Pennsauken’s Sianni Wynn became the first South Jersey freshman in 16 years to win a Meet of Champions title Thursday when she cruised to a win in the 400 at Franklin High.

Wynn, the No. 3 freshman in the U.S. with her 53.97 at states last weekend, didn’t need to run that fast Thursday, sailing to a still-very-fast 54.56 and a comfortable win over Ridgefield junior Kylie Castillo, who ran 55.43 and finished six meters back.

Wynn is the 5th South Jersey freshman to win a Meet of Champions title. The others are Michelle Glover of Pennsauken, who won the 100-yard dash in 1978 before transferring to Willingboro and winning four more Meet of Champions titles, English Gardner of Eastern in the 100 in 2007, Egg Harbor’s Lauren Princz in the 200 in 2008 and Delsea’s Alanna Woolfolk in the high jump in 2021. She won this year’s high jump as a junior at Clayton.

Wynn is only the 3rd Pennsauken girl to win an MoC title. Glover won the 100 in 1978 and Thananya Wooden won the inaugural triple jump in 2000.

She’s the first South Jersey girl to win the Meet of Champions 400 since Seneca’s Michelle Brown won her 3rd straight in 2010.

Wynn, who won the 55 at the indoor Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze, hasn’t lost a 400-meter race this spring and was unbeaten at 400 meters indoors until nationals. Her only losses at any distance this spring were to Meet of Champions 100 winner Naylah Jones of Timber Creek in a 100 at Fast Times at Cherokee back in April and to Elizabeth’s Cynthia Boakye in the 200 at Group 4 states. Boakye won the MoC 200 on Thursday. So Wynn has never lost an outdoor high school race to anybody who wasn’t a Meet of Champions winner.

Wynn came back to anchor Pennsauken’s 4th-place 1,600-meter relay team, which ran 3:54.94. sophomore Amina Dyer, freshman Sanaya Dupree and sophomore Ameenah Rodriguez ran the first three legs for Pennsauken.

Cherokee didn’t like the way things went at the Meet of Champions. So they found another meet.

The Cherokee girls, disappointed in their performance at the Meet of Champions Thursday at Franklin Township High, raced down to Franklin Field in West Philly in two cars – Franklin to Franklin, about 65 miles, at rush hour, through a city missing a chunk of its main highway – and arrived just in time to jump in the 4-mile relay.

When the Meet of Champions was postponed a day from Wednesday to Thursday, it meant Cherokee – and a bunch of other schools – had to choose between the Meet of Champions and Franklin Field Nationals.

The Cherokee girls opted for the MoC but after the 800, they made a quick decision to carpool down to Philly. They were entered in the 4-by-mile and never scratched, so all they had to do was show up and run.

Now, it’s not ideal to race at different meets 65 miles apart a few hours apart without a proper cooldown at the first meet or a proper warmup at the second meet.

But Cherokee made the best of a difficult situation and placed 6th, earning All-America honors for sophomore Megan Niglio, senior Kelsey Niglio, freshman Madeline Meder and junior Kerry O’Day.

No splits available – thanks “pttiming” – but Cherokee ran 21:03.39, which is actually 3rd-fastest in South Jersey history. The Chiefs set the South Jersey record of 20:42.80 with the Niglio sisters, O’Day and Nicole Clifford, who graduated last year.

Cherokee’s time is for the full four-mile relay. A few meets, like East Coast Relays used to have the metric equivalent – the 6,400-meter relay. Haddonfield has run 20:48.70 [in 2000] for the 6,400-meter relay, but you can’t convert up, so we have to keep separate lists for the 4-by-1,600 and the 4-by-mile. For the sake of comparison, subtract 7.2 seconds to convert a 4-mile relay to 6,400 meters. But we’d rather keep separate lists.

Anyway, congrats to Cherokee. The day might not have gone exactly as planned, but it ended up with an All-America performance.

20:42.80 … Cherokee, 2022
20:48.7h … Haddonfield, 2000
21:03.39 … Cherokee, 2023
21:07.81y … Shawnee, 2014
21:24.1h … Cherokee, 2000
21:24.30y … Bishop Eustace, 2010
21:32.24 … Woodrow Wilson, 2001
21:35.0h … Lenape, 2012
21:36.25 … Haddonfield, 2007
21:43.9h … Woodrow Wilson, 2000
21:44.25 … Kingsway, 2019
21:44.7h … Cherry Hill East, 2006

Ocean City junior Sophia Curtis surpassed the 40-foot barrier for the 5th time this year and won the Meet of Champions triple jump title with a leap 40-7 ½ at Franklin High Thursday.

Curtis, the No. 2 seed in the 400-meter intermediates at 1:00.42, skipped the 400 hurdles to focus on the triple jump with the hurdles Friday at Franklin Field Nationals.

Although her series info isn’t available – and seriously, what timing company in this day and age can’t provide field event series info? That’s pathetic – we do know Curtis won by more than a foot over Morris Hills senior Adannia Agbo, who jumped 39-3 ¾. Alexandra Bonn of Union Catholic – who edged Curtis to win the indoor MoC and was also the defending outdoor champ – finished 3rd with a 39-3. Winslow’s Ma’Syiah Brawner, the state freshman record holder at 39-5 ½, placed 4th at 38-11 ¾.

