Florence’s Curtis Thompson and Holy Cross’s Chris Mirabelli finished seventh and eighth in the javelin Wednesday at the NCAA championships in Eugene, both earning All-America honors.

But it was ultimately a disappointing day for both former South Jersey throwers, with both falling well short of their career highs.

The long-time rivals both had their best throw of the competition on their second throw, Thompson with a 237-9 and Mirabelli with a 235-2.

Thompson, the defending champion and second-place finisher at the Olympic Trials, has a PR of 271-11 and a season best of 243-0. Mirabelli has a season and career best of 251-6.

Thompson is now a three-time All-America. The honor is the first for Mirabelli.

Rancocas Valley junior Iverson Clement hit 23 feet for the first time Saturday, winning the state Group 4 long jump title on his final jump and recording the best mark of the six state champions.

Clement is the first Burlington County underclassman over 23 feet since legendary Mike Morrison went 24-1 at the 2002 Meet of Champions, some 15 years ago. He’s actually Burlington County’s first 23-footer overall since Morrison in 2003.

It’s been a month of PRs for Clement, who had a PR of 22-6 1/2 from indoor Easterns at the Armory before going 22-6 3/4 to win sectionals and then 23-0 1/2 at states.

Not bad, considering that Clement didn’t even break 21 feet until his fifth major meet this year.

R.V.’s previous school record was 22-7 1/2 set 20 years ago in 1997 by Terrance Howard at the Burlington County League meet.

Clement is a Florida football commit for the fall of 2018.

OK, this took about two hours, but it’s my first stab at an all-time South Jersey 23-foot list. I found 60 guys who’ve hit 23 feet over the years, a list that goes back to the 1930s. Any errors or omissions, please list details in the comments section!

All-Time South Jersey Long Jump List
26- 8 1/4 … Carl Lewis (Willingboro), 1979
25- 2 …….. Anthony Averett (Woodbury), 2012
25- 0 …….. William Spearman (Woodrow Wilson), 1996
24- 8 1/4 … Gerard Reynolds (Willingboro), 1989
24- 8 ….….. Isaac Samuels (Willingboro-Kennedy), 1983
24-11 1/4 … Anthony Miles (Winslow Twp.), 2002
24- 5 ….….. Mike Morrison (Willingboro), 2003
24- 3 3/4 … Mikhail Micheaux (Eastern), 2013
24- 0 1/2 … Kerry Vivett (Edgewood), 1984
23-11 1/2 … Syteek Farrington (Camden), 2009
23-11 ….….. Preston Beckley (Eastern), 1993
23-11 ….….. Nick Brown (Bridgeton), 1999
23-10 3/4 .. Bob Schuenemann (Collingswood), 1932
23-10 1/4 … Ben Liles (Kingsway), 1992
23-10 …….. Jerry Mathis (Willingboro), 1985
23-10 …….. Steve Harper (Atlantic City), 1993
23- 9 ……… Dave Klemic (Mainland Reg.), 1996
23- 9 ……… Robert Jordan (Millville), 1999
23- 8 1/2 … Dennis Mitchell (Edgewood), 1983
23- 8 1/2 … Lamar Sturdivant (Woodbury), 1996
23- 8 1/2 … Sean McPherson (Delsea), 2010
23- 8 ….….. Jamal Powell (Bridgeton), 1991
23- 7 3/4 … Clem Jones (Vineland), 1968
23- 7 1/2 … Matt Rose (Bordentown), 1984
23- 7 1/4 … Reginald Morton (Oakcrest), 2013
23- 6 1/2 … Ed Loges (Shawnee), 1992
23- 6 1/2 … Reggie Riggs (Pennsauken Tech), 1988
23- 6 …….. Tyler Clybourn (Oakcrest), 2016
23- 6 …….. Chris Gillis (Pennsauken), 2000
23- 5 1/2 … Damiere Byrd (Timber Creek), 2011
23- 5 1/2 … John Meekins (Cinnaminson), 1988
23- 5 1/4 … Chris Vasser (Cape May), 1978
23- 4 1/2 … Bo Melton (Cedar Creek), 2016
23- 4 1/2 … Sean Clifton (Edgewood), 1982
23- 3 1/2 … Tracy Hall (Moorestown), 1977
23- 3 1/4 … Stevenson Cajuste (Egg Harbor Twp.), 2008
23- 3 …….. Kimere Brown (Penns Grove), 2014
23- 3 …….. Jon Dickey (Penns Grove), 1985
23- 3 …….. Bill Conover (Collingswood), 1931
23- 3 …….. Lance Sherer (Vineland), 1978
23- 2 1/2 .. Jamar Byrd (Vineland), 2004
23- 2 1/4 .. Terrence Sorrell (Salem), 1988
23- 2 …….. Quasheem Taylor (Bridgeton), 2015
23- 2 …….. Dave Fairchild (Holy Cross), 1983
23 2 ……… Charles Armstead (Schalick), 1986
23- 2 …….. John Stone (Mainland Reg.), 1997
23- 2 …….. Louis Smith (Burlington Twp.), 1997
23- 1 3/4 … Curtis Wright (Edgewood), 1991
23- 1 3/4 … Marv Forchion (Willingboro), 1986
23- 1 3/4 … Andre Faulcon (Glassboro), 2002
23- 1 ……… Roosevelt Dunmore (Vineland), 1991
23- 1 ……… Jamil Sanders (Bridgeton), 1994
23- 1 ……… Daryll Williams (Deptford), 1996
23- 0 3/4 … Gary Melton (Cedar Creek), 2012
23- 0 1/2 … Iverson Clement (Rancocas Valley), 2017
23- 0 1/2 … Khalil Barge (Camden), 2000
23- 0 1/2 … Gary Moore (Overbook), 1974
23- 0 1/4 … Brian Winchester (Vineland), 2010
23- 0 …….. Dave Still (Glassboro), 2016
23- 0 …….. Adam Kucinski (Highland), 2002
23- 0 …….. Keith Washington (Woodbury), 1978

