The top South Jersey seniors in the girls XC Meet of Champions last fall were Cherokee’s Kerry O’Day and Paul VI’s Shaman McNally, who finished 10th and 11th overall, separated by only seven seconds.

Now, O’Day and McNally are teammates.

Both are freshman at Bucknell and both are listed on Bucknell’s women’s cross country roster.

O’Day ran 4:58.54 last year after that 18:44 at Holmdel County Park. McNally ran 18:51 at Holmdel and had a huge spring with 2:14.65, 4:45.91 and 10:18.93.

Bucknell is scheduled to open the season Saturday morning at the Father Bede Invitational at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa.

With XC season set to begin this weekend, we came up with a list of every senior from South Jersey that finished in the top 100 at the Meet of Champions and where they’re attending college.

Many of these athletes will likely be red-shirting but several should be in action this weekend.

Any errors or omissions please let me know in the comment section ASAP! And would love to add Liam Dougherty’s college if he’s running this fall and anyone can help out with his plans!

BOYS TOP 100
Peyton Shute, Woodbury [2nd], Cornell
Nick Kuenkel, Cherokee [6th], Monmouth
Elijah Forrest, Collingswood [14th], Georgia Tech
Will Mrozinski, Paul VI [19th], Lehigh
Robert Poplau, Cherokee [59th], Rutgers
Matt Hoffman, Ocean City [66th], St. Joe’s
Liam Dougherty, Haddonfield [84th], NA
Raine Guidarelli, Cherry Hill East [91st], Rutgers [not listed on XC roster]

GIRLS  TOP 100
Kerry O’Day, Cherokee [10th], Bucknell
Shaelan McNally, Paul VI [11th], Bucknell
Alyssa Boucher, Williamstown [28th], College of Charleston
Gillian Lovett, Mainland Reg. [30th], La Salle
Ava Thomas, Haddonfield [32nd], Columbia
Anya Kazemi, Bishop Eustace [63rd], Lafayette
Riley Slootsky, Haddonfield [65th], Elon
Michaela Schlemo, Egg Harbor Twp. [71st], Rutgers
Anna Stolarick, Haddonfield [74th], Holy Cross

As we get closer and closer to the World Under-20 Championships in Peru next week, we’re learning more and more about what Premier Wynn’s event looks like.

We don’t have heat sheets yet, but World Athletics did release entry lists, and they show that Wynn is the No. 10 seed among all intermediate hurdlers in the world who don’t turn 20 this year.

To download the complete entry list *.pdf, click here.

Wynn, a 2023 Pennsauken High School graduate, is ranked 16th in the world in the Under 20 division, but six of the hurdlers ahead of him aren’t competing in Lima.

Wynn PR’d at the USATF Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Ore., in June, with his 50.58 for 2nd place behind Vance Nilsson of Gilbert (Ariz.) High School. Nilsson, a Florida signee, ran 50.23 in Eugene and then PR’d with a 49.77 at the U.S. Olympic Trials on the same track.

Wynn is a rising sophomore at Norfolk State, where he was runner-up in the 400 hurdles at the MEAC Championships in Norfolk behind Howard senior Noah Langford, who edged Wynn 50.57 to 50.72. Wynn went on to compete at the NCAA Championships in both the intermediates and on Norfolk State’s 1,600-meter relay team.

Since he hasn’t raced since USATF Under-20’s more than 2 ½ months ago, Wynn has been training at Pennsauken with high school teammate Bryce Tucker, who ranked 18th in the world on the Under-20 400 hurdles list. Tucker won the Big 10 Championships with his PR 50.61 in May in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Wynn and Tucker were the 6th- and 7th-fastest freshmen in NCAA Division 1 this year.

The 20th edition of World Under-20 Championships are scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday next week at Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Lima, Peru.

