Florence’s Curtis Thompson, the top-ranked U.S. javelin thrower, easily advanced to the finals Saturday in the qualifying round at the U.S Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

The top 12 throwers from Friday’s qualifying rounds advanced to the final on Monday. That is considered a separate competition and marks made on Saturday do not carry over to Monday.

Thompson threw 250-1 on his first throw and after a foul threw 248-3 on his third attempt.

The cut-off for advancing to finals was 223-3. Only four throwers reached 240 feet.

Marc Anthony Minichello led all qualifiers with a 251-5 on his only attempt. Capers Williamson (249-2) and Michael Shuey (243-8) also hit 240 feet.

Thompson ranks No. 1 in the U.S. this year with a throw of 267-2, which he uncorked at the USATF Throws Festival in Tucson, Ariz., three weeks ago. That was his biggest throw in five years, since the 2016 Olympic Trials, also in Eugene, where he set a PR of 271-10. That throw is No. 16 in U.S. history.

Thompson was the 2016 NCAA champion for Mississippi State and 2018 U.S. national champion.

The 12 qualifiers will get six additional throws in the final, which begins at 7:15 p.m. EST on Monday.

Collingswood senior Fiona Basewitz became South Jersey’s fifth 12-foot pole vaulter Saturday and placed second at the Meet of Champions at South Plainfield.

Basewitz, who went into the Meet of Champions with an 11-4 PR, cleared 9-6, 10-0, 10-6, 11-0 and a PR of 11-6l, all on her first attempt. She got over the bar at 12-0 on her third attempt.

Randi Conroy, a senior at Northern Highlands in Allendale, Bergen County, cleared 12-0 – a PR for her also – on her first attempt, which gave her the victory.

But Basewitz now shares the No. 1 mark in New Jersey this year with Conroy and Montgomery sophomore Lauren Cashman. 

Her 12-0 extended her own Camden County record, which she took over with her 11-4 clearance last weekend at sectionals. It was previously held by Haddonfield’s Jennifer Scott at 11-3.

Seneca senior Julia Greeley also medaled, clearing 11-6 on her first attempt for fifth place overall.

Here’s a look at the all-time South Jersey top-10:

13- 3 … Danielle O’Reilly [Shawnee], 2004
12- 7 1/2 … Ashley Preston [Delsea], 2018
12- 0 … Jessica Kloss [Moorestown], 2005
12- 0 … Brittney Raffo [Seneca], 2017
12- 0 … Fiona Basewitz [Collingswood], 2021
11-10 … Kaitlin Dermen [Millville], 2014
11- 9 … Julia Greeley [Seneca], 2021
11- 6 … Lauren Tauscher [Moorestown], 2007
11- 6 … Abby Boggs [Rancocas Valley], 2021
11- 4 … Melissa Gale [Millville], 2006

Haddonfield’s Lindsay Colflesh, Allison Colflesh, Payton Weiner and Olivia Stoner ran away with the 3,200-meter relay Saturday at the 52nd annual Meet of Champions.

Haddonfield, with three of their four runners doubling back, ran 9:10.24, winning by 60 meters over Westfield, which placed second in 9:21.35. Cherokee was third in 9:22.73.

Haddonfield is ranked No. 1 in New Jersey at 9:04.72 from a meet at Cherokee in May. That’s No. 2 nationally, a South Jersey record and No. 14 in state history.

It was Haddonfield’s first 4-by-8 win at the Meet of Champions since the event was added in 2010. Ridge had won the last five M-of-C 4-by-8 titles, from 2015 through 2019. The meet was not held last year.

The only previous South Jersey winner was Lenape, which ran 9:18.71 in 2011.

Allison Colflesh led off in 2:18,.35, followed by Weiner (2:19.91), Olivia Stoner (2:16.63) and Lindsay Colflesh {2:16.31).

The Lady Bulldogs will get a chance to race the best 4-by-8 teams in the country fresh at the Outdoor Nationals from June 30 through July 3 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Egg Harbor senior Lauren Princz, edged for the win in the 100, bounced back with a commanding win in the 200 Saturday at the Meet of Champions.

Princz ran 24.22 to win the M-of-C 200 for the second time. She also won it as a freshman in the spring of 2018. Overall, this was her third M-of-C title. She also won the 55 indoors in 2020.

Overall, she’s had 10 top-3 finishes at the Meet of Champions in her brilliant career, and that’s with her junior year wiped out.

Princz ran away from the field on the turn at South Plainfield and won going away, finishing two meters ahead of second-place Azariah Grantham of Union, who ran 24.48. 

South Jersey sprinters have won the 200 at five consecutive Meet of Champions – Shakira Dancy of Winslow Township in 2016 and 2017, Princz in 2008 and Wilson’s Dennisha Page in 2019.