It’s one of the most remarkable rivalries in New Jersey track history.

Two kids from high schools 10 miles apart along Rte. 130 who both entered high school in the fall of 2010, battled against each other until they were seniors, became two of the top scholastic javelin throwers in the country, went 1-2 at the U.S. junior nationals, finished among the top three at the Pan-Am Junior Nationals, then continued their rivalry in college, where they have both reached NCAAs the last two years, both competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials last year and both finished among the top three two weeks ago in the NCAA.

Incredible!

Curtis Thompson and Chris Mirabelli are two of the top American javelin throwers, and they will be on the same runway on Wednesday for the 29th time … approximately.

Thompson, now a junior at Mississippi State, and Mirabelli, now a junior at Rutgers, compete in the NCAA javelin championships Wednesday at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Thompson is defending champ, although Mirabelli has the superior throw this spring.

We put together as complete a list as possible of all the meets they’ve competed at together over the years, although it doesn’t include dual meets, since nobody keeps records of dual meets. But since Florence and Holy Cross are in different divisions, they may not have ever competed against each other in dual meets.

Anyway, it’s been a riveting rivalry to follow for seven years now, and it’s not going away anytime soon.

For the record, Thompson appears to have a 15-13 lead in the first 28 meetings, which includes meets that both were present at but competing in different divisions.

Who’s turn is it today? We’ll find out soon!

June 3, 2011 [state championships, Old Bridge]*
Thompson 3rd [168-4] (Group 1)
Mirabelli 13th [138-10] (Non-Public A)

April 28, 2012 [Penn Relays Franklin Field]
Mirabelli, 7th [183-7]
Thompson, 12th [175-7]

May 12, 2012 [BCSL, Northern Burlington]
Mirabelli, 1st [180-7] (Patriot Division)
Thompson, 1st [172-7] (Freedom Division)

May 19, 2012 [Burlington County Open, Maple Shade]
Mirabelli, 1st [196-11]
Thompson, 2nd [188-9]

May 26, 2012 [sectionals, Egg Harbor]*
Mirabelli, 2nd [192-2], Non-Public A
Thompson, 1st [179-3], Group 1