The intermediate hurdles trials are scheduled for 11:05 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with a semifinal round at 5:05 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 and then a final at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Here’s a look at every Under-20 hurdler who’s run sub-51 this year. An asterisk indicates they’re scheduled to race in Lima:

*49.57 … Njabulo Mbatha [South Africa], April 19, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
*49.77 … Kyuo Kikuta [Japan], June 28, Niigata, Japan
*49.77 … Vance Nilsson [U.S.], June 28, Eugene, Ore.
49.77 … Syota Fuchigami [Japan], Aug. 18, Fujiyoshida, Japan
*49.87 … Jonathan Frazier [U.S.], May 12, Boulder, Colo.
*49.88 … Daniel Wright [Jamaica], June 28, Kingston, Jamaica
*49.89 … Michal Rada [Czech Republic], June 3, Prague, Czech Republic
*49.91 … Antti Sainio [Finland], June 11, Turku, Finland
*50.20 … Kaira Gonda [Japan], June 28, Niigata, Japan
*50.30 … Sam Lunt [Great Britain], May 26, Brussels, Belgium
50.38 …Matodzi Ndo [South Africa], March 27, Johannesburg, South Africa
50.38 … Yamata Sakai [Japan], June 28, Niigata, Japan
50.41 … Xavier Branker [U.S.], May 11, Atlanta
50.45 … Haruki Mitsuyanaga [Japan], June 27, Niigata, Japan
50.46 … Yu Hashimoto [Japan], July 30, Fukuoka, Japan
*50.58 … Premier Wynn [Pennsauken], June 13, Eugene, Ore.
*50.60 … Murad Kalubhai Sirman [India], June 30, Panchkula, India
50.61 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], May 12, Ann Arbor, Mich.
*50.69 … Jingwei Guo [China], April 14, Hangzhou, China
50.73 … Jayden Douglas [U.S.], May 22, Fayetteville, Ark.
*50.82 … Xinfeng Xu [China], June 16, Daqing, China
50.85 … Ryosei Hashimoto [Japan], May 11, Tokyo
50.87 … Shamer Blake [Jamaica], May 11, Kingston, Jamaica
*50.87 … Ntiyiso Nkanyani [South Africa], March 23, Pretoria, South Africa
50.89 … Heinrich Van Der Wath [South Africa], May 23, Pretoria, South Africa
50.90 … Oratilwe Shale [South Africa], March 27, Johannesburg, South Africa
*50.91 … Maxamiliano Nuñez [Mexico], July 14, Ciudad De México
50.91 … Reiji Shirahige [Japan], July 30, Fukuoka, Japan
*50.92 … Trevoy Smith [Jamaica], June 28, Kingston, Jamaica
*50.94 … Joaquin Alonso [Spain], June 15, Spain
50.96 … Teruki Nakanishi [Japan], July 30, Fukuoka, Japan
* – competing at World Under-20 Championships

Fourteen South Jersey runners broke 17:30 at the state Group 4 cross country championships last fall at Holmdel County Park, and 11 of them were underclassmen – six juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen.

Those 11 are among the 27-fastest returners on the legendary Holmdel 5,000-meter course that will host the 52nd annual Shore Coaches Invitational on Oct. 5, the 105th annual state meets Nov. 9 and the 52nd annual Meet of Champions on Nov. 16.

Only 10 of the 11 on the list below ran their fastest Holmdel time at states. Colin Moore of Cherry Hill East is listed with his 16:52 from Shore Coaches. He ran 17:03 at states.

Of the top 50 returning South Jersey runners at Holmdel, Cherry Hill East has seven, Cherokee six and Haddonfield and Ocean City five each – although Haddonfield has four of the top 13. All four ran 16:52 or faster on the hilly, winding course.

Clearview and Williamstown have three apiece and Washington Township and Paul VI two each. Kingsway, Glassboro, Highland, Moorestown, Moorestown Friends, Delsea, Haddon Heights, Rancocas Valley, Eastern, Cinnaminson, Haddon Township, Bishop Eustace, Egg Harbor Township and Camden Catholic are all also represented. (Yes, I know it adds up to 51 … there’s a three-way tie for No. 49!).

