From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

With West Philly Nationals starting a day after the Meet of Champions, I wasn’t sure how much of a South Jersey turnout there would be at Franklin Field or how well those athletes who did participate would do.

But as you can see from the list below, the meet was a hugely successful one for South Jersey athletes looking for one more big-time performance before shutting down for the summer.

We had two winners, 12 All-America individuals, four All-America relay teams and  seven other top-10 performances, plus five freshman medalists. And many of South Jersey’s top runners, jumpers and throwers elected not to compete with Nationals coming on the heels of the Meet of Champs and just a few days after states. That’s a lot in a short period of time.

Next year, things will be more spread out. There will be a two-week gap between sectionals and states and then a week between MoC and then Nationals and USATF Under-20s.

But that’s a year away. Let’s take a moment to commemorate all the top-10 finishers at this year’s Nationals. It was quite a showing for South Jersey. We’re using the traditional * to indicate a junior, ** for a sophomore and *** for freshmen. Judging by the number of talented underclassmen on this list – and many who aren’t – 2025 is going to be another remarkable year.

And the Cherokee Challenge is only 80 days away!

(As always, mistakes can happen. If I omitted an athlete, I didn’t do it on purpose. I really don’t hate your school. Please let me know in the comment section and I’ll make sure to add them!)

Boys
Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 3rd place, 100-meter dash [10.38 (+1.8)]
**Thomas Howard Jr. [Rancocas Valley], 9th, 200-meter dash [21.33 (-.0.5)]
Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 9th place, mile run [4:04.92]
Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], 1st place, 110-meter hurdles [13.52 (+0.1)]
Jamir Brown [Riverside], 5th place, long jump [23-5 ½ (+0.0)]
Rancocas Valley [**Thomas Howard Jr., **Xavier Bancroft, *David Smith, **Julian Coppage-Seepersaud], 9th, 800-meter relay [1:26.76]
Winslow Twp. [**Nyqir Helton, Darrell Jackson Jr., *Jayden Poteat, *Dominic Bassey], 7th, sprint medley [3:26.28]

Girls
**Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2nd place, 100-meter dash [11.49 (+1.43)]
*Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek], 9th place, 100-meter dash [11.57 (+2.4)] (ran 11.57 [+0.4] in trials)
Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], 8th place, 400-meter dash [54.83]
**Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 1st place, 400-meter hurdles [58.32]
Sophia Curtis [Ocean City], 9th place, 400-meter hurdles [1:01.08]
Sophia Curtis [Ocean City], 6th place, triple jump [40-8 (+0.0)]
Zoe Goldberg [Eastern], 5th, javelin [135-8]
*Hannah Byrd-Leitner [Moorestown], 4th, pole vault [12-7 ½]
*Rebecca Hoover [Haddonfield], 6th, pole vault [12-3 ½]
**Ma’syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 7th, long jump [19-7 ½ (+0.1)]
**Ma’syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 8th, triple jump [40-6 ¼ (+0.8)]
*Jaidah Garrett [Absegami], 9th, long jump [19-7 (+0.6)]
Rece Englehart [Moorestown], 8th, triple jump [47-10 (+0.4)]
Willlingboro [**Kaila Speight, ***Maya Bolden, **Jaden Murry, *Nester Wea], 4th place, 800-meter relay [1:39.78]
Winslow Twp. [**Olivia Okaro, ***Skhye Seamon, Djassi Dean, ***Cinniya Robinson], 4th place, 1,600-meter relay [3:44.43]
Timber Creek [*Billy Frazier, ***Taylor Gaines, Nyla Jones, Pierre Guerlande], 6th, Shuttle Hurdles [1:01.84]
Rancocas Valley [*Cecilia King, Nevaeh Lott, *Aniya Wilkins, Lauren Fadairo], 9th, Shuttle Hurdles [1:02.79]

Freshman Top-10 finishes
Boys
***Xavier Sabb [Glassboro], 3rd place, 100-meter dash [10.83 (+2.1)]
***Xavier Sabb [Glassboro], 6th place, high jump [6-2 ¾]

Girls
***Maya Bolden [Willingboro], 6th place, 100-meter dash [12.19 (+0.8)]
***Cinniya Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 5th place, 400-meter hurdles [1:03.50]
***Brooklyn Ezekiel [Cherry Hill XXst], 7th place, triple jump [37-1 ¼ (+0.8)]

When Timber Creek senior Naylah Jones ran 11.23 with a legal wind for 100 meters at the state Group 3 meet at Delsea, it appeared to put her in the mix for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The “A” standard for the Trials, which start Friday in. Eugene, is 11.07, and everyone who runs the A standard is guaranteed a spot in the field. But the “B” standard is 11.30 and as meet officials fill the field for each race, they begin accepting athletes with the B standard until they reach 36.

Only 17 U.S. women ran the A standard this year with legal wind and 16 of them entered the Trials. To get the field to 36 women, they took everyone who ran 11.30 or faster.

And 11.23 is faster than 11.30.

So you would think Jones would have qualified.

But on the Trials “status of entries” list, her entry is listed with “rejected,” with no additional information.

