In one of the greatest distance performers ever by a South Jersey runner, Cinnaminson senior Austin Gabay mixed it up with Liam Murphy of Allentown and Jack Jennings of Mendham – two of the fastest runners in New Jersey history – before recording the second-fastest indoor 3,200 in South Jersey history.

In the fastest Meet of Champions 3,200 in the meet’s 52-year history, Gabay just missed Jon Vitez’s South Jersey 3,200 record and posted the 11th-fastest time in state history at 9:00.27.

Vitez won the 2010 Meet of Champions in 8:58.81.

Murphy, who has run 8:54.22, No. 3 in state history, ran 8:58.16 and Jennings moved into the No. 8 spot in state history at 8:58.19.

The times are No. 5, No. 6 and No. 9 in the U.S. this year, according to the MileSplit national database.

Gabay, who ran a PR 9:12.77 as part of his state Group 2 double, shattered the Burlington County record of 9:11.86 set over two miles and converted from 9:15.06 by Marc Pelerin of Cherokee at Easterns at the Armory in 2002. He also ran faster than Pelerin’s outdoor county record of 9:01.89, which Pelerin set at Golden West in 2001. Pelerin now teaches the Cinnaminson school district and coached Gabay as a middle schooler!

Braddock was fourth in 9:06.86, Cherry Hill East’s Oliver Adler fifth in 9:08.42, South Brunswick’s Vidhur Polam sixth in 9:09.54, Cherokee’s Ethan Wechsler seventh in 9:12.20 and Haddonfield’s Martin Riddell eighth in 9:14.70.

In a loaded field on the fast 200-meter oval at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island, N.Y., a group of 11 runners was still intact when the leaders hit 1,600 meters at a brisk 4:32.2.

Gradually, the lead group got smaller, and with 550 meters to go, Murphy, Jennings and Gabay dropped Jackson Braddock of Southern, turning the race into a furious three-man battle.

Jennings took the lead from Murphy when the hit the backstretch on the next lap, but Gabay maintained contact in third. Murphy regained the lead on the turn and then Gabay moved into the lead when they hit a lap to go at 8:31, with Jennings falling six meters back.

Murphy regained the lead from Gabay on the final backstretch and then Jennings sprinted past both Murphy and Gabay as they hit the final turn, with all three runners also navigating around lapped runners.

Jennings and Murphy finally separated from Gabay on the final straight and hammered the final 50 meters, Murphy inside in lane 2 and Jennings outside in lane 3, with Murphy getting the win by 3-100ths of a second on a lean.

Murphy closed in 58.2 and 26.5, Jennings in 57.9 and 25.9 (!!!) and Gabay in 60.1 and 28.9.

One of the greatest races in New Jersey history.

The first time there’s ever been an indoor New Jersey 3,200 with three runners at 9:00 or faster.

The race produced the No. 3, No. 4, No. 7, No. 18, No. 21 and No. 24 times in the meet’s 52-year history!

Gabay ran fast enough to win 48 of the 51 previous Meet of Champions two-mile or 3,200 titles, including every one from 1969 through 2007!

The meet was held for the first time ever outside of New Jersey and for the first time on a banked track.

Meanwhile, Adler ran the No. 3 time in South Jersey history, behind only Vitez and Gabay and No. 2 in Camden County history. Wechsler lowered his PR with the No. 9 time in South Jersey history. And Riddell lowered his PR to 9:14.70, No. 13 in South Jersey history.

From 1977 through last year, a 43-year span, only two South Jersey runners ran sub-9:13 – Pelerin in 2002 and Vitez in 2010.

On Sunday, three did it in one race!!!!!

Gabay, Braddock, Adler, Polam and Wechsler all ran the fastest times by place in meet history.

Interestingly, Braddock broke the meet record for fastest fourth-place time held by another Southern Regional runner from 10 years ago.

Here are the top places by time for the top nine places coming into the race and what the new marks are:

1st: 8:54.22 … Liam Murphy, Allentown, 2019
2nd: 8:54.45 … Devin Hart, Point Pleasant Boro, 2019
3rd: 9:07.17 … Tyler Udland, Millburn, 2010 [Gabay, 9:00.29]
4th: 9:11.55 … Matt Valeriani, Southern, 2010 [Braddock, 9:06.86]
5th: 9:11.69 … Joe Kotran, Toms River North, 2010 [Adler, 9:08.42]
6th: 9:13.03 … Jim Rosa, WW-Plainsboro No., 2010 [Polem 9:09.54]
7th: 9:13.33 … Mike Rankin, Paul VI, 2010 [Wechsler 9:12.20]
8th: 9:13.58 … Mike O’Dowd, Colts Neck, 2010
9th: 9:13.93 … Paul Szulewski, Washington Twp., 2010

