What makes Clayton’s sectional sweep so unique is that neither the Clayton boys or Clayton girls track teams had ever won a sectional title.

Now they both have.

Clayton became the first Gloucester County school to record a sectional sweep since Delsea in Group 2 in 2010 and the first in Group 1 since Paulsboro in 1997.

The Clayton boys, led by the remarkable TerMeir Hill’s insane quad win, won their first sectional title ever, 97-81, over Audubon. 

The Clayton girls, led by the Sharpe sisters, won 113-95 over Schalick, with the Sharpe triplets scoring 82 points. All 113 of Clayton’s points came on the track.

Let’s take a look at this historic weekend for the Clipper:

BOYS

100-METER DASH: Hill ran a PR 10.88 to win the 100, senior Justin Gibson ran a PR 11.05 to take second and senior Dominck Bishop took fifth in a PR 11.37 for a whopping 20 points. This was the first 1-2 sectional finish ever by Clayton.

200-METER DASH: Hill and Gibson again went 1-2, Hill winning in 22.59 and Gibson second at 22.63 for 18 more points. This was the second 1-2 sectional finish ever by Clayton.

400-METER HURDLES: Senior Giorgio Bruno placed third in 57.76, a two-second PR. It was a crazy finish, with Salem’s Bobby Arnold III, Pitman’s Jonathan Zubert and Bruno all placing within 12-100ths of a second of each other.

400-METER RELAY: Bishop, Bruno, Gibson and Hill ran 43.55 for the win, the fastest time in the state this year in Group 1.

1,600-METER RELAY: The same quarter ran 3:30.06 for another relay win.

DISCUS: Junior Shane Thompson, a first-year thrower, threw 136-8, nearly 30 feet beyond his listed PR of 109-1 from the Deptford Spartan Relays last month. Junior Marques Hall added two points with a fifth-place finish at 122-5.

LONG JUMP: Hill won his third straight sectional long jump title – 2018, 2019, 2021 – with a monster 23-6 1/2 jump, more than a foot over his previous PR of 22-1 and just two inches shy of the meet record of 23-8 1/2 by Lamar Sturdivant of Woodbury in 1996. It was the best jump in any South Jersey section in nine years, since Reginald Morton of Oakcrest won Group 3 at 23-7 in 2012. We’ll have more on Hill’s incredible weekend later this week!

TRIPLE JUMP: Another PR for Hill with a two-inch win over Arnold at 44-6 3/4. His previous PR was a 44-3 1/2 at the 2019 sectionals. Junior Justin Pessoa placed sixth for Clayton with a 41-0.

GIRLS

100-METER DASH: Arianna Sharpe ran 12.61 for the win and Ariel Sharpe took fourth in 12.99.

200-METER DASH: Amirah, Arianna and Ariel swept the 200 in 25.3, 25.53 and 25.55 for 24 huge points.

400-METER DASH: The Sharpe sisters swept the 400, Amirah winning in 56.24, Arianna 57.35 for second and Ariel 58.61 for third and 24 more points.

800-METER RUN: Amirah recorded her third win of the weekend with an unpressed 2:20.54 win.

100-METER HURDLES: Sophomore Rafael Marshall ran a huge PR of 15.85 for the win.

400-METER HURDLES: Amirah Sharpe ran 1:04.20 for the win.

400-METER RELAY: Even without a Sharpe, Clayton won in 51.64 with Marshall, Erica Thomas, Kelsey Thomas and Ciera Smith.

1,.600-METER RELAY: Ariel and Arianna Sharpe were joined by Kelsey Thomas and Erica Thomas and ran 4:05.64.

3,200-METER RELAY: Tori Millward, Erica Thomas, Skylah Surren and Kelsey Thomas ran 11:28.59 for sixth place.

Led by seniors Shevell Higgs and Olivia Wright, junior Jaia James and sophomore Janelle Marshall, the Winslow girls raced to their state-record eighth straight sectional title this weekend, a streak that would be nine if there had been a meet last year.

Winslow, which hasn’t lost a sectional since 2012, outscored Timber Creek 110 1/2-66 to win the South Jersey Group 3 meet at Delsea.

Higgs, Wright, James and Marshall combined for three firsts, three seconds, a third, three fourths and two fifths in addition to their relay duty. 

With their eighth consecutive title, Winslow now has the longest streak in South Jersey history. They had been tied with Woodbury, which won seven straight in Group 1 from 1976 through 1982.

