From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Moorestown’s Hope Edwards ran a mind-blowing intermediate hurdles PR Friday and the 3^rd-fastest time in New Jersey history by a freshman.

Edwards placed 2^nd in the freshman 400 hurdles at West Philly Nationals Friday at Franklin Field in 1:00.32, a PR of more than three seconds. Her previous best was a 1:03.37 when she placed 13^th at the Meet of Champions at Pennsauken earlier this month.

Her time was fast enough that it would have placed 13^th in the championship division of the 400-meter hurdles.

It’s 11^th-fastest in South Jersey history, 4^th-fastest in Burlington County history and fastest by a Burlington County girl in 24 years, since Willingboro’s Danielle Myricks ran a hand-timed 1:00.1 at 2001 South Jersey Group 3 sectionals at Egg Harbor.

Edwards broke the South Jersey freshman class record of 1:00.63 set by Winslow Township’s Krystal Cantey at the 2003 state Group 4 meet at Egg Harbor.

The only faster freshmen in state history are four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin, who ran 55.63 as a freshman at the 2014 USATF Junior National Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., and Tawana Watkins of Paterson Kennedy, who ran 59.71 at 1999 Raleigh Nationals.

Edwards also ran 2:13.65, which broke the Burlington County freshman record of 2:15.01 set by Shawnee’s Julia Despirito at the 2011 Group 4 state meet at Old Bridge. Edwards’ teammate, Payton Derer, was also under that mark with her 2:14.83 at South Jersey Group 3 sectionals at Delsea.

55.99 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2025
56.83 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2005
59.03 … Tonya Lee [Rancocas Valley], 1988
59.56 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2013
59.66 … Mandie Dulin [Shawnee], 1997
59.80 … Sophia Curtis [Ocean City], 2024
1:00.13 … Arianna Smith [Pennsville], 2019
1:00.16 … Aliya Rae Garozzo [Paul VI], 2018
1:00.1h … Danielle Myricks [Willingboro], 2001
1:00.26 … Helena Leyrer [Buena], 2012
1:00.32 … Hope Edwards [Moorestown], 2025
1:00.40 … Diamond McLaughlin [Absegami], 2021
1:00.47 … Shaquanda Meylor [Wilson], 2006
1:00.48 … Ste’yce McNeil [Winslow Twp.], 2012
1:00.55 … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1997
1:00.58 … Andrea Olsen [Buena], 2013
1:00.67 … Meredith Updike [Cinnaminson], 2019
1:00.79 … Courtney Smith [Penns Grove], 2014

Willingboro junior Kaila Speight, sophomore Maya Bolden, sophomore Jade Pinder and senior Nester Wea smashed the South Jersey 800-meter relay record on Day 2 of West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field, the 4^thgirls South Jersey record broken on Friday.

The Chimeras placed 5^th in 1:37.96, breaking the South Jersey record of 1:38.43 set by Winslow Township’s Janeya Hammond, Flora Ahiarakwe, Nylah Perry and Shakira Dancy at 2018 Greensboro Nationals.

Willingboro ran its 1:37.96 in an unseeded heat – 8^th out of 10 – and was unpressed, winning that race by nearly two seconds.

Willingboro also placed 5^th last year, in 1:39.78 with Speight, Bolden, Jaden Murry and Wea. That was the former Burlington County record. So back-to-back All-America finishes in the 4-by-2 for the Chimeras.

Willingboro’s time is 6^th-fastest in state history. Union Catholic set the state record of 1:35.89 in the final heat, placing 2^nd to Bullis School of Potomac, Md.

Kingsway ran 1:40.45 in the same race, placing 11th overall with the 13th-fastest time in South Jersey history and a Gloucester County record.

Freshman Talia Griscom, senior Camryn Stanard, freshman Noemi Haller and senior Jonnelle Lewis broke the county record of 1:41.85 set by Deptford’s Sundasia Baker, Taylor Ransom, Kayla Tucker and Kiara Lester at the 2015 Woodbury Relays.

