Remarkable Pennsauken sophomore Sianni Wynn ran the 8th-fastest 400 in state history Saturday morning on the way to her 2nd state title of the weekend and 7th of her brief high school career.
Wynn won the state Group 4 title in Somerset in 53.45, fastest by any New Jersey quarter-miler since Olympic 800 gold medalist Athing Mu of Trenton ran 51.98 in 2019.
The only faster time in South Jersey history is the 52.91 that Seneca’s Michelle Brown ran in 2009 when she placed 3rd at Greensboro Nationals.
The only faster sophomores in state history are Olympic gold medalists Mu [52.45 in 2018] and Sydney McLaughlin [52.59 in 2015].
Wynn’s previous best was her 53.80 last weekend at Group 4 Sectionals on her home track in Pennsauken. That’s where she’ll race in the Meet of Champions on Wedneseday.
Wynn broke the meet record of 53.61 set in 2022 by Julia Jackson of Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
Another Camden County sophomore, Eastern’s Natalie Dumas, placed 2nd in 54.74, which is 14th-fastest in South Jersey history.
On Friday, Wynn won the 100 in 11.52 into a 1.6 meters-per-second headwind. She’ll run the 200 later Saturday.
All-Time New Jersey 400 List
51.87 … Sydney McLoughlin [Union Catholic], 2016
51.98 … Athing Mu [Trenton], 2019
52.46 … Olivia Baker [Columbia], 2014
52.56 … Mikele Barber [Montclair], 1998
52.91 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 2009
53.12 … Julia Jackson [Scotch Plains-Fanwood], 2022
53.0h … Stephanie Saleem [Neptune], 1985
53.45 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken ], 2023
53.49 … Arianna Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
53.51 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996
53.60 … Amirah Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
53.64 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2008
53.66 … Giselle Harris [Shabazz], 1986
53.84 … Drexel Long [Monmouth], 1991
53.98 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2006
All-Time South Jersey 400 List
52.91 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 2009
53.45 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken ], 2023
53.51 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996
53.64 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2008
53.49 … Arianna Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
53.60 … Amirah Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
53.98 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2007
54.04 … Nadia Davy [Bridgeton], 1998
54.19 … Okechi Ogbuokiri [Willingboro], 2003
54.36 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2018
54.41 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
54.51 … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1998
54.62 … Audrey Wilson [Deptford], 2008
54.75 … Faleesha Dowe [Penns Grove], 2014
54.93 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2004
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 