Curtis, who spent her first two years at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del., fell just short of her outdoor PR of 40-10 ¼ from the Penn Relays. She jumped 41-3 ¼ at Boston Nationals indoors, a South Jersey indoor record and No. 2 in state history. She’s entered in both the intermediates and triple jump at Franklin Field Nationals.

The only jumpers in Meet of Champions history who’ve gone farther than 40-7 ½ are former American record holder Keturah Orji of Mount Olive [44-1 ¼ in 2014, 42-6 ½ in 2013] and Atlantic City’s Claudine Smith [42-2 in 2019. Mahogany Jenkins of Watchung Hills also jumped 41-7 ½ in 2019.

Curtis is the 5th South Jersey girl to win the Meet of Champions triple jump since it was added in 2000. Thananya Wooden of Pennsauken won the inaugural triple jump in 2000 [36-9] and Shameka Marshall of Oakcrest won a year later [38-10 ¾]. Jessica Mills of West Deptford [39-6 in 2005], Smith in 2019 and Egg Harbor’s Mariah Stephens in 2021 [37-10 ¼].

Here’s a look at the all-time Meet of Champions performance list:

44-1 ¼ Keturah Orji [Mount Olive], 2014 [1]
42-6 ½ ….. Orji, 2013 [1]
42-2 … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2019 [1]
41-7 ½ … Mahogany Jenkins [Watchung Hills], 2019 [2]
41-0 ½ ….. Orji, 2012 [1]
40-7 ½ … Sophia Curtis [Ocean City], 2023
40-7 … Shanai Heber [Paterson Kennedy], 2008 [1]
40-5 … Iana Amsterdam [Newark Tech], 2013 [2]
40-3 … Kayla Richardson [Columbia], 2014 [2]
40-2 … Tiffany Bautista [Paramus Catholic], 2018 [1]
40-1 ½ … Ebony Young [Hillsborough], 2009 [1]
40-0 ½ ….. Amsterdam, 2012 [2]
40-0 … Ada Unachukwu [Marlboro], 2008 [2]
39-10 ¾ … Kaitlyn Salisbury [Hawthorne], 2016 [1]
39-10 ….. Bautista, 2019 [3]
39-9 … Stephanie McIntyre [South Brunswick], 2007 [1]
39-9 … Bonvie Fosam [Robbinsville], 2017 [1]
39-8 ¾ … Gena Pickett [Mahwah], 2012 [3]
39-8 ½ ….. Unachukwu, 2009 [2]
39-7 ¼ Shaya Wilkerson [Lenape], 2012 [4]
39-7 ¼ Samantha Lopes [Wallkill Valley], 2017 [2]
39-7 ….… Salisbury, 2015 [1]
39-7 … Kathryn Brown [Kinnelon], 2019 [4]
39-6 ¾ … Nnenna Ibe [North Brunswick], 2015 [2]
39-6 … Jessica Mills [West Deptford], 2005 [1]
39-5 ½ … Liz Montague [Cherokee], 2014 [3]
39-4 ¾ … Mahogany Jenkins [Watchung Hills], 2018 [2]
39-4 ½ … Eiloghosa Ewere [Hillsborough], 2011 [2]
39-4 … Adefunke Sonaike [Montgomery], 2010 [1]
39-4 ….. Fosam, 2016 [2]
39-3 ¾ … Adannia Agbo [Morris Hills], 2023 [2]
39-3 ½ Kaylee Stenderowicz [Kittatinny], 2019 [5]
39-3 … Alexandera Bonn [Union Catholic], 2023 [3]
39-2 ¼ … Mariah Hubbard [Absegami], 2016 [3]
39-2 … Essence Mayers [Lakewood], 2011 [3]
39-1 ¾ … Jamina Morris [J.P. Stevens], 2016 [4]
39-1 ½ … Adefunke Sonaike [Montgomery], 2012 [5]
39-0 ¼ … Alicia Gupte [Montville], 2018 [3]
39-0 ….. Wilkerson, 2011 [4]
38-11 ¾ … Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 2023 [4]
38-11 ½ … Stephanie McIntyre [South Brunswick], 2006 [1]
38-11 ¼ … Ashley Edwards [Northern Burlington], 2014 [4]
38-11 ¼ … Lauren Stern [Mahwah], 2018 [4]
38-11 ¼ … Aytunde Folawewo [Toms River North], 2023 [5]
38-11 … Ashley Edwards [Northern Burlington], 2015 [3]
38-7 ¾ … Morgan Summer [Mount Olive], 2023 [6]
38-6 ½ ….. Jenkins, 2017 [3]
38-6 ¼ … Rosie Menyhert [[Hillsborough], 2015 [5]
38-9 ¼ ….. Young, 2008 [3]
38-9 … Christina Epps [Morristown], 2009 [3]
38-8 ½ … Bryanna Grant [Cranford], 2013 [3]
38-8 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2001 [1]
38-8 … Javona Ford [Millville], 2010 [2]
38-7 ¾ … Adrienne Williams [Notre Dame], 2011 [5]
38-6 ½ … Regine Hunter [Cranford], 2013 [4]
38-6 ½ … Emily Vargas [Johnson], 2009 [4]
38-6 ¾ … Zia Barr [Teaneck], 2018 [5]
38-6 ¾ …….. Bonn [Union Catholic], 2022 [1]
38-5 ¾ … Regine Hunter [Cranford], 2012 [6]
38-5 ½ … Tatiana Camilo [Woodbridge], 2023 [7]
38-5 … Natalie Suess [New Egypt], 2016 [5]
38-5 ½ … Meghan O’Malley [Randolph], 2019 [6]
38-5 ¼ … Bella Palmiotto [Manchester Twp.], 2023 [8]
38-4 … Kassidy Mulryne [Allentown], 2018 [6]
38-3 … Kirsten Bowens [Mahwah], 2009 [5]
38-2 ½ ….. Ibe, 2014 [5]
38-2 ½ … Kelsey Viera [Hillsborough], 2015 [5]
38-1 … Kelly Burke [Cranford], 2010 [3]
38-1 … Bryell Wheeler [Princeton], 2012 [7]
38-0 ¾ … Genevieve Okoro [Eastern], 2010 [4]
38-0 ¼ … Felicia Quainoo [Union Catholic], 2019 [7]
38-0 … Rachel Montague [Cherokee], 2008 [4]

