Malachi James opened his 2024 season with one of the fastest sprint doubles in state history.
James, who broke Meet of Champions recores in both the 55 and 200 indoors and placed 2nd in the 200 at Armory Nationals, ran 10.40 for 100 meters and 21.13 for 200 meters Sunday at the USATF New York Youth Challenge Series Opener at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island in Manhattan.
Both times were wind-legal, with a 1.3 meters-per-second tailwind in the 100 and a 1.6 in the 200.
The only sprinters in New Jersey history who’ve run that fast for both races are Rahway’s Danny Johnson, who ran 10.30 and 20.93 in 2001, and Franklin Township’s Mario Heslop, who ran 10.33 in 2019 and 20.74 in 2018.
Only Johnson did it at the same meet. He won the 100 and 200 at the 2001 Meet of Champions at South Plainfield with 10.30 and 20.93.
James was not pushed in either race. Second-place times were pedestrian 11.45 and 22.63. And he ran those times without starting blocks.
James’ 100 time is No. 7 in state history and No. 3 in South Jersey history and fastest in 14 years, since Timber Creek’s Damiere Byrd ran 10.36 at South Jersey Group 3 sectionals at Egg Harbor.
His 200 time is tied for No. 7 in state history and also No. 3 in South Jersey history, behind Olympic gold medalist Dennis Mitchell of Edgewood, who ran 21.06 at the Keebler Prep Championships in Elk Grove, Ill., in 1984, and Paul VI’s Antonio Tarantino, who ran 21.07 at
James’ previous PRs were 10.54 when he won the 2022 Meet of Champions at Franklin as a Willingboro sophomore and 21.28 when won the indoor Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze this past March.
He broke the Burlington County 100-meter dash record of 10.45 set by James Townsend of Holy Cross when he won the 2003 Meet of Champions at South Plainfield. Townsend never ran another race. He already held the Burlington County overall 200 record with that 21.28 indoors, but he officially broke the outdoor record of 21.40 sst by Lenape’s Rob Gary when he won the 100 at the 1998 state Group 4 meet at South Plainfield.
All-Time New Jersey 100-Meter Dash List
10.30 … Danny Johnson [Rahway], 2001 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
10.30 … Fitzroy Ledgister [St. Peter’s Prep], 2022 [4th, New Balance Nationals, Franklin Field, Philadelphia]
10.33 … Mario Heslop [Franklin Twp.], 2019 [1st, Central Jersey Group 4 Sectionals, Howell]
10.35 … Jamar Ervin [Camden], 2000 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
10.36 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2010 [1st, South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals, Egg Harbor Twp.]
10.39 … Miles Shuler-Foster [Long Branch], 2010 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
10.40 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024 [1st, USATF New York Youth Challenge Series Opener, Icahn Stadium]
10.43 … Zaire Clemes [Trenton], 2013 [1st, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
10.45 … James Townsend [Holy Cross], 2003 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
10.45 … Mekhi Stafford [Ewing], 2023 [1st, NYC Grand Prix, New York, N.Y.]
10.46 … Adian Sanderson [Ewing], 2003 [1st, Group 3 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
10.46 … Michael Ray Garvin [Don Bosco], 2005 [3rd, Nike Outdoor Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
10.47 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983 [4th, TAC U.S. Juniors, State College, Pa.]
10.47 … James Brown [Glassboro], 2009 [1st, South Jersey Group 1 Sectionals, Egg Harbor Twp.]
10.48 … Shamali Whittle [Nottingham], 2021 [1st (trials), Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
10.48 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024 [1st, Fast Times at Cherokee High, Marlton]
10.49 … Maxwell Booker [Essex Catholic], 2000 [Trials, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
10.49 … Jonathan Taylor [Salem], 2017 [1st, South Jersey Group 1 Sectionals, Egg Harbor Twp.]