Williamstown rising senior Dylan Saber is the fastest Holmdel returner, thanks to his 16:14 at the state Group 4 meet, one second ahead of Cherokee rising senior Liam Tindall. Kingsway soph Ryan Duffy is the only other returner who broke 16:30 last year. Duffy ran 16:19 in that same Group 4 meet, fastest ever by a South Jersey freshman and tied for 3rd-fastest by any freshman at Holmdel.

Here are the 50-fastest returning South Jersey runners at Holmdel. If you notice any errors, typos, mis-spellings or omissions, let me know in the comment section!

16:14 … Dylan Saber [Williamstown], State Group 4
16:15 … Liam Tindall [Cherokee], State Group 4
16:19 … **Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], State Group 4
16:32 … Bennett Wright [Haddonfield], Shore Coaches
16:33 … Ty Blackman [Glassboro], Meet of Champions
16:34 … *Luke Andresen [Haddonfield], Meet of Champions
16:35 … Brady Bogos [Cherry Hill East], State Group 4
16:39 … **Benjamin Realley [Cherokee], State Group 4
16:41 … *Ryan Gibson [Haddonfield], State Group 2
16:45 … Ethan Buck [Ocean City], State Group 3
16:46 … Mason Wassell [Highland], State Group 3
16:46 … *Peter Simpson [Moorestown], State Group 4
16:48 … Alvin Lin [Cherry Hill East], State Group 4
16:52 … Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield], State Group 2
16:52 … Colin Moore [Cherry Hill East], Shore Coaches
16:56 … Dominic Burgio [Williamstown], State Group 4
17:03 … *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea], Shore Coaches
17:03 … Reggie Hernandez [Haddon Heights], State Group 2
17:05 … Benjamin Weiner [Cherokee], State Group 4
17:05 … Brandon Lyons [Cherry Hill East], State Group 4
17:06 … Ethan Worst [Clearview], State Group 3
17:08 … *Erik Praisner [Ocean City], State Group 3
17:09 … Noah Stapleton [Shawnee], Shore Coaches
17:10 … Yanni Ekatomatis [Shawnee], State Group 3
17:15 … Christian Napoli [Paul VI], State Parochial A
17:16 … Nikhil Raman [Cherry Hill East], Shore Coaches
17:16 … David Kershner [Williamstown], State Group 4
17:26 … **Keenan Neuman [Ocean City], Shore Coaches
17:29 … Akshar Patel [Clearview], State Group 3
17:29 … Isaac Linden [Moorestown Friends], Meet of Champions
17:30 … Kal Heyman [Ocean City], State Group 3
17:32 … Hunter Bostwick {Washington Twp.], Shore Coaches
17:33 … Christopher Gray [Rancocas Valley], Shore Coaches
17:34 … Ryan Haefele [Eastern], Shore Coaches
17:36 … Cole Pizzo [Cherry Hill East], Shore Coaches
17:38 … *John Liebrandt [Haddonfield], Shore Coaches
17:38 … *Jacob Wickersham [Cinnaminson], State Group 2
17:40 … Elias Knoll [Shawnee], State Group 3
17:41 … *James Clauson [Haddon Twp.], State Group 2
17:44 … Ethan Caprarola [Bishop Eustace], State Parochial B
17:47 … Zach Hutchinson [Ocean City], State Group 3
17:49 … *Milo Poerner [Cherry Hill East], State Group 4
17:50 … Sean Alemi [Paul VI], Shore Coaches
17:50 … Ryne Handley [Clearview], State Group 3
17:51 … Cam Koryga [Egg Harbor Twp.], Shore Coaches
17:51 … *Logan Bromley [Cherokee], Shore Coaches
17:51 … Joseph Dell’Aquila [Clearview], State Group 3
17:52 … Enzo Corona [Cherokee], Shore Coaches
17:53 … Sean Leahy [Camden Catholic], State Parochial A
17:53 … Joshua Baseshore [Washington Twp.], Shore Coaches
17:53 … Anthony DiBattista [Cherokee], State Group 4

Millville graduate Kaitlyn Dermen, the greatest pole vaulter New Jersey has produced, cleared 14 feet for the third time this year Saturday at the Vault Factory One More Jump Please meet in Basking Ridge.

