From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Last time I attempted a list of all-time South Jersey runners, jumpers and throwers who have placed in the top eight at U.S. N Nationals I was missing some very important athletes from the 1940s.

Thanks in great part to Bill Collins for helping me fill in the blanks. Did you know Bill was a hell of a softball player back in the day? He once went 7-for-7 in a double-header against my team in the old South Jersey Sunday Men’s Doubleheader League.

Anyway, some of the top U.S. stars of the 1940s were Archie Harris of Atlantic City, John Borican of Bridgeton and a new name for me, Joshua Williamson of Atlantic City. At the 1941 U.S. Championships, Borican, Williamson and Harris placed 1st, 3rd and 5th in the decathlon. The event was held at Bridgeton. You’ll see those three names throughout these results in the early and mid-40s.

Remember, through 1988, U.S. track had both a national championship meet and Olympic Trials in Olympic years. It wasn’t until 1992 they combined the meets and the Trials served as Nationals.

South Jersey has now had at least one top-eight finisher 21 straight years. Thanks to Curtis Thompson and Josh Awotunde, this was the first time two South Jersey men have won national titles in the same year in 35 years – since Vince Labosky won the javelin and Carl Lewis won the 100 back in 1990 in Norwalk, Calif.

As always, corrections and additions are welcome!

2025

Men

Curtis Thompson [Florence], 1st, Javelin [275-2]
Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 1st, Shot Put [73-8 ¾]
Greg Foster [Lumberton], 8th, Long Jump [25-10 ¼]
Women
Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 5th, Shot Put [62-8]
Arianna Smith [Pennsville], 8th, 400-Meter Hurdles [56.85]


2024
Men
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 1st, Javelin [272-5]
Women
Erika Kemp [Rancocas Valley], 8th, 10,000-meter run  [32:21.84]
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 4th, 100-Meter Hurdles [12.37]
Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 8th, Shot Put [60-3 ½]

2023
Men
Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 2nd, Shot Put [22.10]
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 1st, Javelin [80.92]
Women
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 1st, 100-Meter Hurdles [12.37]
Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 5th, Shot Put [18.37]

2022
Men
Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 3rd, Shot Put [21.51]
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2nd, Javelin [80.49]
Women
Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 3rd, Shot Put [19.40]

2021
Men
Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 5th, Shot Put [21.84]
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 1st, Javelin [82.78]
Women
English Gardner [Eastern], 6th, 100-Meter Dash [11.16]
Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 7th, Shot Put [17.98]

2019
Men
Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 5th, Shot Put [20.97]
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 4th, Javelin [76.56]
Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 8th, Javelin [71.37]
Women
English Gardner [Eastern], 2nd, 100-Meter Dash [11.25]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 5th, 5,000-Meter Run [15:20.69]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 5th, 5,000-Meter Run [32:14.41]
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2nd, 100-Meter Hurdles [12.55]
Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 6th, Shot Put [17.65]

2018
Men
Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 7th, Shot Put [20.14]
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 1st, Javelin [75.99]
Tim Van Liew [Deptford], 5th, Javelin [72.04]
Women
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2nd, 10,000-Meter Run [31:56.68]

2017
Men
Tim Van Liew [Deptford], 4th, Javelin [76.91]
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 6th, Javelin [72.74]
Chris Mirabelli [Holy Cross], 8th, Javelin [70.27]
Johnnie Jackson [Cherry Hill East], 2nd, Hammer [71.69]
Women
English Gardner [Eastern], 6th, 100-Meter Dash [11.16]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 5th, 5,000-Meter Run [15:19.56]
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2nd, 100-Meter Hurdles [12.68]
Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 8th, Shot Put [17.52]

2016
Men
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 2nd, Javelin [271-11]
Wemen
English Gardner [Eastern], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.74]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 7th, 5,000-Meter Run [15:24.47]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 3rd, 10,000-Meter Run [31:54.77]
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 3rd, 100-Meter Hurdles [12.55]

2015
Men
Curtis Thompson [Florence], 6th, Javelin [72.45]
Women
English Gardner [Eastern], 2nd, 100-Meter Dash [10.86]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2nd , 5,000-Meter Run [15:06.45]