10.50 … Dana Ridley [Hamilton North], 2019 [1st, Central Jersey Group 3 Sectionals, Jackson Liberty]
10.50 … Fabian France [Bergen Catholic], 2022 [2nd, Parochial A States, Middletown North]
10.50 … Maxim Rychkov [Robbinsville], 2024 [2nd, Fast Times at Cherokee High, Marlton]
All-Time South Jersey 100-Meter Dash List
10.35 … Jamar Ervin [Camden], 2000
10.36 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2010
10.40 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024
10.45 … James Townsend [Holy Cross], 2003
10.47 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
10.47 … James Brown [Glassboro], 2009
10.48 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
10.49 … Jonathan Taylor [Salem], 2017
10.54 … Fabian Santiago [Oakrest], 2010
10.54 … Malachi James [Willingboro], 2022
10.55 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], 2002
10.55 … Evan Corcoran [Kingsway], 2022
10.57 … Jamil Benjamin [Cumberland Regional], 2006
10.57 … Geoff Navaro [Absegami], 2008
10.58 … Anthony Miles [Winslow Twp.], 2003
10.58 … James Burrus [Moorestown], 2022
10.60 … Marquis Bonds [Millville], 2007
10.60 … Shawney Kersey [Woodbury], 2009
10.60 … Thomas Hampton [Clayton], 2019
All-Time New Jersey 200-Meter Dash List
20.55 … Shamali Whittle [Nottingham], 2022 [CVC Showdown #3, Hamilton West]
20.74 … Mario Heslop [Franklin], 2018 [1st, Meet of Champions, Northern Burlington]
20.93 … Danny Johnson [Rahway], 2001 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.03 … Zamir Thomas [Snyder], 2011 [1st, Meet of Champions, Old Bridge]
21.03 … Dana Ridley [Hamilton North], 2019 [2nd, Meet of Champions, Northern Burlington]
21.06 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984 [2nd, Keebler Prep, Elk Grove, Ill.]
21.06 … Antonio Tarantino [Paul VI], 2018 [ 4th, New Balance Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
21.13 … Jabrill Peppers [Paramus Catholic], 2013 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.13 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024 [1st, USATF New York Youth Challenge Series Opener, Icahn Stadium]
21.14 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004 [1st, State Group 4, Egg Harbor Twp.]
21.17 … Richie Luzzi-Liggins [St. Peter’s Prep], 2019 [3rd, Meet of Champions, Northern Burlington]
21.22 … Maxwell Booker [Essex Catholic], 2000 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.23 … Shaquan Brown [Paterson Kennedy], 2005 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.23 … Xavier Donaldson [Seton Hall Prep], 2023 [1st, Parochial A, Franklin]
21.25 … Bryant McCombs [Old Bridge], 2005 [1st, Greater Middlex County, South Plainfield]
21.27 … Charles Cox [Monmouth Reg.], 2007 [1st, Monmouth County, Neptune]
21.27 … Nigel Mitchell {Red Bank Reg.], 2019 [1st, Group 3, States, Central Reg.]
21.29 … Zyaire Clemes [Trenton], 2013 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.29 … Fitzroy Ledgister [St. Peter’s Prep], 2022 [1st, Parochial A States, Middletown North]
21.30 … Ty Adams [Monmouth Reg.], 1993 [21.34 state Group 3, SP]
21.30 … Lamar Grant [Jackson], 1996 [1st, Group 4 States, South Plainfield]
21.30 … Taylor McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2015 [1st, Union County, Plainfield
21.30 … Jahmir Beasely [Sterling], 2019 [4th, Meet of Champions, Northern Burlington]
21.31 … Michael Ray Garvin [Don Bosco], 2005 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.31 … Clayton Parros [Seton Hall Prep], 2009 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.31 … Miles Shuler-Foster [Long Branch], 2011 [2nd, Meet of Champions, Old Bridge]
21.31 … Jessie Ledgister [Montclair], 2021 [1st, North 1 Group 4 Sectionals, Clifton]
21.35 … Kerone Rhoden [Red Bank Reg.], 2007 [2nd, Monmouth County, Neptune]
21.35 … Daniel Duncan [North Plainfield], 2019 [1st, Group 2 States, Central Regional]
21.36 … Isaiah Gill [Plainfield], 2008 [2nd, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
21.39 … Akeem Gauntlett [Abraham Clark], 2008 [1st, Central Jersey Group 2 Sectionals, Monmouth Reg.]
