Track and field gets no respect, I tell ya.

Fourteen years ago, future Olympian Nia Ali of Pleasantville shattered the South Jersey record in the high hurdles when she ran 13.65 at the 2006 National Scholastic Championships in Greensboro, N.C. But because it didn’t happen in South Jersey, it was treated by the local media like a non-story.

In fact, the only area paper that even mentioned the remarkable performance wrote a grand total of 26 words about her historic race and couldn’t even get the event right!  No respect!

Ali was an All-America heptathlete at Tennessee before transferring to USC and focusing on the hurdles. She’s a two-time World Championships indoor gold medalist, an outdoor World Champion and in 2016 the Olympic silver medalist.

With her 12.34 at last year’s World Championships in Doha, Qatar, Ali is No. 9 in world history and No. 4 in U.S. history.

Ali, who grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, only attended Pleasantville for one year, but her 12.34 has stood for 14 years now as the South Jersey record. She broke the mark previously held by Nichole Hill of Oakcrest, who ran 13.72 when she won the 1997 National Scholastic Championships in Raleigh.

Here’s the all-time top-50 list. Corrections and additions hit me up in the comment’s section!

All-Time S.J. Girls 100-Meter Hurdles List

13.65 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
13.67 … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2019
13.72 … Nichole Hill [Oakcrest], 1997
13.79 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow], 2012
13.84 … Lenaami Morton [Camden], 2017
13.85 … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1980
13.85 … Sherese Price [Pleasantville], 1998
13.88 … Zonya Cross [Edgewood], 1983
13.98 … Cidae’a Woods [Winslow], 2014
13.99 … Imani Gilliam [Pennsauken], 2004
13.99 … Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp.], 2018
14.04 … Jasmine Staten [Lenape], 2016
14.05 … Jasmine Waddell [Kingsway], 2011
14.09 … Nichole Belcher [Wilson], 1992
14.11 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2019
14.15 … Aliya Rae Garozzo [Paul VI], 2019
14.17 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2006
14.17 … Samantha Sharper [Wilson], 2008
14.17 … Andrea Olsen [Buena], 2013
14.20 … Alethia Jenkins [Pennsauken], 1999
14.20 … Sarah Jones [Bishop Eustace], 2018
14.23 … Yvette Murray [Edgewood], 1999
14.25 … Kris Keegan [Haddonfield], 2003
14.25 … Joshonda Johnson [Absegami], 2017
14.26 … Malea Broome [Millville], 2019
14.27 … Gabrielle Bennett [Winslow Twp.], 2015
14.27 … Imani Gilliam [Pennsauken], 2004
14.29 … Shameka Marshall [Oakcrest], 2001
14.29 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2013
14.30 … Lexie Fraction [Washington Twp.], 2014
14.31 … Te’seanna Harris [Camden], 2019
14.32 … Chereyse Hepburn [Oakcrest], 2000
14.32 … Jewel Ash [Eastern], 2018
14.1h … Ruth Dickey [Penns Grove], 1983
14.34 … Kayla Henry [Winslow Twp.], 2008
14.34 … Evann Thompson [Lenape], 2012
14.38 … Helen Wilks [Bridgeton], 1994
14.38 … Vanessa Arientyl [Willingboro], 2010
14.38 … Rachell Armstead [Millville], 2015
14.42 … Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 1987
14.43 … Darlene Grant [Overbrook], 1978
14.43 … Ashley Edwards [Northern Burlington], 2014
14.44 … Sonja Bennett [Edgewood], 1986
14.44 … Jamillah Nock [Woodrow Wilson], 2004
14.44 … Keisha Williams [Camden], 2015
14.44 … Arianna Smith [Pennsville], 2019
14.46 … Arnita Green [Delsea], 1989
14.48 … Laura Boniello [Buena], 1995
14.48 … Andrea March [Washington Twp.], 2005
14.49 … Kim Allen [Willingboro], 2003
14.49 … Bryanna Craig [Millville], 2019

Of all her remarkable performances, the 10:12.8 may have been the most remarkable.

On Sunday, we wrote about Michelle Rowen’s South Jersey record of 2:10.1 at the 1982 Gloucester County Championships at Deptford. On Monday, we wrote about Rowen’s S.J. standard of 4:41.5 at the 1982 Kinney Championships in Berkeley, Calif.

Today we’ll marvel at Rowen’s 10:12.8 state record in the 3,200, which she set on May 28, 1983, at the South Jersey Group 4 Championships at Toms River East.

Rowen’s 800 stood as a South Jersey record for 18 years. Her 4:41.5 stood as the South Jersey record for 19 years and as a state record for 24 years.

Her 10:12.8? That stood as the state record for 36 years and it remains the South Jersey record.

Apparently nobody at sectionals in 1983 realized it was a state record because none of the stories about her performance mention it:

It’s mind-blowing just how talented Michelle Rowen was. And an awesome person as well.

When Rowen ran 10:12.8 it was No. 7 in U.S. history. It was finally toppled as a state record last spring by Abby Loveys of Randolph, who’s now at Princeton, who 10:10.24 at the Morris County Championships at Boonton.