ALL-TIME N.J. INDOOR 3,200 LIST
8:36.14y … Edward Cheserek [St. Benedict’s], 2013
8:53.78y … Devin Hart [Point Pleasant Boro], 2019
8:54.22 … Liam Murphy [Allentown], 2019
8:56.53y … Brian Leung [West Windsor-Plainsboro South], 2008
8:56.6y … Kevin Byrne [Paramus Catholic], 1977
8:56.85y … Craig Forys [Colts Neck], 2006
8:57.23y … James Rosa [West Windsor-Plainsboro North], 2010
8:58.19 … Jack Jennings [Mendham], 2020
8:58.49y … Brandon Jarrett [St. Benedict’s], 2008
8:58.81 … Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield], 2010
9:00.27 … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson], 2020
9:00.95 … Jeramy Elkaim [Livingston], 2010
9:01.00y … Doug Smith [Gill St. Bernard], 2008
9:01.44y … Jordan Brannen (Colts Neck), 2017
9:02.00 … Tom O’Neill [Middletown North], 2014
9:02.85y … Mohamed Khadraoui [JFK-Paterson], 2004
9:02.97y … Chris Pannone [Hunterdon Central], 2004
9:03.3y … Marty Liquori [Essex Catholic], 1967
9:04.53y … Sean Pohorence [Morris Hills], 2009
9:04.5y … Chris Inman [Essex Catholic], 1973
9:04.8y … Tim Conheeney [Paramus Catholic], 1973
9:05.15y … Patrick Sullivan [Don Bosco, 2016
9:05.16y … John Coyle [CBA], 1989
9:05.42y … Tom Rooney [CBA], 2014
9:05.44y … Steve Slattery [Mt. Olive], 1997
9:05.6y … Vince Cartier [Scotch Plains], 1971
9:06.0y … Chris Hallinan [Bernards], 1976
9:06.6y … Dave Thompson [Dover], 1979
9:06.77y … Andrew Hanko [Trinity Christian], 2007
9:07.16 … Tyler Udland [Millburn], 2010
9:07.6y … Royce Flippin [Princeton], 1976
9:07.91 … Brian Boyett [Parsippany Troy Hills], 2004
9:07.8y … Greg Ryan [Essex Catholic], 1965
9:08.42 … Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East], 2020
9:08.7y .. Carlos Bazo [Essex Catholic], 1972
9:08.7y … Henry Lenz [Memorial-WNY], 1977
9:08.82y … Ben Malone (Pasc. Vall) 2012
9:09.7y … Lou Ross [Delbarton], 1981

ALL-TIME S.J. INDOOR 3,200-METER LIST
8:58.81 ….. Jonathan Vitez [Haddonfield], 2010
9:00.29 … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson], 2020
9:08.42 … Oliver Adler [Cherry Hill East], 2020
9:10.4y ….. Ken Medlin, Haddon Township, 1970
9:11.1y ..… Mike Butynes [Sterling], 1970
9:11.2y ..… Mike Elder [Haddon Twp.], 1974
9:11.86y … Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 2002
9:11.9y ….. Johnny Englehardt [Willingboro], 1976
9:12.20 … Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee], 2020
9:13.33 ….. Michael Rankin [Paul VI], 2010
9:13.93 ….. Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 2011
9:14.31 ….. Jimmy Daniels [Sterling], 2013
9:14.70 … Martin Riddell [Haddonfield], 2020

ALL-TIME MEET OF CHAMPIONS 3,200 LIST
(place in parentheses)
8:54.22-Liam Murphy, Allentown, 2019 (1)
8:54.45-Devin Hart, Point Pleasant Boro, 2019 (2)
8:58.16-Liam Murphy, Allentown, 2020 (1)
8:58.19-Jack Jennings, Mendham, 2020 (2)
8:58.81-Jon Vitez, Haddonfield, 2010 (1)
8:59.77-Brian Leung, West Windsor South, 2008 (1)
9:00.27-Austin Gabay, Cinnaminson, 2020 (3)
9:00.95-Jeramy Elkaim, Livingston, 2010 (2)
9:01.86-Doug Smith, Gill St. Bernard’s, 2008 (2)
9:02.00-Tom O’Neill, Middletown North, 2013 (1)
9:03.58-Craig Forys, Colts Neck, 2007 (1)
9:04.7m-Chris Inman, Essex Catholic, 1973 (1)
9:04.8m-Tim Conheeney, Paramus Catholic, 1973 (2)
9:05.6m-Vince Cartier, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 1971 (1)
9:06.2m-Chris Hallinan, Bernards, 1974 (1)
9:06.11-Devin Hart, Point Pleasant, 2018 (1)
9:06.58-Mohamed Khadraoui, Paterson Kennedy, 2004 (1)
9:06.86-Jackson Braddock, Southern Regional, 2020 (4)
9:07.17-Tyler Udland, Millburn, 2010 (3)
9:08.32-Jordan Brannan, Colts Neck, 2017 (1)
9:08.42-Oliver Adler, Cherry Hill East, 2020 (5)
9:08.55-Sean Poherence, Morris Hills, 2009 (1)
9:08.7m-Carlos Bazo, Essex Catholic, 1972 (1)
9:09.54-Vidhur Polam, South Brunswick, 2020 (6)
9:10.0m-Ed Taylor, Edison, 1976 (1)
9:10.09-Alex Roth, Princeton, 2017 (2)
9:10.27-Chris Pannone, Hunterdon Central, 2004 (2)
9:10.4m-Ken Medlin, Haddon Township, 1970 (1)
9:10.69-Tim Ball, Pisacataway, 2012 (1)
9:10.8m-Chris Hallinan, Bernards, 1976 (2)
9:10.9m-Royce Flippin, Princeton, 1976 (3)

 

It was the fastest 800 in Meet of Champions history, and Gabriel Moronta was fastest of all.

Moronta continued Pleasantville’s amazing Meet of Champions 800 tradition Sunday when he became the third Pleasantville half-miler to win the title.

He ran a remarkable 1:52.46, more than a two-second PR over his 1:54.59 from the Marine Corps Holiday Classic in December. He also ran faster than his outdoor PR of 1:54.74.