All-Time South Jersey 800-Meter Relay 
1:37.96 … Willingboro, 2025
1:38.43 … Winslow Twp., 2018
1:38.55 … Winslow Twp., 2025
1:39.21 … Eastern, 2003
1:39.59 … Winslow Twp., 2012
1:39.65 … Pennsauken, 2025
1:39.67 … Winslow Twp., 2019
1:39.67 … Timber Creek, 2023
1:39.78 … Willingboro, 2024
1:40.10 … Timber Creek, 2024
1:40.25 … Rancocas Valley, 2019
1:40.30 … Winslow Twp., 2017
1:40.45 … Kingsway, 2025
1:40.46 … Eastern, 2019
1:40.62 … Winslow Twp., 2003
1:40.72 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2018
1:40.5h … Woodrow Wilson, 2006
1:40.91 … Winslow Twp., 2004
1:41.10 … Washington Twp, 1999
1:41.1h …. Camden, 1995
1:41.33 … Camden, 2009
1:41.2h … Willingboro, 1994
1:41.40 … Winslow Twp., 2005
1:41.2h … Camden, 2006
1:41.48 …. Eastern, 2025
1:41.54 … Willingboro, 1999
1:41.56 … Highland, 1998
1:41.59 … Eastern, 2002
1:41.70 … Paul VI, 2019
1:41.5h … Pleasantville, 1995
1:41.5h … Woodrow Wilson, 2005
1:41.81 … Willingboro, 1995
1:41.7h … Wilson, 2008
1:41.85 … Deptford,X2015
1:41.86 … Willingboro, 2000
1:41.87 … Camden, 2001
1:41.88 … Winslow, 2013
1:41.91 … Winslow, 2018
1:41.97 … Moorestown, 1999
1:41.9h … Willingboro, 2003

All-Time New Jersey 800-Meter Relay 
1:35.89 … Union Catholic, 2025
1:37.53 … Union Catholic, 2017
1:37.75 … Union Catholic, 2024
1:37.77 … Franklin Twp., 2003
1:37.89 … Union Catholic, 2023
1:37.96 … Willingboro, 2025
1:38.11 … Union Catholic, 2019
1:38.42 … Franklin Twp., 2001
1:38.43 … Winslow Twp., 2018
1:38.55 … Winslow Twp., 2025
1:38.98 … Union Catholic, 2022
1:39.04h … Montclair, 1980
1:39.21 … Eastern, 2003
1:39.54h … Montclair, 1981
1:39.59 … Winslow Twp., 2012
1:39.65 … Pennsauken, 2025 ***
1:39.67 … Winslow Twp., 2019
1:39.67 … Timber Creek, 2023
1:39.76 … Neptune, 2015
1:39.78 … Willingboro, 2024
1:39.79 … Columbia, 2010
1:39.86 … Summit, 2017
1:39.94 … Piscataway, 2011

Less than two hours after running the 6^th-fastest 400-meter hurdles time in U.S. scholastic history and winning a national title, Natalie Dumas anchored Eastern to the 12^th-fastest sprint medley in U.S. history with a 2:03.90 split.

Eastern ran 3:53.15 at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field Friday, breaking a 22-year-old South Jersey record by SIX SECONDS and placing 2^nd to Rumson-Fair Haven, whose 3:50.10 is 4^th-fastest in U.S. history.

Only Stanford-bound Clemmie Lilley’s monster anchor of her own – 2:03.49 running fresh – kept Rumson ahead of Eastern in the 1-2 New Jersey finish. Dumas and Lilley placed 1-2 in the Meet of Champions earlier this month at Pennsauken.

Senior Johnna Gonter and senior Jasmine Davies ran the 200s for Eastern and senior Samantha Osei-Kyei ran the 400, with Dumas getting the stick in 6^th place in a loaded field at 1:49.25.

She passed the entire field other than Rumson, earning All-America honors for the Vikings quartet.

Eastern shattered the South Jersey record of 3:59.6, set in 2003 by Willingboro’s Rhea Mann, Chanel Hamilton, Rasheda Spratley and Okechi Ogbuokiri at its own relay meet – it was called the Eastern Regional Relay Classic that year. There’s a funny story about that race which I’ll share at the end of this post.

Dumas is now in the top-20 in U.S. scholastic history in four events – the 400, 800 and intermediates as an individual and the sprint medley as part of a relay team. She’s scheduled to race the 400 on Saturday and the 800 on Sunday.

In the previous heat, Winslow ran 4:03.47, first overall in their race. That held up for 9^th place overall and is No. 12 in South Jersey history.

Sophomores Cinniya Robinson and Skyhe Seamon ran the 200s, freshman Adaiah Arango the 400 and freshman Amariah Arango anchored in 2:15.22.