She ran 11.23 on June 7 – within the qualifying window of July 1, 2023, through June 9, 2024 – and she got her entry in well before the 11:59 p.m. June 11 deadline.

So why isn’t she on her way to Eugene?

It’s a great question, and it appears the answer is that the USATF quietly changed the rules that govern qualifying for nationals.

Although there isn’t a word about it on the USATF “qualifying information” page, there apparently is a new rule that prohibits athletes from using marks in high school-only meets to qualify.

It’s typical USATF to make a rule and not tell anybody or post anything about it on their abomination of a web site, which looks like it was put together by middle school computer students in 1997.

I don’t know anyone who follows this stuff as closely as I do, and I had no idea the qualifying rules had changed. The only place I found any reference to it was on Reddit, where a user explained that the rule change was probably due to the lack of drug testing at high school meets. Even college meets must now meet specific guidelines for their marks to be used to qualify for the Trials.

What I do know is that this rule could influence top high school athletes to compete independently in open meets instead of for their team, and any rule that does that is a bad one. Maybe for Athing Mu it makes sense, but for 99.9 percent of high school athletes, it doesn’t.

It will help that next year the top New Jersey high school track athletes will be able to compete at USATF Under-20’s, which presumably will be an approved meet to qualify for senior nationals. This year, Under-20’s – the qualifier for World Under-20’s – overlapped with Meet of Champions and West Philly Nationals.

But it just doesn’t make sense that six women who ran slower than Jones were accepted into the Trials and Jones wasn’t.

Would she have made the Olympic team? Of course not. But the USATF is denying one of the country’s top young female sprinters the incredible experience of competing at the highest level alongside stars such as Sha’Carri Richardson, Jacious Sears and English Gardner.

If the USATF wants to develop top young runners into world-class competitors, allowing them into a meet like the Olympic Trials if they’ve qualified sure would make a lot of sense.

Jones’ 11.23 is the fastest time ever by a New Jersey girl during the high school track season. Trenton’s Wendy Vereen ran 11.17 at a summer track meet – the National Sports Festival on July 3, 1983, in Colorado Springs – between her junior and senior year.

She deserves. a chance to go even faster.

Zoe Goldberg capped a fantastic career by earning All-America honors in the javelin Sunday at West Philly Nationals on the Moon Mondschein Throwing Complex adjacent to the Schuylkill Expressway across the Northeast Corridor train line from Franklin field.

Goldberg, an Eastern senior, popped a 135-8 on her 1st throw and placed 5th overall for her first career All-America performance.

Goldberg PR’d this spring at 146-1 at South Jersey Group 4 sectionals at Pennsauken and also surpassed 140 feet at states, which she won with a 140-9 in Somerset, Woodbury [144-6] and the Penn Relays [142-11].

She leaves Eastern ranked 8th in South Jersey history and is headed for Boston University in the fall.

Sterling senior Laurel Conway placed 15th with a 123-11 throw, also on her 1st throw of the competition. She PR’d this spring at 131-3 at the Camden County Championships at Haddon Township and was 2nd in the state Group 2 meet at Delsea.

Goldberg and Conway rank 3rd and 6th in Camden County history. Another Eastern senior, Aniyah Smith, threw 129-1 this year and ranks 7th in on the all-time Camden County list.

All-Time Camden County Javelin List [new javelin, since 2003]
152-9 … Kate Johnston [Haddonfield], 2012
148 8 … Caitlin Cielo [Eastern], 2002
146-1 … Zoe Goldberg [Eastern], 2024
136-6 … Danielle Still [Bishop Eustace], 2002
132-4 … Kelsey Reese [Paul VI], 2011
131-3 … Laurel Conway [Sterling], 2024
129-1 … Aniyah Smith [Eastern], 2024
128-5 … Saraly Gonzalez [Sterling], 2018
127-11 … Pam Watson [Haddon Heights], 2016
127-5 … Bernadette McGowan [Paul VI], 2016

Sophia Curtis earned her 4th All-America honor in two years at Ocean City with a 6th-place finish in the triple jump at Wesrt Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Curtis had three jumps over 40 feet Saturday, including a best of 40-8 ¼ on her 2nd attempt. She and Ma’syiah Brawner finished 6th and 8th, with Brawner jumping a lifetime-best 40-6 ¼. Brawner also earned All-America honors in the long jump.

Curtis also earned All-America honors last year indoors with a 3rd-place finish in the triple jump at Boston Nationals [41-3 1/4], last spring with a 6th-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles at West Philly Nationals [1:01.67] and this past indoor season with a 4th in the triple jump at Boston Nationals [40-1 ½]. She just missed a 5th All-America accolade with a 9th-place in the 400 hurdles Friday with a 1:01.08, just 10-100ths of a second out of 8th.

Curtis, who spent her first two years of high school at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Del., leaves Ocean City with PRs of 41-3 ¼ in the triple jump, 8.33 high hurdles and 57.80 for 400 indoors and 17-11 ¾, 41-9 ½, 15.02 and 56.04 outdoors.