Dermen won the event with a 14-1 ¼ clearance. Unfortunately, the results don’t show field series, so we don’t know where she placed the bar next, but Dermen set the New Jersey alumni record of 14-4 at the same facility on July 6.

She also cleared 14-1 ¼ at a meet in Washington, D.C., in June. She also had a 13-11 ¼ last month in a meet at Vault Factory.

Dermen is ranked 33rd among U.S. women.

Coming into this year, Dermen had a PR of 13-7 ¼ from the Fastrack Metro Season Opener in December of 2021 at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island.

The previous New Jersey alumni record was 14-0 ½ by Shawnee graduate Stephanie Maugham as a University of Rhode Island senior at a meet in Fresno, Calif., on April 6, 2002. Maugham – now Stephanie Colby – is still active and has set several masters vaulting records in recent years.

Dermen was an NCAA Division 3 All-America at Stockton University in Galloway Township, N.J.

Last week, we took a look at the top 50 returning boys at DREAM Park in Logan Township. You can find that list here.

Here’s a look at the top 50 returning girls, which features no fewer than seven girls from Cherry Hill East, including six of the top 36. There are also multiple girls from Haddonfield [5], Ocean City, Sterling, Paul VI and Moorestown [3] and Mainland Regional, Williamstown, Cherokee, Washington Township, Vineland and Egg Harbor Township [2].

As always, mistakes? Omissions? Mis-spellings? Lemme know!

18:08.09 … Maeve Smith [Ocean City], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
18:25.87 … Sofia Day [Mainland Reg.], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
18:33.39 … Jordan Hadfield [Schalick], South Jersey Group 1 Sectionals
18:47.80 … *Riley Austin [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
19:01.30 … *Giovanna Mantuano [Paul VI], Bob Kiessling Invitational
19:09.29 … *Sophia Aldridge [Williamstown], South Jersey Group 4
19;11.15 … Megan Niglio [Cherokee], Olympic Conference
19:13.55 … Nilaa Ponnappan [Camden Catholic], South Jersey Open
19:21.60 … Jonalee Adames [Sterling], South Jersey Open
19:22.89 … *Shaelea Conway [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
19:23.74 … Cate Feudtner [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
19:29.35 … **Theresa Albertson [Eastern], Olympic Conference
19:37.85 … Chloe Care [Ocean City], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
19:38.65 … *Paige Pacquing [Egg Harbor Twp.], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
19:45.35 … Paige Cline [Shawnee], South Jersey Open
19:47.34 … Kaysie Luna [Sterling], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
19:49.13 … Macie McCracken [Wildwood], South Jersey Group 1 Sectionals
19:50.05 … Dylan Melcher [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
19:56.00 … *Macy Huber [Paul VI], Bob Kiessling Invitational
19:57.94 … Grace Wojciechowski [Cherokee], South Jersey Open
20:00.97 … **Harper Benjamin [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
20:06.93 … **Taylor Sierzega [West Deptford], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
20:10.03 … *Ella Davidson [Cherry Hill East], Olympic Conference
20:10.94 … Kaylee Russen [Washington Twp.], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
20:12.55 … Noella Reyes [Moorestown], South Jersey Open
20:13.68 … Isabella Patruno [Sterling], South Jersey Open
20:16.54 … Juliana Sieminski [Delsea], South Jersey Open
20:17.41 … Ava Millner [Haddonfield], Olympic Conference
20:22.51 … *Julia Flanagan [Holy Cross], South Jersey Open
20:23.09 … **Grace Gutowski [Paul VI], Olympic Conference [30]
20:26.93 … **Ryleigh Budsock [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Group 4 Secionals
20:27.55 … Lilla Porter [Clearview], South Jersey Open
20:33.33 … Tiffany Guidarelli [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Group 4 Secionals
20:36.37 … Rachael Wilson [Washington Twp.], South Jersey Open
20:38.93 … **Audrey Bishop [Kingsway], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
20:44.66 … *Keira Conway [Cherry Hill East], Olympic Conference
20:45.50 … Grace Duffy [Haddon Heights], South Jersey Open
20:46.72 … Gabrielle DeJoseph [Moorestown], South Jersey Open
20:48.16 … Bithania Andemariam [Egg Harbor Twp.], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
20:53.30 … *Lyana Gutierrez [Highland], South Jersey Open
20:58.69 … Kylee Black [Vineland], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
20:58.77 … Ava McDole [Mainland Reg.], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
21:04.28 … **Julia Burgio [Williamstown], South Jersey Open
21:08.22 … Katherine Asher [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
21:12.47 … Crystal Benito [Maple Shade], South Jersey Group 1 Sectionals
21:12.71 … *Sophia Szklarski [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
21:13.85 … *Gabrielle Henry [Ocean City], South Jersey Group 3
21:14.20 … *Blake Kemery [Haddon Twp.], South Jersey Shootout
21:15.94 … **Olivia Masucci [Vineland], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
21:16.47 … **Sophia DiFiore [Moorestown], South Jersey Open