What’s incredible is that only one runner in South Jersey got within 20 seconds of Rowen for the next 18 years – that was the similarly named Mindy Rowand of Sterling, who ran 19.6 seconds off Rowen’s record in 1985.

Think about some of the legends who’ve chased Rowen’s mark.

Olympians like Marielle Hall and Erin Donohue. All-Americans like Megan Lacy and Chelsea Ley. Meet of Champions winners like Megan Venables and Brittany Sedberry.

It’s stood for 36 years and it just might stand for another 36.

ALL-TIME S.J. OUTDOOR GIRLS 3,200 TOP-50 LIST

10:12.8h ….. Michelle Rowen (Washington Twp.], 1983
10:19.31 … Chelsea Ley (Kingsway], 2009
10:22.02 … Megan Lacy (Cherokee], 2012
10:27.44 … Alyssa Aldridge (Mainland Reg.], 2017
10:28.6h….. Erin Donohue (Haddonfield], 2001
10:29.28 … Rachel Vick (Kingsway], 2017
10:30.57 … Dina Iacone (Washington Twp.], 2012
10:32.4h….. Mindy Rowand (Sterling], 1985
10:33.22 … Holly Bischof (Bishop Eustace], 2012
10:33.25 … Megan Venables (Highland], 2011
10:34.79 … Theresa Cattuna (Cherry Hill East], 2007
10:35.59 … Amanda Goetschius (Delsea], 2007
10:37.47 … Meghan McGlinchey (West Depford], 2009
10:37.53 … Vanessa Wright (Haddonfield], 2005
10:39.15 … Devon Grisbaum (Ocean City], 2015
10:40.24 … Katie Van Horn (Triton], 2005
10:40.95 … Erika Kemp (Rancocas Valley], 2013
10:42.22 … Jenn Rawls (Highland], 2009
10:43.3h….. Deanna Germano (Shawnee], 1985
10:43.50 … Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek], 2017
10:44.23 … Brittany Sedberry (Ocean City], 2004
10:45.12 … Briana Gess (Haddonfield], 2014
10:45.40 … Julianna Catania (Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
10:45.73 … Meghan Hughes [Moorestown], 2002
10:46.38 … Madison Coppolino [Sterling], 2018
10:48.87 … Sarah Naticchia (Haddonfield], 2019
10:52.32 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009
10:52.75 … Meghan Malloy [Haddonfield], 2013
10:52.9y … Monique Purcell [Holy Spirit], 1978 [10:56.7]
10:54.0y … Lori Watson [Cherry Hill East], 1983
10:54.05 … Maria Ruiz [Williamstown], 2009
10:54.16 … Lisa Burkholder [Cherokee], 2004
10:55.92 … Isabella Turner [Shawnee], 2018
10:56.34 … Brianna Rogers [Moorestown], 2005
10:56.54 … Arianna McKinney [Highland], 2004
10:57.52 … Mara Schiffhauer [Seneca], 2014
10:58.46 … Doreen Startare [Paul VI], 1978
10:58.97 … Megan Quimby [Lenape], 2015
10:59.25 … Pam Adams [Gateway], 1976
10:59.56 … Amanda Bakley [Pennsauken], 2015
11:00.00 … Brooke Dovell [Timber Creek], 2010
11:00.21 … Kaitlin Donohue [Clearview], 2017
11:00.82 … Celine Mazzi [Delsea], 2013
11:00.92 … Sammar Abueldoleh [Washington Twp.], 2011
11:01.33 … Colleen Sunderland [Northern Burlington], 1994
11:01.85 … Kaitlyln Rauscher [Delsea], 2016
11:02.25 … Robin Van Auken [Highland], 2000
11:02.83 … Courtney Kelly [Bishop Eustace], 2012
11:03.38 … Kate Rathman [Cherokee], 2019
11:03.87 … Shelby Bobbie [Rancocas Valley], 2015

The South Jersey mile record has only changed hands once in the last 39 years. That’s when Erin Donohue broke Michelle Rowen’s record at adidas Outdoor Nationals in Raleigh in June of 2001.

Donohue and Rowen are two of the greatest distance runners in U.S. scholastic track history.

Rowen set a state record of 4:43.2 when she placed fourth at the Kinney Invitational High School Mile at Cal Berkeley on June 12, 1982. That converts to the 4:41.5 for 1,600 meters that now appears on all New Jersey performance lists. Rowen broke the state record of 4:43.9 set in 1973 by Doreen Ennis of Nutley.

Rowen’s mark stood as the South Jersey and state record until June 17, 2001, when Donohue, a future Olympian, won the mile on the same track at the adidas National Championships in Raleigh, N.C., in 4:42.96, which converts to the current South Jersey 1,600 record of 4:41.16.

Donohue’s mark stood as the state record until Danielle Tauro of Southern Regional ran 4:39.25 to win the mile (over Jordan Hasay) at what by then was called the Nike Outdoor Nationals and had moved to Greensboro (unfortunately).