She holds Cape May County records indoors in the 200, 400, high hurdles and triple jump and outdoors in the 400, 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump.

She’s No. 3 in state history and No. 2 all-time in South Jersey in the triple jump and 7 in South Jersey history in the intermediates.

Curtis plans to enter Virginia Tech in the fall.

Jamir Brown had such a promising sophomore season it was easy to wonder just what he would be doing by the time he was a senior.

As a sophomore at Delran, Brown was the No. 2 sophomore in New Jersey in the 110-meter hurdles at 14.66 [behind only Yashahya Brown], he was No. 2 soph in the 400-meter hurdles at 54.52 [behind only 2024 Meet of Champions winner Jason Meza of Morristown], he was the No. 2 sophomore in the long jump [behind 2024 Meet of Champions triple jump winner Rece Englehart] and No. 3 in the triple jump [behind Englehart and Cresskill’s Joshua Yoon].

It was quite a resume, but after transferring to Riverside, Brown missed virtually all of the 2023 season with injuries.

This year, healthy again, Brown blossomed into one of the top performers in South Jersey history. He capped his record-setting season by earning All-America honors at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field in the long jump, the only event her entered.

Brown placed 5th with a 23-5 ½ with legal wind on his 3rd attempt. He jumped 22-4 or better on all six attempts and averaged 22-7 ¾ per jump. He was the top New Jersey jumper – Englehart jumped 22-10 and placed 15th.

He winds up 4th in South Jersey history and 7th in state history in the high hurdles at 13.54, 22nd in the intermediates at 53.32 – which he only ran three times this year (and never lost) and 22nd in the long jump at 23-8 ¾. He also ran sub-22 in his only 200 – at the BCSL Championships.

Brown had a hand in 36 of Riverside’s 38 points at the state Group 1 meet at Pennsauken when the Rams placed 3rd in the state behind Woodbury and Glassboro in a 1-2-3 South Jersey sweep. He swept both hurdles and the long jump and anchored Riveside’s 3rd-place 4-by-100 team, which also included freshman Christopher Lopez, sophomore Justin Mary and senior Carmine Smith. Smith also placed in the high jump for Riverside that day.

Brown is in the top-10 in New Jersey Group 1 history in all three events and No. 1 all-time in the 110-meter highs.

All-Time South Jersey 110-Meter Hurdles List
13.43 … Danyne Brown [Camden], 1999
13.43 … Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], 2024
13.51 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 2019
13.54 … Jamir Brown [Riverside], 2024
13.59 … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], 1990
13.66 … Sultan Tucker [Delsea], 1997
13.73 … Kevin Hagamin [Timber Creek], 2014
13.74 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], 2001
13.75 … Rashad Baker [Wilson], 2000
13.76 … Nate Harley [Pleasantville], 1996
13.76 … Isaac Williams [Willingboro], 2012
13.77 … Anthony Acklin [Triton], 2001
13.77 … Eric Foster [Willingboro], 2024
13.81 … Scot McCray [Camden], 1997
13.81 … Jeff Young [Wilson], 1999
13.87 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], 2023
13.90 … Edwin Alston [Winslow Twp.], 2015
13.92 … Enrique Llanos [Wilson], 1999
13.93 … Malachi Wesley [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2022
13.93 … Alexander Hollimon [Williamstown], 2024
13.94 … Hal Lathan [Egg Harbor Twp,], 2009
13.95 … Kevin White [Haddon Heights], 1992
13.95 … Naseem Smith [Deptford], 2019
13.96 … Devon Carter [Washington Twp.], 2010
13.97 … Will Brown [Palmyra], 2006
13.97 … Syteek Farrington [Camden], 2010
13.99 … Herb Reid [Lenape], 2000