June 1, 2012 [states, Egg Harbor]*
Mirabelli, 2nd [192-2], Non-Public A
Thompson, 3rd [182-5], Group 1

June 11, 2012 [Meet of Champions, Old Bridge]
Mirabelli, 4th [185-2]
Thompson, 15th [163-1]

April 5, 2013 [Hall of Fame Relays Small School Division, Maple Shade]
Thompson, 1st [214-7]**
Mirabelli, 2nd [182-5]***

May 11, 2013 [BCSL, Northern Burlington]*
Mirabelli, 1st [201-7] (Patriot Division)
Thompson, 1st [183-8] (Freedom Division)

May 18, 2012 [Burlington County Open, Maple Shade]
Mirabelli, 1st [211-10]
Thompson, 3rd [184-6]

June 4, 2013 [Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
Mirabelli, 2nd [211-7]
Thompson, 4th [186-7]

June 15, 2013 [New Balance Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
Thompson, 3rd [203-5]
Mirabelli, 5th [201-0]

April 5, 2014 [Hall of Fame Relays Small School Division, Maple Shade]
Chris Mirabelli, 1st [191-3]
Curtis Thompson, 2nd [186-3]

April 26, 2014 [Penn Relays]
Curtis Thompson, 2nd [220-5]
Chris Mirabelli, 3rd [207-7]

May 1, 2014 [South Jersey Invitational]
Chris Mirabelli, 1st [216-6]
Curtis Thompson, 2nd [216-5]

May 10, 2014 [Burlington County Scholastic League, Northern Burlington]*
Curtis Thompson, 1st [207-4]
Chris Mirabelli, 1st [205-0]

May 17, 2014 [Burlington County Open, Maple Shade]
Curtis Thompson, 1st [222-8]
Chris Mirabelli, 2nd [214-11]

June 4, 2014 [Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
Curtis Thompson, 1st [224-10]
Chris Mirabelli, 2nd [211-17]

June 14, 2014 [New Balance Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
Curtis Thompson, 3rd [206-6]
Chris Mirabelli, 5th [204-5]

May 29, 2015 [NCAA Division 1 East Preliminary, Jacksonville, Fla.]
Curtis Thompson, 10th [225-6]
Chris Mirabelli, 11th [223-2]

June 12, 2015 [NCAA Championships, Eugene, Ore.]
Curtis Thompson, 3rd [247-5]
Chris Mirabelli, 19th [215-10]

June 27, 2015 [USATF Junior Nationals, Eugene, Ore.]
Curtis Thompson, 1st [237-4]
Chris Mirabelli, 2nd [225-5]

Aug. 2, 2015 [Pan-American Junior Championships, Edmonton, Alberta]
Chris Mirabelli, 1st [238-3]
Curtis Thompson, 3rd [233-3]

May 28, 2016 [NCAA Division 1 East Preliminary, Jacksonville, Fla.]
Curtis Thompson, 7th [228-4]
Chris Mirabelli, 9th [226-3]

June 11, 2016 [NCAA Championships, Eugene, Ore.]
Curtis Thompson, 1st [254-9]
Chris Mirabelli, 17th [229-4]

July 4, 2016 [U.S. Olympic Trials, Eugene, Ore.]
Curtis Thompson, 2nd [271-11]
Chris Mirabelli, 14th [224-4]

May 27, 2017 [NCAA Division 1 East Preliminary, Lexington, Ky.]
Curtis Thompson, 2nd [240-2]
Chris Mirabelli, 3rd [227-0]

* – Same meet, different divisions

Washington Township freshman Kami Joi Hickson has been running consistently well all year, but she enjoyed a massive breakthrough at states, running 2:12.72 to place third in the Group 4 meet at Egg Harbor.

In an incredibly fast race — 13 girls ran 2:16.91 or faster — Hickson finished behind only Ridge senior Brooke Facio (2:11.25) and Kingsway senior Rachel Vick (PR 2:12.28).

Her time was sixth-fastest of all the state championship meets. Final seeds for Saturday’s meet at Northern Burlington should be announced on Tuesday.

Hickson’s previous PR was 2:14.99, when she won indoor states at the Bubble on her way to fourth place in the Meet of Champions. Her outdoor PR was 2:16.29 at Haddonfield Distance Night last month.

