Junior Leila Ortiz and seniors Maylisa Bluford and Alana Woolfolk all won their specialties Saturday to lead the Clayton girls to their 2nd state indoor Group 1 title in three years at the Bubble Saturday.

Clayton finished with a 41-34 margin of victory over Audubon, who won the closing 4-by-4 to move up from 3rd to 2nd. Clayton also won Group 1 in 2022 by a 77-42 margin over Burlington City.

Clayton’s big three of Ortiz, Bluford and Woolfolk were responsible for 38 of Clayton’s 42 points. With a 15-point lead over Hasbrouck Heights going into the 4-by-4, Clayton scratched its relay team.

Ortiz won the 55-meter dash in a personal-best 7.37 and also placed 2nd in the 400 in 59.79. Her previous 55 PR was a 7.41 at sectionals last weekend on the same track.

Bluford, sitting in 3rd place through three throws, threw 39-2 ¾ on her 4th and won by about a foot and a half. The state title is her second but first in the shot put. She won the Group 1 discus last spring at 129-3 at Franklin.

And Woolfolk won her 6th state title to go along with two Meet of Champions titles. She matched her lifetime-best 5-8, which she’s now cleared three times outdoors and twice indoors. That’s the Gloucester County indoor record and tied for No. 2 in South Jersey indoor history behind Timber Creek’s Tierra Hooker, who cleared 5-10 at Ocean Breeze in 2018. Woolfolk had a miss at 5-2 Saturday but was clean at 5-4, 5-6 and 5-8 before missing three attempts at 5-9. Her 5-8 tied the meet record set in 2011 by Alexa Williams of Jonathan Dayton High in Springfield, Union County.

Clayton junior Miyanna Johnson also scored in two events, placing 5th in the high jump at 5-0 and 6th in the 55-meter dash in 7.61.

For Audubon, sophomore Riley Fayer placed 3rd in the 800 [2:24.65] and 5th in the 1,600 [5:19.18], junior Elizabeth Butrica 2nd in the pole vault [10-0], sophomore Alaina Copsetta 3rd in the 400 [1:00.75] and senior Madelin Carter as 5th in the 800 [2:28.46], and the relay team of senior Arianna Bittner, sophomore Kylie Tocco, Carter and Copsetta ran 4:15.38 to edge 2nd-place Metuchen by 12-100ths of a second.

Burlington City senior Malachi James moved into a tie for the No. 4 spot in state history in the 55-meter dash Saturday with a blistering win at the state Group 1 meet at the Bubble.

James lowered his PR from 6.31 from sectionals earlier this month at the Bubble to 6.30, which is No. 5 in the U.S., according to the MileSplit national database.

He also became a heavy favorite to win the Meet of Champions when U.S. No. 1 Ajani Dwyer of Washington Township missed the state Group 4 meet with injuries.

This is James’ first indoor state title. He won the 100 and 200 outdoors as a Willingboro freshman in 2021 and the 100 and 200 at the 2022 Meet of Champions as a Willingboro sophomore before injuries derailed most of his 2023 indoor season and his entire outdoor season.

He’s Burlington’s first indoor state champion since Shawill Greene won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.89 at the 2009 state meet and City’s first sprinter to win a state title since freshman Brondon Jenkins won the 200 outdoors in 22.26 in 1993. Jenkins won the Meet of Champions 200 in 21.46 the next year as a Delran sophomore.

James led a 1-2-3-4 South Jersey sweep, with Glassboro junior Brysheen Ferguson PR’ing at 6.44 for 2nd, Woodbury junior Marquis Taylor 3rd in 6.52 and Gateway senior Lloyd Shembry 4th in 6.63.

Ferguson’s previous PR was a 6.48 at the Bubble last month. His 6.44 is No. 5 in Gloucester County history.

All-Time New Jersey sub-6.35 list:
6.18 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.26 … Mario Heslop [Franklin Twp.], 2018
6.26 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2011
6.30 … Joe Dawkins [Hackensack], 195
6.30 … Jamar Ervin [Camden], 2001
6.30 … Fitzroy Ledgister [St. Peter’s Prep], 2022
6.30 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024
6.31 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
6.31 … Reggie Dixon [Plainfield], 2007
6.32 … Maxwell Booker [Essex Catholic], 2001
6.32 … Fabian France [Bergen Catholic], 2022
6.33 … Mike Fields [Roselle], 1995
6.33 … Louis Akpadago [Nottingham], 2020
6.33 … Shamali Whittle [Nottingham], 2022
6.34 … Ron Singletary [Trenton], 1979
6.34 … A.J. Bunton [West Deptford], 2006
6.34 … Miles Shuler-Foster [Long Branch], 2011