2014
Men
Ford Palmer [Absegami], 5th, 1,500-Meter Run [3:39.78]
Women
English Gardner [Eastern], 4th, 100-Meter Dash [11.37]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 3rd, 5,000-Meter Run [15:12.8?]
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 8th, 100-Meter Hurdles [13.16]

2013
Men
Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 7th, 400-Meter Hurdles [50.69]
Montez Blair [Timber Creek], T3rd, High Jump [2.25
Women
English Gardner [Eastern], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.85]
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 3rd, 100-Meter Hurdles [12.48]

2012
Men
Montez Blair [Timber Creek], T7th, High Jump [2.15]
Women
English Gardner [Eastern], 7th, 100-Meter Dash [11.28]
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 8th, 100-Meter Hurdles [13.02
Priscilla Frederick [Paul VI], T7th , High Jump [1.84]

2011
Women
Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 5th, 100-Meter Hurdles [12.86]
Priscilla Frederick [Paul VI], T7th , High Jump [1.83]
Shameka Marshall [Oakcrest], 7th, Long Jump [6.62w]

2010
Women
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2nd, 1,500-Meter Run [4;13.87]
Shameka Marshall [Oakcrest], 4th, Long Jump [6.74w]

2009
Women
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 4th, 1,500-Meter Run [4:08.96]

2008
Men
Anwar Moore [Camden], 8th, 110-Meter Hurdles [16.64w]
Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 7th, 400-Meter Hurdles [49.18]
Women
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2nd, 1,500-Meter Run [4:08.20]
Deirdre Mullen [Paul VI], 4th, High Jump [1.91]
Shameka Marshall [Oakcrest], 7th, Long Jump [6.55]

2007
Men
Anwar Moore [Camden], 5th, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.23]
Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 6th, 400-Meter Hurdles [50.08]
Women
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 3rd, 1,500-Meter Run [4:08.22]
Shameka Marshall [Oakcrest], 6th, Long Jump [6.53]

2006
Women
Krista Ferrera [Vineland], 5th, 800-Meter Run [2:02.49]
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 6th, 800-Meter Run [2:02.87]
Shameka Marshall [Oakcrest], 6th, Long Jump [6.52]

2005
Women
Shameka Marshall [Oakcrest], 5th, Long Jump [6.40]

2003
Men
Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 7th, 400-Meter Hurdles [50.41]

2002
Men
Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 6th, 400-Meter Hurdles [50.23]

2001
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 4th. 100-Meter Dash [10.07w]
Women
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 4th, Long Jump [6.49w]

2000
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 8th. 100-Meter Dash [10.20]
Women
Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], 8th, 800-Meter Run [2:05.62]
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 3rd, Long Jump [6.87w]

1999
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [9.97w]
Women
Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], 5th, 800-Meter Run [2:03.40]
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 3rd , Long Jump [6.71w]

1998
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 8th. 100-Meter Dash [DNS]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 5th, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.34]
Women
Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], 6th, 800-Meter Run [2:02.09]
Laura Mason [Northern Burlington], 8th, 10,000-Meter Run [35:03.14]
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 2nd, Long Jump [6.90w]

1997
Men
Mark Sivieri [St. Augustine], 5th, 1,500-Meter Run [3:47.58]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], DNS, 110-Meter Hurdles [—]
Women
Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], 5th, 800-Meter Run [2:03.25]
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 4th, Long Jump [6.70w]

1996
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [9.92]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 8th, 100-Meter Dash [10.21]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 5th, 200-Meter Dash [20.20]
Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 4th, 400-Meter Dash [44.30]
Mark Sivieri [St. Augustine], 8th, 1,500-Meter Run [3:45.35]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], DNF, 110-Meter Hurdles [—]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 3rd, Long Jump [8.30]
Women
Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], 5th, 800-Meter Run [1:59.85]
Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 7th, 400-Meter Hurdles [56.59]
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 2nd, Long Jump [6.93]

1995
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 3rd, 100-Meter Dash [10.23]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 6th, 100-Meter Dash [10.32]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 3rd, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.26w]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, Long Jump [8.45]
Women
Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 7th, 400-Meter Hurdles [57.61]
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 4th, Long Jump [6.63w]