Hickson is now less than three seconds away from Michelle Rowen’s 35-year-old school record of 2:10.1, which has always seemed untouchable.

Her time is No. 15 in South Jersey history and fastest in seven years, since another Gloucester County half-miler, Kingsway’s Liz Locke, ran 2:12.63 in 2010.

Curiously, nine of the 18 times in South Jersey history of 2:13.00 or faster were recorded during the six-year period from 2005 through 2010. There were two in the 1980s, three in the 1990s and now just two in the last seven years.

Also interesting that all three South Jersey girls who have run 2:13.00 or faster since 2010 are from Gloucester County — Locke, Vick and Hickson.

Let’s take a look at all-time South Jersey 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
2:10.1h … Michelle Rowen (Washington Twp.), 1982
2:10.57 … Nijgia Snapp (Oakcrest), 2009
2:10.79 … Krista Ferrara (Vineland), 1991
2:10.9h … Ruth Lockbaum (Glassboro), 1985
2:11.07 … Miya Johnson (Lenape), 2007
2:11.56 … Mary Bohi (Seneca), 2009
2:12.0h … Monica Olkowski (Cherokee), 1990
2:12.28 … Rachel Vick (Kingsway), 2017
2:12.61 … Felicia O’Donnell (Delsea), 2009
2:12.63 … Liz Locke (Kingsway), 2010
2:12.72 … Kami Jo Hickson (Washington Twp.), 2017
2:12.83 … Brooke Kott (Millville), 2008
2:12.85 … Greta Feldman (Haddonfield), 2008

The Deptford boys won the state Group 3 400-meter relay title and in the process established themselves as favorites for the Meet of Champions.

Deptford ran 41.71, matching Salem for the top time in New Jersey this year and moving into a tie for the No. 11 spot in South Jersey history.

Sophomores Khion Smith and Tyriq Bundy and seniors Jaythan Vereen and Mar-Quel Davis, a medalist in the 100, ran for Deptford, which lowered its own Gloucester County record of 41.89 set in April at the Penn Relays.

Six other schools ran sub-42.8 at the various state meets, led by Perth Amboy (41.96), Neptune (42.05), Pennsauken (42.07) and Rancocas Valley (42.12). Franklin Township (42.25) and Salem (42.55) were next-fastest.

Deptford’s time is No. 11 in South Jersey history but No. 16 in state history, which tells you how much South Jersey has dominated the race over the years.

All-Time New Jersey 400-Meter Relay List
40.92 .. Winslow, 2003
41.0h … Plainfield, 1980
41.09 … Camden, 2000
41.2h … Weequahic, 1972
41.25 … Camden, 2004
41.25 … Camden, 2001
41.45 … Timber Creek, 2014
41.46 … Franklin Twp., 2016
41.50 … Timber Creek, 2013
41.52 … Plainfield, 1998
41.54 … Camden, 2002
41.62 … Camden, 2003
41.64 … Winslow Twp., 2004
41.65 … Trenton, 1999
41.69 … Willingboro, 1991
41.71 … Edgewood, 2000
41.71 … Salem, 2017
41.71 … Deptford, 2017
41.71 … Teaneck, 2010
41.72 … Plainfield, 1998
41.74 … Rahway, 1985
41.5h … Westfield, 1978
41.80 … Oakcrest, 2012
41.82 … Neptune, 2009
41.83 … Camden, 1997
41.83 … Westfield, 1977
41.83 … Camden, 1997
41.83 … Oakcrest, 2011
41.85 … Pennsauken, 2016
41.86 … Pennsauken, 2017
41.6h … Montclair, 1984
41.6h … Montclair, 1972
41.91 … Irvington, 2005
41.7h … Camden, 1996
41.7h … Edgewood, 2001
41.96 ,.. Perth Amboy, 2017
41.98 … Plainfield, 2000