Donohue and Rowan to this day rank No. 2 and No. 3 in state history behind Tauro.

Lenape and Haddonfield lead with the way with five milers apiece on the all-time South Jersey girls outdoor 1,600 list, and Ocean City and Kingsway have four each.

As always, let me know of any corrections or additions in the comment’s section!

All-Time S.J. Outdoor Girls 1,600 Top 50

4:41.16 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2000
4:41.5y … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
4:45.97 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2014
4:48.73 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2010
4:49.11 … Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], 2005
4:49.26 … Rachel Vick [Kingsway], 2017
4:51.43 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], 2017
4:52.95 … Caitlin Orr [Lenape], 2009
4:54.71 … Megan Hartman [Ocean City], 1994
4:54.88 … Bridget Flynn [Holy Spirit], 2012
4:55.41 … Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 2004
4:55.45 … Julianna Catania [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
4:55.66 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 2012
4:55.70 … Dina Iacone [Washington Twp.], 2012
4:55.90 … Sarah Naticchia [Haddonfield], 2019
4:55.9h … Dawn Cody [Paul VI], 1982
4:56.01 … Natalia Ocasio [Lenape], 2012
4:56.08 … Megan Quimby [Lenape], 2016
4:56.43 … Liz Locke [Kingsway], 2010
4:56.55 … Maria Ruiz [Williamstown], 2009
4:56.68 … Claudine Evangelista [Triton], 2000
4:56.81 … Julia DeSpirito [Shawnee], 2014
4:56.84 … Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 2011
4:56.23 … Celine Mazzi [Delsea], 2014
4:57.39 … Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek], 2016
4:57.48 … Felicia O’Donnell [Delsea], 2011
4:57.96 … Erika Kemp [Rancocas Valley], 2013
4:58.86 … Madison Coppolino [Sterling], 2017
4:59.38 … Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 2009
4:59.27 … Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East], 2005
4:59.54 … Amanda Goetschius [Delsea], 2007
4:59.60 … Brittnee Bynoe [Willingboro], 2004
4:59.72 … Katie Van Horn [Triton], 2005
4:59.6h … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1985
4:59.80 … Sydny Warner [Seneca], 2018
4:59.89 … Destiny Stanford [Kingsway], 2017
5:00.14 … Lisa Burkholder [Cherokee], 2003
5:00.19 … Sydney Coppolino [Sterling], 2017
5:00.2h … Mindy Rowand [Sterling], 1985
5:00.42 … Camille Franklin [Lenape], 2015
5:00.61 … Lindsay Kane [Washington Twp.], 2012
5:00.69 … Holly Cosnett [Haddonfield], 2000
5:00.7h … Patti Addis [Williamstown], 1984
5:01.33 … Kelsey Cummings [Triton], 2016
5:01.48 … Casey Doyle [Shawnee], 2008
5:01.63 … Alexa Woltjen [Lenape], 2017
5:01.74 … Nicole McGrainer [Seneca], 2008
5:01.9h … Kathy Sjolie [Kennedy], 1979
5:02.04 … Kate Rathman [Cherokee], 2019
5:02.06 … Isabella Turner [Shawnee], 2018
5:02.08 … Vickie Ajimoko [Williamstown], 2013
5:02.09 … Shelby Bobbie [Rancocas Valley], 2015

One of the greatest performances in New Jersey track history came in relative obscurity. Not at states or the Meet of Champions. Not at the Penn Relays or Golden West. 

It came on May 9, 1982, at the Gloucester County  Championships at Deptford High School.

That’s where Washington Township’s Michelle Rowen destroyed South Jersey records in both the 1,600 and 3,200. She ran 4:52.0 in the 1,600, breaking the record of 5:01.9 set in 1979 by Cathy Sjolie of Kennedy. And she ran 2:10.1 in the 800, snapping the mark of 2:12.8 set by Eva Marie Berardi, also in 1979, at the Meet of Champions. 

At the time those marks were both No. 4 in state history. Rowen would go on to set a state record of 4:41.5 later that spring that stood for almost 20 years, but that 2:10.1 remained her PR – she ran the 800 rarely – and was the South Jersey record for 17 years, until Katrina Sye of Buena ran 2:09.2 on her home track at the 1999 Group 2 sectionals.

What’s amazing about Rowen’s double that day at Deptford is that she ran unchallenged. Patty Addis of Williamstown was second in both races in 2:18.8 and 5:17.8.

The other crazy thing is that one of the greatest doubles in state track history warranted only these two paragraphs in the local paper the next day: 

Imagine shattering two South Jersey records and being reduced to “in another highlight?”

Here’s the all-time South Jersey girls outdoor 800 list, including a few converted 880 marks. Cool to see a list topped by two Olympians!