The Eagles are now tied with Columbia for the longest streak in state history. Columbia won eight straight North Section 2 Group 4 titles from 1998 through 1998.

Winslow has now won 13 sectional titles overall, including three as Edgewood (Group 3 in 1978 and Group 4 in 1983 and 1985) along with Group 4 in 2004 and 2005. 

And this title, like most of the others, wasn’t close.

Here’s a look at the team scores during their eight-meet winning streak and Winslow’s margin of victory:

2013: Winslow 148 3/4, Kingsway 75 1/2 [73 1/4]
2014: Winslow 140, Delsea 101 [39]
2015: Winslow 97, Delsea 68 [29]
2016: Winslow 104, Absegami 96 [8]
2017: Winslow 120, Timber Creek 63 [57]
2018: Winslow 141, Mainland Regional 57 1/2 [83 1/2]
2019: Winslow 127, Timber Creek 75 [52] 
2021: Winslow 110 1/2, Timber Creek 66 [44 1/2]

That’s an average margin of victory of 48.28 points per meet!

Let’s take a look at how Winslow piled up 110 1/2 points this weekend!

Senior Shevell Higgs: Second in 100-meter hurdles (15.02), second in triple jump (36-2 1/2), fourth in high jump (4-10), fifth in long jump (16-6 1/2).
Junior Jaia James: First in 100-meter dash (12.22), first in 200 (25.43), leg on 2nd-place 4-by-1 (50.57), leg on 1st-place 4-by-4 (4:06.89).
Senior Olivia Wright: First in triple jump (37-2 1/2), leg on 1st-place 4-by-4 (4:06.89), fourth in long jump (16-7), fifth in high jump (4-10).
Sophomore Janelle Marshall: Second in the intermediate hurdles (1:07.20), third in the 200 (25.73), fourth in the 400 (58.76).
Junior Jordan James: Third in triple jump (35-1).
Sophomore Briyel Brown: Fifth in the 100 (12.76), leg on 1st-place 4-by-4 (4:06.89), leg on 2nd-place 4-by-1 (50.57).
Junior Charly Dutton: Sixth in the 800 (2:24.51), leg on 1st-place 4-by-4 (4:06.89), leg on 2nd-place 4-by-8 (10:25.66).
Junior Kya Robinson: Leg on 2nd-place 4-by-1 (50.57).
Junior Naomi Essilfie: Leg on 2nd-place 4-by-1 (50.57).
Junior Victoria Campbell: Leg on 2nd-place 4-by-8 (10:25.66).
Junior Catherine Enwereji: Leg on 2nd-place 4-by-8 (10:25.66).
Sophomore Ciara Wiltshire: Leg on 2nd-place 4-by-8 (10:25.66).

Sophomore quad winner Bryce Tucker and his insanely young Pennsauken teammates won the Central Jersey Group 3 1,600-meter relay Saturday to wrap up the school’s first sectional title in 16 years.

With freshmen and sophomores piling up 104 of their 116 points, Pennsauken outscored second-place Colts Neck 116-77.

Sophomores Ejani Shakir, Kahlil Ali, Premier Wynn and Tucker ran 3:24.87 to win the 1,600-meter relay by 30 meters and put a giant exclamation point on an incredible two days at Jackson Liberty.

This is Pennsauken’s second sectional title and first since the Indians won South Jersey Group 4 in 2005 by a 98-70 count over Winslow Township at Egg Harbor.

Pennsauken did not score a point in the last sectional meet, held two years ago.

First of all, congrats to senior Chris Weaver, who placed second in the javelin and fourth in the triple jump for Pennsauken, the Indians’ only point scorer who’s not a sophomore or junior.

But the nucleus of this terrific Pennsauken team, coached by Clinton Tabb, consists of Tucker, Ali, Wynn, Shakir and freshman Elijah Jenkins, who had a hand in 98 of Pennsauken’s 108 points.

Those five freshmen and sophomores combined for three first (all by Tucker) along with a second, four thirds, a fourth and six legs on winning relay teams.