Rayshawn Johnson, a state champion hurdler for Willingboro High, has joined Pepperdine’s coaching staff, the Malibu, Calif., school announced this week.

Johnson will coach sprints and hurdles at the NCAA Division 1 school.

Johnson won the 55-meter hurdles at the 2018 state Group 1 meet at the Bubble in Toms River in 7.91 and was South Jersey Group 2 champ in the 110-meter highs that spring with a 14.68. He also ran 56.69 in the intermediates.

He began his college track career at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City and was a multiple medalist at the Metro Atlantic Championships in the 110 highs.

After transferring to Liberty following the 2021 outdoor season, he ran 14.67 over the 42-inch highs for the Flames.

Johnson earned his master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration this past spring at Liberty and served as a volunteer assistant while he was still competing. He was also very active in community service and earned Conference USA’s Spring Spirit of Service Award for volunteering at a local school and working with 2nd-graders on reading.

World Athletics has finally posted a time schedule for the 2024 World Under-20 Championships in Peru, and we now know that Pennsauken’s Premier Wynn will race on Aug. 28, Day 2 of the five-day meet.

World Under 20 Championships are scheduled for Aug. 27-31 at Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Lima, located about four miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.

The 400-meter hurdles trials are scheduled for 11:05 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with a semifinal round at 5:05 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 and then a final at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31.

This will be the 20th edition of World Under 20s. It’s been held every even-numbered year since 1986 other than the 2020 meet, which was pushed back to 2021.

Wynn, a 2022 graduate of Pennsauken High, qualified for World Under 20’s – formerly World Juniors – by placing 2nd at USATF Under 20s in Eugene on June 13. He ran a PR 50.58 out of Lane 9, placing 2nd to Vance Nilsoon, who ran 50.23.

The top two qualifiers in each race are invited to compete for the U.S. team at World Under 20s.

Wynn had an outstanding freshman year at Norfolk State, placing 2nd at the MEAC Championships on his home track in Norfolk with a 50.72 and making it to the second round at NCAAs.

Wynn was the 6th-fastest freshman in NCAA Division 1 this year. High school teammate Bryce Tucker, the Big Ten champion at 50.61,was 7th-fastest. Wynn and Tucker have been training together at Pennsauken High preparing Wynn for the unusually late race.

By the time Wynn runs his 1st-round race in Peru, he will have gone about 10 weeks since his last race.

On the World Athletics Under-20 performance list, Wynn is ranked 18th in the world in the intermediates and Tucker is 20th. No heat sheets or entry lists yet, so we don’t know how many of the hurdlers ahead of him on that list are headed to Peru.

Wynn is No. 67 on the all-time U.S. Under-20 list, and Tucker is No. 70. Other notable names on that list include Robert Griffin III [49.22 in 2008], Taylor McLaughlin (Sydney’s brother) [49.45 in 2016], East Orange’s Cory Poole [49.71 in 2018], Winslow’s Reuben McCoy [49.82 in 2005] and Camden’s Dwight Ruff [50.37 in 2001].

