Mainland Regional sophomores Emma Preissman and Madison Taylor, junior Sofia Day and senior Gillian Lovett won the distance medley Sunday at the state Group 3 Relays with the 2nd-fastest time in Atlantic County history and the 2nd-fastest time in New Jerey this year.
Mainland beat the field by 150 meters – nearly a full track length at the Bubble in Toms River – with a winning time of 12:26.51. West Windsor-Plainsboro North was 2nd in 12:56.53.
Mainland’s time is No. 2 in New Jersey this year, behind only Union Catholic’s 12:17.16 at the Parochial A state relays at the Bubble on Wednesday, and No. 2 in Atlantic County history, behind only Egg Harbor Township’s 12;11.47 at 2000 Easterns at the Armory.
The Mustangs’ time is No. 5 nationally, according to the MileSplit data base.
Mainland was already No. 2 in South Jersey with its previous school-record 12:36.80 at Ocean Breeze two weeks ago, behind only Paul VI’s 12:31.11 at Ocean Breeze in late December.
Outdoors, Mainland’s fastest time is a 12:44.26 at the 2017 Rowan University Open in Glassboro, so this was Mainland’s fastest time indoors or out.
Mainland came back to win the 4-by-800 in a New Jersey No. 1 9:40.19 with Preiessman, Lovett, Day and junior Ava McDole. The Mustangs won by 90 meters over Randolph, who was 2nd in 9:58.90.
The Mustangs broke their own Atlantic County indoor record of 9:47.86 that they set earlier this month at Ocean Breeze.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 