All-Time South Jersey 400-Meter Relay List
40.92 … Winslow, 2003
41.09 … Camden, 2000
41.25 … Camden, 2004
41.25 … Camden, 2001
41.45 … Timber Creek, 2014
41.50 … Timber Creek, 2013
41.54 … Camden, 2002
41.62 … Camden, 2003
41.64 … Winslow Twp., 2004
41.69 … Willingboro, 1991
41.71 … Edgewood, 2000
41.71 … Salem, 2017
41.71 … Deptford, 2017
41.80 … Oakcrest, 2012
41.83 … Camden, 1997
41.83 … Camden, 1997
41.83 … Oakcrest, 2011
41.85 … Pennsauken, 2016
41.86 … Pennsauken, 2017
41.7h … Camden, 1996
41.7h … Edgewood, 2001

 

Winslow sophomore Tionna Tobias, who’s been knocking on the door of 19 feet since an 18-9 at Easterns in the winter of her freshman year, finally surpassed the 19-foot barrier Saturday as part of a double win at states.

Tobias won the long jump with a 19-3 and also won the high jump at 5-4. Her previous long jump PR was an 18-10 3/4 at last year’s Woodbury Relays, which actually only got her second behind Asia Young’s 19-2 1/4 for Holy Spirit.

She moved into the No. 7 spot in South Jersey history and No. 22 in state history.

Tobias’s season best before Saturday was 18-10 two weeks ago to win the Olympic Conference American Division title.

Tobias helped Winslow roar to the state Group 3 title, doubling up second-place West Essex by a 76-38 margin.

The title is Winslow’s sixth in school history and fifth in a row in Group 3, with the 2015 championship shared with Northern Highlands. Winslow also won Group 4 in 2004.

Only seven schools have won more state girls titles — Notre Dame (12), Pope John XXIII (12), Columbia (10), Glen Rock (seven), Haddonfield (seven), Pingry (seven) and Red Bank Catholic (seven).

Here’s the latest all-time state long jump performance list:

21­-7 ¾ …… Carol Lewis (Willingboro), 1980
20-11 ¾ … Keturah Orji (Mount Olive), 2014
20­-9 ………. Clair Connor (Rahway), 1984
20-2 ………. Keturah Orji (Mount Olive), 2013
20­-0 ½ ….. Teneacia Smith (Cherry Hill East), 1992
20­-0 ½ ….. Cassandra Grant (Passaic), 1980
20-0 ……… Caitlyn Salisbury (Hawthorne), 2016
19-9 ¼ ….. Cidae’a Woods (Winslow Twp.), 2013
19­-8 ¾ ….. Demeika Tweedy (Plainfield), 1993
19­-6 ………. Sharon Johnson (Newark Central), 1982
19-5 ¾ …… Tatiyanna Sanders (Paramus Catholic), 2014
19-5 ¼ …… Mariah Browne (South Brunswick), 2010
19-5 ………. Essence Mayers (Lakewood), 2010
19-5 ……… Nyamekye Opoku-Agyemang (Union), 2017
19­-4 ¾ ….. LaShonda Carter (Rahway), 2006
19-4 ¾ ….. Gabrielle Farquharson (Williamstown), 2011
19­-4 ………. Jen McDermott (Ridgewood), 1989
19-4 ………. Linda Hayes (Monmouth), 1985
19-4 ………. Emily Carson (Haddonfield), 2012
19-3 ¾ …….Hannah Taylor (Montgomery), 2016
19­-3 ½ ….. Celeste Holder (Parisppany), 2005
19-3 ………. Tionna Tobias (Winslow Twp.), 2017
19-2 ¾ …….Asia Young (Holy Spirit), 2016
19-2 ½ ……Gabrielle Bennett (Winslow Twp.), 2015
19-2 ¼ ……Chino Anukwuem (Hanover Park), 2016
19­-2 ………. Robin Taylor (Deptford), 1980
19-1 ¾ …… Timia Joseph (Morris Knolls), 2016
19­-1 ½ ……. Carlene Cummings (Englewood), 1997
19-1 ¼ ……. Kelsey Viera (Hillsborough), 2015
19-1 ¼ …….Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic), 2015
19­-1 ……….. Nena Moore Cherry Hill W), 1995
19­-1 ………. Alaina Alfano (Hanover Park), 2005
19-1 ………. Yvonne Wolef (Middle Twp.), 2012
19-1 ………. Tiffany Bautista (Paramus Catholic), 2017
19­-0 ¾ …… Jen Schweizer (Morris Knolls), 1989
19-0 ¼ ….. Morgan McLaughlin (Union Catholic), 2012
19-0 ¼ …… Jasmine Staten (Lenape), 2016
19­-0 ………. Leticia Beverly (Newark Central), 1984
19-0 ………. Adriene Davis (Newark Central), 1988
19-0 ………. Danielle Grady (Notre Dame), 1996