McCoy won the 400 intermediates at the 2005 Pan American Junior Championships in Windsor, Ontario.

For a history of World Under-20s, click here.

Olympic track is almost over, XC camps are in full swing and high school official high school cross country practices are allowed to start in just 10 days, with the first meets following a week later.

The traditional South Jersey XC opener, the venerable Cherokee Challenge, now in its 28th year, is just 29 days away.

So with all that in mind we figured we’d start posting some lists, and we’ll start with DREAM Park and the top 50 South Jersey returners from 2023 on the 5K LOGAN Township layout, which will be in its seventh season of use this fall.

As always, any errors or omissions, let me know in the comment section. Now get off your computer and get those miles in!

15:38.92 … Liam Tindall [Cherokee], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
15:46.21 … **Ryan Duffy [Kingsway], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
15:48.68 … Dylan Saber [Williamstown], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
16:07.51 … *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
16:08.85 … *Dominic Burgio [Williamstown], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
16:09.70 … Nikhil Raman [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
16:10.50 … *Logan Bromley [Cherokee], Olympic Conference
16:10.99 … Ethan Buck [Ocean City], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
16:11.51 … *Peter Simpson [Moorestown], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
16:18.82 … Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
16:19.27 … *Colin Moore [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
16:19.78 … Christian Rouzard [Rancocas Valley], Olympic Conference
16:20.34 … Benjamin Realley [Cherokee], Olympic Conference
16:20.79 … Mason Wassell [Highland], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
16:21.09 … Bennett Wright [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
16:21.25 … *Alvin Lin [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
16:21.34 … *Ryan Gibson [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
16:25.03 … Brandon Lyons [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
16:25.24 … Ty Blackman [Glassboro], South Jersey Group 1 Sectionals
16:25.39 … *Yanni Ekatomatis [Shawnee], Olympic Conference
16:26.76 … Ryan Haefele [Eastern], Olympic Conference
16:27.08 … Noah Stapleton [Shawnee], Olympic Conference
16:27.82 … Anthony DiBattista [Cherokee], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
16:27.83 … Benjamin Weiner [Cherokee], Olympic Conference
16:30.59 … *Erik Preisner [Ocean City], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
16:32.74 … Sean Alemi [Paul VI], Bob Kiessling Invitational
16:32.90 … *Luke Andresen [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
16:34.82 … David Kershner [Williamstown], South Jersey Open
16:37.51 … *Dominic Pileri [Cherokee], Olympic Conference
16:38.40 … *Benjamin Sautter [Cherry Hill East], Olympic Conference
16:40.04 … *Milo Poerner [Cherry Hill East], Olympic Conference
16:40.86 … Enzo Corona [Cherokee], South Jersey Open
16:43.10 … **Chris Monaghan [Paul VI], Olympic Conference
16:44.20 … Ethan Worst [Clearview], South Jersey Open
16:47.32 … Sean Leahy [Camden Catholic], Olympic Conference
16:47.78 … Christian Napoli [Paul VI], Bob Kiessling Invitational
16:49.08 … Elias Knoll [Shawnee], Olympic Conference
16:51.29 … Kal Heyman [Ocean City], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
16:51.30 … *Ben Andrus [Haddonfield], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
16:53.30 … Ethan Caprarola [Bishop Eustace], Olympic Conference
16:54.26 … Reggie Hernandez [Haddon Heights], South Jersey Group 2 Sectionals
16:55.30 … Arjun Patel [Millville], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
17:04.33 … **Cian Sherlock [Cherry Hill East], Olympic Conference
17:04.86 … *Michael Driscoll [Kingsway], South Jersey Group 4 Sectionals
17:05.90 … **Sean Sooy [Cherokee], Olympic Conference
17:11.80 … **Justin Zhou [Cherry Hill East], South Jersey Open
17:12.23 … **Keenan Neuman [Ocean City], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
17:13.77 … **Caden Briggs [Paul VI], Olympic Conference
17:14.50 … Andrew Kellem [Highland], South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals
17:14.74 … Julian Rich [Camden County Vo-Tech], Olympic Conference

** – Rising sophomore
* – Rising junior

After a disappointing performance at the Olympics in Paris, Florence javelin thrower Curtis Thompson reached out on social media to his supporters on Wednesday.