21.39 … Martin Booker [Pennsauken], 2017 [1st, Central Jersey Group 3 Sectionals, Bernards]
21.40 … Rob Gary [Lenape], 1998 [1st, Group 4 States, South Plainfield]
21.40 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], 2001 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.40 … Jamaad Muse [Timber Creek], 2012 [1st, Camden County, Haddon Township]
21.40 … Joshua Babe [Morris Hills], 2022 [1st, NJAC Large Schools, Morris Hills]
21.40 … Rajahn Dixon [Eastern], 2023 [1st, Camden County Championships, Haddon Township]
All-Time South Jersey 200-Meter Dash List
21.06 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
21.07 … Antonio Tarantino [Paul VI], 2018
21.13 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024
21.14 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
21.30 … Jahmir Beasley [Sterling], 2019
21.39 … Martin Booker Jr. [Pennsauken], 2017
21.40 … Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 1991
21.40 … Rob Gary [Lenape], 1998
21.40 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], 2001
21.40 … Jamaad Muse [Timber Creek], 2012
21.41 … Dorian Bryant [Kingsway], 2002
21.41 … T.J. Johnson [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2010
21.43 … Barry Cephas [Winslow Twp.], 2008
21.46 … Brondon Jenkins [Delran], 1994
21.46 … Sabli Gonnet [Eastern], 2007
21.47 … Curtis McIntyre [Bridgeton], 1992
James moved into the No. 8 spot on the all-time South Jersey alumni list with the fastest 100 by any South Jersey high school graduate since Damiere Byrd ran his 10.36 at the 2011 Meet of Champions in Old Bridge. His 200 time is No. 15 on the all-time South Jersey list.
All-Time South Jersey Alumni 100-Meter Dash List
9.86 … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], Aug. 25, 1991, Tokyo
9.91 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], Sept. 7, 1996, Milan, Italy
10.27 … Barry Douglas [Willingboro], May 4, 1996, Fairfax, Va.l
10.32 … John Stone [Mainland Reg.], April 15, 2000, Charlotte, N.C.
10.35 … Jamar Ervin [Camden], June 7, 2000, Piscataway, N.J.
10.36 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], June 9, 2011, Old Bridge, N.J.
10.38 … Jamil Benjamin [Cumberland Reg.], May 18, 2007, Coffeyville, Kan.
10.40 … Malachi James [Burlington City], April 14, 2024, New York, N.Y.
10.42 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], May 15, 2005, Columbus, Ohio [1.3]
10.42 … Anwar Moore [Camden], June 11, 2005, Genève (SUI)
10.45 … James Townsend [Holy Cross], June 5, 2003, South Plainfield, N.J. [1.2]
All-Time South Jersey Alumni 200-Meter Dash List
19.75 … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], June 19, 1983, Indianapolis
20.09 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], June 2, 1989, Provo, Utah
20.61… John Stone [Mainland Reg.], May 22, 1999, Atlanta [-0.4]
20.64 … Bruce Owens [Deptford], May 29, 2010, Greensboro, N.C. [1.1]
20.83 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], May 7, 2005, Columbus, Ohio
20.88 … Kevin Holloway [Palmyra], April 21, 1979, Bloomington, Ind.
20.90 … Jack Pierce [Woodbury], May 23, 1984, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
20.91 … Jah’mere Beasley [Sterling], May 26, 2022, Geneva, Ohio [1.9]
20.97 … Matt Rose [Bordentown], May 24, 1987, Villanova, Pa.
21.05 … Robert Hargrove [Vineland], May 25, 2002, St. Paul, Minn. [0.9]
21.07 … Antonio Tarantino [Paul VI], June 17, 2018, Greensboro, N.C.
21.08 … Lamont Smith [Willingboro], Aug. 23, 1996, Brussels, Belgium
21.11 … Anwar Moore [Camden], April 15, 2006, Chapel Hill, N.C.
21.12 … Antonio Abney [Willingboro], April 16, 2011, Greensboro, N.C. [1.5]
21.13 … Malachi James [Burlington City], April 14, 2024, New York, N.Y.
21.21 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], May 5, 2012, Clemson, S.C.
21.25 … Barry Douglas [Willingboro], May 6, 2000, Fairfax, Va.
21.25 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], Feb. 5, 2024, Staten Island, N.Y.
21.30 … Darrell Bush [Woodbury], April 18, 2015, Baton Rouge, La.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 