Let’s take a look at how Pennsauken won Central Jersey Group 3: 

BRYCE TUCKER, SOPHOMORE [40 points]
1st 400-meter intermediate hurdles [55.31]
1st 400-meter dash [48.89]
1st 800-meter run [1:59.12]
1st 1,600-meter relay [3:24.87]

KAHLIL ALI, SOPHOMORE [34 points]
2nd triple jump [42-2]
1st 400-meter relay [43.19]
1st 1,600-meter relay [3:24.87]
3rd long jump [20-1 1/2]

PREMIER WYNN, SOPHOMORE [34 points]
2nd 400-meter intermediate hurdles [56.51]
4th 400-meter dash [49.89]
1st 400-meter relay [43.19]
1st 1,600-meter relay [3:24.87]

ELIJAH JENNINGS, FRESHMAN [30 points]
3rd 100-meter dash [10.98] (10.90 in trials)
1st 400-meter relay [43.19]
4th 200-meter dash [22.53]
1st 1,600-meter relay [3:24.87]

EJANI SHAKIR, SOPHOMORE [22 points]
3rd 400-meter dash [49.64]
1st 400-meter relay [43.19]
3rd 200-meter dash [21.90]

CHRIS WEAVER, SENIOR [12 points]
2nd javelin
4th triple jump [41-3 1/2]

LADANIAN MCGRATH, FRESHMAN [6 points]
3rd 3,200-meter relay [8:38.94]

JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ, SOPHOMORE [6 points]
3rd 3,200-meter relay [8:38.94]

NOUMAN FARHAT, SOPHOMORE [6 points]
3rd 3,200-meter relay [8:38.94]

JOEL OQUENDO, SOPHOMORE [6 points]
3rd 3,200-meter relay [8:38.94]

 

Seneca senior Julia Greeley moved into the all-time South Jersey top-10 in the pole vault Saturday at the South Jersey Group 3 sectionals.

Greeley cleared 11-9 on her first attempt, the https://sjtrackblog.com/2020/05/13/unraveling-a-girls-pole-vault-mystery-and-the-all-time-s-j-outdoor-girls-p-v-top-50/.\

Her 11-9 clearances is No. 6 in South Jersey history and matches the No. 4 mark in South Jersey sectional history.

Here’s the updated all-time South Jersey top-10, with five of the top seven from Burlington County.

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
11-10 … Kaitlin Dermen [Millville], 2014
11- 9 … Julia Greeley [Seneca], 2021
11- 6 … Lauren Tauscher [Moorestown], 2007
11- 4 … Melissa Gale [Millville], 2006
11- 3 … Jennifer Scott [Haddonfield], 2019
11- 2 … Tracey Masterson [Mainland Reg.], 2012 

Greeley’s previous PR was 11-0, which she cleared indoors at the 2019 Meet of Champions and again twice this spring. Her mark is No. 3 in the state this year.

Greeley passed the first six heights, then cleared 10-0 on her first attempt. Through 10 feet, Greeley and senior Birdie Stewart of Ocean City were both clean, although Stewart was in the lead because she had a clearance at 9-6.

But Greeley sailed over the bar on her first attempt at 10-6 and when Stewart missed her third attempt, Greeley had the sectional title.

Greeley had the bar raised to 11-0, which she cleared on her first try and then up to 11-3, which she made on her third attempt. 

On her seventh vault of the day, she cleared a PR 11-6 on her first attempt and then had the bar raised to 11-9, which she also cleared on her first try.

She finally went out at 12 feet, which she missed three times.

Even with last year’s sectionals wiped out, Greeley is a repeat winner. She won the 2019 title at 10-6. 

Here’s where Greeley’s 11-9 ranks on the all-time South Jersey sectional list:

12-3 … Chelsea Vaughan [Southern Regional], SJ-4, 2012
12-1 … Jen Holly [Barnaget], SJ-3, 2008
12-0 … Ashley Preston [Delsea], SJ-3, 2018
11-9 … Brittney Raffo [Seneca], SJ-3, 2016
11-9 … Ashley Furlong [Southern Regional], SJ-4, 2007
11-9 … Julia Greeley [Seneca], SJ-3, 2021

With Colleen McDowell in 2011, Raffo in 2016 and 2017 and Greeley in 2019 and 2021, Seneca vaulters have now won five sectional titles in the last 11 years. 

The young Pennsauken team continues to pile up the points in Central Jersey Group 3, getting 10 points in back-to-back events.

Following sophomore Bryce Tucker’s 800 win, freshman Elijah Jennings, sophomore Ejani Shakir, sophomore Kahlil Ali and sophomore Premier Wynn ran a season-best 43.19 to win the 400-meter relay.