[p.s. – About that Willingboro sprint medley in 2003. That meet was hand-timed and not very well. I was standing at the finish line and had Willingboro in something like 3:59.54, and Willingboro coach Tosca Bynoe had something similar on her watch. So we both agreed they had run what would be 3:59.6, since you round up with hand timing. But a woman on the finish line who was recording the winner, scribbled 3:59.6 so poorly that the “6” looked like a “0,” and in the results tent it was recorded as a 3:59.0. Now, this being a South Jersey record either way I felt it was important to get the time right. Along with someone from the timing company we went over to the finish line and asked the woman if that was a 0 or a 6. She had no idea. No clue at all. And the timer just decided, well, it looks like a 0 to me so let’s go with 3:59.0. I emphasized that this is a South Jersey record and at the time one of the fastest times in U.S. history and it’s important to get it right and they did not run 3:59.0. They didn’t care. Nobody cared. They just wanted to get paid and go home. So in my records and lists that time has always been recorded as a 3:59.6. Everywhere else, it’s been 3:59.0. And finally, 23 years later, it doesn’t matter because it’s no longer the South Jersey record.]

All-Time U.S. Sprint Medley List
3:47.65 … Rush-Henrietta, Henrietta, N.Y., 2015
3:48.83 … Union Catholic, Scotch Plains, 2025
3:49.59 … Pine View, Utah, 2019
3:50.10 … Rumson-Fair Haven, 2025
3:50.82 … Columbia, Maplewood, 2014
3:51.90 … Roosevelt, Greenbelt, Md., 2007
3:52.07 … Columbia, Maplewood, 2013
3:52.22 … West Catholic, Philadelphia, 2004
3:52.33 … West Babylon (N.Y.), 2017
3:52.38 … Roosevel;t, Greenbelt, Md., 2006
3:52.74 … Neptune, 2010
3:53.15 … Eastern, 2025
3:53.60 … Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla., 2004
3:53.62 … Randolph, New York, 2004
3:53.93 … Sparta, 2010
3:54.37 … Southern Regional, Manahawkan, 2007
3:54.72 … Oak Park, Mich., 2024
3:54.95 … Oak Park, Mich., 2024
3:54.96 … Lake Creek, Montgomery, Texas, 2025

All-Time New Jersey Sprint Medley List
3:48.83 … Union Catholic, 2025
3:50.10 … Rumson-Fair Haven, 2025
3:50.82 … Columbia, 2014
3:52.07 … Columbia, 2013
3:52.74 … Neptune, 2010
3:53.15 … Eastern, 2025
3:53.70 … Columbia, 2010
3:53.93 … Sparta, 2010
3:54.37 … Southern Regional, 2007
3:55.7h … Columbia, 1980
3:56.54 … Columbia, 2009
3:57.44 … Union Catholic, 2017
3:57.51 … Columbia, 2012
3:57.82 … Union Catholic, 2016
3:57.96 … Westwood, 2014
3:58.12 … Union Catholic, 2024
3:58.26 … Pope John XXIII, 2014
3:58.41 … Union Catholic, 2015
3:58.56 … Columbia, 1995
3:58.59 … Shabazz, 1986
3:59.6h … Willingboro, 2003
4:00.34 … Willingboro, 2006
4:00.71 … Willingboro, 2002
4:01.07 …  Lenape, 2015
4:01.52 … Pope John XXIII, 2008
4:01.80 … Ridgewood, 2022
4:01.91 … Woodbridge, 2018
4:01.92 … Sparta, 2012
4:02.25 … Union Catholic, 2021
4:02.36 … Piscataway, 2006
4:02.60 … Sterling, 2017
4:02.68 … Pope John XXIII, 2007
4:02.69 … Columbia, 1998
4:02.69 … Willingboro, 2004
4:02.81 … Roxbury, 2017
4:02.84 … Westwood, 2013
4:02.89 … Woodrow Wilson, 2002
4:02.91 … Woodbridge, 2019
4:03.06 … Columbia, 1996
4:03.13 … Pope John XXIII, 2012
4:03.13 … Columbia, 2017
4:03.21 … Southern Regional, 2002
4:03.26 … Trenton, 2001
4:03.32 … Sparta, 2013
4:03.47 … Winslow Twp., 2025
4:03.52 … Colts Neck, 2007
4:03.55 … South Brunswick, 2010
4:03.66 … Union Catholic, 2018
4:03.68 … Trenton, 2002
4:03.71 … Ridgewood, 2007
4:03.74 … Pope John XXIII, 2018
4:03.90 … Morris Catholic, 2019
4:03.97 … Southern Regional, 2009

