What a meet!

The Meet of Champions finally moved into a worthy venue, and the result was maybe the greatest Meet of Champions yet!

South Jersey athletes were turning in incredible performances all over the place at Ocean Breeze Sunday.

We’ll continue writing about the meet in the coming days as we all prepare for Nationals next weekend.

But for now, here are quick links for all our stories about South Jersey’s remarkable performances! More to come!

And final results are here!

Stone Caraccio 1:52 anchor gives Kingsway 4×8 win and U.S. #1 time: Click here
Girls hurdles trials: Click here!
Boys hurdles trials: Click here!
Girls dash trials: Click here!
Boys dash trials: Click here!
Winslow’s Nylan Perry wins 400: Click here!
EHT’s Lauren Princz wins 55-meter dash: Click here!
Eastern’s Jailya Ash wins 55-meter hurdles: Click here!
Pleasantville’s Gabriel Moronta runs all-time S.J. #4 in 800 win: Click here!
Cinnaminson’s Austin Gabay runs all-time S.J. #2 in historic 3,200: Click here!
Highland’s Floyd Whitaker records historic jumps double: Click here!
EHT’s Anthony Vazquez wins epic hurdles showdown: Click here!

What a race by Anthony Vazquez!!!

Vazquez, an Egg Harbor Township senior, came into the 52nd Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze seeded behind two of the six-fastest hurdlers in the country,. But by the time the dust had settled, he was on top of the podium!

Vazquez, who had never even reached a Meet of Champions final, ran 7.31, 12th-fastest in state history!

Vazquez became the first Egg Harbor boy or girl to win an indoor Meet of Champions gold medal. Lauren Princz became the second 15 minutes later when she won the 55.

What a day for the Eagles of English Creek Road!

Vazquez came into the season with a PR of 7.66 and first got under 7.50 at a Bubble meet in late January with a 7.48. He nudged that lower with a 7.45 when he won the Easterns title and that remained his PR until Sunday.

The race was billed as a showdown between state Group 3 champ Dwight Henry of Irvington, who ran 7.27 at states and was ranked No. 3 in the country, and state Group 4 champ Terrel Williams, who won the North 2 Group 4 sectional in 7.32 and was ranked No. 6 in the country.

Williams and Henry both ran 7.45 in separate races in the trials, but Vazquez wasn’t far behind at 7.52, followed closely by Winslow senior Isaiah Lewis (7.53) and Franklin senior Uchenna Nwosu (7.54).

Burlington Township senior Donovan Wright (7.60) and R.V. senior Daniel Dayrell (7.66) also reached the final with strong races in the semis.

In the final, Williams was called for a false start, cutting the field down to seven runners. When the gun fired for the second time, Vazquez – running in lane 3 – got out fast and had the lead by the first hurdle.

Henry, running just to Vazquez’s right – was never more than a few inches back, but Vazquez held him off at the line to become the third straight Atlantic County hurdler to win the Meet of Champions. Sincere Rhea of St. Augustine, who’s now at Penn State, won the last two years.

Vazquez’s time is not only No. 12 in state history, it’s No. 5 in meet history and No. 8 in South Jersey history. It’s also No. 6 nationally, according to the MileSplit U.S. performance list.

The only hurdlers in South Jersey history to run faster at a Meet of Champions are Willingboro’s Isaac Williams, who ran 7.22 behind Jermaine Collier’s meet-record 7.19 in 2012, and Rhea, who ran 7.25 last year in the trials and 7.22 in the finals. 

Henry’s 7.34 is the sixth-fastest time in meet history and second-fastest non-winning time ever, behind Williams’ 7.22 in 2012.

Lewis ran a tremendous race, taking third in 7.39, and what an incredible story he is. Lewis only ran 8.21 as a junior last winter and 15.62 outdoors. He came into the Meet of Champions with a PR of 7.51 from the trials at Easterns, but his 7.39 is 9th-fastest in meet history, No. 16 in South Jersey history and a school record, breaking the mark of 7.43 set in 2015 by Edwin Alston.

