 2001] and Briana Gess [1,600 in 2014, 2015 and 2016].

Thomas ran her PR 10:43.86 Saturday at the state Group 2 meet at Delsea, where she finished 2nd to Uhlhorn by about half a second.

Northern sophomore Liliah Gordon placed 5th in 10:53.68.