1994
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.13]

1993
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 2nd, 100-Meter Dash [9.85w]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 3rd, 100-Meter Dash [9.90w]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, 200-Meter Dash [20.07w]
Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 8th, 400-Meter Dash [46.47]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 1st, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.19]
Women
Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 5th, heptathlon [5,641w]

1992
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.09]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 7th, 100-Meter Dash [20.27]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 6th, 100-Meter Dash [10.28]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 4th, 200-Meter Dash [20.15]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, Long Jump [8.53]

1991
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, 100-Meter Dash [9.93]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 3rd. 100-Meter Dash [10.00]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 6th, 100-Meter Dash [20.69]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 2nd, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.33]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [8.64]
Women
Mindy Rowand [Sterling], 7th, 10,000-Meter Run [33:19.37]
Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 8th, 400-Meter Hurdles [57.62]

1990
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.05]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 3rd, 100-Meter Dash [10.26]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 5th, 100-Meter Dash [20l.50]
Mike Pascuzzo [Lenape], T8th, High Jump [2.20]
Matt Rose [Bordentown], 8th, Long Jump [7.85]
Vince Labosky [Holy Cross], 1st, Javelin [79.63]

1989
Men
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 2nd, 100-Meter Dash [10.03]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 2nd, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.38]
Mike Pascuzzo [Lenape], T5th, High Jump [2.26]
Women
Mindy Rowand [Sterling], 1st, 5,000-Meter Run [16:12.36]

1988 [Olympic Trials, Indianapolis]
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [9.78w]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 2nd, 100-Meter Dash [9.86w]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, 200-Meter Dash [20.01]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [28-9]
Women
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 3rd, Long Jump [22-7]

1988 [U.S. Nationals, Tampa]
Men
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 5th, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.63]
Women
Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 7th, 400-Meter Dash [52.24]
Mike Pascuzzo [Lenape], 6th, High Jump [2.26]
Matt Rose [Bordentown], 7th, Long Jump [7.66]

1987
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, 100-Meter Dash [10.05]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [20.12]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 7th. 100-Meter Dash [10.25]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 3rd, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.56w]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [8.65]
Women
Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 6th, 400-Meter Dash [51.72
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 4th, Long Jump [6.50]

1986
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [9.91w]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 4th, 200-Meter Dash [20.30w]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 3rd, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.59]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, Long Jump [8.09w]
Women
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [8.67w]

1985
Men
Darren Burton [Delran], 3rd, High Jump [2.27]
Women
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [6.92w]

1984 [Olympic Trials, Los Angeles]
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.08tmr]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 200-Meter Dash [19.86]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [28-6 ¾]
Women
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [22-7 ¼]

1983
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.27]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 200-Meter Dash [19.75AR]
Jack Pierce [Woodbury], 6th, 110-Meter Hurdles [13.73]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [8.79mr]
Women
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [6.91mr]

1982
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.11]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [8.48]
Women
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [6.81]

1981
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, 100-Meter Dash [10.13]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1st, Long Jump [8.62mr]
Women
Michelle Glover [Willingboro], 9th, 100-Meter Dash [11.69]
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 4th, 100-Meter Hurdles [13.73]
Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 3rd, Long Jump [6.54w]

1980 [Olympic Trials, Eugene, Ore.]
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 4th, 100-Meter Dash [10.32]
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, Long Jump [26-3 ½w]

1980 [U.S. Nationals, Walnut, Calif.]
Men
Jim Pringle [Moorestown], T5th, High Jump [2.18]

1979
Men
Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 2nd, Long Jump [8.09w]
Women
Michelle Glover [Willingboro], 8th, 100-Meter Dash [11.59w]

1977
Dave Reiss [Haddon Heights], 6th, Javelin [76.07

1976 [Olympic Trials, Eugene, Ore.]
Dave Reiss [Haddon Heights], 5th, Javelin [76.60]

