From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Pennsauken sophomore Hope Edwards ran the 5^th-fastest 400 in New Jersey this year, leading five girls under 58 seconds at the Shoe Company Elite Invitational at the Ott Center.

Edwards won the 400 in 56.73, fastest this season by a South Jersey girl and 11^th-fastest in Camden County history.

Edwards’ previous indoor PR was a 57.87 on the same track in December. Her lifetime best is 56.56 from the freshman race at West Philly Nationals last spring as a Moorestown freshman.

Edwards’ time is 2^nd-fastest by a Pennsauken girl, behind only teammate Sianni Wynn’s 54.27 this past February at Ocean Breeze.

Winslow junior Cinniya Robinson ran 56.93 for 2^nd and Winslow soph Jasmine Jackson 57.06 for 3^rd. Their teams are No. 6 and 7 in New Jersey this year. Winslow senior Olivia Okaro [57.48] and Kingsway sophomore Noemi Haller [57.79] also ran sub-58.

Others under 59: Clearview junior Summer Schaffer [58.30], Paul VI senior Claire Magee [58.46], Burlington Township senior Laila Fairweather [58.50], Timber Creek juniot Taylor Gaines [58.74], Winslow sophomore Nylah Lovelace-Crump [58.77] and Winslow senior Leeya Joseph [58.97]. Also sub-60 were Winslow junior Jordyn Cato [59.19], Seneca junior Jaden Eberman [59,45], Haddonfield senior Riley Austin [59.52], Hammonton junior Corrine Egan [59.72] and Deptford senior Taquirah Davis [59.94].

All-Time South Jersey Indoor 400 List
53.55 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2025
54.24 … Okechi Ogbuokiri [Willingboro], 2003
54.27 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2025
54.91 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2008
55.16 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006
55.19 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 2008
55.21 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2017
55.4h … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
55.52 … Nester Wea [Willingboro], 2025
55.6h … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
55.83 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2016
56.19 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.21 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1997
56.34 … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1997
56.44 … Avionne Sloan [Camden], 2006
56.44 … Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], 2024
56.56 … Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek], 2025
56.59 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.], 2025
56.62 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
56.65 … Britney Kott [Millville], 2009
56.73 … Hope Edwards [Pennsauken], 2026
56.76 … Simone Thomas [Willingboro], 2003
56.78 … Ajae Alvarez-Tyler [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018
56.85 … Emily Duffey [Lenape], 2012
56.85 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.88 … Marcene Jack [Mainland Reg.], 2004
56.88 … Amariah Arango [Winslow Twp.], 2025
56.90 … Nadia Davy [Bridgeton], 1999
56.81 … Cinniya Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2025
56.96 … Claire Magee [Paul VI], 2025
56.98 … Jade Pope [Pennsauken], 2020

All-Time Camden County 400-Meter Dash Top-10
53.55 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2025
54.27 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2025
55.16 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006
55.4h … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
55.6h … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
56.19 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.44 … Avionne Sloan [Camden], 2006
56.56 … Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek], 2025
56.59 … Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.], 2025
56.62 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
56.73 … Hope Edwards [Pennsauken], 2026
56.85 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.88 … Amariah Arango [Winslow Twp.], 2025
56.81 … Cinniya Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2025
56.96 … Claire Magee [Paul VI], 2025
56.98 … Jade Pope [Pennsauken], 2020