Naylah Jones and the Timber Creek girls ran one of the fastest times in meet history and South Jersey history and won the 4-by-4 at the Meet of Champions 4-by-4 by a whopping 40 meters Thursday at Franklin Townshp.

Timber Creek’s 3:46.38 at Franklin High is No. 7 in South Jersey history, No. 18 in state history and No. 8 in meet history. The only South Jersey school to ever run faster at a Meet of Champions is Willingboro, which won the 2002 race at South Plainfield in 3:44.64.

Sophomores Ryan Jennings [56.97] and Billie Frazier [58.46] and junior Chloe Jones [55.73] ran the first three legs to set up Naylah Jones’ 55.23 anchor.

Timber Creek’s time is fastest by a Camden County school in 28 years and led a 1-2-4-5 South Jersey finish along with Eastern [3:52.40], Pennsauken [3:54.94] and Willingboro [3:55.08].

The Chargers led by eight meters at the first handoff and just kept gapping the field. They went in as the No. 6 seed but ran nearly 10 seconds faster than their seed time of 3:56.16 from the state Group 3 meet.

The only faster time in Camden County history is Camden’s 3:45.41 from the 1995 Penn Relays Championship of America race, where they placed 4th.

Timber Creek’s time is fastest at a Meet of Champions since Union Catholic ran 3:44.20 to win the 2015 race with Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin leading off.

The race capped a monster day for Naylah Jones, who anchored Timber Creek’s winning 400-meter relay team and won the 100-meter dash for a rare triple Meet of Champions win.

The last school to win both the 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 at the same Meet of Champions is Columbia in 2010.

All-Time State List
3:35.90 … Union Catholic, 2015
3:38.92 … Union Catholic, 2017
3:40.36 … Columbia, 2013
3:41.03 … Montclair, 1998
3:41.19 … Columbia, 2014
3:42.54 … Columbia, 2010
3:42.59 … Union Catholic, 2016
3:42.97 … Union Catholic, 2019
3:43.3h … Plainfield, 1981
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2003
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:44.9h … Columbia, 1980
3:45.12 … Trenton, 2001
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023 [1]
3:46.67 … Winslow, 2018
3:47.08 … Union Catholic, 2018
3:47.16 … Eastern, 2003
3:47.41 … Willingboro, 2001
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006
3:47.7h … Columbia, 1982
3:47.7h … Trenton, 1983
3:47.94 … Columbia, 2009
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.67 … Winslow Twp., 2018
3:46.73 … Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 2021
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003
3:47.39 … Clayton, 2022
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.4h … Camden, 1978
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006

All-Time South Jersey list
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023 [1]
3:46.67 … Winslow, 2018
3:47.16 … Eastern, 2003
3:47.41 … Willingboro, 2001
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006
3:48.00 … Wilson, 2001
3:48.17 … Wilson, 2006
3:48.6y … Camden,, 1978
3:48.78 … Lenape, 2014
3:48.7h … Washington Twp., 1999
3:48.87 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
3:48.91 … Penns Grove, 2013
3:49.25 … Lenape, 2015
3:49.2y … Camden, 1979
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004
3:49.43 … Willingboro, 1997
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998
3:49.63 … Winslow Twp., 2016
3:49.93 … Willingboro, 2009

Fastest times in meet history
3:42.54 … Columbia, 2010 [1]
3:43.36 … Columbia, 2014 [1]
3:44.20 … Union Catholic, 2015 [1]
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002 [1]
3:45.12 … Trenton, 2001 [1]
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023 [1]
3:46.67 … Winslow Twp., 2018 [1]
3:46.68 … Union Catholic, 2016 [1]
3:46.73 … Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 2021 [1]
3:46.86 … Columbia, 2013 [1]
3:47.08 … Union Catholic, 2018 [2]
3:47.41 … Willingboro, 2001 [2]
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017 [1]
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006 [1]
3:47.83 … Union Catholic, 2017 [2]
3:47.94 … Columbia, 2009 [1]

Haddonfield junior Ava Thomas, 50 meters back with a lap to go, reeled in the leader just before the finish line and won the 3,200 at the Meet of Champions Thursday at Franklin Township.