All-Time South Jersey 400-Meter Hurdles List
50.37 … Dwight Ruff [Camden], 2001
50.96 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], 2024
51.39 … Rueben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
51.5h … Martin Booker [Camden], 1981
51.62 … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 1997
51.82 … Azim Smith [Millville], 2001
52.10 … Tim Carey [Washington Twp.], 2009
52.0h … Vince Rawlins [Eastern], 1992
52.4h … Diandre Chandler [Camden], 1986
52.4h … Donovan Darius [Wilson], 1993
52.54 … Marcus Lee [Vineland], 2004
52.56 … Royce Reed [Bridgeton], 1995
52.62 … Devon Matthews [Pleasantville], 1999
52.62 … Harran Williams [Delran], 1999
52.62 … Ian Moore [Lenape], 2001
52.65 … Lathan Brown [Deptford], 2024
52.66 … Justin Dupree [Camden], 1996
52.66 … Aaron Younger [Delsea], 2007
52.68 … Premier Wynn [Pennsauken], 2024
52.71 … Mike Brown [Lenape], 1996
52.71 … Mike Morrison [Willingboro], 2003
52.72 … Devon Carter [Washington Twp.], 2000
52.87 … Demetrius Rooks [Absegami], 2008
52.89 … Barry Bethea [Eastern Reg.], 2010
52.92 … Alex Reber [Eastern Reg.], 2012
52.8h … Jack Thompson [Edgewood], 2001
52.89 … Devon Patton [Willingboro], 1990
52.94 … Maurice Young [Camden], 2002
52.96 … Tyler Davidson [Willingboro], 2016
53.01 … Shareef Muhammed [Willingboro], 2003
53.05 … Dayne Brown [Camden], 1998
53.13 … Donnie House [Timber Creek], 2011
53.14 … Michael Bolling [Willingboro], 2000
52.9h … Bill Galbraith [Cherry Hill West], 1976
52.9h … Bill Newmuis [Penns Grove], 1982
53.16 … Matt Collins [Bishop Eustace], 1997
53.1h … Daryl Merriman (Willingboro), 1982
53.1h … William Mobley [Eastern], 1983
53.22 … Will Washington [Delsea Reg.], 2006
53.28 … Kervens Mezilus [Cherry Hill East], 2017
53.29 … Joe Lewis [Pleasantville], 1998
53.30 … Maxwell Dickens [Paul VI], 2016
53.31 … Mike Williams [Lenape], 2013
53.32 … Jamir Brown [Riverside], 2024
53.36 … Nate Harley [Pleasantville], 1997
53.43 … Keith Fleming [Egg Harbor Twp.], 1994
53.3h … Kerry Vivett [Edgewood], 1985
53.48 … Dan Morris [Rancocas Valley], 1991
53.48 … Ashraf Maklache [Cherry Hill East], 2024
53.49 … Firman Walden [Overbrook], 1986

All-Time South Jersey Long Jump List
26-8 ¼ … Carl Lewis [Willingboro], 1979
25-2 …….. Anthony Averett [Woodbury], 2012
25-1 ½ … Gerard Reynolds [Willingboro], 1990
25-0 …….. William Spearman [Woodrow Wilson], 1996
24-8 ….….. Isaac Samuels [Willingboro-Kennedy], 1983
24-11 ¼ … Anthony Miles [Winslow Twp.], 2002
24-5 ….….. Mike Morrison [Willingboro], 2003
24-4 ¼ … Ahmad Fogg [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2023
24-3 ¾ … Mikhail Micheaux [Eastern], 2013
24-1 ½ … Mike Boone [Burlington City], 1990
24-0 ½ … Kerry Vivett [Edgewood], 1984
23-11 ½ … Syteek Farrington [Camden], 2009
23-11 ½ … Rece Englehardt [Moorestown], 2024
23-11 ….….. Preston Beckley [Eastern], 1993
23-11 ….….. Nick Brown [Bridgeton], 1999
23-10 ¾ .. Bob Schuenemann [Collingswood], 1932
23-10 ¼ … Ben Liles [Kingsway], 1992
23-10 …….. Jerry Mathis [Willingboro], 1985
23-10 …….. Steve Harper [Atlantic City], 1993
23-9 ……… Dave Klemic [Mainland Reg.], 1996
23-9 ……… Robert Jordan [Millville], 1999
23-8 ¾ … Jamir Brown [Riverside], 2024
23-8 ½ … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
23-8 ½ … Bill Mobley [Eastern], 1990
23-8 ½ … Lamar Sturdivant [Woodbury], 1996
23-8 ½ … Sean McPherson [Delsea], 2010
23-8 ….….. Jamal Powell [Bridgeton], 1991
23-7 ¾ … Clem Jones [Vineland], 1968
23-7 ½ … Matt Rose [Bordentown], 1984
23-7 ¼ … Reginald Morton [Oakcrest], 2013
23-6 ¾ … Jamal Powell [Bridgeton], 1990
23-6 ½ … Ed Loges [Shawnee], 1992
23-6 ½ … Reggie Riggs [Pennsauken Tech], 1988
23-6 ½ … Ter’Mer Hill [Clayton], 2021
23-6 ½ … Floyd Whitaker [Highland], 2021
23-6 ¼ … Jamal Heard [Bridgeton], 1990
23-6 …….. Tyler Clybourn [Oakcrest], 2016
23-6 …….. Chris Gillis [Pennsauken], 2000
23-6 …….. Antwan Dickerson [Pennsauken], 2013

Washington Township senior Dahlia Beasley finished up a fantastic senior year with a huge 400 PR and All-America honors at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field..

The versatile Beasley ran 24.35 and placed 3rd at the Meet of Champions with a legal wind, she high jumped 5-6 and won the state Group 4 title and she long jumped 18-10 and placed 2nd at states, but at Nationals she had a breakthrough race in the 400, lowering her PR from 55.55 from last year’s Nationals at Franklin Field to 54.83 and placing 8th.

She finished 3-100ths of a second in front of 9th place, earning All-America accolades by the smallest of margins.

Beasley finishes her fabulous career ranked No. 5 in Gloucester County history at 200 meters, No. 5 in the 400 and No. 6 in the long jump.

And considering that she was competing in three or four events in virtually every meet, that’s impressive. She was a big reason the Washington Township girls won the South Jersey Group 4 meet and placed 3rd at states. She scored 34 points at sectionals and 24 at states.