In the 100, Princz took second to Manchester Township senior Jada Ellis, who got a great start and ran 11.57. Princz was second in 11.66, well under her previous PR of 11.76, which she ran last month at the Atlantic County Championships at Buena.

That’s the 5th-fastest time ever run at the Meet of Champions by a South Jersey girl, behind Olympian English Gardner of Eastern (11.56}, Bria Mack of Williamstown (11.60 in the 2017 trials), Moorestown’s Amandi Rhett (11.61 in 2000) and Page (11.63 in 2019).

Her time is No. 7 in South Jersey history and lowers her own Atlantic County record. 

Eastern senior Jailya Ash, twice an indoor Meet of Champions winner, won her first outdoor Meet of Champions title Saturday, and she did it in dramatic fashion.

Ash ran 14.02 in the 100-meter hurdles to edge Union Catholic sophomore Ajanea Thompson by 1-100th of a second.

Ash lowered her PR from 14.10, which she ran to win the state Group 4 title last weekend.

Indoors, Ash won the 55 at the 2019 Meet of Champions at the Bubble and the high hurdles at the 2020 M-of-C at Ocean Grove.

Her 14.02 is No. 12 in South Jersey history and 7th-fastest by a South Jersey girl at the Meet of Champions.

She’s the second girl from Eastern to win an outdoor Meet of Champions title. Olympic gold medalist English Gardner won the 100 in 2007 and 2008 and the 200 in 2008.

Ash ran 14.44 in the trials, third-fastest of the eight hurdlers who advanced.

Ash came back to place seventh in the 100 about five minutes later and took seventh in 12.20.

Kingsway junior Kyle Rakitis ran 4:08.58 to win the 1,600 Saturday at the Meet of Champions at South Plainfield.

Rakitis led four runners under 4:10 and matched his PR that he set at sectionals two weeks ago.

He became the first South Jersey miler to win the Meet of Champions since Brett Johnson of Ocean City in 2008 and Kingsway’s first M-of-C winner also since 2008, when Robert Page won the 100 in 10.76.

His time is 5th-fastest in Meet of Champions history and fastest since Chris Marco of Toms River South ran a meet-record 4:07.31 to win the 2012 race. It’ fastest ever by a South Jersey runner, breaking the mark of 4:09.03 run by Johnson in 2008.

Rakitis, senior Edwin Klanka of St. Peter’s Prep and juniors Shane Brosnan of Union Catholic and Marco Langon of Bridgewater-Raritan all closed in under 60 seconds and all broke 4:10 in the fastest 1,600 or mile in Meet of Champions history.

Rakitis closed in 2:03.97 and 59.34 to hold off Klanke (4:09.42), Brosmnan (4:09.46) and Langon (4:09.47).

Klanka, Brosnan and Langon ran the 15th-, 16th- and 17th-fastest times in meet history.

It’s the first time ever four runners broke 4:09.50 in a Meet of Champions race.

Rakitis already ranked second in South Jersey history (and 23rd in state history) with his initial 4:08.58.

Here’s a look at all the sub-4:10 races (and converted miles) in meet history:

4:07.31 … Chris Marco [Toms River South], 2012 [1]
4:07.89 … Jim Rosa [West Windsor-Plainsboro North], 2010 [1]
4:08.11 … Liam Tansey [Morris Hills], 2009 [1]
4:08.28 … Steve Lewandowski [Mountain Lakes], 2012 [2]
4:08.58 … Kyle Rakitis [Kingsway], 2021 [1]
4:08.80 … Drew Maher [Shore Re. 2018 [1]
4:08.96 … Drake Anzano [CBA], 2016 [1]
4:09.03 … Brett Johnson [Ocean City], 2008 [1]
4:09.09 … George Kelly [CBA], 2012 [3]
4:09.14 … Sean Dolan [Hopewell Valley], 2019 [1]
4:09.19 … Elliot Gindi [Ocean Township], 2017 [1]
4:09.2c … Steve O’Connell [Millburn], 1976 [1]
4:09.20 … John Richardson [Ocean City], 2003 [1]
4:09.30 … Colin Baker Haddonfield], 2009 [2]
4:09.42 … Edwin Klanke [St. Peter’s]], 2021 [2]
4:09.46 … Shane Brosnan [Union Catholic], 2021 [3]
4:09.47 … Marco Langon [Bridgewater-Raritan], 2021 [4]
4:09.59 … Craig Forys [Colts Neck], 2007 [1]
4:09.62 … Blake Udland [Millburn], 2012 [4]
4:09.92 … Drew Maher [Shore Reg.], 2017 [2]

Pennsauken’s Bryce Tucker on Saturday became the first sophomore in 25 years to win the Meet of Champions intermediate hurdles.