—> Moronta’s time is No. 4 in South Jersey history and fastest since 2013, when twins Jacob and Isaac Clark of Pleasantville and Kingsway’s Derrell Manhertz all ran sub-1:52.

—> His time is No. 16 in state history. Pleasantville has now had six 800 runners go sub-1:57 indoor and four run sub-1:54.

—> It’s also No. 6 in meet history and fastest since 2013 when the Clarks and Manhertz ran the three-fastest times in meet history.

—> According to the MileSplit national performance lists, Moronta is No. 4 in the U.S. this season.

The race produced four of the top-10 times in meet history and eight of the top 28!

The race was crazy fast, with seven at 55.0 or faster through 400 meters. Moronta was out in 54.3, which put him fifth with two laps to go. He came through 600 at 1:24.3 and was still fifth – behind Jordan Kaplan of Monroe Township (1:22.9), Delaware Valley’s Kyle Reers (1:23.2), Jalen Ridgeway of Toms River North (1:23.6) and Medeiros (1:24.2).

But Moronta, a 48.6 quarter-miler, has the fastest closing speed in the field and ran his final 200 in 28.2 to move from fifth to the lead at the wire.

ALL-TIME N.J. INDOOR 800-METER LIST
1:49.21 … Robby Andrews [Manalapan], 2009
1:49.94 … Ben Malone [Pascack Valley], 2012
1:50.04 … Rey Rivera [Old Bridge], 2017
1:50.57 … Alfred Chawonza [St. Benedict’s], 2019
1:50.7h … John Marshall [Plainfield], 1981
1:51.52 … Jacob Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.72 … Isaac Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.74 … Luis Peralta [Passaic], 2018
1:51.77 … Sean Dolan [Hopewell Valley], 2018
1:51.80 … Derrell Manhertz [Kingsway], 2013
1:52.00 … Ernesto Perez [Newark West Side], 1991
1:52.11 … Edward Cheserek [St. Benedict’s], 2013
1:52.21 … James Buser [Mahwah], 2013
1:52.24 … Allen Eke [Union Catholic], 2012
1:52.40 … Sadiki White [Allentown], 2009
1:52.46 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], 2020
1:52.47 … Bryan Scotland [St. Benedict’s], 2005
1:52.67 … Alvaro Chavez [West Windsor-Plainsboro South], 2012
1:52.76 … Jason Apwah [Roxbury], 2007
1:52.76 … Nicholas Medeiros [Old Bridge], 2020
1:52.81 … Michael Pachella [Walkill Valley], 2006
1:52.81 … Kyle Reers [Delaware Valley], 1:52.81
1:52.83 … Greg Gomez [Franklin Twp.], 2004
1:53.22 … Ken Sinkovitz [Bergen Catholic], 2003
1:53.0h … Merrell Noden [Lawrenceville], 1973
1:53.26 … Elijah Brown [Union Catholic], 2020
1:53.33 … Jared Mason [West Orange], 2012
1:53.44 … Jean Destine [Elizabeth], 1991
1:53.51 … Alan Laws [Pleasantville], 2007
1:53.61 … Arie Welcher [St. Benedict’s], 1996
1:53.66 … Jose Veras [Dickinson], 2011
1:53.68 … Ishmael Muhammad [Oakcrest], 2013
1:53.72 … Jalen Ridgeway [Tom River North], 2020
1:53.76 … Joe White [DePaul Catholic], 2014
1:53.78 … Mike Carmody [Governor Livingston], 2004
1:53.78 … Mike Glenn [Trenton], 1984
1:53.6h … Jack Fonss [Lawrenceville], 1980
1:53.84 … Bradley Paternostro [Ramapo], 2011
1:53.90 … Jordan Kaplan [Monroe Twp,], 2000
1:53.97 … Jackson Burnett [St. Benedict’s], 2019
1:53.98 … Elijah Brown [Union Catholic], 2019

ALL-TIME S.J. INDOOR 800-METER LIST
1:51.52 … Jacob Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.72 … Isaac Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.80 … Derrell Manhertz [Kingsway], 2013
1:52.46 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], 2020
1:53.51 … Alan Laws [Pleasantville], 2007
1:53.68 … Ishmael Muhammad [Oakcrest], 2013
1:54.53 … Stone Caraccio [Kingsway], 2020
1:54.80 … Marvin Lewis [Willingboro], 2001
1:54.81 … Bill Dolan [Clearview], 2013
1:54.82 … Xavier Fraction [Washington Twp.], 2009
1:55.00 … Steve Butenewicz [Delsea], 2011
1:55.14 … Shannon Sherrer [Vineland], 2002
1:55.14 … Zach McBride [Lenape], 2002
1:55.16 … Joe Lewis [Pleasantville], 1998
1:55.16 … Tivo Rivera [Kingsway], 2009
1:55.19 … Isaiah Curbelo [Rancocas Valley], 2016
1:55.42 … Kevin Cianfarino [West Deptford], 2014
1:55.3h … Tony Uzdavines [Williamstown], 1976
1:55.77 … Carmen Capella [Washington Twp.], 2004
1:55.84 … Matt Poskus [Cinnaminson], 2007
1:55.93 … Derek Gess [Haddonfield], 2017