Thomas became only the 3rd Haddonfield girl ever to win a Meet of Champions title and the first South Jersey girl to win a MoC 3,200 in 13 years.

Thomas ran a very patient race and even when New Jersey No. 1 Tilly O’Connor of St. Rose built a huge lead, Thomas just ran her race, reeling off even splits between 80 and 82 per lap.

With a lap to go, O’Connor’s lead was still 30 meters, with Lakeland’s Morgan Uhlorn 2nd and Thomas 3rd, with Middletown South’s Rosemary Shay just behind Thomas.

Thomas moved past Uhlorn and into 2nd on the final backstretch and began closing seriously on O’Connor – a 10:18 two-miler – on the last turn.

O’Connor’s lead was down to about 12 meters coming off the turn, and Thomas passed her with about 30 meters to go, stopping the clock at 10:44.34. Shay moved into 2nd just before the line, running 10:45.76, and O’Connor held on for 3rd in 10:46.36.

The only other MoC winners in Haddonfield history are Olympic gold medalist Erin Donohue [1,600 in 1999, 2000 and 2001, 3,200 in 1998, 2000 and 2001] and Briana Gess [1,600 in 2014, 2015 and 2016].

Thomas ran her PR 10:43.86 Saturday at the state Group 2 meet at Delsea, where she finished 2nd to Uhlhorn by about half a second.

Northern sophomore Liliah Gordon placed 5th in 10:53.68.

Eastern senior Kadence Dumas ran one of the fastest 800s in South Jersey history Thursday at Franklin Township and became the first South Jersey girl to win a Meet of Champions 800 in 24 years.

Dumas ran 2:10.44 to win the 800 at the 54th annual Meet of Champions at Franklin High off even splits of 65.12 and 65.32 and out-raced Rumson-Fair Haven sophomore Clemmie Lilley, who was 2nd in 2:10.62. Ten runners broke 2:15 in a very fast, very deep race.

Dumas is the first South Jersey girl to win a Meet of Champions 800 since Buena’s Katrina Sye won the 1999 race in 2:11.82 at South Plainfield. The only other South Jersey winners since the inception of the girls meet in 1979 are Cherokee’s Monica Olkowski in 1989 and 1990, Vineland’s Krista Ferrera in 1991 and Ocean City’s Lauren McHale in 1998.

Dumas’s time is No. 7 in South Jersey history and fastest in nine years, since Ocean City’s Rachel Stremme ran 2:09.84 at the 2014 Meet of Champions at South Plainfield.

It’s 3rd-fastest ever by a South Jersey girl at a Meet of Champions behind only Olympian Marielle Hall of Haddonfield [2:07.33 in 2009] and Stremme’s 2:09.84 in 2014.

The only other Eastern girls to win Meet of Champions titles are Olympic gold medalist English Gardner, who won the 100 in 2007 and 2008 and the 200 in 2008, and Jailya Ash, who won the 100-meter hurdles in 2021.

Dumas remained undefeated at 800 meters this year. She’s PR’d in her last three races, with 2:13.52 at sectionals and 2:13.02 at states before her huge breakthrough at the Meet of Champions.

All-Time South Jersey 3,200 List
2:07.33 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009
2:08.87 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2001
2:09.2h … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1999
2:09.50 … Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], 2005
2:09.84 … Rachel Stremme [Ocean City], 2014
2:10.1h … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
2:10.44 … Kadence Dumas [Eastern], 2023
2:10.55 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape], 2019
2:10.57 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2009
2:10.79 … Krista Ferrara [Vineland], 1991
2:10.9h … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1985

Fastest South Jersey 800s at Meet of Champions
2:07.33 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009 [3]
2:09.84 … Rachel Stremme [Ocean City], 2014 [4]
2:10.44 … Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], 2005 [2]
2:10.44 … Kadence Dumas [Eastern], 2023 [1]

Timber Creek junior Naylah Jones raced her way to an easy win in the 100-meter dash Thursday and then anchored the Chargers’ winning 400-meter relay team with the 9th-fastest time in state history at the 54th Meet of Champions at Franklin Township.

Let’s look at the 4-by-1 first.

Timber Creek put together a masterpiece, with Chloe Jones, Jennings, junior Nyla Jones and Naylah Jones, whose blistering anchor stopped the clock at 46.89.

That’s only 2-100ths of a second off the South Jersey record of 46.87 set by Eastern’s Brittany Wright, Jennifer Jackson, Kaliyma Barkley and Jenelle Wilson in the prelims of the 2003 Outdoor Nationals in Raleigh, N.C.