Tucker ran 52.17, lowering his own South Jersey sophomore class record and winning by six meters over Ridge senior Luke Roberts (52.86) in the 52nd annual Meet of Champions at South Plainfield.

Tucker’s time is No. 7 in South Jersey history and fastest in 12 years, since Tim Carey of Washington Township ran 52.10 to win the 2009 state Group 4 title at Egg Harbor.

Tucker became the first sophomore to win the Meet of Champions intermediate hurdles in 25 years, since Perth Amboy’s Greg Christie ran 53.19 as a sophomore in 1996, edging Lenape’s Mike Brown.

His time is No. 12 in meet history and 2nd-fastest ever by a New Jersey sophomore. The only New Jersey sophomore to run faster is Union Catholic’s Taylor McLaughlin, who ran 51.69 at the USATF World Youth Trials in Edwardsville, Ill., in June of 2013. McLaughlin, who competes this week at the U.S. Olympic Trials, is the older brother of American record holder Sydney McLaughlin.

The last South Jersey boy to win the Meet of Champions 400-meter hurdles was Devon Carter of Washington Township, who ran 53.16 in 2010.

Tucker’s time is No. 2 in the U.S. this year according to the MileSplit national list, behind only Jaylen Boudreaux of Cane Bay High School in Summerville, S.C., who ran 1-100th of a second faster – 52.16 at the 5A state championships last month in Columbia, S.C.

It makes him the 2rd-fastest U.S. sophomore in the last 10 years, behind only McLaughlin in 2013.

Tucker’s previous PR was a 52.68 to win the state Group 1 meet on his home track at Pennsauken last weekend.

Tucker is the sixth Pennsauken boy to win a Meet of Champions title, in addition to the 2016 400-meter relay team:

Dave Still, 120-yard hurdles, 1977 [13.8]
Jarrett Carr, High Jump, 1994 [6-10]
Chris Gillis, Long Jump, 2000 [22-11 1/4]
Antwan Dickerson, Long Jump, 2013 [23-2 3/4]
Martin Booker Jr., 200-meter dash, 2017 [21.57]
Bryce Tucker, 400-meter hurdles, 2021 [52.17]

The only South Jersey schools with more Meet of Champions winners (including relays) are Willingboro (24), Winslow (14), Edgewood (13), Camden (9), and Delsea (8).

Here’s a look at the all-time South Jersey sub-53 club:

50.37 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], 2001
51.39 … Rueben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
51.5h … Martin Booker [Camden], 1981
51.62 … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 1997
51.82 … Azim Smith [Millville], 2001
52.10 … Tim Carey [Washington Twp.], 2009
52.17 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], 2021
52.0h … Vince Rawlins [Eastern], 1992
52.4h … Diandre Chandler [Camden], 1986
52.4h … Donovan Darius [Wilson], 1993
52.54 … Marcus Lee [Vineland], 2004
52.56 … Royce Reed [Bridgeton], 1995
52.62 … Devon Matthews [Pleasantville], 1999
52.62 … Harran Williams [Delran], 1999
52.62 … Ian Moore [Lenape], 2001
52.66 … Justin Dupree [Camden], 1996
52.66 … Aaron Younger [Delsea], 2007
52.71 … Mike Brown [Lenape], 1996
52.71 … Mike Morrison [Willingboro], 2003
52.72 … Devon Carter [Washington Twp.], 2000
52.87 … Demetrius Rooks [Absegami], 2008
52.89 … Barry Bethea [Eastern Reg.], 2010
52.92 … Alex Reber [Eastern Reg.], 2012
52.8h … Jack Thompson [Edgewood], 2001
52.89 … Devon Patton [Willingboro], 1990
52.94 … Maurice Young [Camden], 2002
52.96 … Tyler Davidson [Willingboro], 2016

Tucker’s time also makes him No. 24 in state history as a sophomore:

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
51.02 … Tony Valentine [Plainfield],. 1983
51.0h … Chris Person [Plainfield], 1978
51.39 … Rueben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
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
52.05 … Andrew Cameron [Paterson East Side], 1987
52.09 … Mark Cooke [J.P. Stevens], 2014
52.10 … Tim Carey [Washington Twp.], 2009
52.12 … Felix Lawrence [Freehold Twp.], 2019
52.13 … Greg Christie [Perth Amboy], 1997
52.17 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], 2021

Rancocas Valley’s Erika Kemp advanced to the finals of the 5,000-meter run Friday at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.

Kemp ran 15:42.76 at Hayward Field and advanced as one of six wild-card qualifiers. The top five in each of two heats plus the next six-fastest overall advanced to the final.