ALL-TIME MEET OF CHAMPIONS TOP-20
1:51.72 … Isaac Clark, Pleasantville, 2013 (1)
1:51.80 … Derrell Manhertz, Kingsway, 2013 (2)
1:52.15 … Jacob Clark, Pleasantville, 2013 (3)
1:52.18 … Rey Rivera, Old Bridge, 2017 (1)
1:52.24 … Allen Eke, Union Catholic, 2012 (1)
1:52.46 … Gabriel Moronta, Kingsway, 2020 (1)
1:52.67 … A.J. Chavez, West Windsor South, 2012 (2)
1:52.76 … Nicholas Medeiros, Old Bridge, 2020 (2)
1:52.81 … Kyle Reers, Delaware Valley, 2020 (3)
1:53.26 … Elijah Brown, Union Catholic, 2020 (4)
1:53.33 … Jared Mason, West Orange, 2012 (3)
1:53.68 … Ishmael Muhammad, Oakcrest, 2013 (4)
1:53.72 … Jalen Ridgeway, Toms River North, 2020 (5)
1:53.7y … Jean Destine, Elizabeth, 1991 (1)
1:53.90 … James Buser, Mahwah, 2013 (5)
1:53.95 … Joe White, DePaul, 2014 (1)
1:53.98 … Elijah Brown, Union Catholic, 2019 (1)
1:54.09 … Rey Rivera, Old Bridge, 2016 (1)
1:54.10 … Miles Liggins, South Brunswick, 2019 (2)
1:54.25 … Nicholas Ortiz, Passaic, 2020 (6)
1:54.35 … Jordan Kaplan, Monroe Twp., 2020 (7)
1:54.36 … Ernesto Perez, West Side, 1990 (1)
1:54.41-Gabriel Moronta, Pleasantville, 2019 (3)
1:54.43-Eddison Gulama, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 2013 (6)
1:54.45-Haig Rickerby, McNair, 2017 (2)
1:54.4-John Marshall, Plainfield, 1981 (1)
1:54.54-Luis Peralta, Passaic, 2018 (1)
1:54.60 … Anthony Scerbo, Chatham, 2020 (8)

ATLANTIC COUNTY 800 LIST
1:51.52 … Jacob Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:51.72 … Isaac Clark [Pleasantville], 2013
1:52.46 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], 2019
1:53.51 … Alan Laws [Pleasantville], 2007
1:53.68 … Ishmael Muhammad [Oakcrest], 2013
1:55.13 … Joe Lewis [Pleasantville], 1998
1:56.43 … Eric Barnes [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2017
1:56.73 … Dan Galeano [Absegami], 2010
1:56.77 … Larry Ramirez [Pleasantville], 2010

ALL-TIME SOUTH JERSEY M-OF-C 800 WINNERS
1976 … Tony Uzdavines [Williamstown], 1:56.0 [880]
1977 … Tony Uzdavines [Williamstown], 1:56.6 [880]
1979 … Rich Caton [Woodbury], 1:57.4 [880]
1998 … Joe Lewis [Pleasantville], 1:56.13
2005 … Rob Novak [Bordentown], 1:57.52
2009 … Xavier Fraction [Washington Twp.], 1:54.82
2013 … Isaac Clark [Pleasantville], 1:51.72
2020 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], 1:52.46

Remarkable performance for Jailya Ash, who won the Meet of Champions hurdles in 8.03.

That’s No. 8 in meet history, No. 8 in South Jersey history and No. 18 in state history!

The only South Jersey girls who’ve ever run faster than Ash in the 43-year history of the girls Meet of Champions are Winslow’s Stey’ce McNeil in 2012 and Camden’s Lenaami Morton in 2017. Both ran 7.94.

Ash won the 55-meter dash at last year’s Meet of Champions but elected to focus on the hurdles at this year’s M-of-C and it paid off with another M-of-C title! There are very few girls who have won a Meet of Champions title in two different events. We’ll get you that list soon!

Ash came in as the No. 1 seed with a 8.08 at the state Group 4 meet, although Mariah Fede of Paramus Catholic had a slightly faster PR at 8.02.

In the trials, Ash ran 8.35 but easily advanced to the final, where she ran away from the field. Fede was second in 8.12.

Two other South Jersey hurdlers – Paul VI senior Aliya Rae Garozzo and Cinnaminson senior Meredith Updike – also ran extremely well. Garozzo took fourth in 8.27 and Updike was fifth in 8.29.

ALL-TIME MEET OF CHAMPS 55 HURDLES LIST
7.82… Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic), 2015 (1)
7.86… Charmaine Walker (Plainfield), 1997 (1)
7.94… Stey’ce McNeil (Winslow), 2012 (1)
7.94 … Lenaami Morton (Camden), 2017 (1)
7.97… Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic), 2015 (t)
7.96… Dawn Bowles (Neptune), 1988 (1)
7.99… Patti Dziekonska (West Windsor-Plainsboro North), 2014 (1)
8.03 … Claudine Smith (Atlantic City), 2019 (1)
8.03 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2020
8.04… Trier Young (Neptune), 2005 (1)
8.04 … Claudine Smith (Atlantic City), 2019 (1)
7.8h… Wendy Vereen (Trenton), 1984 (1)
8.07… Porscha Dobson (Kent Place), 2003 (1)
8.07… Tia Livingston (Union Catholic), 2016 (1)
8.07 … Amaya Chadwick (Union Catholic), 2017 (2)
8.08… Grace O’Shea (Ramapo), 2018 (1)
8.09… Samantha Sharper (Woodrow Wilson), 2008 (1)
8.10… Samantha Jensen (Central Reg.), 2012 (2)
8.11… Carlene Cummings (Englewood), 1998 (1)
8.11… Racquel Vassell (East Orange), 2007 (1)
8.11… Danielle Delgado (Franklin Twp.), 2014 (2)
8.12… Briana Feldhaus (Randolph), 2009
8.12 … Mariah Fede (Paramus Catholic), 2020
8.13… Nichole Belcher (Woodrow Wilson), 1992 (1)
8.14… Isabelle Dely (Paramus Catholic), 2018 (2)
7.9h… Carol Lewis (Willingboro), 1980 (1)
8.15… Nia Ali (Pleasantville), 2006 (1)
8.15… Patti Dziekonska (West Windsor… Plainsboro North (t)
8.15… Tia Livingston (Union Catholic), 2016 (t)
8.16… Sonya Sullivan (Manchester Twp.), 2005 (2)
8.16… Morgan Harvey (North Hunterdon), 2013 (t)
8.16… Tionna Tobias (Winslow Twp.), 2018 (3)
8.17… Dashana Ransome (Irvington), 2012 (2)
8.17… Torie Robinson (Winslow Twp.), 2014 (t)
8.18… Te’seanna Harris (Camden), 2019 (t)