All-Time South Jersey List
6.18 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.26 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2011
6.30 … Jamar Ervin [Camden], 2001
6.31 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
6.34 … A.J. Bunton [West Deptford], 2006
6.36 … Kenny Reynolds [Willingboro], 1986
6.37 … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1979
6.38 … James Brown [Glassboro], 2009
6.39 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2009
6.41 … Chris Church [Millville], 2007
6.42 … Thomas Walls [Wilson], 2006
6.42 … Dominique Irons [Haddon Heights], 2013
6.43 … George McKey [Willingboro], 1982
6.43 … Marquis Taylor [Woodbury], 2024
6.43 … Anthony Averett [Woodbury], 2013
6.44 … Thomas Hampton [Clayton], 2019
6.44 … Brysheen Ferguson [Glassboro], 2024
6.44 … Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.45 … Paul Wheeler [Kennedy], 1983
6.45 … Miekel House [Rancocas Valley], 2020
6.45 … Sherron Bullock [Camden], 2004
6.45 … Rob McGriff [Camden], 2006
6.45 … Antonio Tarantino [Paul VI], 2018
6.46 … Albert Newkirk [Camden], 1996
6.46 … Darnell Charles [Oakcrest], 2012
6.46 … Kashif Miller [Haddon Heights], 2014
6.47 … Anthony Jones [Edgewood], 1982
6.47 … Darren Ford [Vineland], 2004
6.47 … Reggie Morton [Oakcrest], 2012
6.47 … Curtis Fitzpatrick [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
6.47 … Jonathan Taylor [Salem], 2016
6.47 … Josh Washington [Woodbury], 2019
6.47 … Ahmad Brock [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2020
6.47 … John Santos [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.48 … Gary Gordon [Willingboro], 1995
6.48 … Fabian Santiago [Oakcrest], 2012
6.48 … Caleb Williams [St. Joe’s-Hammonton], 2015
6.48 … Clayton Crosse [Washington Twp.]. 2016
6.49 … Louis Smith [Burlington Twp.], 1997
6.49 … Michael Bolling [Willingboro], 2001
6.49 … Martin Booker [Pennsauken], 2016
6.49 … Ryquell Amstead [Millville], 2014
6.49 … Malachi Melton [Cedar Creek], 2019
6.50 … Darian English [Woodrow Wilson], 1993
6.50 … Jamaal Harris [Palmyra], 2002
6.50 … Zachary Clarke [Camden], 2008
6.50 … Shawney Kersey [Woodbury], 2007
6.50 … Rasheed Grandy [Absegami], 2010
6.50 … Bobby DeMarco [Holy Spirit], 2008

All-Time Gloucester County sub-6.35 list:
6.18 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.34 … A.J. Bunton [West Deptford], 2006
6.38 … James Brown [Glassboro], 2009
6.43 … Marquis Taylor [Woodbury], 2024
6.43 … Anthony Averett [Woodbury], 2013
6.44 … Thomas Hampton [Clayton], 2019
6.44 … Brysheen Ferguson [Glassboro], 2024
6.44 … Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.47 … Josh Washington [Woodbury], 2019
6.47 … John Santos [Washington Twp.], 2024

https://milesplit.live/meets/586942/events/14/results/F/M

Cherokee senior Robert Poplau won the state Group 4 800 title Saturday and shattered a 23-year-old Burlington County 800-meter record along the way.

Poplau ran 1:54.64 and led six half-milers under 1:56 in a very fast race on a very slow Bubble track in Toms River. He finished about a meter in front of Howell junior Michael Card, 2nd in 1:54.85.

His time is 8th-fasteast in South Jersey history.

Also in the mix was Egg Harbor Township senior Christopher Manzo, who was 5th in a huge PR of 1:55.74. His previous indoor PR was a 1:58.20 on the same track last month. He ran 1:55.93 outdoores last spring at the Meet of Champions at Franklin High. More on him below!

Poplau broke the Burlington County record of 1:54.80 set at 2001 Easterns at the Armory by Willingboro’s Marvin Lewis. He broke the 25-year-old Cherokee indoor record of 1:56.02 at New York Nationals in 1999 at the Armory.

Poplau is No. 2 in the state this year behind Patrick Kurtz of Pascack Valley, who ran 1:54.51 earlier this month at the Armory.

Poplau’s previous indoor PR was 1:57.55 last month at Ocean Breeze. He ran 1:56.31 last spring in New Brunswick.

His time is fastest by a South Jersey 800 runner at states since 2013, when Derrell Manhertz of Kingsway won the Group 3 race in 1:53.79.

The field went out fast – 27 through the first 200 and 55 through 400 – and the last lap was a matter of who was strongest hanging on for dear life, and it was Poplau who pulled it out in the final 50 meters.

As for Manzo, his time is 7th-fastest in Atlantic County indoor history. He broke the indoor school record of 1:56.43 set by Eric Barnes at the 2017 Meet of Champions at the Bubble.

