From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Senior Josh Crawford’s 1:51.70 anchor leg led Woodstown to the fastest 4-by-8 by a Group 1 school in 43 years and 2^nd place in the Meet of Champions Wednesday at Pennsauken.

Woodstown placed 2^nd in 7:49.09, the fastest time by a New Jersey Group 1 since Beranrds ran 7:48.1 in 1983 an d fastest by a New Jersey Group 1 since Woodbury ran 7:48.3 converted from two miles in 1977.

Woodstown placed 2^nd to Shabazz of Newark, which ran 7:46.06 to win the race.

Woodstown’s previous season best an Salem County record was 7:52.95 at the Woodbury Relays. Their time is No. 18 in South Jersey history.

Senior Karaon Chew  led off in 1:57.09, senior Jacob Marino split 2:02.52 and junior David Farrell ran 1:57.81 setting up Crawford’s speedy anchor leg.

The medal is Woodstown’s first at the Meet of Champions since Jake Prus placed 6^th in th javelin in 2012.

Ocean City placed 3^rd in 7:51.83 with junior Keenan Neuman [1:57.77], junior Nathan Aschmann [1:57.22], sophomore Nevin Millstein [1:58.79] and senior Erik Preisner [1:58.08], their fastest time since a 7:50.26 in 2003 at Raleigh Nationals with John Richardson, Jim Dugan, Erik Geisinger and Brian McMahon.

Deptford also broke eight minutes, taking 8^th in 7:54.18 with senior Anthony Schilling [1:58.94], sophomore Christian Ramirez [1:59.45], senior Zach Harrison [2:00.54] and sophomore John Collier [1:55.29].

South Jersey’s fastest Meet of Champions 4-by-8s
7:41.17 … Cherokee, 2023
7:43.57 … Haddonfield, 2015
7:46.28 … Delsea, 2018
7:47.66 … Kingsway, 2011
7:47.96 … Haddonfield, 2016
7:48.16 … Kingsway, 2013
7:48.25 … Vineland, 2012
7:49.09 … Woodstown, 2026

All-Time South Jersey List
7:40.43 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2017
7:40.71 … Pleasantville, 2013
7:40.99 … Willingboro, 1983
7:41.17 … Cherokee, 2023
7:43.57 … Haddonfield, 2015
7:44.25 … Willingboro, 2003
7:46.28 … Delsea, 2018
7:46.2h … Deptford, 1967
7:47.27 … Egg Harbor, 2016
7:47.66 … Kingsway, 2011
7:47.96 … Haddonfield, 2016
7:47.9h … Willingboro, 1982
7:48.16 … Kingsway, 2013
7:48.25 … Vineland, 2012
7:48.3y … Woodbury, 1977
7:48.70 … Rancocas Valley, 2016
7:48.92 … Highland, 2018
7:49.09 … Woodstown, 2026
7:49.34 … Cherokee, 2000
7:49.67 … Washington Twp., 2009
7:49.72 … Haddonfield, 2019
7:49.85 … Cherokee, 2012
7:49.95 … Delsea, 2018
7:49.9h … Willingboro, 1978