ALL-TIME N.J. 55 HURDLES LIST
7.60 … Sydney McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2015
7.71 … Charmaine Walker [Plainfield], 1997
7.75 … Grace O’Shea (Ramapo), 2019
7.81 … Dawn Bowles [Neptune], 1988
7.89 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
7.89 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
7.92 … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1981
7.93 … Wendy Vereen [Trenton], 1984
7.94 … Lenaami Morton [Camden], 2017
7.96 … Porsche Dobson [Kent Place], 2003
7.98 … Nichole Belcher [Woodrow Wilson], 1992
7.98 … Tionna Tobias (Winslow Twp.), 2019
7.99 … Racquel Vassal [East Orange], 2007
7.99 … Patricia Dziekonska [West Windsor-Plainsboro North], 2014
8.00 … Amaya Chadwick [Union Catholic], 2017
8.01 … Samantha Sharper [Woodrow Wilson], 2008
8.02 … Mariah Fede [Paramus Catholic], 2019
8.03 … Alethia Jenkins [Pennsauken], 2000
8.03 … Amber Williams [Roxbury], 2001
8.03 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2020
8.03 … Claudine Smith (Atlantic City), 2019
8.04 … Zonya Cross [Edgewood], 1983
8.04 … Trier Young [Neptune], 2005
8.05 … Sherese Price [Pleasantville], 1998
8.05 … Samantha Jensen [Central Reg.], 2012
8.06 … Jen Whitlock [Montclair], 2002
8.06 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006
8.06 … Kayann Richards [Columbia], 2011
8.06 … Isabelle Dely [Paramus Catholic], 2019
8.07 … Ella Scherzer [Randolph], 2016
8.07 … Tia Livingston [Union Catholic], 2016
8.09 … Sonya Sullivan [Manchester Twp.], 2005
8.09 … Kaprice James [Roselle], 2012
8.09 … Danielle Delgado [Franklin], 2012
8.10 … Hope Wright [Columbia], 2001
8.10 … Nichole Hill [Oakcrest], 1997
8.10 … Tramaine Shaw [Piscataway], 2004

ALL-TIME S.J. 55-METER HURDLES LIST
7.89 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
7.89 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
7.92 … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1981
7.94 … Lenaami Morton [Camden], 2017
7.98 … Nichole Belcher [Woodrow Wilson], 1992
8.01 … Samantha Sharper [Woodrow Wilson], 2008
8.03 … Alethia Jenkins [Pennsauken], 2000
8.03 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2020
8.03 … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2018
8.04 … Zonya Cross [Edgewood], 1983
8.05 … Sherese Price [Pleasantville], 1998
8.06 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006
8.10 … Nichole Hill [Oakcrest], 1997
8.11 … Cidae’a Woods [Winslow Twp.], 2014
8.15 … Jewel Ash [Eastern], 2020
8.17 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2014
8.17 … Aliya Rae Garozzo [Paul VI], 2020
8.18 … Gabrielle Bennett [Winslow Twp.], 2015
8.18 … Te’seanna Harris [Camden], 2019
8.19 … Brittany Preston [Winslow Twp,], 2016
8.22 … Jamillah Nock [Wilson], 2004
8.23 … Tierra Hooker [Timber Creek], 2019

ALL-TIME S.J. MEET OF CHAMPIONS 55HH WINNERS
1980 … Carol Lewis (Willingboro), 7.9h
1981 … Carol Lewis (Willingboro), 8.0h
1983 … Zonya Cross (Edgewood), 8.2h
1991 … Helen Wilks (Bridgeton), 8.45
1992 … Nichole Belcher (Woodrow Wilson), 8.13
1993 … Helen Wilks (Bridgeton), 8.36
2000 … Alethia Jenkins (Pennsauken), 8.21
2006 … Nia Ali (Pleasantville), 8.15
2008 … Samantha Sharper (Woodrow Wilson), 8.09
2012 … Stey’ce McNeil (Winslow Twp.), 7.94
2017 … Lenaami Morton (Camden), 7.94
2019 … Claudine Smith (Atlantic City), 8.03
2020 … Jailya Ash (Eastern), 8.03

HOW ABOUT A 6.98 FOR LAUREN PRINCZ!!!!!

Princz, the Egg Harbor junior, won her first indoor Meet of Champions title Sunday morning, and she did it with her first lifetime sub-7.00 performance!

Princz, who came in with a PR of 7.05, ran 6.98 to run away from the field and become the first Egg Harbor girl ever to win an indoor Meet of Champions title!