It’s also No. 3 in meet history but only 5-100ths of a second off the meet record of 46.84 set in 2014 by Piscataway. Columbia ran 46.87 in 2010.

In the 100, Jones trimmed 2-100ths of a second off her PR and crossed the line in 11.73, 8th-fastest in South Jersey history and No. 23 in state history.

She led all qualifiers in the trials with an 1.80 and then sprinted away from the field in the final, winning by a whopping 26-100ths of a second and finishing two meters clear of Mount Olive junior Natasha Redmond, who was 2nd in 11.99.

Her time equals No. 13 in meet history.

Jones joins Tierra Hooker as only the 2nd Timber Creek girl ever to win a Meet of Champions title. Hooker won the high jump in 2019.

All-Time South Jersey List
11.42 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 1981
11.49 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
11.57 … Patti Dunlap [Camden], 1979
11.58 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 2017
11.61 … Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 2000
11.63 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
11.71 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017
11.73 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2014
11.73 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2023
11.77 … Aisha Morgan [Schalick], 1998
11.78 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2003
11.79 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2023
11.81 … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1984
11.81 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018
11.81 … Audrey Wilson [Deptford], 2008
11.82 … Annie Johnson [Shawnee], 2012
11.82 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2023
11.84 … Robin Taylor [Deptford], 1980
11.85 … Dana Burnett [Willamstown], 1996
11.88 … Denis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
11.89 … Cecelia Gerstenbacher [Delsea], 2017
11.91 … Aliya Harrison [Sterling], 2017
11.94 … Emily Carson [Haddonfield], 2013
11.95 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2017
11.96 … Jamillah Nock [Woodrow Wilson], 2004
11.96 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2019
11.98 … Jennifer Jackson [Eastern], 2003
11.98 … Ciera Ismail [Schalick], 2013
11.98 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2014

All-Time New Jersey 100 List
11.42 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 1981
11.44 … Myasia Jacobs [Paramus Catholic], 2010
11.49 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
11.50 … Wendy Vereen [Trenton], 1984
11.57 … Patti Dunlap [Camden], 1979
11.57 … M’elisa Barber [Montclair], 1998
11.57 … Jada Ellis [Manchester Twp.], 2021
11.58 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 2017
11.61 … Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 2000
11.61 … Shavon Greaves [Lakewood], 2007
11.62 … Cathy Crawford [Perth Amboy], 1977
11.63 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
11.64 … Olivia Baker [Columbia], 2013
11.65 … Aleah Williams [Montclair], 1999
11.65 … Ogechi Nwaneri [Columbia], 2008
11.66 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
11.66 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2021
11.68 … Regina Trotter [Weequahic], 1991
11.70 … Lori Dowers [Lawrence], 1979
11.70 … Christiana Nwachuku [Kent Place], 2022
11.71 … Georgina Nembhard [Ocean Twp.], 2007
11.71 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017
11.73 … Sydney Hawkins [Phillipsburg], 2018
11.73 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2014
11.73 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2023
11.74 … Jenna Harris [Franklin Twp.], 2003
11.75 … Bria Saunders [Parsippany], 2014
11.78 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2003