All-Time S.J. Girls Outdoor 800 Top-50 List

2:07.33 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009
2:08.87 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2001
2:09.2h … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1999
2:09.50 … Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], 2005
2:09.84 … Rachel Stremme [Ocean City], 2014
2:10.1h … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
2:10.55 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape], 2019
2:10.57 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2009
2:10.79 … Krista Ferrara [Vineland], 1991
2:10.9h … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1985
2:11.07 … Miya Johnson [Lenape], 2007
2:11.45 … Sydney Coppolino [Sterling], 2017
2:11.56 … Mary Bohi [Seneca], 2009
2:11.80 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2016
2:11.88 … Kayla Martin [Seneca], 2015
2:11.94 … Bridget Flynn [Ocean City], 2014
2:12.04 … Kami Joi Hickson [Washington Twp.], 2017
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
2:12.77 … Lauren McHale [Ocean City], 1998
2:12.78 … Megan Quimby [Lenape], 2015
2:12.83 … Brooke Kott [Millville], 2008
2:12.85 … Greta Feldman [Haddonfield], 2008
2:12.93 … Carly Pettipaw [Lenape], 2015
2:12.8h … Eva Marie Berardi [Williamstown], 1979
2:13.00 … Rachel Vick (Kingsway), 2017
2:13.18 … Melody Sye [Ocean City], 1997
2:13.38 … Julia Despirito[Shawnee], 2014
2:13.74 … Briana Roberts [Pennsauken], 2016
2:13.76 … Shona Potruski [Pitman], 2010
2:13.34 … Holly Cosnett [Haddonfield], 2000
2:13.81 … Tara Wuko [Wildwood Catholic], 2009
2:13.8h … Kathy Tisdale [Williamstown], 1981
2:14.08 …Lindsay Thomas [Wilson], 2003
2:14.0h … Sue Handlan [Haddonfield], 1976
2:14.0h … Kathy Ezell [Sterling], 1982
2:14.27 … Claudine Evangelista [Triton], 1999
2:14.42 … Kaitlyn Bonnet [Haddonfield], 2014
2:14.3h … Becky Wells [Moorestown], 1987
2:14.46 … Okechi Ogbuokiri [Willingboro], 2003
2:14.66 … Britney Kott [Millville], 2008
2:14.70 … Kelly Victory [Lenape], 2000
2:14.6h … Chris Danks [Shawnee], 1987
2:14.76 … Kari Vigerstol [Holy Cross], 1994
2:14.78 … Samantha Budd [West Deptford], 2012
2:14.87 … Lindsay Colflesh [Haddonfield], 2019
2:14.91 … Renee Passalacqua [Rancocas Valley], 2003
2:14.8h … Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], 1984

Looking at the progression of the girls 440-yard and 400-meter dash records, I was struck by the 55.2 hand-time that Loretta Thompson of Camden ran 30 years ago.

Thompson broke the South Jersey record of 55.3 the Lori Lewis of Woodbury had set two years earlier. She ran 55.3 on May 17, 1980, at the Pennsauken Open, and this being 1980, nobody even noticed that it was a South Jersey record and tied the state record set a year earlier by Terry Dembek of Hawthorne.

Here’s the extent of the coverage Thompson’s remarkable race got in the local media:

Thompson didn’t even get a headline! She didn’t even get her own paragraph! She tied the state record and nobody even wrote about it!

But it was a remarkable performance and it remained a South Jersey record for 12 years, until Nichole Bartley of Highland ran 55.11 when she won the 1992 Meet of Champions at South Plainfield.

Dana Burnett of Williamstown lowered the mark twice in 1996, including 53.51 when she won the National Scholastic Championships in Raleigh, N.C., and she held it for 10 years, until Michelle Brown of Seneca ran 52.91 at the 2009 Nike Outdoor Champions in Grensboro. Brown has now held the mark for 12 years.

Here’s today’s top-50 list – the girls outdoor 400. Additions and corrections, please shoot me a message in the comment’s section! Enjoy!

All-Time S.J. Girls 400-meter dash top-50

52.91 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 2009
53.51 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996
53.64 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2008
53.00 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2007
54.04 … Nadia Davy [Bridgeton], 1998
54.19 … Okechi Ogbuokiri [Willingboro], 2003
54.36 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2018
54.41 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
54.51 … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1998
54.62 … Audrey Wilson [Deptford], 2008
54.75 … Faleesha Dowe [Penns Grove], 2014
54.93 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2004
55.13 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2018
55.06 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2003
55.11 … Nichole Bartley [Highland], 1992
55.21 … Avionne Sloan [Camden], 2006
55.24 … Jasmine Still [Wilson], 2005
55.2h … Loretta Thompson [Camden], 1980
55.3h … Lori Lewis [Woodbury], 1978
55.50 … Sabrina Burrell [Delsea], 2014
55.51 … Mandie Dulin [Shawnee], 1996
55.4h … Carla Hunt [Holy Cross], 1976
55.5h … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
55.65 … Jade Pope [Pennsauken], 2018
55.67 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape], 2017
55.72 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2015
55.6h … Jeanette Palmer [Oakcrest], 1982
55.78 … Andrea Olsen [Buena Reg.], 2013
55.82 … Danielle Myricks [Willingboro], 2001
55.84 … Candyche DeLoatch [Schalick], 1996
55.93 … Brianna Crofton [Delsea], 2009
55.97 … Nylah Perry [Winslow Twp.], 2019
56.00 … Maya Drayton [Cherry Hill East], 2019
56.01 … Raniyah Walker [Camden], 2002
56.05 … Marcene Jack [Mainland Reg.], 2004
56.06 … Ste’cye McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2009
56.11 … Courtney Foster [Cherokee], 2013
56.0h … Halimah Bashir [Willingboro], 2002
56.14 … Flora Ahiarakwe [Winslow Twp,], 2017
56.20 … Vernick Smith [Woodrow Wilson], 1997
56.23 … Jewel Ash [Eastern], 2017
56.1h … Angela Williams [Pemberton], 1981
56.24 … Thaila Cooper [Kingsway], 2013
56.26 … Shannon Lambert [Lenape], 2017
56.29 … Olivia Jamison [Pennsauken], 2014
56.30 … Bryanna Craigville], 2019
56.31 … Jasmine Staten [Lenape], 2017
56.33 … Shakirah Rutherford [Willingboro], 2000
56.2h … Carla Hunt [Holy Cross], 1976
56.2h … Evelyn Simpson [Camden], 1979
56.35 … Nicol Corsey [Deptford], 1997
56.36 … Ajae Alvare-Tyler [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2008