Then Shakir and Jennings went 3-5 in a fast 200, Shakir running 21.90 and Jennings a personal-best 22.53.

With four events to go, Pennsauken holds a 15-point lead over Colts Neck at 92-77.

Kyle Rakitis did it again!

The Kingsway junior edged Southern Regional’s Jackson Braddock by 5-100ths of a second Saturday at sectionals, Rakitis winning in 1:53.13 over Braddock’s 1:53.18.

Both raced under the South Jersey Group 4 record of 1:53.51 set by Washington Township’s Xavier Fraction in 2009 at Egg Harbor.

Both also ran the fastest time in any group at South Jersey sectionals since Pleasantville’s Jacob Clark ran 1:53.12 to win Group 2 in 2012 at Buena.

On Friday, Rakitis and Braddock both ran under the all-section record in the 1,600, Rakitis with 4:08.58 and Braddock at 4:08.65, although Braddock was disqualified on a horrible  call for impeding Rakitis down the homestretch.

Earlier Saturday, Braddock again ran under a sectional record, winning the 3,200 in 8:55.46. Rakitis, with his eye on the 800 later in the day, was second in 9:26.61, setting up the third showdown of the weekend between New Jersey’s two fastest middle-distance runners.

Braddock wasn’t even planning to run the 800 but after the 1,600 DQ asked his coach to run to make up the team points he lost in the 1,600.

In the 800, Rakitis lowered his PR of 1:53.41, which he ran two weeks ago at Haddonfield Distance Night. Braddock’s previous 800 PR was 1:53.69 at the Ocean County Championships at Jackson Liberty last month.

Rakitis’s 800 time is fastest this spring by a South Jersey runner and No. 27 in South Jersey history. His 1,600 is No. 2 in South Jersey history.

He also moved up to No. 5 in Gloucester County history with the fastest time in seven years:

1:49.72 … Rich Caton [Woodbury], 1979
1:49.74 … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 1997
1:51.02 … Derrell Manhertz [Kingsway], 2013
1:52.76 … Kevin Cianfarini [West Deptford], 2014
1:53.04 … Xavier Fraction [Washington Twp.], 2009
1:53.18 … Kyle Rakitis [Kingsway], 2021
1:53.44y … Tony Uzdavines [Williamstown], 1977
1:53.43 … Bill Dolan [Clearview], 2014
1:53.49 … Steve Butenewicz [Delsea Reg.], 2011
1:53.54y … Wayne Jenkins [Deptford], 1968
1:53.61 … Steve Morrone [Washington Twp.], 2010

The Haddonfield girls piled up 24 huge points in the 800 Saturday with. Super-fast sweet.

Seniors Allison Colflesh, Olivia Stoner and Lindsay Colflesh all ran sub-2:16 in taking the top three spots at the South Jersey Group 2 sectionals at Delsea.

http://milesplit.live/meets/427916/events/30/F/F

Allison Colflesh repeated her win from 2019, winning in 2:14.77, just under her previous PR of 2:14.81 from last month’s Haddonfield Invitational. Stoner was second in 2:15.25, lowering her PR from 2:15.44 from the Camden County Championships last month at Haddon Township. And Lindsay Colflesh ran 2:15.97 to finish off the 1-2-3 sweep.

Delsea senior Carly Nicholson made it four under 2:18 with a 2:17.16 for fourth place. Her previous PR was 2:17.98 from the 2018 Gloucester County Championships at Delsea.

http://milesplit.live/meets/427916/events/30/F/F

Early Saturday, senior Sarah Naticchia won the 3,200 in 11:01.62, sophomore Helene Usher took third in 11:37.81 and senior Payton Weiner ran 11:51.00 for fourth for 20 points.

http://milesplit.live/meets/427916/events/22/F/F

On Friday, Haddonfield also went 1-3-4 in the 1,600, with senior Sarah Naticchia running 5:01.93, Allison Colflesh third in 5:05.27 and Stoner fourth at 5:07.74. Nicholson was second with a PR 5:04.57. 

http://milesplit.live/meets/427916/events/6/F/F

Through the 800 Haddonfield already had 107 points, 63 more than Delsea. Haddonfield scored 64 in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200.

It was a busy Day 1 of sectionals for Highland senior Floyd Whitaker, who scored 28 points in three events at the South Jersey Group 3 meet.

Whitaker won the high jump at 6-4, won the triple jump at 48-0 and placed second in the 400-meter hurdles with a 57.97 behind Julian Rodriguez of Deptford, who ran 56.02.