She leaves Washington Township with school records in the 200, 400 and long jump, and she’s 2nd in the high jump, behind Misty Farrell, who cleared 5-8 at the 1995 state Group 4 meet at South Plainfield.

At Nationals, Beasley also ran 24.82 in the 200 and long jumped 18-6 ¼.

Beasley will join the outstanding Rutgers program in the fall.
At Nationals,

All-Time South Jersey 200-Meter Dash List
23.29 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2024
23.34 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2024
23.66 … Dennisha Page [Woodrow Wilson], 2019
23.69 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 1981
23.85 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017
23.86 … Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek], 2024
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
24.22 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2023
24.23 … Nichole Hill [Oakcrest], 1997
24.31 … Morgan Gordon [Rancocas Valley], 2009
24.32 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2015
24.35 … Amirah Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
24.35 … Arianna Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
24.35 … Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], 2024
24.37 … Nester Wea [Washington Twp.], 2024
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

All-Time South Jersey 400-Meter Dash List
52.91 … Michelle Brown [Seneca], 2009
53.16 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2024
53.45 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2024
53.51 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996
53.64 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2008
53.00 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2007
53.49 … Arianna Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
53.60 … Amirah Sharpe [Clayton], 2022
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
54.83 … Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], 2024
54.93 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2004

All-Time South Jersey Long Jump List
21-7 ¾ …… Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1980
20-0 ½ ….. Teneacia Smith [Cherry Hill East], 1992
19-11 ½ … Kathy Rankins [Haddon Heights], 1980
19-11 ½ …. Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp.], 2018
19-9 ¼ ….. Cidae’a Woods [Winslow Twp.], 2013
19-7 ½ ….. Helen Wilks [Bridgeton], 1993
19-7 ½ … Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 2024
19-7 … Jaidah Garrett [Absegami], 2024
19-4 ¾ …… Gabrielle Farquharson [Williamstown], 2011
19-4 ………. Emily Carson [Haddonfield], 2012
19-3 ………. Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp.], 2017
19-2 ¾ …….Asia Young [Holy Spirit], 2016
19-2 ½ ….…Gabrielle Bennett [Winslow Twp.], 2015
19-2 ………. Tierra Hooker [Timber Creek], 2018
19-2 ………. Robin Taylor [Deptford], 1980
19-1 ……….. Nena Moore [Cherry Hill West], 1995
19-1 ………. Yvonne Wolef [Middle Twp.], 2012
19-0 ¼ …… Jasmine Staten [Lenape], 2016
18-11 1/2 … Tisifenee Taylor [Woodbury], 2002
18-11 3/4 … Shaytika Bryant [Bridgeton], 1995
18-11 ……… Vashti Hannah [Cumberland Reg.], 2015
18-10 ¾ … Shameeka Marshall [Oakcrest], 2001
18-10 1/2 … Karissa Watson [Williamstown], 2019
18-10 1/4 … Anna Stewart [Glassboro], 1977
18-10 1/4 … Demya Walker [Rancocas Valley], 1984
18-10 …….. Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 1989
18-10 … Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], 2024
18-9 1/2 … Frances Bundy [Pleasantville], 1999
18-9 1/4 … Ashley Edwards [Northern Burlington], 2015
18-9 …….. Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2002
18-8 3/4 … Tacqyaya Tobias [Our Lady of Mercy], 2011
18-8 1/2 … Rachel Armstead [Millville], 2015
18-8 1/2 … Tina Walls [Williamstown], 1982
18-8 1/2 … Jessica Bryant [Cherry Hill East], 2016
18-8 …….. Kristina Tossas [Rancocas Valley], 2019
18-7 1/2 … Sable Loper [Woodrow Wilson], 2005
18-7 …….. Jamie Walker [Haddon Heights], 2007
18-7 …….. Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2018
18-6 ¾ … Artrelia Turner [Woodrow Wilson], 1986
18-6 ¾ … Leah Ellis [Millville], 2021
18-6 ½ … Kristina Matthews [Bordentown], 1998
18-6 ½ … Tina Johnson [Burlington Twp.], 1996
18-6 … Emma Crozier-Carole [Mainland Reg.], 2023

The Winslow Township girls on Sunday closed out a historic season filled with championships, records and unforgettable performances with one of the greatest relays in South Jersey history.

Sophomore Olivia Okaro, freshman Skhye Seamon, senior Djassi Dean and freshman Cinniya Robinson placed 4th in a crazy fast1,600-meter relay championship – the final event on the final day of the final meet of the 2024 track season – and earned All-America honors at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Winslow ran 3:44.43, the fastest time by a South Jersey 4-by-4 relay in 23 years.

Winslow, four girls from Atco, Chesilhurst and Waterford, finished behind only three national track and field all-star programs – Montverde Academy of Florida, Bullis School of Potomac, Md., and Union Catholic of Scotch Plains.

But regardless of times, it’s more impressive when a relay team made up of four girls from the same community runs 3:44 than anything a private all-star program drawing athletes from across a region does.