A couple thoughts about records:

When Dennisha Page of Wilson ran 23.66 as part of her insane Meet of Champions triple sprint performance last spring, not everybody considered it a South Jersey record.

But it is one. And here’s why.

In 1979, Camden’s Patti Dunlap ran a hand-timed 23.6 at the very first girls Meet of Champions at Princeton University’s Palmer Stadium.

When Page ran 23.66 at Northern Burlington last spring, it was fully automatic obviously and in cases where a hand time is technically faster but intrinsically slower — Dunlap’s 23.6 is the equivalent of a 23.84 fat time – both times are considered as records.

Now, English Gardner ran 23.60 at an AAU meet in Dover, Del., the summer after her sophomore year at Eastern, and some consider that the South Jersey record.

However, the rule of thumb with these sort of things is this: If a meet is the continuation of the high school season, such as National Outdoor Championships, USATF Junior Nationals or the Olympic Trials, all performances and records count as part of an athlete’s high school season.

If the meet stands alone as a summer track meet – such as that AAU Region II meet in the summer of 2007 – it is not considered a part of the high school season and is not eligible for high school records and performance lists. Gardner’s fastest high school 200 was a 24.04.

You can read about Page’s remarkable three-event performance at last year’s Meet of Champions here: https://sjtrackblog.com/2019/06/08/dennisha-page-sweeps-meet-of-champions-100-and-200-and-medals-in-400-in-remarkable-record-setting-performance/

And here is the all-time girls outdoor 200-meter dash top-50 list!

All-Time S.J. Girls Outdoor 200-Meter Dash Top 50

23.66 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
23.69 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 1981
23.85 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017
23.90 … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1984
23.90 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018
24.01 … Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 2000
24.04 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
24.11 … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
24.12 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], 2006
24.17 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 2008
24.18 … Sheriyah Nutt [Rancocas Valley], 2019
24.19 … Patti Dunlap [Camden] 1978
24.19 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.]
24.19 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 2017
24.21 … Audrey Wilson [Deptford], 2006
24.23 … Nichole Hill [Oakcrest], 1997
24.31 … Morgan Gordon [Rancocas Valley], 2009
24.32 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2015
24.42 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996
24.45 … Cecelia Gerstenbacher [Delsea], 2017
24.46 … Feleesha Dowe [Penns Grove], 2014
24.47 … Nadia Davy [Bridgeton], 1999
24.47 … Aisha Morgan [Schalick], 1998
24.48 … Avionne Sloan [Camden], 2003
24.49 … Annie Johnson [Shawnee], 2012
24.50 … Laia Mortimore [Atlantic City], 1998
24.53 … Maya Drayton [Cherry Hill East], 2019
24.55 … Daneille Myricks [Willingboro], 2000
24.57 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2014
24.61 … Aliyah Tayor [Rancocas Valley], 2018
24.61 … Emily Carson [Haddonfield], 2013
24.70 … Jewel Ash [Eastern], 2019
24.71 … Jackie Dim [Washington Twp.], 2007
24.72 … Halimah Bashir [Willingboro], 2002
24.72 … Ste’yce McNeil [WInslow Twp.], 2011
24.72 … Aliya Harrison [Sterling], 2016
24.73 … Shaterri Alston [Camden], 2006
24.73 … Nylah Perry [Winslow Twp.], 2019
24.76 … Andrea Olsen [Buena Reg.], 2013
24.77 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2002
24.77 … Halima Scott [Woodrow Wilson], 2018
24.79 … Darynn Minus-Vincent [Rancocas Valley], 2018
24.80 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2019
24.81 … Jasmine Staten [Lenape], 2015
24.83 … Ajae Alvarez-Tyler [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018
24.84 … Claire Pedrick [Mainland Reg.], 2018
24.85 … Latoya Benson [Washington Twp.], 2001
24.90 … Jasmine Still [Wilson], 2006
24.91 … Gabrielle Farquharson [Williamstown], 2011
24.91 … Famatta Lewis [Wilson], 2007

