Washington Township senior Ajani Dwyer ran the fastest 200 in South Jersey history Saturday at Group 4 sectionals and posted the 3rd-fastest time in state history.
Dwyer ran 20.86, edging Southern Regional’s Cole Isaac Cramer, who was 2nd in 21.01, with Rancocas Valley sophomore not far back in 21.36.
All three ran under the FAT meet record of 21.53 set in 2004 by Winslow Township’s Reuben McCoy at Egg Harbor.
Once again, no wind gauge at Pennsauken, so Dwyer’s time isn’t eligible for record purposes. But it will go down as the fastest all-conditions 200 in South Jersey history.
The previous record was 21.06 set by Olympic gold medalist Dennis Mitchell of Edgewood when he placed 2nd at the 1984 Keebler Prep Invitational in Elk Grove, Ill.
The only faster times in state history were recorded by Nottingham’s Shamali Whittle, who ran 20.55 in 2022 and Franklin’s Mario Heslop, who ran 20.74 in 2018.
Howard’s 21.36 is No. 2 in Burlington County history behind Malachi James’ 21.13 earlier this year in New York and No. 7 in South Jersey history.
All-Time New Jersey 200 List
20.55 … Shamali Whittle [Nottingham], 2022 [CVC Showdown #3, Hamilton West]
20.74 … Mario Heslop [Franklin], 2018 [1st, Meet of Champions, Northern Burlington]
20.86 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024 [1st, South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals, Pennsauken]
20.93 … Danny Johnson [Rahway], 2001 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.01 … Cole Isaac Cramer [Southern Regional], 2024 [1st Shore Conference, Neptune]
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]
21.04 … Jordaine Johnson [East Orange], 2024 [1st, Super Essex County Conference, Newark]
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, No. Burlington]
21.22 … Maxwell Booker [Essex Catholic], 2000 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
21.22 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024 [1st, South Jersey Elite, Franklinvile]
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.]
21.36 … Thomas Howard [Rancocas Valley], 2024 [3rd, South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals, Pennsauken]
21.39 … Akeem Gauntlett [Abraham Clark], 2008 [1st, C.J. 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 Twp.]
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
21.22 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
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
21.47 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 