Princz’s time is No. 7 in South Jersey history, No. 8 in the U.S. this year and No. 8 in meet history! It’s also No. 14 in state history!

Kent Place sophomore Christiana Nwachuku led early, but Prince moved into the lead about halfway through the race and won convincingly over Nwachuku, who ran 7.06. They were the only girls under 7.10.

Princz won the 200-meter dash at the 2018 outdoor Meet of Champions.

The only previous Meet of Champions winners from Atlantic County are Atlantic City’s Mercedes Hicks in the shot put in 2006 and Claudine Smith from Atlantic City last year in the hurdles.

Princz won the 55 just minutes after Anthony Vazquez won the 55-meter hurdles and became the first boy or girl from Egg Harbor to win an individual title at the Meet of Champions!

ALL-TIME S.J. 55-METER DASH LIST
6.73 … Michelle Glover (Willingboro), 1981
6.88 … Patti Dunlap (Camden), 1979
6.91 … English Gardner (Eastern), 2010
6.95 … Bria Mack (Williamstown), 2017
6.95 … Torie Robinson (Winslow Twp.), 2014
6.95 … Denise Mitchell (Edgewood), 1983
6.98 … Lauren Princz (Egg Harbor Twp.), 2020
7.00 … Amandi Rhett (Moorestown), 2000
7.00 … Iyanli Kollock (Our Lady of Mercy), 2017
7.01 … Aliyah Taylor (Rancocas Valley), 2017
7.05 … Dana Burnett (Williamstown), 1996
7.06 … Jailya Ash (Eastern), 2019
7.07 … Aliya Harrison (Sterling), 2018
7.07 … Dennisha Page (Woodrow Wilson), 2019
7.07 … Annie Johnson (Shawnee), 2012
7.07 … Audrey Wilson (Deptford), 2009
7.07 … Magenta Taylor (Willingboro), 1999
7.07 … Angela Clyburn (Egg Harbor Twp.), 1991
7.09 … Ste’yce McNeil (Winslow Twp.), 2012
7.09 … Emily Carson (Haddonfield), 2013
7.11 … Jamie Walker (Haddon Hts.), 2006
7.12 … Assante Johnson (Camden), 2009
7.14 … Shonda Burroughs (Vineland), 1999
7.17 … Nia Lawrence (Pemberton), 2013
7.17 … Kiara Lester (Deptford), 2014
7.17 … Krystal Cantey (Winslow Twp.), 2006
7.18 … Sherese Price (Pleasantville), 1997
7.19 … Latoya Benson (Washington Twp.), 2001
7.19 … Adia Starnes (Timber Creek), 2017
7.20 … Medina Salaam (Camden), 1974
7.20 … Nia Ali (Pleasantville), 2006
7.20 … Fametta Lewis (Wilson), 2007
7.20 … Tacquaya Tobias (Our Lady of Mercy), 2010
7.20 … Cidae’a Woods (Winslow Twp.), 2013
7.20 … Gabrielle Farquharson (Williamstown), 2011

ALL-TIME M-OF-C 55-METER DASH LIST
6.92 … Dominique Booker, Montclair Immaculate, 2009 (1)
6.93 … Ogechi Nwaneri, Chatham, 2008 (1)
6.95 … Torie Robinson, Winslow Twp., 2014 (1)
6.7h … Wendy Vereen, Trenton, 1984 (1)
6.96 … Myasia Jacobs, Paramus Catholic, 2011 (1)
6.97 … Aleah Williams, Montclair, 1998 (1)
6.97 … Melisa Barber, Montclair, 1998 (2)
6.98 …….. Booker, 2008 (2)
6.98 … Lauren Princz, Egg Harbor Twp., 2020 (1)
6.99 …….. Nwaneri, 2008 (t)
7.00 … Haisha Bisiolu (Union), 2013 (1)
7.01 …….. Williams, 1998 ()
7.02 … English Gardner, Eastern, 2008 ()
7.02 … Sydney Hawkins, Phillipsburg, 2018 (1)
7.03 …….. Gardner, 2010 (1)
7.03 … Torie Robinson, 2014 (t)
7.04 …….. Booker, 2009 (t)
7.04 …….. Gardner, 2008 (3)
7.04 …….. Bisiolu, 2014 (t)
7.04 …….. Bisiolu, 2014 (2)
7.04 … Aliyah Taylor, Pemberton, 2016 (1)

ALL-TIME S.J. M-of-C 55 WINNERS
1980 – Michele Glover [Willingboro], 6.8h
1981 – Michele Glover [Willingboro], 6.8h
1982 … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 7.15
1983 … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 6.9h
1986 … Artrelia Turner [Wilson], 7.21
1996 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 7.12
1999 …Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 7.13
2007 … English Gardner [Eastern], 7.08
2010 … English Gardner [Eastern], 7.03
2014 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 6.95
2016 … Aliyah Taylor [Pemberton], 7.04
2017 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 6.99
2019 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 7.06
2020 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 6.98

Winslow’s Nylah Perry earned her first Meet of Champions title Sunday with a 56.19 win in the 400-meter dash at Ocean Breeze!

Her time is No. 9 in South Jersey history!

Perry ran very aggressively and led from start to finish. She stumbled on her final steps and went down at the finish line but made it safely across with the dramatic win.

Perry had placed 3rd at Marine Corps, 4th at Hispanic Games and 2nd at the Varsity Classic, sectionals and states, so this was her first 400 win this year, and it came in the biggest race of the year.