Hand Times 
23.6h … Patti Dunlap [Camden], 1979
23.7h … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
23.9h … Lori Lewis [Woodbury], 1978
24.0h … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1986
24.4h … Andrea Conaway [Bordentown], 1985
24.4h … Okechi Ogbuokiri[Willingboro], 2003
24.5h … Sharon Johnson [Haddon Heights], 1976
24.6h … Artrelia Turner [Woodrow Wilson], 1987
24.7h … Shelley Bailey [Woodbury], 1981

It’s been 39 years since Michelle Glover set the South Jersey and state 100-meter dash record of 11.42 racing at the TAC women’s junior nationals at UCLA in 1981. At the time that was the No. 4 time in U.S. history.

Wendy Vereen of Trenton broke Glover’s state record when she ran 11.17 at the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs in 1983 in the same race that Evelyn Ashford set the world record of 10.79.

But Glover’s mark has stood as a South Jersey record for nearly four decades. Not even Olympic gold medalist English Gardner could it down, although she got close with an 11.49 at the 2008 state Group 4 meet at South Plainfield.

We start out the girls all-time outdoor top-50 list with the 100-meter dash. My girls records aren’t quite as reliable as the boys stuff, so it’s quite possible there’s a few names missing, especially in that 12.00 to 12.13 range. Please drop any corrections or additions in the comment section. I’ll get them posted ASAP!

[Note – Doing additional research I learned that Assante Jonson, Fametta Lewis and Jamie Walker times that were listed in 100ths were actually all hand times from the 2007 Camden County Championships, so I moved them off the FAT list and onto the hand-timed supplement below and added the next three-fastest times I could find to round out a new top 50. Thanks!] 

ALL-TIME S.J. 100-METER DASH LIST

11.42 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 1981
11.49 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
11.57 … Patti Dunlap [Camden], 1979
11.58 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 2017
11.61 … Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 2000
11.63 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
11.71 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017
11.73 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2014
11.77 … Aisha Morgan [Schalick], 1998
11.78 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2003
11.81 … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1984
11.81 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2018
11.81 … Audrey Wilson [Deptford], 2008
11.82 … Annie Johnson [Shawnee], 2012
11.84 … Robin Taylor [Deptford], 1980
11.85 … Dana Burnett [Willamstown], 1996
11.88 … Denis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
11.89 … Cecelia Gerstenbacher [Delsea], 2017
11.91 … Aliya Harrison [Sterling], 2017
11.94 … Emily Carson [Haddonfield], 2013
11.95 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2017
11.96 … Jamillah Nock [Woodrow Wilson], 2004
11.96 … Jailya Ash [Eastern], 2019
11.98 … Jennifer Jackson [Eastern], 2003
11.98 … Ciera Ismail [Schalick], 2013
11.98 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2014
12.00 … Andrea Conway [Bordentown], 1986
12.00 … Aisha Morgan [Schalick], 1998
12.01 … Kylene Bines [Highland], 1998
12.01 … Nadia Davy [Bridgeton], 1999
12.04 … Latoya Carmichael [Woodrow Wilson], 2991
12.05 … Anu Ward [Moorestown], 2000
12.06 … Cidae’a Woods [Winslow Twp.], 2014
12.06 … Bryanna Williams [Timber Creek], 2011
12.07 … Jewel Ash [Eastern], 2017
12.08 … Angie Clybourn [Egg Harbor Twp.], 1991
12.08 … Kim Hargrove [Willingboro], 1996
12.08 … Jaye Pollard [Penns Grove], 2013
12.09 … Gabrielle Farquharson [Williamstown], 2011
12.10 … Teneacia Smith [CherryHill East], 1991
12.10 … Jackie Dim [Washington Twp.], 2008
12.10 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2008
12.10 … Iyanla Kollock [Our Lady of Mercy], 2017
12.11 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 2009
12.11 … Nia Lawrence [Pemberton], 2012
12.12 … Maya Drayton [Cherry Hill East], 2019
12.13 … Dominique Merchant [Winslow Twp.], 2003
12.15 … Rageana Marigna [Palmyra], 2008
12.17 … Shardae Anderson [Paulsboro], 2004
12.17 … Aaliyah Vandergrift [Paul VI], 2019
12.17 … Sade Jones [Millville], 2002

Hand Times
11.5h … Patti Dunlap [Camden], 1979
11.5h … Michelle Glover [Willingbor], 1980
11.5h … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1986
11.7h … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
11.7h … Mieaha Camper [Florence], 1994
11.7h … Assante Johnson [Camden], 2007
11.8h … Robin Taylor [Deptford], 1980
11.8h … Shelly Bailey [Woodbury], 1981
11.8h … Andrea Conaway [Bordentown], 1985
11.8h … Artrelia Turner [Wilson], 1986
11.8h … Ariel Brockman [Cherokee],
11.8h … Fametta Lewis [Woodrow Wilson], 2007
11.9h … Timi Crawford [Eastern], 1986
11.9h … Karen Corsey [Deptford], 1989
11.9h … Jamie Walker [Haddon Heights], 2007

We’re finished with the first part of the all-time South Jersey Top-50 Project: The outdoor boys records!