1975
Dave Reiss [Haddon Heights], 5th, Javelin [78.87]

1974
Dave Reiss [Haddon Heights], 6th, Javelin [74.98]

1971
Herb Lorenz [Pemberton], 3rd, Marathon [2:19.16.8]

1968 [U.S. Nationals, Sacramento, Calif.]
Bill Gaines [Clearview], 7th, 100-Meter Dash [10.1]
Dave Reiss [Haddon Heights], 7th, Javelin [74.09]

1961
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], 8th, Decathlon [5,693]

1959
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], 1st, Pole Vault [4.65]

1958
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], T2nd, Pole Vault [14-10 ½]
Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 4th, Decathlon [6,922]

1957

Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 3rd, 120-Yard Hurdles [14.3]
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], 2nd, Pole Vault [4.53]
Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 1st, Decathlon [7,164]

1956 [Olympic Trials, Los Angeles]
Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 5th, 120-Yard Hurdles [14.2]
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], 8th, Pole Vault [14-4]
Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 6th, Decathlon [6,808] [decathlon held in Crawfordsville, Ind.]

1956 [U.S. Nationals, Bakersfield, Calif.]

Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 5th, 120-Yard Hurdles [13.89]
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], T2nd, Pole Vault [14-6 ¼]

1955

Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 3rd, 120-Yard Hurdles [14.4]
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], T8th, Pole Vault [4.11]

1954
Charles Pratt [Palmyra], 4th, 120-Yard Hurdles [14.66]

1953
Don Bragg [Penns Grove], T3rd, Pole Vault [4.20]

1952 [Olympic Trials, Los Angeles]
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 3rd, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase [9:08.3]
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 4th, 10,000-Meter Run [31:03.5] [held in Long Beach, Calif.]

1952 [U.S. Nationals, Long Beach, Calif.]
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 5th, Steeplechase [9:39.8]

1950
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 2nd, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase [9:46.7]

1949
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 2nd, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase [9:35.5]

1948 [Olympic Trials held in Evanston, Ill.]
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 2nd, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase [9:21.0]

1948 [U.S. Nationals, held in Milwaukee]
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 3rd, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase [N/A]

1947
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 5th, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase [N/A]

1946
Browning Ross [Woodbury], 2nd, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase [N/A]

1945
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 5th, Decathlon [5362]
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 1st, High Jump [1.97]

1944
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 5th, High Jump [1.95]

1943

Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 2nd, Decathlon [5808]
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 2nd, High Jump [2.00]

1942

John Borican [Bridgeton], 1st, 800-Meter Run [1:51.2]
Archie Harris [Atlantic City], 3rd, Discus [49.34]
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 3rd, High Jump [1.93]

1941
Archie Harris [Atlantic City], 1st, Discus [51.14]
John Borican [Bridgeton], 1st, Decathlon [5666]
John Borican [Bridgeton], 2nd, 800-Meter Run [1:51.0]
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 3rd, Decathlon [5236]
Archie Harris [Atlantic City], 4th, Shot Put [15.28]
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 4th, High Jump [1.97]
Archie Harris [Atlantic City], 5th, Decathlon [4289]

1940

Archie Harris [Atlantic City], 3rd, Discus [49.13]
Joshua Williamson [Atlantic City], 5th, High Jump [1.89]

1925
Women
Frances Ruppert [Palmyra], 3rd, 100-Yard Dash [N/A]

1924
Women
Frances Ruppert [Palmyra], 1st, 100-Yard Dash [12.0]

1923
Women
Frances Ruppert [Palmyra], 1st, 100-Yard Dash [12.0]

1913
Mel Sherppard [Almonesson], 3rd, 880-Yard Run [N/A]

1912
Mel Sherppard [Almonesson], 1st, 880-Yard Run [1:57.4]

1911
Mel Sherppard [Almonesson], 1st, 880-Yard Run [1:54.2mr]

1910
Mel Sherppard [Almonesson], 2nd, 880-Yard Run [N/A]

1908
Mel Sherppard [Almonesson], 1st, 880-Yard Run [1:55.6]

1907
Mel Sherppard [Almonesson], 1st, 880-Yard Run [1:55.2mr]

1906
Mel Sherppard [Almonesson], 1st, 880-Yard Run [1:55.4mr]