Winslow’s time is No. 2 in South Jersey history behind Willingboro’s 3:43.94 at 2001 Greensboro Nationals with Halimah Bashir, Chanel Hamilton, Danielle Myrics and Okechi Ogbuokiri.

Winslow’s time is No. 12 in state history and No. 7 if you remove five Union Catholic performances. The only schools in state history to run faster are Union Catholic five times, Columbia three times and Plainfield and Willingboro once each.

It’s also fastest by any New Jersey public school since Columbia ran 3:41.19 at 2014 Greensboro Nationals.

Okaro led off for the Eagles, followed by Seamon, and although splits aren’t available because of the three-turn stagger, Okaro and Seamon brought the stick to Dean in 1:52.35, so they averaged 56.2 per leg. Dean then split 57.54 to set up Robinson, who blazed a 54.54 anchor to move Winslow up from 5th to 4th.

Winslow’s previous-best time this year was a 3:46.85 at the Penn Relays. The previous school record was a 3:46.67 at the 2018 Meet of Champions at Northern Burlington with Janeya Hammond, Flora Ahiarakwe, Nylah Perry and Shakirah Dancy.

Winslow also broke a 29-year-old Camden County record of 3:45.41 set by Camden’s Tynisha Revels, Medina Salaam, Aishia Lawson and Alishia Lawson when the Panthers placed 4th in the 1995 Penn Relays Championship of America race on the same track.

Eastern ran 3:52.70 and placed 16th, with senior Eva Sprewell, sophomore Samantha Osei-Kyei, junior Jasmine Davies and sophomore Natalie Dumas, who closed out her historic sophomore year with a 53.99 split.

All-Time New Jersey 4-by-4 List
3:35.90 … Union Catholic, 2015
3:38.92 … Union Catholic, 2017
3:40.36 … Columbia, 2013
3:41.03 … Montclair, 1998
3:41.17 … Union Catholic, 2024
3:41.19 … Columbia, 2014
3:42.54 … Columbia, 2010
3:42.59 … Union Catholic, 2016
3:42.97 … Union Catholic, 2019
3:43.3h … Plainfield, 1981
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2003
3;44.43 … Winslow Twp., 2024
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:44.9h … Columbia, 1980
3:45.11 … Union Catholic, 2024
3:45.12 … Trenton, 2001
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023
3:46.67 … Winslow, 2018
3:46.71 … Union Catholic, 2023
3:46.73 … Scotch Plains-Fanwood
3:46.85 … Winslow Twp., 2024

All-Time South Jersey 4-by-4 List
3:43.94 … Willingboro, 2001
3;44.43 … Winslow Twp., 2024
3:44.64 … Willingboro, 2002
3:44.67 … Clayton, 2022
3:45.41 … Camden, 1995
3:45.67 … Willingboro, 1999
3:46.04 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.13 … Willingboro, 2000
3:46.38 … Timber Creek, 2023
3:46.66 … Timber Creek, 2024
3:46.67 … Winslow Twp., 2018
3:46.85 … Winslow Twp., 2024
3:47.16 … Eastern, 2003
3:47.30 … Willingboro, 2003
3:47.41 … Winslow Twp., 2017
3:47.4h … Camden, 1978
3:47.55 … Camden, 2006
3:48.00 … Wilson, 2001
3:48.17 … Wilson, 2006
3:48.6y … Camden,, 1978
3:48.78 … Lenape, 2014
3:48.7h … Washington Twp., 1999
3:48.87 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
3:48.91 … Penns Grove, 2013
3:49.25 … Lenape, 2015
3:49.2y … Camden, 1979
3:49.30 … Winslow Twp., 2004
3:49.43 … Willingboro, 1997
3:49.53 … Willingboro, 1998
3:49.63 … Winslow Twp., 2016
3:49.01 … Eastern, 2024
3:49.93 … Willingboro, 2009

Winslow Township sophomore Ma’syiah Brawner and Absegami junior Jaidah Garrett both popped major long jump PRs Sunday and earned All-America honors at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Brawner jumped 19-7 ½ on her 2nd attempt and Garrett 19-7 on her 3rd, and they placed 7th and 8th overall.

They now rank 13th and 15th in state history and 5th and 7th in South Jersey history.

Brawner’s 19-7 ½ equls the 2nd-best in state history by a sophomore, behind only Carol Lewis’s 20-7 ½ at the 1979 AAU Junior Championships in Bloomington, Ind., and tied with Keturah Orji of Mount Olive in 2014 and Winslow’s Tionna Tobias in 2017.

Garrett’s 19-7 is the best mark by a South Jersey junior since Cidae’a Woods of Winslow jumped 19-9 ¼ at the 2013 state Group 3 Championships in South Plainfield.

Coming into Nationals, Brawner’s PR was PR was 19-3 ½, which she achieved both indoors at the Armory in January and earlier this month when she won the state Group 3 title at Delsea, edging Garrett. Garrett’s PR was 19-2 from her win at Group 3 sectionals at Delsea, where she edged Brawner.

Brawner won the Meet of Champions triple jump with a 40-5 ¾ and she’s now hit at least 19 feet in the long jump in her last three meets. Garrett has been over 19 feet in her last four meets.