Links to top-50 all-time performance lists 25 events are below.

When this project is done, we’ll have a handy index of South Jersey all-time performance lists for every major boys and girls indoor and outdoor event.

And once track meets resume it will be easy to update the lists as we go! Hopefully, this remains a valuable resource for coaches, athletes, track statisticians and fans.

Mistakes and omissions are inevitable when undertaking a project like this, so your help is welcome. If you notice a performance that’s incorrect or missing, an incorrect year, a name mis-spelled … any errors at all, please let me know in the comment section.

We’ll start the outdoor girls lists tomorrow!

Let’s recap the first 12 installments of the South Jersey all-time top-50 performance list project!

BOYS OUTDOOR TOP-50 LISTS

100-meter dash
200-meter dash
400-meter dash
800-meter run
1,600-meter run
3,200-meter run
110-meter hurdles
400-meter hurdles
Long jump
Triple jump 
Pole vault
High jump
Shot put 
Discus 
Old javelin
New javelin
400-meter relay
800-meter relay 
1,600-meter relay
3,200-meter relay
Super sprint medley
Sprint medley
Distance medley
6,400-meter relay
Shuttle hurdles

Twenty-one years later, Woodrow Wilson still is the 5th-fastest shuttle hurdles team in U.S. high school track history.

Back in 1999, the team of Jeff Young, Rashad Baker, Jose Llanos and Enrique Llanos ran 56.88 to win the shuttles at the East Coast Relays in Kearny and shatter the state (and meet) record of 57.3 set by Neptune in 1979.

Wilson broke its own South Jersey record, which it initially set earlier that spring with a 58.3 at Bridgeton and a 58.1 at Woodbury. The previous record was 58.25 by Camden in 1997.

At the time, Wilson’s 56.88 was No. 2 in U.S. history.

Wilson missed the national record of 56.51 – set in 1996 by Wolfson High of Jacksonville at the Jacksonville Track Club Wolfpack Classic – by only 37-100ths of a second.

Wilson’s time stood as a state record of 18 years and remains the South Jersey record.

In the 20 years since, the only faster shuttle hurdles teams nation-wide have been Westside of Anderson, S.C. (56.32 in 2004), East Orange (current state record 56.58 in 2017) and Union Catholic (56.63 in 2013).

Westside actually set the national record 16 years ago at the Eastern Regional Relay Classic at Willingboro.

The closest anybody in South Jersey has gotten to Wilson over the last two decades is 57.70 — nearly a second off. That was Winslow Township in 2003 with Robert Penn, Brandon Bates, Kenny Scott and Reuben McCoy.

All-Time S.J. Shuttle Hurdles Top-50 List

56.88 … Woodrow Wilson, 1999
57.70 … Winslow Twp., 2003
57.9h … Willingboro, 1982
58.25 … Camden, 1997
58.2h … Moorestown, 1975
58.4h … Penns Grove, 1977
58.4h … Camden, 1996
58.54 … Oakcrest, 2012
58.7h … Overbrook, 1977
58.7h … Willingboro, 1978
58.8h … Edgewood, 1984
58.93 … Lindenwold, 2010
58.9h … Camden, 1977
58.9h … Willingboro, 1984
58.9h … Pleasantville, 1994
59.12 … Camden, 2000
59.0h … Camden, 1980
59.1h … Kennedy, 1982
59.1h … Wilson, 1998
59.1h … Willingboro, 2007
59.2h … Edgewood, 1983
59.3h … Overbrook, 1976
59.54 … Lenape, 1997
59.62 … Willingboro, 1991
59.5h … Moorestown, 1974
59.5h … Winslow Twp., 2004
59.5h … Bridgeton, 2006
59.69 … Overbrook, 1986
59.7h … Camden, 1978
59.7h … Willingboro, 1979
59.7h … Willingboro, 1983
59.7h … Camden, 1983
59.7h … Egg Harbor Twp., 2008
59.7h … Camden., 2008
58.8h … Edgewood, 1984
59.8h … Willingboro, 1981
59.8h … Willingboro, 1990
58.9h … Willingboro, 1984
59.54 … Lenape, 1997
59.69 … Overbrook, 1986
59.9h … Overbrook, 1975
59.9h … Lenape, 1996
1:00.0 … Camden, 1975
1:00.1h … Winslow Twp., 2008
1:00.14 … Oakcrest, 2011
1:00.2h … Edgewood, 1990
1:00.2h … Bridgeton, 1990
1:00.24 … Camden, 2001
1:00.28 … Willingboro, 1986
1:00.3h … Pennsauken, 1998
1:00.48 … Washington Twp., 2012
1:00.4h … Penns Grove, 1986

The oldest South Jersey record belongs to Haddon Township, which ran 17:20.1 in the four-mile relay 47 years ago!