All-Time South Jersey Indoor 800 Top 10
1:51.52 … Jacob Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.72 … Isaac Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.80 … Derrell Manhertz [Kingsway], 2013
1:52.46 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], 2020
1:53.51 … Alan Laws [Pleasantville], 2007
1:53.68 … Ishmael Muhammad [Oakcrest], 2013
1:54.53 … Stone Caraccio [Kingsway], 2020
1:54.64 … Robert Poplau [Cherokee], 2024
1:54.80 … Marvin Lewis [Willingboro], 2001
1:54.81 … Bill Dolan [Clearview], 2013
1:54.82 … Xavier Fraction [Washington Twp.], 2009

All-Time Burlington County Indoor 800 Top 10List
1:54.80 … Marvin Lewis [Willingboro], 2001
1:55.14 … Zach McBride [Lenape], 2002
1:55.19 … Isaiah Curbelo [Rancocas Valley], 2016
1:55.84 … Matt Poskus [Cinnaminson], 2007
1:56.02 … Dave Sitzer [Cherokee], 1999
1:56.2h … Roger Lawyer [Willingboro], 1988
1:56.37 … Ian Waterhouse [Rancocas Valley], 2004
1:56.46 … Jalen Jones [Burlington Twp.], 2017
1:56.52 … Rob Novak [Bordentown], 2005
1:56.69 … Sean Watson [Willingboro], 1995

All-Time Atlantic County Indoor 800 Top 10List
1:51.52 … Jacob Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.72 … Isaac Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:52.46 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], 2020
1:53.51 … Alan Laws [Pleasantville], 2007
1:53.68 … Ishmael Muhammad [Oakcrest], 2013
1:55.16 … Joe Lewis [Pleasantville], 1998
1:55.74 … Christopher Manzo [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2024
1:56.43 … Eric Barnes [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2017
1:56.73 … Dan Galeano [Absegami], 2010
1:56.77 … Larry Ramirez [Pleasantville], 2010

In a battle of two of the NAIA’s top-ranked hurdlers, Deptford graduate Javon Sanders edged Indiana Tech teammate and top-seeded Ahumad Williams by 1-100th of a second to win the 60-meter hurdles Saturday at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Champioships.

Sanders ran 7.96 to Williams’ 7.97 at the Alksnis Athletic & Rec Building on the campus of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich. Both ran under the previous facility and conference meet records.

The conference title is the 2nd for Sander,s who won the 110-meter highs at the outdoor WHAC championships last May in Adrian, Wisc.

Coming into the meet, Williams was ranked 3rd in the country in the NAIA at 7.89 and Sanders was 4th at 7.92. Williams led all qualifiers in the trials with a 7.96 and Sanders ran 8.08 in a different semifinal race.

Sanders and Williams both earned All-America honors last winter at NAIA Indoor Nationals in Brookings, S.D., Sanders in 5th in the highs at 7.97 and Williams in 6th with a 7.99. Sanders missed the final at the NAIA Outdoor Championships in Marion, Ind., last spring by 6-100ths of a second after running 14.25. His outdoor PR is 14.22 from his win in last year’s WHAC Championships.

Indiana Tech has a history page on its web site that puts a lot of NCAA Division 1 schools to shame. Great historical stuff, including all-time top-10 lists that show Sanders 3rd in school history indoors and 6th outdoors.

Indiana Tech of Fort Wayne has won nine NAIA national track titles – five indoors and four outdoors, most recently indoors in 2021. This year’s Warrior team is ranked 2nd in the NAIA behind University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky.

The NAIA Championships are scheduled for Feb. 29-March 2 at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, S.D.

Sanders’ 7.92 from earlier this month is tied for 10th-fastest ever by a South Jersey hurdler in the 60-meter highs.

7.50 … Anwar Moore [Camden], Feb. 24, 2008, Boston
7.52 … Jack Pierce [Woodbury], Feb. 25, 1995, Fairfax, Va.
7.72 … Isaac Williams [Willingboro], Jan. 9, 2015, Houston
7.76 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], Feb. 28, 2020, Geneva, Ohio
7.86 … Tyler Garland [Deptford], Feb. 29, 2020, South Bend, Ind.
7.87 … Devon Carter [Washington Twp.], Feb. 28, 2014, Clemson, S.C.
7.89 … Paul Klemic [Mainland Reg.], Feb. 23, 2003, Boston
7.90 … Jalen Walker [Burlington Twp.], March 8, 2015, Boston
7.91 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], Feb. 12, 2005, Ames, Iowa
7.92 … Greg Foster [Lawrenceville Prep / Lumberton], Feb. 10, 2023, New York
7.92 … Javon Sanders [Deptford], Feb. 3, 2024, Ashland, Ohio
7.94 … Jusson Boyd [Willingboro], Feb. 26, 2012, Winston-Salem, N.C.
7.94 … Edwin Alston [Winslow Twp.], Feb. 18, 2017, New York
7.94 … Jusson Boyd [Willingboro], Feb. 26, 2012, Winston-Salem, N.C.
7.96 … Naseem Smith [Deptford], Feb. 2, 2024, Cambridge, Mass.
7.97 … Chais Hill [Highland], Feb. 26, 2016, Geneva, Ohio

Eastern sophomore Natalie Dumas ran a big indoor PR Saturday and won the 400-meter dash at the state Group 4 meet at the Bubble.