Highland leads Toms River South 44-40 with Deptford third at 37 points going into Saturday’s Day 2 at Delsea.

Whitaker’s 28 points would put him single-handedly fourth in team scoring in SJ-3.

Whitaker also won the triple jump last year. He’s the first Highland athlete to win the same event in back-to-back years at sectionals since high jumper Reggie Williams in Group 4 in 1996 and 1997.

The 6-4 matches a career-best for Whitaker, who also cleared 6-4 in a meet at Deptford last month. His 48-0 is a season best in the triple jump and No. 2 in the state this year, behind Mount Olive’s A.J. McKay, who hit 48-7 in a meet at Morris Hills last month.

Whitaker averaged 46-9 on five legal attempts in the triple jump. He had the five-best jumps of the competition. 

Whitaker will compete in either the long jump or 110-meter hurdles on Saturday.

Here’s a handy look at team scoring after one day for all 14 meets involving South Jersey schools.

Click on the heading for complete results from that meet!

Day 1 Team Scoring
Boys
South Jersey Group 1 at Washington Township [5 events scored]
1) Audubon 31
2) Clayton 26
3) Salem 16
3) Woodstown 16
5) Woodbury 15
6) Paulsboro 12
7) Haddon Township 10
8) Glassboro 8
8) Pitman 8
10) Maple Shade 5
11) Palmyra 4
12) Buena Regional 1

South Jersey Group 2 at Delsea [8 events scored]
1) Manchester Township 36
2) Delsea Regional 31
3) Manasquan 28
4) Haddon Heights 22
4) Pemberton Township 22
6) Sterling 19
7) Lower Cape May Regional 16
8) Haddonfield Memorial 15
9) Cinnaminson 13
10) Collingswood 11
11) Oakcrest 10
12) Delran 8
13) Barnegat Township 7
14) Pleasantville 6
15) Cedar Creek 2
15) West Deptford 2

South Jersey Group 3 at Delsea [8 events scored]
1) Highland Reg 44
2) Toms River South 40
3) Deptford 37
4) Timber Creek Reg. 22
5) Ocean City 19
6) Toms River East 17
7) Absegami 13
8) Bridgeton 12
9) Moorestown 10
10) Hammonton 9
11) Mainland Regional 8
11) Winslow Township 8
11) Cherry Hill West 8
14) Seneca 1

South Jersey Group 4 at Washington Township [5 events scored]
1) Cherokee 30
2) Rancocas Valley Reg 23
3) Egg Harbor Twp 20
4) Millville 14
4) Kingsway 14
6) Southern Regional 13
7) Lenape Regional 10
7) Toms River North 10
9) Washington Twp 9
10) Eastern Regional 8
11) Cherry Hill East 4

Central Jersey Group 1 at Long Branch [7 events scored]
1) Roselle Park 40
2) Shore Regional 35
2) Asbury Park 35
4) Willingboro 28
5) Highland Park 20
6) Dunellen 14
7) Middlesex 12
8) Manville 10
9) Burlington City 9
10) Riverside 6
10) Bound Brook 6
12) South Amboy 1
12) South Hunterdon 1

Central Jersey Group 2 at Jackson Liberty [5 events scored]
1) Rumson-Fair Haven 53
2) Rahway 22
3) Robbinsville 18
4) Roselle – Abraham Clark H 12
5) Metuchen 11
6) Matawan Reg. 9
7) Bordentown Regional 8
7) A. L. Johnson 8
9) Raritan 6
10) Monmouth Reg. 2
10) Voorhees 2
10) North Plainfield 2
13) Hillside 1
13) Wall HS

Central Jersey Group 3 at Jackson Liberty [6 events scored]
1) Pennsauken 50
2) Colts Neck 28
3) West Windsor-Plainsboro North 26
4) Burlington Twp. 15
5) Hamilton North – Nottingha 13
6) Ocean Township 10
7) Middletown South 9
8) Lawrence 8
8) Allentown 8
10) Brick Township 6
10) Hamilton West 6
12) Ewing 4
13) Lakewood 2
14) Hamilton East – Steinert 1

Girls
South Jersey Group 1 at Washington Township [5 events scored]
1) Clayton 49
2) Haddon Township 28
2) A P Schalick 28
4) Audubon 16
5) Penns Grove 8
6) Pennsville 7
7) Pitman 6
7) Palmyra 6
9) Woodstown 5
10) Buena Regional 1
10) Maple Shade 1