It was May 22, 1973, and Al Tanner’s bunch went to the New Jersey Relays at Elizabeth to take on Tim Coheeney and the mighty Paramus Catholic distance team.

Haddon Township had set the existing South Jersey record earlier that spring with a 17:57.3 at the Temple Relays at Franklin Field.

But at the state relays, Township locked up with Paramus Catholic and made history.

Senior Mark Yellin led off with a 4:18.7 – remember, these are full miles, not 1,600s – and senior Dan Matousch followed with a 4:19.8 split. Senior Steve Cummings, moving up from the 880, split 4:26.7, and junior Mike Elder anchored in 4:14.9.

All four splits were PRs.

Paramus Catholic won the race in 17:12.6, just missing the national record of 17:12.2 set by Fred Lane, Jim McLoughlin, Art Martin and Marty Liquori and Essex Catholic at Highland Park in 1966.

Here’s the story from the Courier Post:

Haddon Township’s time was No. 5 in U.S. history at the time. To this day, nearly half a century later, it remains the No. 21 mark in U.S. history. Seven of those top 21 are from the 1970s, which is crazy considering they didn’t have a postseason national meet to peak for.

(The full all-time U.S. list is below the top-50 list)

Haddonfield in 2010 virtually tied Haddon Township’s with a fully automatic 17:20.21 when it won the New Balance Nationals race in Greensboro, N.C. Although Haddonfield’s time is slightly intrinsically faster because it was FAT timed, you can’t convert into a record, so they are listed as co-records.

ALL-TIME S.J. 6,400-METER RELAY LIST

17:14.0y ..… Haddon Twp., 1973
17:14.18y … Haddonfield, 2010
17:22.17y … Mainland Reg., 2004
17:33.50y … Mainland Reg., 2003
17:35.2y … Williamstown, 1973
17:45.37y … Cherokee, 2016
17:46.09y … Kingsway, 2018
17:52.49y … Cherokee, 2001
17:52.60y … Haddonfield, 2001
17:52.95 … Cherokee, 1999
17:54.14y … Paul VI, 1989
17:54.4h … Paul VI, 1989
17:54.92 … Triton, 2005
17:55.3h … Highland, 1990
17:56.1y … Cherry Hill West, 1975
17:59.1y … Kingsway, 2019
18:00.41 … Ocean City, 2008
18:01.50 … Kingsway, 2015
18:01.73 … Cherokee, 1998
18:04.61 … Cherokee, 2000
18:05.35 … Kingsway, 2019
18:07.89 … Haddonfield, 2008
18:10.3y … Paul VI, 1977
18:13.20 … Washington Twp., 2008
18:13.76 … Washington Twp., 2000
18:14.15 … Rancocas Valley, 2016
18:14.9h … Paul VI, 1991
18:16.57 … Rancocas Valley, 2002
18:10.69y … Kingsway, 2017
18:17.05 … Haddonfield, 2000
18:17.05 … Kingsway, 2017
18:17.4h … Cherokee, 1989
18:17.87 … Shawnee, 2008
18:18.53 … Cherokee, 2003
18:19.4h … Paul VI, 1985
18:19.61 … Cherry Hill East, 2009
18:20.56 … Kingsway, 2013
18:21.21 … West Deptford, 2014
18:22.0h … Highland, 1991
18:24.0h … Highland, 2012
18:24.85 … Highland, 2018
18:26.9h … Cherokee, 2005
18:29.60 … Cherokee, 2008
18:29.76 … Cherokee, 2009
18:30.45 … Cherokee, 2011
18:23.6y … Collingswood, 1978
18:31.50 … Shawnee, 1991
18:34.1h … Haddonfield, 2003
18:33.4h … Shawnee, 1993
18:34.4h … Cherokee, 1990

All-Time U.S. 4-Mile Relay List

17:04.55 … Ogden (Utah), 2016
17:04.61 … Great Oak (Calif.), 2016
17:06.6 … South Eugene (Ore.), 1976
17:06.92 … Northport (N.Y.), 2014
17:10.7 … McCullough (Texas), 1986
17:11.7 … South Eugene (Ore.), 1975
17:12.2 … Essex Catholic (N.J.), 1966
17:12.6 … Paramus Catholic (N.J.), 1973
17:13.2 … Lompoc (Calif.), 1973
17:15.0 … Claremont (Calif.), 1971
17:16.12 … Highland Milford (Mich.), 2013
17:17.45 … Stillwater (Minn.), 2013
17:18.3 … Fayetteville-Manlius (N.Y.), 2006
17:18.81 … Nathan Hale (Wash.), 2014
17:19.03 … Gig Harbor (Wash.), 2014
17:19.3 … Royal (Calif.), 2006
17:19.42 … Collegiate (N.Y.), 2007
17:19.6 … Power Memorial (N.Y.), 1974
17:19.69 … West Windsor-Plainsboro North (N.J.), 2018
17:20.14 … Christian Brothers Academy (N.J.), 2019
17:20.1 … Haddon Township (N.J.), 1973
17:20.21 … Haddonfield (N.J.), 2010