All-Time Meet of Champions list
11.47 … Myasia Jacobs [Paramus Catholic], 2011 [1]
11.48 ……. Jacobs, 2010 [1]
11.5h … Wendy Vereen [Trenton], 1983 [1]
11.56 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2010 [2]
11.57 … Me’Lisa Barber [Montclair], 1998 [1]
11.57 … Jada Ellis [Manchester Twp.], 2021 [1]
11.60 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 2017 [q]
11.61 … Amanda Rhett [Moorestown], 2000 [1]
11.62 …….Gardner, 2007 [1]
11.62 …….Jacobs, 2011 [q]
11.63 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019 [1]
11.66 … Ogechi Nwaneri [Chatham], 2006 [1]
11.66 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2021 [2]
11.68 … Aleah Williams [Montclair], 1999 [1]
11.68 … Shavon Greaves [Lakewood], 2007 [2]
11.72 ……. Jacobs, 2009 [1]
11.73 … Torie Robinson [Winslow], 2014 [1]
11.73 … Sydney Hawkins [Phillipsburg], 2018 [1]
11.73 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2023 [1]
11.74 … Jenna Harris [Franklin], 2003 [1]
11.74 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 1981 [1]
11.74 … Patti Dunlap [Camden], 1979 [1]
11.76 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2003 [2]
11.77 … Aisha Morgan [Schalick], 1998 [2]
11.77 … Mack, 2017 [1]
11.78 ……. Princz, 2021 [q]
11.80 ……. Rhett [Moorestown], 1998 [3]
11.80 … Nicole Carmichael [Paterson Kennedy], 1995 [1]
11.82 … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1986 [1]
11.82 … Annie Johnson [Shawnee], 2012 [1]
11.82 ….. Mack, 2016 [q]
11.84 ….. Glover, 1980 [1]
11.84 ….. Glover, 1979 [2]
11.85 Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996 [1]
11.86 Joy Enaohwo [Union], 2021 [3]
11.87 Porshe Giddings [East Orange], 2007 [3]
11.87 Dominique Booker [Montclair Immaculate], 2009 [2 P]
11.87 Jordan Simmons [Bishop Ahr], 2010 [3]
11.87 ….. Mack, 2016 [1]
11.87 ….. Princz, 2019 [2]
11.88 ….. Nwaneri, 2007 [4]
11.88 ….. Gardner, 2008 [1]
11.88 ….. Hawkins, 2018 [q]
11.89 Jasmine Carter [Columbia], 2010 [4]
11.89 ….. Ellis, 2021 [q]
11.90 Shakirah Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017 [q]
11.90 ….. Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2018 [2]
11.91 Aleah Williams [Montclair], 1997 [1]
11.91 Darriea Pigott [West Orange], 1995 [2]
11.91 Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2019 [3]
11.92 ….. Rhett, 1999 [2]
11.92 Bria Saunders [Parsippany], 2014 [2]
11.93 Georgina Nembhard [Ocean Twp.], 2006 [2]
11.93 Christiana Nwachuku [Kent Place], 2022 [1]
11.94 Kim Lyles [Franklin], 2001 [1]
11.94 ….. Vereen, 1981 [2]
11.94 ….. Robinson, 2014 [q]
11.94 ….. Princz, 2018 [3]
11.95 Regina Trotter [Weequahic], 1990 [1]
11.95 Me’Lisa Barber [Montclair], 1998 [4]
11.95 Audrey Wilson [Deptford], 2008 [2]
11.95 Danielle Beniulis [Jefferson], 2014 [3]
11.96 Jamillah Nock [Camden], 2004 [1]
11.96 ….. Harris, 2002 [1]
11.96 Kaitlyn Davis [North Brunswick], 2012 [2]
11.96 Madeline Soto [University], 2014 [4]
11.96 Kaitlin Salisbury [Hawthorne], 2016 [q]
11.96 … Nwachuku, 2021 [4]
11.97 Carlene Cummings [Englewood], 1996 [2]
11.97 Sydney Tucker [Union Catholic], 2019 [4]
11.98 Camille Campbell [Carteret], 2000 [2]
11.98 ….. Wilson, 2007 [5]
11.98 Inshallah Saunders [Plainfield], 1993 [1]
11.98 ….. Grantham, 2021 [5]
11.99 ….. Johnson, 2012 [q]

Meet of Champions South Jersey 100 Winners
100 Yards
1975 … Vonnie Coker [Woodbury], 11.1
1976 … Sharon Johnson [Haddon His], 11.0
1977 … Lori Lewis [Woodbury], 11.1
1978 … Michele Glover [Pennsauken], 10.7
100 Meters
1979 … Pat Dunlap [Camden], 11.5
1980 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 11.6
1981 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 11.5
1982 … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 12.2
1984 … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 11.9
1985 … Andrea Conaway [Bordentown], 12.1
1986 … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 11.9
1996 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 11.85
2000 … Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 11.61w
2004 … Jamillah Nock [Wilson], 11.96
2007 … English Gardner [Eastern], 11.62
2008 … English Gardner [Eastern], 11.88
2012 … Annie Johnson [Shawnee], 11.82
2014 … Torie Robinson [Winslow], 11.73
2016 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 11.87
2017 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 11.77
2019 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 11.86
2023 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 11.73

All-Time New Jersey 400-Meter Relay List
45.50 … Montclair, 1998
45.89 … Columbia, 2010
46.08 … Trenton, 1984
46.40 … Union Catholic, 2023
46.42 … Franklin Twp., 2003
46.84 … Piscataway, 2014
46.87 … Eastern, 2003
46.89 … Franklin Twp., 2001
46.89 … Timber Creek, 2023
46.90 … Paramus Catholic, 2010
46.96 … Columbia, 2009
46.98 … Winslow Twp., 2017

All-Time South Jersey 400-Meter Relay List
46.87 … Eastern, 2003
46.89 … Timber Creek, 2023
46.98 … Winslow Twp., 2017
46.9h … Willingboro, 1980
47.06 … Winslow Twp., 2014
47.18 … Winslow Twp., 2013
47.19 … Winslow Twp., 2018
47.25 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2018
47.27 … Delsea, 2017
47.36 … Eastern, 2019
47.40 … Winslow Twp., 2016
47.3h … Willingboro, 1981
47.45 … Willingboro, 1994
47.49 … Rancocas Valley, 2017
47.53 … Millville, 2019
47.53 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
47.54 … Winslow Twp., 2003
47.54 … Rancocas Valley, 2018
47.4h … Camden,, 1978
47.4y … Camden, 1979
47.75 … Eastern, 2002
47.76 … Winslow Twp., 2005
47.76 … Winslow Twp., 2012
47.79 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2021
47.82 … Moorestown, 2000
47.85 … Deptford, 2015
47.87 … Winslow Twp., 2011
47.9h … Willingboro, 1995
47.8h … Willingboro, 2003
47.94 … Camden, 2000
47.98 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2019

Bryce Tucker ran the 5th-fastest 400-meter hurdles race in state history Thursday and became the first in Meet of Champions history to win the intermediates three straight years.