And Wright also ran a strong final, lowering his PR and his own school record from 7.53 at states to 7.49, which is tied for No. 9 in Burlington County history.

Dayrell ran 7.60, his second PR of the day. Looks like he broke the school FAT record of 7.64, set in 1998 by Edgar Gantt. R.V.’s Dave Bannar ran a hand-timed 7.4 in 1976 and Eugene Mumford a hand-timed 7.4 in 1984, but a fully-automatic 7.60 is intrinsically faster than both.

All eight finalists are seniors. In fact, the top 12 finishers were seniors and 19 of the top 20. The only underclassman in the top 20 was Cinnaminson junior Corey Harrell, who was 13th at 7.89.

ALL-TIME N.J. 55-METER HURDLES LIST
7.07 … Cory Poole [East Orange Campus], 2017
7.10 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 2019
6.9h … Renaldo Nehemiah [Scotch Plains], 1985
7.18 … Sultan Tucker [Delsea], 1996
7.19 … Jermaine Collier [Trenton], 2012
7.22 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], 2001
7.22 … Isaac Williams [Willingboro], 2012
7.27 … Dwight Henry [Irvington], 2020
7.29 … Nate Harley [Pleasantville], 1996
7.29 … Danyne Brown [Camden], 1999
7.29 … Will Brown [Palmyra], 2006
7.31 … Akeem Lindo [East Orange Campus], 2018
7.31 … Anthony Vazquez [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2020
7.32 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 2018
7.32 … Stephan Fletcher [Princeton], 1983
7.32 … Jon Dickey [Penns Grove], 1985
7.32 … Jeff Porter [Franklin Twp.], 2003
7.32 … Al-Tariq Dunson [East Orange], 2018
7.32 … Isaiah Greene [Newark West Side], 2018
7.32 … Terrel Williams [Columbia], 2020
7.34 … Chais Hill [Highland], 2015
7.34 … Devon Hill [Trenton], 2008

ALL-TIME M-OF-C 55 HURDLES LIST
7.19 … Jermaine Collier, Trenton 2012 (1)
7.21 … Cory Poole, East Orange, 2017 (1)
7.22 … Isaac Williams, Willingboro, 2012 (2)
7.22 … Sincere Rhea, St. Augustine, 2019 (1)
7.25 …….. Rhea, 2019 (q)
7.31 … Anthony Vazquez, Egg Harbor Twp., 2020 (1)
7.34 … Dwight Henry, Irvington, 2020 (2)
7.36 … Sultan Tucker, Delsea, 1996 (1)
7.36 … Christian Boateng, Old Bridge, 2011 (1)
7.39 … Isaiah Lewis, Winslow Twp., 2020 (3)
7.40 … Josh Evans, Irvington 2009 (1)
7.41 … Jeff Porter, Franklin, 2003 (1)
7.41 … Rolston Braithwaite, Trenton, 2009 (2)
7.41 … Geordan Ferguson, Manchester Twp., 2012 (3)
7.42 … Anthony Acklin, Triton, 2001 (1)
7.42 … Greg Caldwell, West Windsor North, 2012 (4)
7.42 … Cory Poole, East Orange, 2017 (q)
7.42 … Isaiah Greene, Newark West Side, 2018 (2)
7.42 … Eric Kahana, Freehold Boro, 2012 (5)
7.42 … Naseem Smith, Deptford, 2019 (2)
7.43 … George Bland, Penns Grove, 1987 (1)
7.43 … Todd Matthews, Notre Dame, 1998 (1)
7.43 … Andrew Aguilera, Governor Livingston, 2017 (2)
7.44 …….. Tucker, Delsea, 1997 (1)
7.44 … Danyne Brown, Camden, 1999 (1)
7.44 … Obafemi Animashaun, Union Catholic, 2014 (1)
7.44 … Alex Borzelin, Hamilton North