Perry’s previous indoor PR was a 56.85 from the Varsity Classic last month at the Armory. She also ran faster than her outdoor PR of 56.23 from last year’s state Group 3 meet at Central Regional.

Perry becomes the first South Jersey girl to win the Meet of Champions 400 since Michelle Brown of Seneca in 2010.

Chidumga Nkulume of Union Catholic ran 56.50 in the fourth of five heats, which meant Perry would have to PR to earn the win. She went through 200 meters in 26.1, with Lily Orr of Rumson-Fair Haven (26.5) and Jewel Ash of Eastern (26.5) just behind.

Perry opened up her lead on the backstretch and Orr wound up second in the seeded race in 56.99, with Nkulume’s 56.99 winding up third overall. Ash ran a personal-best 57.59 and finished fifth. Her previous PR was 57.69 at sectionals last month.

Perry joins Krystal Cantey [400 in 2005, 200 in 2006], Stey’ce McNeil [55 hurdles in 2012], Torie Robinson [55-meter dash in 2014] and Gabrielle Bennett [high jump in 2015] as the fifth Winslow girl to win an individual Meet of Champions title.

In addition, Denise Mitchell [55 in 1982, 1983, 400 in 1984], Zonya Cross [55 hurdles in 1983] won M-of-C titles for Edgewood, Winslow’s precursor.

Here’s a look at all the South Jersey girls to win the indoor Meet of Champions 400-meter dash title:

1984 … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 55.7h
1995 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 58.14
1996 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 57.69
1999 … Nadia Davy [Bridgeton], 56.90
2003 … Okechi Ogbuokiri [Willingboro], 57.54
2005 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow], 56.93
2007 … English Gardner [Eastern], 56.29
2008 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 55.19
2009 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 55.74
2010 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 55.96

Here’s the updated all-time Meet of Champions 400-meter dash list:

ALL-TIME M-OF-C 400 LIST
53.34 … Sydney McLaughlin, Union Catholic, 2016 (1)
53.72 …….. McLaughlin, 2015 (1)
54.09 … Olivia Baker, Columbia, 2014 (1)
54.72 …….. Baker, 2013 (1)
55.19 … Nijgia Snapp, Oakcrest, 2008
55.45 … Mikele Barber, Montclair, 1998 (1)
55.91 … Kaira Brown, Kent Place, 2019 (1)
55.74 …….. Snapp, 2009 (1)
55.74 … Amber Allen, Passaic Tech, 2008 (2)
55.75 … Emily Cowan, Columbia, 2014 (2)
55.7h … Denise Mitchell, Edgewood, 1984 (1)
55.83 … Kiara Lester, Deptford, 2016 (2)
55.88 … Michelle Brown, Seneca, 2009 (2)
55.95 …….. Allen, 2009 (3)
55.96 …….. Brown, 2010 (1)
56.08 … Kristen Mahon, Notre Dame, 2006 (1)
56.07 … Emily Carrollo, Pope John, 2008 (3)
56.15 … Sydney McLaughlin, Union Catholic, 2014 (3)
56.15 … Haisha Bisiolu, Union, 2015 (2)
56.19 … Nylah Perry, Winslow, 2020 (1)
56.29 … English Gardner, Eastern, 2007 (1)
56.31 … Olivia Baker, Columbia, 2012 (1)
56.38 … Michelle Samuels, Red Bank, 1990 (1)
56.40 …….. Brown, 2008 (4)
56.41 …….. Baker, 2011 (1)
56.3y … Giselle Harris, Shabazz, 1985 (1)
56.52 … Sam Anderson, Matawan, 2015 (3)
56.4y … Stephanie Saleem, Neptune, 1985 (2)
56.59 … Rebecca Ochan, Highland Park, 2019 (2)

Finally, it’s the updated all-time South Jersey list!

ALL-TIME S.J. INDOOR 400 PERFORMANCE LIST
54.24 … Okechi Ogbuokiri [Willingboro], 2003
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
55.6h … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
55.83 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2016
56.19 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.21 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1997
56.24 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2017
56.34 … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1997
56.44 … Avionne Sloan [Camden], 2006
56.62 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
56.65 … Britney Kott [Millville], 2009
56.76 … Simone Thomas [Willingboro], 2003
56.78 … Ajae Alvarez [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018
56.85 … Emily Duffey [Lenape], 2012
56.85 … Nylah Perry [Winslow], 2020
56.88 … Marcene Jack [Mainland Reg.], 2004
56.90 … Nadia Davy [Bridgeton], 1999
56.95 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2017
56.98 … Jade Pope [Pennsauken], 2020

Rancocas Valley’s Miekel House and Egg Harbor’s Ahmad Brock both qualified for the 55-meter dash final at the Meet of Champions.

House ran 6.50 and Brock 6.55. House ran just 5-100ths of a second off his PR of 6.45 from Easterns and Brock ran close to his PR of 6.47 from states.

Nottingham senior Louis Akpadago (6.35) and Donovan Catholic junior James Bivins (6.46) are the top two seeds going into the final.

Egg Harbor junior Lauren Princz led all qualifiers in the Meet of Champions 55-meter dash trials with a near-PR 7.07.

Princz will race later Sunday in the 55 finals at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island. Her PR is 7.05. Her 7.07 is No. 15 in meet history.

The next-fastest qualifying time was 7.19 by Union junior Joy Enaohwo. 

Winslow senior Janeya Hammond also qualified with a 7.25, just off her PR of 7.22 from states.