Thompson, 28, placed 27th Tuesday with a best throw of 251-11 in his 2nd Olympics. He’s a 4-time U.S. champion, 2-time Olympic Trials winner and the No. 3 American thrower in history.

On his Facebook page, Thompson wrote:

“Thank You! Thank you for the support! Thank you for the Love! Coach and our prep for this meet was great, I felt good and ready to throw far today but it just didn’t happen. Also I am okay!

“This Olympic journey doesn’t always end this way, and I know there are both sides of this Story. But there are a few things that are consistent. The love from family and friends and you all reminding me that this meet doesn’t define me as a person.

The support from Usatf year in and out reminding me this meet doesn’t define me as a an athlete!

All love”

It was a disappointing Olympics for Florence’s Curtis Thompson, who placed 27th in the javelin early Tuesday morning at Stade de France in Paris.

Thompson was bidding to become the first American in 20 years to reach the Olympic javelin final.

He threw 251-11 on his 1st attempt and that wound up as his best throw of the competition. It was more than 20 feet less than he threw in June to win his 4th U.S. National Championship and 2nd Olympic Trials.

Thompson finished 13th out of 16 throwers in Flight A, which was over soon after 5 a.m. EST. He wound up 27th out of 32 qualifiers. Thompson placed 21st in 2021 in Tokyo with a best throw of 256-6.

The top 12 placers – plus anyone else who threw 275-6 [84 meters] – qualified for the final. Only seven throwers reached the auto qualifier, and the cut-off for the final turned out to be 272-0.

Thompson, a four-time U.S. champion and two-time Olympic Trials winner, has a lifetime-best of 287-9 two summers ago at American JavFest in East Stroudsburg, Pa., No. 3 in U.S. history. He threw 272-5 at the Trials in Eugene in June and then 271-0 back in East Stroudsburg three weeks ago.

In his javelin career, Thompson has surpassed 270 feet nine times.

No American has reached the Olympic javelin finals since Breaux Greer placed 12th in Athens in 2004. No American has placed in the top 10 since Tom Pukstys was 8th in Atlanta in 1996. No American has medaled since Bill Schmidt of Western Pennsylvania placed 3rd in Munich in 1972. Schmidt has a South Jersey connection – he did his basic training after joining the Army at Fort Dix, only 12 miles from Thompson’s hometown of Florence.

Thompson was the only U.S. thrower in this year’s Olympics.

The last South Jersey athlete to medal in the javelin at the Olympics was Lawnside native and Haddon Heights graduate Bill Miller, who won the silver medal in Helsinki in 1952 with a throw of 237-8 with the old javelin (in use through 1986).

Thompson, 28, threw the 251-11 on his first of three attempts. He fouled on his 2nd and then finished with a 243-6.

Thompson’s Mississippi State teammate, Anderson Peters of Grenada, threw 290-7, the 2nd-best qualifying mark going into the finals. (Marks do not carry over)

South Jersey has had at least one track competitor in 10 of the last 11 Olympics (and it would have been 11 of 12 if not for the 1980 boycott).

2024: Curtis Thompson
2021: English Gardner, Curtis Thompson
2016: Nia Ali, Priscilla Frederick, English Gardner, Marielle Hall,
2012: None
2008: Erin Donohue
2004: Nadia Davy
2000: Shana Williams
1996: Carl Lewis, Dennis Mitchell, Shana Williams
1992: Carl Lewis, Dennis Mitchell, Jack Pierce, Lamont Smith
1988: Carl Lewis, Carol Lewis, Dennis Mitchell
1984: Carl Lewis, Carol Lewis,