From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Senior Nick Kuenkel split 1:55.24 and senior Robert Poplau 1:54.29 and Cherokee ran the 11th-fastest indoor 3,200-meter relay in South Jersey history Monday night at Ocean Breeze.

Freshman Ben Realley and seniors Andrew Free, Kuenkel and Poplau ran 7:53.90 to win the 4-by-8 at the South Jersey Track Coaches Association meet. Cherokee won by 50 meters over Chatham, which placed 2nd in 8:03.06.

Cherokee’s time is No. 1 in New Jersey this year and No. 5 in the U.S., according to the MileSplit national database. It’s the Chiefs’ fastest indoor time since they placed 2nd at Armory Nationals in 2012 with Colin Merrigan, Drew Viscidy, Ross Staudt and Shawn Wilson. It’s 5th-fastest on the all-time Burlington County list and fastest in 12 years.

Really split 1:59.96 on the lead-off leg, and Free ran 2:04.42, which is two seconds faster than his open 800 PR. Kuenkel moved Cherokee into a dead heat with Chatham at the third handoff, and Poplau ran away from the field with the fastest split of the day.

Cherokee’s performance is a virtual lock to qualify the Chiefs for the 128th annual Penn Relays the last weekend of April at Franklin Field.

Washington Township placed 3rd in 8:12.28 with Aaron Kolosowsky splitting 1:59.44 on the second leg. That was the fastest second leg in the race.

All-Time South Jersey Indoor 4-by-800 List
7:43.64 … Cherokee, 2012
7:45.55 … Pleasantville, 2013
7:47.50 … Kingsway, 2020
7:48.92 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2017
7:51.45 … Washington Twp., 2009
7:51.78 … Cherokee, 2000
7:52.76 … Kingsway, 2020
7:52.77 … Pleasantville, 2006
7:52.95 … Willingboro, 2003
7:53.64 … Willingboro, 2002
7:53.90 … Cherokee, 2024
7:54.76 … Pleasantville, 2007
7:55.40 … Washington Twp., 2008
7:55.44 … Haddonfield, 2010
7:57.28 … Rancocas Valley, 2018
7:57.29 … Oakrest, 2009
7;57.56 … Haddonfield, 2019
7:58.08 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2016
7:58.5h … Willingboro, 1983
7:59.05 … Pleasantville, 2015
7:59.51 … Pleasantville, 2012
7:59.84 … Kingsway, 2014
7:59.91 … Kingsway, 2013

All-Time Burlington County Indoor 4-by-800 List
7:43.64 … Cherokee, 2012
7:51.78 … Cherokee, 2000
7:52.95 … Willingboro, 2003
7:53.64 … Willingboro, 2002
7:53.90 … Cherokee, 2024
7:57.28 … Rancocas Valley, 2018
7:58.5h … Willingboro, 1983
8:02.47 … Cherokee, 2011
8:03.77 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
8:04.1h … Rancocas Valley, 2015
8:06.58 … Cherokee, 2009
8:07.5h … Shawnee, 2000
8:07.93 … Seneca, 2013
8:08.4h … Cherokee, 1998
8:09.6y … Willingboro
8:10.22 … Lenape, 2000