Dumas lowered her PR from 57.66 from last year’s Meet of Champions to 57.12, edging Franklin’s Qiora Rollins, who finished 2nd three meters back in 57.50.

Her time is No. 10 in Camden County history.

Dumas has an outdoor 56.53 to her credit from last year’s Group 4 sectionals at Pennsauken. That made her the No. 2 freshman in the state, behind Pennsauken’s Sianna Wynn, who ran 53.97 to win the state Group 4 title.

So far this year, Dumas is No. 10 in the state and No. 2 in South Jersey, behind Wynn’s 55.51 at Ocean Breeze last month.

Her 57.12 Saturday is 10th-fastest ever by a South Jersey girl on the slow, flat 200-meter track at the Bubble.

Here’s the all-time Camden County indoor 400 list:

55.16 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006
55.51 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2024
55.4h … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
55.6h … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
56.19 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.44 … Avionne Sloan [Camden], 2006
56.62 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
56.85 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.98 … Jade Pope [Pennsauken], 2020
57.12 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2024

Jess Woodard popped her best shot put throw of the year on her final attempt to place 4th at the U.S. Championships in Albuquerque Friday.

Woodard has entered the U.S. indoor or outdoor championships 11 times and finished in the top 10 each time. She’s now placed 5th or better in the last five U.S. championships.

Woodard, a 2013 Cherokee graduate, had a best throw of 58-5 ¾ through five rounds but threw 60-11 ¼ to move into 3rd place. Adelaide Aquilla followed with a 61-5 ¾ to bump Woodard back into 4th, but it was still Woodard’s best throw since September, when she finished her outdoor season with a 61-8 ¾ throw at the Memorial van Damme in Boudewijnstadion in Brussels, Belgium,

It was Woodard’s best indoor throw since her indoor PR 61-4 ¼ to place 3rd at the 2022 USATC Indoor Championships in Spokane, Wash.

Woodard opened with a 57-10 ½, 55-11 ¾, a foul, 58-5 ¾ and another foul before closing with her 42nd lifetime 60-foot throw.

Woodard’s 60-11 ¼ is No. 11 in the world this year.

Woodard is No. 15 in U.S. history with her 63-7 ¾ in Eugene in June of 2022.

Here’s a look at Woodard’s year-by-year finishes at U.S. Nationals:

2017 Outdoors [Sacramento]: 8th, 57-5 ½
2018 Indoors: DNC
2018 Outdoors [Des Moines]: 9th, 58-0 ¾
2019 Indoors [New York]: 7th, 57-11 ½
2019 Outdoors [Des Moines]: 6th, 57-10 ¾
2020 Indoors [Albuquerque]: 6th, 57-10 ¾
2020 Outdoors [cancelled]
2021 Indoors [cancelled]
2021 Outdoors [Eugene], 7th, 57-11 ¾
2022 Indoors [Spokane], 3rd, 61-4 ¼
2022 Outdoors [Eugene]: 3rd, 63-7 ¾
2023 Indoors [Albuquerque]: 3rd, 57-11 ½
2023 Outdoors [Eugene]: 5th 60-3 ¼
2024 Indoors [Albuquerque]: 4th, 60-11 ¼

Here’s a look at all of Woodard’s 60-foot throws:

Jessica Woodard All-Time 60-Foot Throws
63-7 ¾ … U.S. Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., June 26, 2022
62-7 … World Championships [qualifying], Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., July 15, 2022
62-3 ¾ … Tucson Elite Classic, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 20, 2021
61-10 ¼ … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 22, 2021
61-8 ¾ … NACAC Championships, Freeport Stadium, Grand Bahamas, Aug. 21, 2022
61-8 ¾ … Memorial van Damme, Boudewijnstadion, Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 7, 2023
61-7 ¾ … U.S. Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., June 26, 2022
61-7 ¾ … U.S. Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., June 26, 2022
61-7 … USATF Golden Games, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, Walnut, Calif., April 16, 2022
61-6 ½ … Ed Murphey Classic, Memphis, Tenn., July 30, 2022
61-5 ¼ … NACAC Championships, Freeport Stadium, Grand Bahamas, Aug. 21, 2022
61-5 ¼ … Diamond League Meeting de Paris, Stade Charléty, Paris, June 9, 2023
61-4 ¼ … Tucson Elite Classic, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 19, 2023
61-4¼i … U.S. Indoor Championships, Spokane, Wash., Feb. 26, 2022
61-3 ¾ … Ed Murphey Classic, Wolfe Track Complex, Memphis, Aug. 4, 2023
61-3½ … NCAA Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., June 7, 2018
61-3 … World Championships [final], Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., July 16, 2022
61-2 ¼ … Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athletisme de Rabat, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat, Morocco, May 28, 2023
61-1 ¾ … Diamond League Meeting de Paris, Stade Charléty, Paris, June 9, 2023
61-1 ¼ … World Championships [final], Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., July 16, 2022
60-11 ¼ … U.S. Championships, Albuquerque Convention Center, Feb. 16, 2024
60-10 ¾ … Tucson Elite Classic, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 19, 2023
60-10i … U.S. Indoor Championships, Spokane, Wash., Feb. 26, 2022
60-10 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 22, 2022
60-9½ … USATF Golden Games, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, Walnut, Calif., May 9, 2021
60-7¼ … USATF Golden Games, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, Walnut, Calif., May 9, 2021
60-7½i … Don Kirby Elite, Albuquerque (N.M.) Convention Center, Feb. 12, 2022
60-6 ¾ … Tucson Elite Classic, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 19, 2023
60-6 ½ … USATF Throws Fest, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 20, 2023
60-5¾ … Tucson Elite Classic, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 20, 2021
60-4¾ … USATF Throws Fest, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 22, 2021
60-4 ½ … USATF Throws Fest, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 20, 2023
60-4 … Goteborg Grand Prix, Goteborg, Sweden, Aug. 16, 2019
60-3¼ … U.S. Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., June 24, 2021
60-3 ¼ … U.S. National Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., July 8, 2023
60-3 … Big 12 Championships, Lawrence, Kans., May 13, 2017
60-3 … Ed Murphey Classic, Memphis, Tenn., July 30, 2022
60-4½ … USATF Golden Games, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, Walnut, Calif., April 16, 2022
60-3 … NACAC Championships, Freeport Stadium, Grand Bahamas, Aug. 21, 2022
60-1¼ … Chula Vista High Performance #3, Elite Training Stadium, Chula Vista, Calif., May 2, 2021
60-0 ½ … Chula Vista High Performance #1, Elite Training Stadium, Chula Vista, Calif., April 3, 2021
60-0 ½ … Tucson Elite Classic, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 19, 2022

Paul VI senior Shaelan McNally ran the 11th-fastest indoor 1,600 or mile in South Jersey indoor history Friday at the state Parochial A championships at the Bubble.

Racing on a slow, flat track at the Bubble, McNally placed 2nd in 4:57.06, 5th-fastest time ever by a South Jersey miler at the Bubble and fastest ever by a South Jersey parochial school runner.

McNally placed 2nd to Union Catholic freshman Paige Sheppard, who was the fastest middle school runner in the U.S. last year while attending Hillsborough Middle School.

McNally broke her own school record of 4:59.43, converted from a 5:01.18 full mile at Armory Nationals last March.

The only South Jersey girls who’ve run faster at a state indoor meet are Delsea’s Celine Mazzi in 2014 [4:56.25] and Nicole Clifford of Cherokee in 2022 [4:53.85].

No splits available – thanks, Bubble! – but McNally finished nearly 14 seconds clear of 3rd place. McNally’s outdoor PR is 5:01.44 from the South Jersey Elite at Delsea last May, so Friday’s 4:57.06 is a lifetime best.

It’s also No. 4 in Camden County history, behind three Haddonfield runners – Olympian Erin Donohue [4:49.46 in 2001 converted from yards], Briana Gess’s 4:51.60 in 2016 and Olympian Marielle Hall in 2010 [4:55.04 converted from yards].

All-Time South Jersey Girls Indoor 1,600-Meter List
4:41.52y … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1983
4:49.46y … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2001
4:51.60 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2016
4:52.34y … Rachel Vick [Kingsway], 2017
4:53.36 … Lindsey Kane [Washington Twp.], 2014
4:53.85 … Nicole Clifford [Cherokee], 2022
4:54.58 … Celine Mazzi [Delsea], 2014
4:55.04y … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2010
4:55.56y … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2024
4:56.1h,y … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1985
4:57.06 … Shaelan McNally [Paul VI], 2024
4:57.12 … Megan Quimby [Lenape], 2015
4:57.72 … Caitlin Orr [Lenape], 2010
4:58.48 … Natalia Ocasio [Lenape], 2010
4:59.28y … Grace Wassell [Highland], 2022
4:59.29 … Julia Despirito [Shawnee], 2014
4:59.39 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 2012
4:55.77y … Aubrey Pierontoni [Kingsway], 2022

Woodbury senior Peyton Shute ran the fastest 3,200 by a New Jersey runner this year Monday at Ocean Breeze and just missed the Gloucester County record.