ALL-TIME S.J. M-OF-C HURDLES WINNERS
1970 … Jim Robinson [Camden], 7.3h
1984 … George Barry [Camden], 7.6h
1985 … Jonathan Dickey [Penns Grove], 7.6h
1987 … George Bland [Penns Grove], 7.43
1989 … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], 7.58
1990 … Mike Anderson [Edgewood], 7.56
1992 … Ed Loges [Shawnee], 7.54
1996 … Sultan Tucker [Delsea], 7.36
1997 … Sultan Tucker [Delsea], 7.44
1999 … Danyne Brown [Camden], 7.44
2001 … Anthony Acklin [Triton], 7.42
2002 … Aaron Ross [Clearview], 7.77
2004 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 7.48
2006 … Will Brown [Palmyra], 7.71
2010 … Devon Carter [Washington Twp.], 7.49
2018 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 7.35
2019 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 7.22
2020 … Anthony Vazquez [Egg Harbor Twp.], 7.31

ALL-TIME S.J. 55 HURDLES LIST
7.10 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 2019
7.18 … Sultan Tucker [Delsea], 1996
7.22 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], 2001
7.22 … Isaac Williams [Willingboro], 2012
7.29 … Nate Harley [Pleasantville], 1996
7.29 … Danyne Brown [Camden], 1999
7.29 … Will Brown [Palmyra], 2006
7.31 … Anthony Vazquez [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2020
7.32 … Jon Dickey [Penns Grove], 1985
7.34 … Chais Hill [Highland], 2015
7.1h … Jon Dickey [Penns Grove], 1985
7.1h … Jim Little [Moorestown], 1976
7.1h … Marc Dickerson [Willingboro], 1979
7.1h … George Bland [Penns Grove], 1987
7.35 … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], 1990
7.39 … Rashad Baker [Wilson], 2000
7.39 … Isaiah Lewis [Winslow Twp.], 2020
7.40 … Lance Reed [Willingboro], 1982
7.42 … Kevon Brown [West Deptford], 2009
7.42 … Anthony Acklin [Triton], 2001
7.42 … Naseem Smith [Deptford], 2019
7.43 … Danyne Brown [Camden], 1999
7.43 … Edwin Alston [Winslow Twp.], 2015
7.45 … Kevin Hagamin [Timber Creek], 2014
7.45 … Anthony Vazquez [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2020
7.46 … Syteek Farrington [Camden], 2010
7.46 … Herb Reid [Lenape], 2000
7.47 … Darius Holmes [Willingboro], 2012
7.48 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
7.48 … Tyrell Ross [Clearview], 2005
7.49 … Devon Carter [Washington Twp.], 2010
7.49 … Vince Rawlins [Eastern], 1991
7.49 … Chris Nichols [Willingboro], 1991
7.49 … Sam Aviles [Palmyra], 2019
7.49 … Donovan Wright [Burlington Twp.], 2020

Floyd Whitaker swept the horizontal jumps Sunday at the 52nd annual Meet of Champions, becoming only the second South Jersey boy in meet history to win two events at the same Meet of Champions.

Whitaker, a junior at Highland, won the long jump with a lifetime-best 23-5 1/2 over Tyler Heller of Hunterdon Central, who went 23-2 1/4. R.V. junior Jalen Blango hit 21-10 1/2 for fifth.

Whitaker’s 23-5 1/2 is No. 10 in South Jersey history and the best mark in eight years. According to the MileSplit national performance list , it’s No. 12 in the U.S. this winter.

Whitaker came back to win the triple jump at 46-3 1/4, nearly a foot ahead of Mount Olive’s A.J. McKay, who was second at 45-5 3/4. Collingswood senior Kevin Kevelier [45-3 1/4], Millville senior Ebenezer Edzii [44-2 3/4] and Rancocas Valley senior Jordan Floyd [PR 44-1 3/4] gave South Jersey four of the top five spots in the triple.

This is only the second year for the long jump in the 52-year history of the Meet of Champions and the first year for the triple jump. Both are so-called showcase events that aren’t contested on the sectional or state level.