On Sunday, Brawner had four jumps of at least 18-8 ½, and Garrett surpassed 19 feet three times, with a 19-0 ½ to open, the 19-7 on her 3rd jump and a 19-4 on her 5th jump.

Brawner and Garrett were sitting in 5th and 6th place through five jumps before Kassidi Watkins of Mustang (Okla.) and Danah Nembhard of Dacula (Ga.) went 20-0 ¼ and 20-1 back-to-back on their final jumps to take the top two spots.

All of Brawner and Garrett’s jumps were wind-legal.

Brawner placed 8th in the triple jump on Friday with a 40-6 1/4, so she’s now a double All-America this weekend.

All-Time New Jersey Long Jump List
20-11 ¾ … Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1980
20-11 ¾ … Keturah Orji [Mount Olive], 2012
20-2 ¼ … Kayla Richardson (Columbia), 2014

20-2 … Clair Connor (Rahway), 1984

20-1 … Celine-Jada Brown [Plainfield], 2022
20­0 ½ … Teneacia Smith (Cherry Hill East), 1992

20­0 ½ … Cassandra Grant (Passaic), 1980

20-0 … Caitlyn Salisbury (Hawthorne), 2016

19-11 ½ … Tionna Tobias (Winslow Twp.), 2018

19-10 ½ … Nyamekye Opoku-Agyemang (Union), 2017

19-9 ¼ … Cidae’a Woods (Winslow Twp.), 2013

19­8 ¾ … Demeika Tweedy (Plainfield), 1993

19-7 ¾ … Ashley Noel [Montclair], 2024
19-7 ½ … Helen Wilks (Bridgeton), 1993

19-7 ½ … Ma’syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 2024
19-7 … Jaidah Garrett [Absegami], 2024
19-6 ¼ … Saniyah Evans [Rahway], 2024
19­6 … Sharon Johnson (Newark Central), 1982

19-5 ¾ … Tatiyanna Sanders (Paramus Catholic), 2014

19-5 ¼ … Mariah Browne (South Brunswick), 2010

19-5 … Essence Mayers (Lakewood), 2010

19-4 ¾ … LaShonda Carter (Rahway), 2006

19-4 ¾ … Gabrielle Farquharson (Williamstown), 2011

19­4 … Jen McDermott (Ridgewood), 1989

19-4 … Linda Hayes (Monmouth), 1985

19-4 … Emily Carson (Haddonfield), 2012

19-4 … Gianna Macones [Sparta], 2018
19-3 ¾ … Hannah Taylor (Montgomery), 2016

19-3 ¼ … Lauren Stern [Mahwah], 2018
19-2 ¾ … Asia Young (Holy Spirit), 2016

19-2 ½ … Gabrielle Bennett (Winslow Twp.), 2015

19-2 ½ … Tiffany Bautista (Paramus Catholic), 2018
19-2 ¼ … Chino Anukwuem (Hanover Park), 2016

19-2 ¼ … Kassidy Mulryne [Allentown], 2018
19-2 … Tierra Hooker [Timber Creek], 2018
19-2 … Tara Zeni [Red Bank Catholic], 2019
19-1 ¾ … Timia Joseph (Morris Knolls), 2016
19-1 ½ … Promise Fadhunsi [Monroe Twp.], 2017
19-1 ½ … Adannia Agbo [Morris Hills], 2023
19-1 ¼ … Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic), 2015

19-1 ¼ … Kelsey Veira (Hillsborough), 2015

19-1 ¼ … Aniyah Russell [Jackson Liberty], 2017
19­1 … Nena Moore Cherry Hill W), 1995

19­1 … Alaina Alfano (Hanover Park), 2005

19-1 … Yvonne Wolef (Middle Twp.), 2012

19-1 … Paula Marie Brown [Newark West Side], 2021
19­0 ¾ … Jen Schweizer (Morris Knolls), 1989

19-0 ½ … Lia Malave [Toms River North], 2023
19-0 ¼ ….. Morgan McLaughlin (Union Catholic), 2012

19-0 ¼ …… Jasmine Staten (Lenape), 2016

19­0 ………. Leticia Beverly (Newark Central), 1984

19-0 ………. Adriene Davis (Newark Central), 1988

19-0 ………. Danielle Grady (Notre Dame), 1996
19-0 … Vonya Gould [Union Catholic], 2023
19-0 … Alexandra Samperi [Hasbrouck Heights], 2023
19-0 … Abigail Dennis [Old Tappan], 2023

All-Time South Jersey Long Jump List
20-11 ¾ ….. Carol Lewis [Willingboro], 1980
20­0 ½ ….. Teneacia Smith (Cherry Hill East), 1992

19-11 ½ …. Tionna Tobias (Winslow Twp.), 2018

19-9 ¼ …..Cidae’a Woods (Winslow Twp.), 2013

19-7 ½ ….. Helen Wilks (Bridgeton), 1993

19-7 ½ … Ma’syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], 2024
19-7 … Jaidah Garrett [Absegami], 2024
19-4 ¾ …… Gabrielle Farquharson (Williamstown), 2011