Kemp, racing for the Boston Athletic Association, ran her PR of 15:26.18 in Irvine, Calif., last month. She also qualified for the Trials in the 10,000.

The 5,000 final is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. EST on Monday, and Kemp will be lining up in the 14th spot.

The 10,000 is a two-race final and scheduled for 9:44 p.m. next Saturday.

Here are Kemp’s splits:
200: 35.04 / 35.04
600: 75.90 / 1:50.94
1000: 75.73 / 3:06.66
1400: 76.21 / 4:22.86
1800: 73.33 / 5:36.19
2200: 70:59 / 6:46.77
2600: 72.76 / 7:59.52
3000: 77.13 / 9:16.65
3400: 78.12 / 10:34.76
3800: 78.57 / 11:53.33
4200: 77.01 / 13:10.33
4600: 78.05 / 14:28.37
5000 74.39 / 15:42.76

Olympic gold medalist English Gardner from Eastern high School advanced to Saturday’s semifinals in the 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Gardner, the 2016 champion, ran 11.17 late Friday evening to place third in the fourth and final heat at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., her home track in college and the track she ran 10.74 at the 2016 Trials, No. 9 in world history.

The top three in each heat and the next four-fastest times advance to Saturday’s second round. Gardner was third in her heat, qualifying automatically.

Gardner just ran 11.13 last week, which was her fastest wind-legal time since an 11.02 in 2018 and below the Olympic standard of 11.15.

The semifinals are scheduled for 9:03 p.m. EST. Saturday. Gardner will be in lane 7 in the second of two races. The top three in each heat and the next two-fastest advance to the final, which is scheduled for 10:51 p.m. EST on Saturday.

A monster throw, a personal-best, the No. 19 throw in U.S. history but in the end just shy of his goal.

Delsea graduate Josh Awotunde bombed the shot put 71-8 Friday night – the No. 9 throw in the world this year – but fell an agonizing three inches from making the U.S. Olympic team.

Any other year in history, that throw would have sent Awotunde to the Olympics.

Awotunde placed fifth in the U.S. Olympic Trials Friday at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., just three inches behind Payton Otterdahl, who snagged the third and final Olympic berth with a lifetime-best throw of his own at 71-11. Darrell Hill was fourth at 71-10.

Awotunde’s previous PR was 71-1 1/2 at the USATF Golden Games in May in in Walnut, Calif.

His throw is No. 12 in U.S. Olympic Trials history and the second-best throw ever that didn’t advance a competitor to the Olympic Games, behind only Hill’s 71-10 tonight.

Ryan Crouser won the competition and set a world record of 76-8 1/4 on his fourth throw. Joe Kovacs was second with a 73-3 1/2 on his final throw.

Awotunde, 26, had advanced to Friday night’s finals with a 68-10 3/4 earlier in the day in the qualifying round, which is considered a separate meet, so throws do not carry over into the finals.

Delsea’s Josh Awotunde easily advances to shot put final at U.S. Olympic Trials!!!

The 12 finalists get three more throws and the top eight in that group get another three. Awotunde threw 65-11 3/4, 68-5 3/4 and 69-2 3/4 in the first round Friday night to make the final group of eight throwers.

He fouled on his fifth throw before uncorking the 71-8 on his final throw of the competition.

Here’s a look at the best throws in U.S. Olympic trials history:

76-8 1/4 … Ryan Crouser, 2021 [1]
73-3 1/2 … Joe Kovacs, 2021 [2]
72-7 …… Adam Nelson, 2000 [1]
72-6 1/2 … Ryan Crouser, 2016 [1]
72-6 1/4 … Reese Hoffa, 2008 [1]
72-2 1/4 … Reese Hoffa, 2012 [1]
72-0 1/4 … Joe Kovacs, 2016 [2]
71-11 ….. Payton Otterdahl, 2021 [3]
71-10 ….. Darrell Hill, 2021 [4]
71-9 1/4 … Randy Barnes, 1988 [1]
71-9 ….. C.J. Hunter, 2000 [2]
71-8 … Josh Awotunde, 2021 [5]
71-2 3/4 … Christian Cantwell, 2008 [2]
71-0 3/4 … Ryan Whiting, 2012 [2]
71-0 ….. Adam Nelson, 2004 [1]
70-11 3/4 … Darrell Hill, 2016 [3]
70-10 3/4 … Andy Bloom, 2000 [3]
70-8 1/4 … John Godina, 2004 [q]
70-5 1/2 … Mike Stulce, 1992 [1]
70-1 1/4 … George Woods, 1972 [1]
70-0 1/4 … Dave Laut, 1984 [1]