South Jersey Group 2 at Delsea [9 events scored]
1) Haddonfield Memorial 63
2) Delsea Regional 36
3) Manchester Township 31
4) Sterling 23
5) Collingswood 20
6) Middle Township 18
7) Pt. Pleasant Boro 15
8) West Deptford 14
9) Barnegat Township 12
9) Cedar Creek 12
11) Pleasantville 10
12) Cinnaminson 9
13) Haddon Heights 8
14) Oakcrest 7
15) Lower Cape May Regional 1

South Jersey Group 3 at Delsea [9 events scored]
1) Toms River South 38
1) Winslow Township 38
3) Absegami 29
4) Seneca 24
5) Mainland Regional 22
5) Timber Creek Reg. 22
7) Ocean City 20
8) Triton Regional 15
9) Highland Reg 14
9) Toms River East 14
11) Central Reg 13
12) Hammonton 12
13) Bridgeton 814) Deptford 6
15) Cherry Hill West 2
15) Moorestown 2

South Jersey Group 4 at Washington Township [5 events scored]
1) Egg Harbor Twp 35
2) Rancocas Valley Reg 31
3) Cherokee 27
4) Washington Twp 14
5) Toms River North 10
6) Clearview Reg. 9
7) Southern Regional 8
7) Eastern Regional 8
9) Cherry Hill East 6
10) Kingsway 5
11) Lenape Regional 2

Central Jersey Group 1 at Long Branch [7 events scored]
1) Shore Regional 72
2) South Hunterdon 28
3) Florence Twp 21
4) Highland Park 18
5) New Egypt 16
6) Manville 14
6) Willingboro 14
8) Burlington City 13
9) Middlesex 9
10) Bound Brook 4
11) South Amboy 2
11) Roselle Park 2
13) Henry Hudson Reg 1

Central Jersey Group 2 at Jackson Liberty [7 events scored]
1) Rumson-Fair Haven 40
2) Holmdel 39
3) Metuchen 36
4) Matawan Reg. 22
5) Voorhees 15
6) Carteret 14
6) Raritan 14
8) Delaware Valley 10
9) South Plainfield 8
10) Robbinsville 7
11) Governor Livingston 6
12) Hillside 4
13) Rahway 2

Central Jersey Group 3 at Jackson Liberty [7 events scored]
1) Hopewell Valley 56
2) Colts Neck 51
3) Allentown 22
4) Burlington Twp. 16
4) Pennsauken 16
6) Middletown South 11
7) West Windsor-Plainsboro North 10
8) Hamilton West 8
8) Jackson Liberty 8
10) Brick Township 7
11) Red Bank Regional 4
11) Northern Burlington Reg. 4
13) Ewing 3
14) Ocean Township 1

Josh Forrest used a 59.4 final lap to run away from a crowded 1,600 field and win his first sectional title.

Forrest, a Collingswood senior, ran a personal-best 4:20.02 to win the South Jersey Group 2 race at Delsea.

The top five runners finished within 15 meters of each other, and all five closed in 62.3 or faster.

The lead group included Forrest, Delsea senior Dawson Baptiste, Lower Cape May Regional junior Zeb Hinker, Haddonfield junior Tobias Janssen, West Deptford junior Jacob Cobb and Collingswood senior Owen Marish.

The whole group went out crazy slow, coming through 400 meters in 68 and 800 in 2:15 heavy. All six picked it up on the third lap, the entire group splitting between 65.1 and 65.8.

Coming through 1,200 meters, here’s what the pack looked like:

Cobb: 3:20.78
Baptiste: 3:20.80
Marish: 3:21.02
Janssen: 3:21.05
Hinker: 3:21.21
Forest: 3:21.50

It was the ultimate kicker’s race, but when the whole field has a good kick things get really interesting.

Forrest closed in 59.54 for the win in 4:20.02, Baptiste closed in 60.75 and took second in a PR 4:21.54, Hinker ran his final lap in 61.23 for a big PR of 4:22.43, Janssen ran 61.65 for 4:22.69 and Cobb closed in 62.32 for a 4:23.08. Marish, a first-year track runner, also PR’d at 4:27.16.

Forrest became Collingswood’s first sectional champion on the track since another miler, Kevin Hoopes, won the Group 2 1,600 in 1989 in 4:32.8.