19-4 ………. Emily Carson (Haddonfield), 2012

19-2 ¾ …….Asia Young (Holy Spirit), 2016

19-2 ½ ….…Gabrielle Bennett (Winslow Twp.), 2015

19-2 … Tierra Hooker [Timber Creek], 2018
19­1 ……….. Nena Moore [Cherry Hill W), 1995

19-1 ………. Yvonne Wolef (Middle Twp.), 2012

19-0 ¼ …… Jasmine Staten (Lenape), 2016

18-11 1/2 … Tisifenee Taylor [Woodbury], 2002
18-11 3/4 … Shaytika Bryant [Bridgeton], 1995
18-11 ……… Vashti Hannah [Cumberland Reg.], 2015
18-10 ¾ … Shameeka Marshall [Oakcrest], 2001
18-10 1/2 … Karissa Watson [Williamstown], 2019
18-10 1/4 … Anna Stewart [Glassboro], 1977
18-10 1/4 … Demya Walker [Rancocas Valley], 1984
18-10 …….. Shana Williams [Bridgeton], 1989
18-10 … Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], 2024
18-9 1/2 … Frances Bundy [Pleasantville], 1999
18-9 1/4 … Ashley Edwards [Northern Burlington], 2015
18-9 …….. Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2002
18-8 3/4 … Tacqyaya Tobias [Our Lady of Mercy], 2011
18-8 1/2 … Rachel Armstead [Millville], 2015
18-8 1/2 … Tina Walls [Williamstown], 1982
18-8 1/2 … Jessica Bryant [Cherry Hill East], 2016
18-8 …….. Kristina Tossas [Rancocas Valley], 2019
18-7 1/2 … Sable Loper [Woodrow Wilson], 2005
18-7 …….. Jamie Walker [Haddon Heights], 2007
18-7 …….. Claudine Smith [Atlantic City], 2018
18-6 ¾ … Artrelia Turner [Woodrow Wilson], 1986
18-6 ¾ … Leah Ellis [Millville], 2021
18-6 ½ … Kristina Matthews [Bordentown], 1998
18-6 ½ … Tina Johnson [Burlington Twp.], 1996
18-6 … Emma Crozier-Carole [Mainland Reg.], 2023

Washington Township’s Yashahya Brown capped a historic senior year by hurdling his way to a national title Sunday.

Brown didn’t lose a race this year, finishing with a thrilling win over senior Anthony Waterman of DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Md., at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Brown ran 13.52, 9-100ths of a second off the South Jersey record of 13.43 he set in the state Group 4 meet in Somerset.

Brown was only 6th-fastest in Saturday’s semis with a 13.72 – he only made the final by 15-100ths of a second – but racing in Lane 3, with Waterman in Lane 4, he won what was essentially a two-man race by about a fifth of a meter – approximately seven inches. Waterman was 2nd in 13.55.

From his opener at Fast Times at Cherokee High through Sunday, Brown never lost a hurdles race, and he was undefeated indoors as well, winning titles at Easterns and the Meet of Champions. The last time he raced in the 110-meter highs and didn’t win was last year’s Meet of Champions, where he placed 3rd behind Nathaniel Ryan of Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Jack Attali of Demarest. Last time he finished behind a South Jersey runner was in last year’s state Group 4 meet, when he was 3rd, one spot behind Pennsauken senior Bryce Tucker.

Brown this year also enjoyed great success as a flat sprinter, lowering his 100 time to 10.56 and running 21.72 in his only 200. He ranked 5th in the state this year at 100 meters with legal wind.

Timber Creek junior Billie Frazier, freshman Taylor Gaines, senior Nyla Jones and senior Guerlande Pierre earned All-America honors Sunday morning with a 6th-place finish in the shuttle hurdles at West Philly Nationals.

Timber Creek ran 1:01.84 in the 3rd of nine sections and then held on as only five schools in the last six races topped their time.

The time is No. 13 in South Jersey history and a school record.

Rancocas Valley, with junior Cecilia King, senior Nevaeh Lott, junior Kaylie Peacock and junior Aniya Wilkins placed 10th in 1:02.79, and Washington Township ran 1:03.47 for 15th with junior Meciah Howell, senior Zarria Oliphant, junior Zaida Taylor-Burch and junior Dakota Jones.

All-Tine South Jersey Shuttle Hurdles List
58.00 … Edgewood, 1999
59.52 … Eastern, 2019
59.80 … Pennsauken, 1999
1:00.14 … Buena, 2012
1:00.18 … Winslow Twp., 2014
1:00.46 … Winslow Twp., 2013
1:01.17 … Woodrow Wilson, 2002
1:01.38 … Winslow Twp., 2017
1:01.58 … Rancocas Valley, 2024
1:01.6h … Woodrow Wilson, 2005
1:01.68 … Winslow Twp., 2002
1:01.82 … Winslow Twp., 2012
1:01.84 … Timber Creek, 2024
1:02.0h … Moorestown, 1994