Tucker, a Rutgers-bound Pennsauken senior, ran 50.96 to edge Ocean Township senior Alexander Sadikov by 4-100ths of a second at the 54th annual Meet of Champions at Franklin Township. Sadikov’s time is No. 6 in state history.

Their times are No. 1 and No. 2 in the U.S. this year and 2nd- and 3rd-fastest in meet history.

Tucker and Sadikov separated from the field on the backstretch, and gradually built a two-meter lead by the time they hit the eighth hurdle. Sadikov was still two meters up going over the final hurdle, but Tucker exploded between the 10th hurdle and the line, catching Sadikov just before they finished.

Tucker joined Murad Campbell of Overbrook as only the 2nd triple MoC winner in South Jersey history. Campbell won the 3,200 from 1997 through 1999. There have been a total of 12 three-time winners in the meet’s 53-year history.

Tucker’s time is No. 2 in South Jersey history and the fastest in 22 years, since Camden legend Dwight Ruff ran 50.37 at the 2001 USATF Under 20 Championships (then called Junior Nationals) in Richmond, Va.

Tucker won MoC as a sophomore in 52.17 and last year in 53.57. He PR’d with a 51.40 at sectionals earlier this month. Sadikov had a previous PR of 52.18 from Group 3 states on Saturday.

Cory Poole of East Orange set the meet record of 50.14 in 2017 at Northern Burlington.

Tucker moved up to No. 12 on the world Under-20 list and No. 1 among Americans. He’s scheduled to compete in the U.S. Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Ore., next month.

https://worldathletics.org/records/toplists/hurdles/400-metres-hurdles/outdoor/men/u20/2023?regionType=world&timing=electronic&page=1&bestResultsOnly=true

https://worldathletics.org/records/toplists/hurdles/400-metres-hurdles/outdoor/men/u20/2023?regionType=countries&region=usa&timing=electronic&page=1&bestResultsOnly=true

Deptford senior Lathan Brown took 3rd in 52.65, 3rd-fastest in Gloucester County history behind Fred Sharpe of Paulsboro [51.62 in 1997] and Tim Carey of Washington Township [52.10 in 2009]

Here’s a look at the updated state list:
50.14 … Cory Poole [East Orange], 2017
50.20 … Taylor McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2015
50.37 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], 2001
50.84 … Justin Gaymon [Phillipsburg], 2005
51.00 … Alexander Sadikov [Ocean Twp.], 2023
51.02 … Tony Valentine [Plainfield],. 1983
51.0h … Chris Person [Plainfield], 1978
51.39 … Rueben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
51.40 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], 2023
51.5h … Martin Booker [Camden], 1981
51.62 … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 1997
51.62 … Shaquan Brown [JFK Paterson], 2006
51.66 … Ramy Berberena [North Brunswick], 2019
51.69 … David Jones [Montclair], 1985
51.78 … Randall Walker [Rahway], 1985
51.82 … Azim Smith [Millville], 2001
51.85 … Akeem Lindo [East Orange], 2018
51.91 … Paul Quitzau [Mount Olive], 1983
51.92 … Anthony Hampton [Englewood], 1994
51.98 … Emanuel Mayers [Lakewood], 2007

And here’s the updated all-time Meet of Champions list:
50.72 … Cory Poole [East Orange], 2017
50.96 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], 2023
51.00 … Alexander Sadikov [Ocean Twp.], 2023
51.14 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], 2001
51.39 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow], 2004
51.55 … Justin Gaymon [Phillipsburg], 2005
51.62 … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 1997
51.92 … Anthony Hampton [Englewood], 1994
51.93 … Taylor McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2015
52.0y … Craig Morris [Monmouth], 1980
52.07 … Azim Smith [Millville], 2001
52.09 … Mark Cooke [J.P. Stevens], 2014
52.16 … Vince Rawlins [Eastern], 1992
52.2y … Martin Booker [Camden], 1981
52.23 … Remy Berberena [North Brunswick], 2019
52.25 … Boaz Madeus [Hamilton North], 2017
52.27 … Tiquan Underwood [Notre Dame 2005
52.28 … Akeem Lindo [East Orange], 2018
52.29 … Chris Whyte [Rahway], 2009

And here are all the triple winners in Meet history:
John Marshall [Plainfield], 800 [1979-81]
Ray Maragni [Seton Hall Prep], Pole Vault [1981-83]
Matt Elmuccio [Westfield], 1,600 [1995-97]
Murad Campbell [Overbrook], 3,200 [1997-99]
Terrence Glover [Hamilton], Discus [1997-99]
Glenn DiGiorgio [Bayonne], Discus [2000-02]
Glenn DiGiorgio [Bayonne], Shot Put [2000-02]
Nick Vena [Morristown], Shot Put [2008-11]
Sam Mattis [East Brunswick], Discus [2010-12]
Rey Rivera [Old Bridge], 800 [2015-17]
Devin Hart [Point Pleasant Borough], 3,200 [2017-19]

Senior Conor Jacob, juniors Nick Kuenkel and Robert Poplau and senior Patrick Ditmars finished the season with a monster 4-by-800 performance at the 54th annual Meet of Champions Thursday at Franklin Township.