Shute won the 3,200 at the final South Jersey Coaches Association meet in 9:13.90, winning by a little over 200 meters, with Cherokee freshman Benjamin Realley 2nd in 9:49.57.

The only faster time in Gloucester County was recorded by Delsea’s Andrew Littlehales when he was 5th in the 2012 Meet of Champions at the Bubble.

Shute’s previous indoor PR was a 9:14.51 at the state Group 1 meet at the Bubble last year. He’s run 9:11.11 outdoor at the 2023 Gloucester County Championships at Deptford.

Realley’s time is fastest by a South Jersey freshman since Triton’s Robert Rawls ran 9:45.41 at the 2008 Group 3 sectionals at the Bubble.

Realley has also run 1:59.75 and 4:28.75 this winter. He’s the No. 2 freshman in New Jersey at 800 meters, behind Kingsway’s Ryan Duffy [1:59.63], No. 1 in the 1,600 and No. 2 in the 3,200 behind Aaron David Wyrsch of Southern Regional, who ran 9:38.85 at Group 4 sectionals this past weekend at the Bubble.

All-Time South Jersey Sub-9:20 List
8:58.81 ….. Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield], 2010
9:00.27 … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson], 2020
9:08.09 … George Andrus [Haddonfield], 2022
9:08.42 … Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East], 2020
9:08.89 … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 2022
9:10.4y ….. Ken Medlin, Haddon Township, 1970
9:11.1y ..… Mike Butynes [Sterling], 1970
9:11.2y ..… Mike Elder [Haddon Twp.], 1974
9:11.86y … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 2002
9:11.9y ….. Johnny Englehardt [Willingboro], 1976
9:12.05 … Andrew Littlehales [Delsea], 2022
9:12.20 … Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee], 2020
9:13.33 ….. Michael Rankin [Paul VI], 2010
9:13.90 … Peyton Shute [Haddonfield], 2024
9:13.93 ….. Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 2011
9:14.31 ….. Jimmy Daniels [Sterling], 2013
9:14.70 … Martin Riddell [Haddonfield], 2020
9:15.8y ….. Mike Mantini [Gateway], 1978
9:15.76 … Kevin Pumphrey [Highland], 1986
9:16.09 ….. Aaron Groff [Cherry Hill East], 2016
9:16.7h … Jim Smith [Haddonfield], 1980
9:17.31 … Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 2024
9:17.52 ….. Lou Corgliano [Hammonton], 2013
9:17.55 ….. Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.], 2004
9:17.71 ….. Dave Forward [Shawnee], 2009
9:18.19 … Dennis Fortuna [Triton], 2022
9:18.59 … Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg.], 2019

Gloucester County Indoor 3,200 Top-10
9:12.05 … Andrew Littlehales [Delsea], 2022
9:13.90 … Peyton Shute [Haddonfield], 2024
9:13.93 ….. Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 2011
9:15.8y ….. Mike Mantini [Gateway], 1978
9:22.0y … Willie Marino [Williamstown], 1976
9:23.34 … Anthony Dentino [Washington Twp.], 2011
9:23.0y … Joe Siedlecki [Williamstown], 1973
9:24.71 … Nick Costello [Delsea], 2012
9:26.02 … Stone Caraccio [Kingsway], 2020
9:27.16 … Sebastien Reed [Pitman], 2020

He’s run 6.43 for 55 meters, 21.98 for the 200 and 49.24, and that puts Woodbury junior Marquis Taylor in a very small group of South Jersey sprinters who’ve run sub-6.50, sub-22 and sub-50 at any point in their high school track career.

A group of one.

Taylor, who had PRs of 6.71 and 23.68 last indoor season and never ran the 400, has blossomed in the last few weeks as one of New Jersey’s fastest and most versatile sprinters.

He ran his 55 PR of 6.43 at South Jersey Group 1 sectionals behind Burlington City’s Malachi James and he ran PRs of 21.98 and 49.24 Monday at Ocean Breeze. Taylor didn’t break 22 or 50 outdoors last spring. He had PRs of 22.07 and 50.42 last year.

He’s the only sprinter in New Jersey this year and only the 7th in state history to run sub-6.50, sub-22 and sub-50. The events are so different – not a lot of guys excel at both 55 and 400 meters – that it’s naturally a short list.

Adian Sanderson, Ewing, 2003: 6.41, 21.34, 47.76
Akeem Lindo, East Orange, 2018: 6.37, 21.73, 49.06
Mario Heslop, Franklin Township, 2019: 6.26, 20.90, 48.71
Shamali Whittle, Nottingham, 2022: 6.33, 21.05, 49.17
Xavier Donaldson, Seton Hall Prep, 2023: 6.44, 21.07, 47.35
Jack Ahart, Kinnelon, 2023: 6.49, 21.83, 48.28
Marquis Taylor, Woodbury, 2024: 6.43, 21.98, 49.24

Some pretty good company right there for Taylor, who appears to be the first New Jersey junior ever to record that triple.