The only other South Jersey boy to double at a Meet of Champions is Nick Brown of Bridgeton, who won the 55-meter dash in 6.57 and the 400 in 49.76 at the 1999 meet at Princeton’s Jadwin Gym.

The only other South Jersey athlete to win two different events at the M-of-C is Olympic gold medalist Dennis Mitchell of Edgewood, who won the 55-meter dash in 1983 (6.3) and the 400 in 1984 (49.3).

Five others have won the same event in consecutive years: Half-miler Tony Uzdavines of Williamstown, sprinter Albert Newkirk of Camden, quarter-miler Royce Reed of Bridgeton, high jumper Raffael Craig of Millville (whose daughter won the high jump Sunday) and hurdlers Sultan Tucker of Delsea and Sincere Rhea of St. Augustine.

Previous Highland Meet of Champions winners are Kevin Pumphrey in 1986 and Steve Mazur in 1992, both in the 3,200.

Obviously Whitaker set the triple jump meet record, since it was the first time contested. He broke the long jump mark of 23-4 set last year by Princeton’s Nils Wildberg.

Whitaker’s 23-5 1/2 eclipsed his PR of 23-0 1/2, which he set at a SJTCA meet at the Bubble last month. His outdoor PR is 22-1.

His indoor triple jump PR is 46-10 3/4, which is No. 6 in South Jersey indoor history and No. 27 nationally.

Whitaker last month became only the third boy in the 87-year history of Easterns to double, joining former Willingboro stars Gerard Reynolds (long jump, hurdles in 1990) and Mike Morrison (long jump, high jump in 2003).

Now he’s repeated that double against the best in New Jersey.

Last spring, Whitaker broke the state sophomore class triple jump record and the Meet of Champions record with a 50-2 1/2, No. 6 in state history.

Here’s a look at all the two-time winners from South Jersey in Meet of Champions history:

BOYS
Tony Uzdavines [Williamstown]
—> 880-yard run, 1976 [1:56.0]
—> 880-yard run, 1977 [1:56.6]

Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood]
—> 60-yard dash, 1983 [6.3]
—> 440-yard dash, 1984 [49.3]

Royce Reed [Bridgeton]
—> 400-meter dash, 1994 [50.06]
—> 400-meter dash, 1995 [49.92]

Albert Newark [Camden]
—> 55-meter dash, 1996 [6.56]
—> 55-meter dash, 1997 [6.50]

Sultan Tucker [Delsea]
—> 55-meter hurdles, 1996 [7.36]
—> 55-meter hurdles, 1997 [7.44]

Raffael Craig [Millville]
—> high jump, 1998 [6-6]
—> high jump, 1999 [6-10]

Nick Brown [Bridgeton]
—> 55-meter dash, 1999 [6.57]
—> 400-meter dash, 1999 [49.76]

Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine]
—> 55-meter hurdles, 2018 [7.35]
—> 55-meter hurdles, 2019 [7.22]

ALL-TIME INDOOR S.J. LONG JUMP LIST
25-5 1/2 … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1979
24-6 1/4 … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], 1990
24-2 1/2 … Isaac Samuels [Kennedy], 1983
24-0 3/4 … Mike Morrison [Willingboro], 2003
24-0 1/2 … William Spearmon [Wilson], 1996
23-11 1/2 … Kerry Vivett [Edgewood], 1985
23-10 ….. Matt Rose [Bordentown], 1985
23-9 …… Syteek Farrington [Camden], 2009
23-7 3/4 … Anthony Averett [Woodbury], 2012
23-5 1/2 ….. Floyd Whitaker [Highland Reg.], 2020
23-4 1/2 … Maurice Hunter [Woodbury], 1983
23-4 ….. Andrew Athias [Cherry Hill East], 2011
23-3 3/4 … Jamar Byrd [Vineland], 2005
23-2 1/2 … Rich Winstead [Egg Harbor Twp.], 1988
23-1 ….. Mikhail Micheaux [Eastern], 2014
23-0 ….. Derek King [Cumberland Reg.], 1984

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.