Bishop Eustace sophomore Connor Melko trimmed more than four seconds off his personal-best and placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run at the state Non-Public A meet this weekend at Egg Harbor.

Melko ran 4:17.99, fastest by a South Jersey sophomore in eight years!

The last soph to run faster was Ben Potts of Haddonfield, who ran 4:14.14 back in 2009.

Melko’s previous PR was a 4:22.04 at the Camden County meet last month at Haddon Township.

Previous Eustace school record was 4:19.91 by Anthony Morelli at a meet at Holmdel in May of 2014.

Melko placed fourth in the Non-Public A race behind David Rosas of Don Bosco [4:15.35] and CBA’s Drake Anzano [4:16.64] and Noah Yuro [4:16.84].

His time is 14th-fastest from all the state meets over the weekend and second-fastest among sophomores. The only faster sophomore was Devin Hart of Point Pleasant Beach, who won the state Group 2 title in a ridiculous 4:09.49.

Melko, who won the 1,600 and 3,200 at the state non-Public B indoor meet, ranks No. 2 in South Jersey this year, behind only Shawnee senior Mark Miller, who has a 4:16.86 to his credit. Miller was also the only South Jersey miler to run faster than Melko at states. He was fourth in Group 4 with a 4:17.36.

 

Here are links to full results for the six meets held this weekend at Egg Harbor:

Boys Group 2: Click here.
Boys Group 3: Click here.
Boys Non-Public B: Click here.

Girls Group 2: Click here.
Girls Group 3: Click here.
Girls Non-Public B: Click here.

Team scores: Click here.

The Rancocas Valley girls broke their school record set earlier this year and won a state title in the 400-meter relay Saturday at Egg Harbor.

R.V. ran 47.83, which is No. 16 in South Jersey history but only 8-100ths of a second off the top-10.

The previous school record was 48.18 at the Penn Relays in April.

Even without Aliyah Taylor, who is hurt, Rancocas Valley out-raced second-place Piscataway, which ran 48.14.

Seniors Marissa Francis, Jonise Ledbetter and Sydne Nance and sophomore Maryann Minus-Vincent recorded the first state title for the R.V. girls program since Erika Kemp won the 3,200 in 2013.

It was the first relay title ever for the Rancocas Valley girls, who finished sixth in team scoring with 22 points.

Here’s the all-time South Jersey 400-meter relay list:

46.87 … Eastern, 2003
46.9h … Willingboro, 1980
47.05 … Winslow Twp., 2017
47.18 … Winslow Twp., 2013
47.3h … Willingboro, 1981
47.45 … Willingboro, 1994
47.54 … Winslow Twp., 2003
47.4h … Camden,, 1978
47.4y … Camden, 1979
47.75 … Eastern, 2002
47.76 … Winslow Twp., 2005
47.76 … Winslow Twp., 2012
47.78 … Delsea, 2017
47.8h … Willingboro, 2003
47.82 …Moorestown, 2000
47.83 … Rancocas Valley, 2017
47.85 … Deptford, 2015
47.87 … Winslow Twp., 2011
47.9h … Willingboro, 1995
47.94 … Camden, 2000
48.0h … Camden, 1995
48.0h … Wilson, 2008
48.03 … Penns Grove, 2014
48.07 … Camden, 2006
48.08 … Winslow Twp., 2004
48.08 … Willingboro, 2009
48.09 … Lakewood, 2000
48.1h … Willingboro, 1979
48.12 … Washington Twp., 2001
48.14 … Camden, 1997
48.23 … Wilson, 2006
48.23 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2015
48.24 … Camden, 2008