He goes into Group 1 states this weekend as the No. 2 seed in both the 55 and 400. Of course, there is no 200 at the state level in New Jersey. Top seed in the 55 is Burlington senior Malachi James and top seed in the 400 is Clayton junior Alexander Osayemi.

Taylor’s 6.43 is tied for No. 14 in South Jersey history and tied for No. 4 in Gloucester County history with another Woodbury sprinter, Anthony Averett, who ran 6.43 in 2013 before playing football at Alabama and in the NFL for five years. It’s No. 6 in New Jersey this year and No. 2 in Group 1, behind only James’ 6.31 at sectionals. It also makes him the No. 3 underclassman in New Jersey. The only Group 1 sprinters in South Jersey history to run faster are James and Glassboro’s James Brown, who ran 6.38 when he won the 2009 Meet of Champions.

Taylor’s 21.98 is No. 10 in South Jersey history and also No. 4 in Gloucester County history, behind Ajani Dwyer, who set a South Jersey-record 21.25 earlier this month; Woodbury’s Darrell Bush, who ran 21.53 in 2012; and Washington Township’s Todd Dutch, who ran 21.62 in 2001. It’s also a South Jersey junior class record, breaking the mark of 22.04 by Holy Spirit’s A.J. Dawson in 2013.

And that 49.24 is also 4th-fastest in Gloucester County history and fastest by a junior. Interestingly, Taylor and Clayton’s Alexander Osayemi ran the two-fastest 400 times in Gloucester County history by underclassmen in the same race on Monday. Osayemi ran 49.40.

All-Time South Jersey 55-Meter Dash List
6.18 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.26 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2011
6.30 … Jamar Ervin [Camden], 2001
6.31 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
6.31 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024
6.34 … A.J. Bunton [West Deptford], 2006
6.36 … Kenny Reynolds [Willingboro], 1986
6.37 … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1979
6.38 … James Brown [Glassboro], 2009
6.41 … Chris Church [Millville], 2007
6.42 … Thomas Walls [Wilson], 2006
6.42 … Dominique Irons [Haddon Heights], 2013
6.42 … Samuel Thomas [Northern Burlington], 2023
6.43 … George McKey [Willingboro], 1982
6.43 … Anthony Averett [Woodbury], 2013
6.43 … Marquis Taylor [Woodbury], 2024
6.44 … Thomas Hampton [Clayton], 2019
6.44 … Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.45 … Paul Wheeler [Kennedy], 1983
6.45 … Miekel House [Rancocas Valley], 2020
6.45 … Sherron Bullock [Camden], 2004
6.45 … Rob McGriff [Camden], 2006
6.45 … Antonio Tarantino [Paul VI], 2018
6.46 … Albert Newkirk [Camden], 1996
6.46 … Darnell Charles [Oakcrest], 2012
6.46 … Kashif Miller [Haddon Heights], 2014
6.46 … Rajahn Dixon [Eastern], 2023
6.47 … Anthony Jones [Edgewood], 1982
6.47 … Darren Ford [Vineland], 2004
6.47 … Reggie Morton [Oakcrest], 2012
6.47 … Curtis Fitzpatrick [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
6.47 … Jonathan Taylor [Salem], 2016
6.47 … Josh Washington [Woodbury], 2019
6.47 … Ahmad Brock [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2020
6.48 … Gary Gordon [Willingboro], 1995
6.48 … Fabian Santiago [Oakcrest], 2012
6.48 … Caleb Williams [St. Joe’s-Hammonton], 2015
6.48 … Clayton Crosse [Washington Twp.]. 2016
6.48 … John Santos [Washington Twp.], 2024
6.49 … Louis Smith [Burlington Twp.], 1997
6.49 … Michael Bolling [Willingboro], 2001
6.49 … Martin Booker [Pennsauken], 2016
6.49 … Ryquell Amstead [Millville], 2014
6.49 … Malachi Melton [Cedar Creek], 2019
6.49 … Corey Thomas [Oakcrest], 2023

All-Time Gloucester County 200-Meter Dash List
21.25 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
21.53 … Darrell Bush [Woodbury], 2012
21.58 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024
21.62 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], 2001
21.75 … Premier Wynn [Pennsauken], 2023
21.85 … Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 1991
21.86 … Antonio Abney [Willingboro], 2007
21.89 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
21.94 … A.J. Bunton [West Deptford], 2006
21.96 … Michael Bolling [Willingboro], 2001
21.98 … Marquis Taylor [Woodbury], 2024