All-Time South Jersey Sprint Medley List
3:53.15 … Eastern, 2025
3:59.6h … Willingboro, 2003
4:00.34 … Willingboro, 2006
4:00.71 … Willingboro, 2002
4:01.07 … Lenape, 2015
4:02.60 … Sterling, 2017
4:02.69 … Willingboro, 2004
4:02.89 … Woodrow Wilson, 2002
4:03.04 … Camden, 1995
4:03.31 … Eastern, 2024
4:03.42 … Millville, 2008
4:03.47 … Winslow Twp., 2025
4:03.54 … Lenape, 2006
4:04.00 … Eastern, 2023
4:04.44 … Millville, 2013
4:04.69 … Cherokee, 2022
4:04.86 … Woodrow Wilson, 2009
4:05.2h … Winslow Twp., 2003
4:05.36 … Willingboro, 2010
4:05.38 … Paul VI, 2019
4:05.63 … Winslow Twp., 2025
4:05.70 … Ocean City, 2004
4:06.06 … Ocean City, 2005
4:06.36 … Millville, 2011
4:06.56 … Rancocas Valley, 2007
4:06.81 … Winslow Twp., 2024
4:07.16 … Egg Harbor Twp., 2015
4:08.08 … Kingsway, 2017
4:08.16 … Lenape, 2017
4:08.22 … Cherokee, 2023
4:08.23 … Timber Creek, 2011
4:08.27 … Washington Twp., 2007
4:08.64 … Woodrow Wilson, 2003
4:08.76 … Willingboro, 1998
4:08.81 … Cherokee, 2011
4:09.23 … Pennsauken, 2014
4:09.42 … Ocean City, 2014
4:09.46 … Clayton, 2021
4:09.47 … Rancocas Valley, 2018

Pennsauken’s Sianni Wynn became the 3^rd South Jersey girl and 3^rd junior to win a national title on Friday with a commanding win in the 100-meter dash final at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Wynn ran away from Lisa Raye of West Warwick (R.I.) with a lifetime wind–legal best 11.29 to win her 1^st national title. Raye was 2^nd in 11.38 and nobody else ran under 11.53.

Wynn had been a three-time nationals medallist and two-time runner-up – in the 100 last spring at West Philly Nationals and this past indoor season in the 60 at Armory Nationals – but on Friday she raced her way to the greatest performance of her remarkable career.

Earlier in the day Delsea junior Hannah Nuhfer won the discus with the 19^th-fastgest time in U.S. history and Eastern junior Natalie Dumas won the 400-meter hurdles with the 6^th-fastest time in U.S. history.

Wynn and Raye went 1-2 in both the first round and the semis, and the final shaped up as a two-girl race, with Wynn in Lane 5 and Raye in Lane 6.

Wynn got a better start than Raye, but Raye moved up almost even with Wynn at about the 50-meter mark. But Wynn began pulling away halfway through the race and gradually built on her lead, winning by a full meter.

Wynn ran 11.25 at this year’s Meet of Champions on her home track, but that was wind-aided. Her previous-best wind-legal time was 11.30, which she ran in Thursday’s semifinals. Before that it was 11.36 from last year’s Meet of Champions, also at Pennsauken.

The only faster wind-legal time in state history is an 11.23 by Timber Creek’s Naylah Jones at last year’s state Group 3 meet at Delsea.

Next for Wynn is the 200-meter first round at 12:14 p.m. on Saturday with the final at 3:22 p.m. on Sunday.

All-Time New Jersey Wind-Legal 100-Meter Dash List
11.23 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], 2024
11.29 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], 2025
11.33 … Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek], 2024
11.42 … Michele Glover [Willingboro], 1981
11.44 … Myasia Jacobs [Paramus Catholic], 2010
11.49 … English Gardner [Eastern], 2008
11.50 … Wendy Vereen [Trenton], 1984
11.53 … Taylor Aska [Union Catholic], 2025
11.57 … Patti Dunlap [Camden], 1979
11.57 … M’elisa Barber [Montclair], 1998
11.57 … Jada Ellis [Manchster Twp.], 2021
11.58 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 2017
11.62 … Nester Wea [Willingboro], 2025
11.62 … Cathy Crawford [Perth Amboy], 1977
11.65 … Taylor Cox [Union Catholilc], 2025
11.65 … Ogechi Nwaneri [Chatham], 2006
11.65 … Aleah Williams [Montxlair
11.66 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2021
11.68 … Shavon Greaves [Lakewood], 2007
11.70 … Christiana Nwachuku [Kent Place], 2022
11.71 … Jay-Deen Batchelor [Hillside], 2025

The remarkable Natalie Dumas won another national title in the intermediate hurdles Friday and she did it with the 6th-fastest time in U.S. scholastic history.