Cherokee ran the 3rd-fastest time in South Jersey history, 2nd-fastest time in meet history and 17th-fastest time in state history and won the MoC 3,200-meter relay for the second year in a row.

The Chiefs ran 7:41.17 and finished 15 meters ahead of Toms River North, which was 2nd in 7:43.17 – the 5th-fastest time in meet history and an Ocean County record.

Jacob led off in 1:55.74 and gave Cherokee a slim lead over Toms River North at the first handoff. Kuenkel extended the lead with a 1:55.70 split, Poplau held the lead in what was now a two-team race with a 1:55.91 split and Ditmars ran away from North with a 1:53.82 anchor leg.

Toms River North was the top seed with it 7:49.61 at sectionals, but Cherokee ran 7:51.85 without Ditmars. Cherokee won the MoC last year in 7:54.34 with the same four runners.

The only faster time in meet history was recorded by River Dell, which ran 7:40.57 in 2016 with the Daly twins, William and Colin, who both went on to run for Notre Dame.

Cherokee is the first school to win consecutive Meet of Champions 4-by-8s since the race was added to the meet in 2010.

The only faster times in South Jersey history are Old Bridge’s 7:40.43 at 2017 Greensboro Nationals and Willingboro’s 7:40.98 at the 1983 Penn Relays.

The previous fastest 4-by-8 by a South Jersey school at the Meet of Champions was 7:43.57 by Haddonfield’s Austin Stoner, Jack Wood, Greg Pelose and Chris Goings.

Here’s a look at the all-time Meet of Champions top-10:

7:40.57 … River Dell], 2016
7:41.17 … Cherokee, 2023
7:42.34 … Old Bridge 2015
7:42.59 … Morris Hills], 2016
7:43.17 … Toms River North
7:43.46 … River Dell], 2015
7:42.95 … Bergen Catholic], 2014
7:43.57 … Haddonfield, 2015
7:44.09 … Ridgewood], 2014
7:44.46 … Ridge, 2019

And here’s the all-time New Jersey top-20:

7:31.60 … Morris Hills, 2009
7:32.00 … Ridge, 2022
7:34.67 … Christian Brothers, 2012
7:35.87 … St. Benedict’s, 2018
7:38.48 … Ridge, 2019
7:39.06 … Ridge, 2021
7:39.32 … Pope John XXIII, 2012
7:39.36 … Old Bridge, 2015
7:39.54 … Colts Neck, 2005
7:39.57 … Ridgewood, 2014
7:39.5h … Trenton, 1978
7:40.43 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2017
7:40.57 … River Dell, 2016
7:40.71 … Pleasantville, 2013
7:40.99 … Willingboro, 1983
7:41.13 … St. Benedict’s, 2019
7:41.17 … Cherokee, 2023
7:41.27 … Lawrenceville School, 2010
7:41.84 … Hopewell Valley, 2018
7:42.59 … Union Catholic, 2010

In South Jersey history before this month, only seven girls had run 11.96 or faster for the 100, 24.63 or faster for the 200 and 56.05 or faster for the 400. Only four did it as underclassmen.

The seven who hit those three benchmarks for the three short sprints are Olympic gold medalist English Gardner from Eastern in 2007 and 2008, Dennisha Page of Wilson in 2019, Winslow’s Shakira Dancy in 2017, Deptford’s Audrey Wilson in 2008, Williamstown’s Dana Burnett in 1996, Edgewood’s Denise Mitchell in 1983 and Rancocas Valley’s Aliyah Taylor over both the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Of that group, Page and Burnett were seniors and Taylor was a senior in 2018. The only South Jersey sprinters to run 11.96, 24.63 and 56.05 as underclassmen were Gardner as both a freshman in 2007 and sophomore in 2008, Dancy as both a sophomore in 2016 and junior in 2017, Wilson as a junior in 2008 and Mitchell as a junior in 1983.

That list just got longer.

It almost doubled.

After four South Jersey underclassmen ran 11.96, 24.63 and 56.05 in South Jersey track and field history, three more did it just this month – two on Saturday alone.

At Group 4 states, Pennsauken freshman Sianni Wynn ran 11.82, 24.38 and 53.97, at Group 3 states Timber Creek junior Naylah Jones ran 11.75 and 24.22 to go with 55.83 at sectionals, and at Group 2 states Willingboro soph Nester Wea ran 11.96, 24.63 and 56.05.

Wynn, Jones and Wea are three of the fastest girls in South Jersey history and they all happened to come along at the same time. Unbelievable.

Wynn now ranks 16th in South Jersey history in the 100, 22nd in the 200 and 5th in the 400. Jones ranks 10th in the 100, 16th in the 200 and 32nd in the 400. And Wea is 28th in the 100, 37th in the 200 and 40th in the 400.

And the way all three girls have been improving on a regular basis, I have a hunch those times will drop Thursday at the Meet of Champions and maybe a little more at Franklin Field Nationals, where Wynn and Jones are both entered.

Congrats to Wynn, Jones and Wea on remarkable 2023 seasons. And best of all they’ll all be back in 2024.