All-Time Gloucester County 400-Meter Dash List
48.96 … Lathan Brown [Deptford], 2023
49.11 … Darrell Bush [Woodbury], 2012
49.13 … Eric Chekemian [Washington Twp.], 2001
49.24 … Marquis Taylor [Woodbury], 2024
49.26 … Tim Carey [Washington Twp,], 2010
49.40 … Alexander Osayemi [Clayton], 2024
49.65 … Aaron Younger [Delsea], 2007
49.97 … Kanye Mills [Washington Twp.], 2023
50.05 … Devon Carter [Washington Twp.], 2020
50.15 … Derrell Manhertz [Kingsway], 2012

Sophomore Alyssa Suriano, junior Megan Niglio, sophomore Madeline Meder and senior Kerry O’Day ran the fastest 4-by-8 by a South Jersey school this year Monday at Ocean Breezer.

Cherokee ran 9:37.42, and Eastern was a close 2nd with a big school-record 9:42.66.

For Cherokee, Suriano led off with a 2:29.43 split, Niglio ran 2:23.23, Meder 2:26.27 to give Cherokee the lead and O’Day anchored in 2:18.50, the fastest split of the race.

Eastern freshman Theresa Albertson led off with a 2:27.49, junior Samantha Osey-Kyei split 2:24.36, junior Annelise Shack followed with a 2:31.61 and sophomore Natalie Dumas anchored in 2:19.21.

Cherokee’s time is No. 4 in the state this year, and Eastern is 8th-fastest. Also under 9:50 this winter are Haddonfield [#5 at 9:39.04], Mainland [#6 at 9:40.19], Washington Township [#14th at 9:49.30] and Paul VI [#15 at 9:49.44].

All-Time South Jersey Indoor 4-by-8 List
9:04.66 … Lenape, 2013
9:07.27 … Cherokee, 2022
9:09.71 … Lenape, 2012
9:11.94 … Lenape, 2008
9:12.91 … Haddonfield, 2021
9:19.01 … Lenape, 2011
9:19.35 … Wilson, 2002
9:19.80 … Cherokee, 2023
9:22.18 … Haddonfield, 2020
9:22.30 … Lenape, 2010
9:21.38 … Buena, 1999
9:23.71 … Lenape, 2009
9:24.68 … Seneca, 2017
9:26.65 … Kingsway, 2020
9:26.67 … Lenape, 2007
9:27.22 … Lenape, 2014
9:28.7 ….. Willingboro, 2003
9:28.90 … Haddonfield, 2019
9:31.10 … Seneca, 2016
9:31.92 … Shawnee, 2014
9:31.92 … Haddonfield, 2017
9:32.18 … Kingsway, 2017
9:32.95 … Seneca, 2008
9:34.35 … Lenape, 2006
9:34.49 … Millville, 2007
9:36.10 … Sterling, 2017
9:36.41 … Seneca, 2009
9:36.50 … Seneca, 2014
9:36.9h … Willingboro, 1998
9:37.11 … Cherokee, 2012
9:37.42 … Cherokee, 2024
9:37.3h … Woodrow Wilson, 2001
9:37.54 … Shawnee, 2017
9:38.07 … Haddonfield, 2005
9:38.19 … Washington Twp., 2020
9:38.40 … Millville, 2009
9:38.68 … Haddonfield, 2007
9:38.74 … Lenape, 2017
9:39.04 … Haddonfield, 2024
9:39.70 … Shawnee, 2012
9:40.19 … Mainland Regional, 2024
9:40.30 … Kingsway, 2019
9:40.65 … Willingboro, 1996
9:41.50 … Seneca, 2015
9:41.83 … Shawnee, 2004
9:42.66 … Eastern, 2024
9:43.05 … Highland, 2003
9:43.45 … Haddonfield, 2023
9:43.48 … Lenape, 2005
9:43.56 … Kingsway, 2022
9:44.20 … Seneca, 2018
9:44.27 … Lenape, 2019
9:44.52 … Kingsway, 2016
9:44.92 … Rancocas Valley, 2010
9:45.30 … Haddonfield, 2022
9:45.50 … Seneca, 2013
9:45.74 … Washington Twp., 2011
9:46.13 … Oean City, 2020
9:46.72 … Cherokee, 2024
9:47.10 … Haddonfield, 2018
9:47.33 … Seneca, 2010
9:47.34 … Ocean City, 2005
9:47.74 … Haddonfield, 2001
9:48.07 … Cherokee, 2008
9:48.47 … Mainland Regional, 2023
9:48.9h … Haddonfield, 2004
9:49.00 … Lenape, 2016
9:49.44 … Paul VI, 2024
9:49.64 … Cherry Hill East, 2022
9:49.79 … Cherokee, 2006
9:49.8h … Haddonfield, 2006