Egg Harbor’s Anthony Vazquez, Winslow’s Isaiah Lewis, Burlington Township’s Donovan Wright and R.V.’s Daniel Darrell all qualified for the 55-meter hurdles final at the 52nd annual Meet of Champion.

Vazquez ran 7.52, Lewis 7.53, Wright 7.60 and Darrell 7.66 to reach the final later Sunday at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island.

Terrel Williams of Columbia and Dwight Henry of Irvington were the top qualifiers, both at 7.45.

Vazquez is South Jersey No. 1 this year at 7.45. Lewis has run 7.51, Wright 7.53 and Darrell 7.63.

Aliya Rae Garozzo of Paul VI, CInnaminson’s Meredith Updike, Eastern’s Jailya Ash and Millville’s Bryanna Craig all ran sub 8.40 and advanced to the finals of the 55-meter hurdles at the Meet oF Champions Sunday morning.

Garozzo ran 8.33, Updike 8.34, Ash 8.35 and Craig 8.39 to advance to the eight-runner final at Ocean Breeze. Millville sophomore Leah Ellis ran 8.42, missing the final by 1-1000th of a second.

The top six qualifiers all ran between 8.30 and 8.36. 

Kirstyn Schechter of Hillsborough and Mariah Fede of Paramus Catholic lead all qualifiers into the final later Sunday. Both ran 8.30 in separate trials, and meet timers couldn’t break the tie as both were officially credited with 8.295. 

Garozzo has run 8.17 this year, Updike 8.29, Ash 8.08 and Craig 8.31. Fede (8.02 ) and Ash (8.08) are the two-fastest hurdlers in the state, and Garozzo is fourth.

WHAT A RACE BY KINGSWAY!!!

With senior Stone Caraccio anchoring in 1:52.8, the Kingsway boys ran the fastest 3,200-meter relay time in the U.S. this year Sunday morning at the Meet of Champions!

The Dragons ran 7:47.50, No. 7 in state history and fastest in seven years at the 52nd annual Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island.

Kingsway and Ridge gapped the field early, and ran together for most of the race. Caraccio moved passed Ridge anchor Alex Sargen with 300 to go and then ran away from him on the final lap, Kingsway winning by 12 meters. Ridge was second in 7:49.51, which is No. 16 in state history.

Kingsway’s time is No. 3 in South Jersey history behind only Cherokee’s 7:43.64 at 2012 nationals and Pleasantville’s 7:45.55 at Easterns in 2013, both at the Armory.

Kingsway destroyed the Gloucester County record of 7:51.43 set by Washington Township at 2009 nationals at the Armory. The Dragons also ran faster than their overall school record of 7:47.66 that they ran at the 2011 outdoor Meet of Champions at Old Bridge. They just missed the overall indoor-outdoor Gloucester County record of 7:46.28 that Delsea ran to win the 2018 outdoor Meet of Champions at Northern Burlington.

Senior Ethan Bentley and sophomores Jeffrey Heineman and Kyle Rakitis also ran for Kingsway, which also broke the Meet of Champions record of 7:57.34 set two years ago by Hopewell Valley at the Bubble. The 4-by-8 has been contested at the M-of-C since 2017. I’ll update with complete splits ASAP.

This is the first time in its 52-year history the Meet of Champions has been held outside New Jersey and the first time it’s been held on a banked track.

Kingsway bumped Phillips Exeter Academy of New Hampshire out of the No. 1 spot on the 2020 U.S. MileSplit list. Phillips Exeter ran 7:48.81 at Easterns last month at the Armory. Ridge went into the race as the top seed with its 7:50.02 from Millrose, which was No. 2 in the U.S.

ALL-TIME N.J. INDOOR 3,200-METER LIST
7:41.53 … Christian Brothers Academy, 2012
7:43.64 … Cherokee, 2012
7:43.91 … Morris Hills, 2009
7:44.07 … Pope John XXIII, 2012
7:44.5h … Roselle Catholic, 1969
7:45.55 … Pleasantville, 2013
7:47.50 … Kingsway, 2020
7:47.69 … Colts Neck, 2005
7:48.10 … Morris Hills, 2016
7:48.55 … Christian Brothers Academy, 2001
7:48.6h … Roselle Catholic, 1970
7:48.82 … Ridgewood, 2014
7:48.92 … Egg Harbor, 2017
7:49.23 … Christian Brothers Academy, 2013
7:49.31 … Old Bridge, 2015
7:49.51 … Ridge, 2000
7:49.70 … West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 2013
7:49.89 … South Brunswick, 2014
7:49.96 … Old Bridge, 2017

ALL-TIME S.J. OVERALL 3,200-METER LIST
7:40.71 … Pleasantville, 2013 [outdoors]
7:43.57 … Haddonfield, 2015 [outdoors]
7:43.64 … Cherokee, 2012 [indoors]
7:46.28 … Delsea, 2018 [outdoors]
7:47.27 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2016 [outdoors]
7:47.50 … Kingsway, 2020 [indoors]
7:47.66 … Kingsway, 2011 [outdoors]
7:47.96 … Haddonfield, 2016 [outdoors]
7:48.16 … Kingsway, 2013 [outdoors]
7:48.25 … Vineland, 2012 [outdoors]
7:48.70 … Rancocas Valley, 2016 [outdoors]
7:48.92 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2017 [indoors]
7:49.67 … Washington Twp., 2009 [outdoors]
7:49.85 … Cherokee, 2012 [outdoors]