Dumas, a junior at Eastern, needed to run that fast at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field to hold off Sydney Sutton of the Bullis School in Potomac, Md., who was 2nd in 56.04. That’s the 8th-fastest time in U.S. history.

Dumas is now a back-to-back national champ, but she ran nearly 2 ½ seconds faster Friday than her winning time of 58.32 at last year’s meet.

Her time is fastest by any U.S. girl since four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin of Union Catholic ran 53.32 at 2017 USATF Championships in Sacramento.

It’a 2nd-fastest all-time among high school juniors, behind McLaughlin’s 54.15 at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, where she placed 3rd.

And it’s 2nd-fastest ever in a high school-only race behind McLaughlin’s 55.87 at 2015 Greensboro Nationals.

Dumas broke the South Jersey record of 56.83 – then the state record – set by Winslow’s Krystal Cantey when she won 2005 Greensboro Nationals almost exactly 20 years ago – June 18, 2005.

It’s also 4th-fastest ever by a New Jersey native, behind McLaughlin’s world-record 50.37 last August in the Olympic final in Paris, Paul VI graduate Aliya Garozzo’s 55.77 in Durham, N.C., in April, and a 55.78 by Rancocas Valley’s Tonya Lee in Walnut, Calif., in 1996.

Dumas is now No. 58 in the world this year and No. 17 among all U.S. women. She’s No. 11 on the all-time U.S. Under-20 list.

All-Time U.S. Scholastic 400-Meter Hurdles List
53.32 … Sydney McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2017
55.20 … Leslie Maxie [Mills, Millbrae, Calif.], 1984
55.20 … Anna Cockrell [Providence Day School, Charlotte, N.C.], 2016
55.76 … Lashinda Demus [Long Beach (Calif.) Wilson], 2001
55.96 … Ebony Collins [Long Beach (Calif.) Wilson], 2005
55.99 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2025
56.00 … Lauren Hoffman [Battlefield, Haymarket, Va.],. 2023
56.04 … Sydney Sutton [Bulls School, Potomac, Md.], 2025
56.16 … Brandee Johnson [Nansemond River, Suffolk, Va.], 2016
56.16 … Akala Garrett [Harding, Charlotte, N.C.], 2022
56.36 … Britton Wilson [Mills Godwin, Henrico, Va..], 2019
56.66 … Michelle Smith [Monteverde (Fla.) Academy], 2023
56.80 … Kellie Roberts [Central, Seat Pleasant, Md.], 1986
56.82 … Sheena Johnson [Woodbridge, Va.], 2000
56.83 … Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], 2005
56.85 … Michelle Smith [Monteverde (Fla.) Academy], 2024
57.09 … Dalilah Muhammad [Cardozo, Queens, N.Y.], 2007
57.20 … Ryann Krais [Methacton, Eagleville, Pa.], 2007
57.21 … Jackie Coward [Knoxville (Tenn.) West], 2007
57.21 … Jade Miller [Great Oak, Temecula, Calif.], 2013
57.24 … Braelyn Baker [Bear Creek, Woodinville, Wash.], 2024
57.25 … Nicole Leach [West Catholic, Philadelphia], 2005
57.30 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2025 [#19]
57.31 … Jasmine Robinson [North Cobb, Kennesaw, Ga.], 2024

Delsea junior Hannah Nuhfer destroyed the 21-year-old South Jersey discus record and won her 1^st national title Friday with the No. 2 throw in state history at West Philly Nationals.

On her 3^rd throw on the river field across the railroad tracks from Franklin Field, Nuhfer bombed a monster 178-9, which is 2^nd in state history only to the state-record 182-0 set by Alyssa Wilson of Donovan Catholic in Toms River at the 2017 Rowan Open in Glassboro.

Her throw is No. 19 in U.S. scholastic history and broke Wilson’s New Jersey junior class record of 175-1 set at the 2016 Ocean County Championships at Central Regional in Berkeley Township.

It’s the No. 8 throw in U.S. history by a junior and is the No. 41 throw this year among all U.S. women and No. 3 on the 2025 U.S. Under-20 list.

Nuhfer had PR’d with a 167-5 on her 2^nd throw before the meet winner, which broke the meet record of 170-4   set by Layla Giordano of Old Tappan at the 2023 meet. For some reason, “meet records” are only listed since the meet moved to Penn in 2022.

The competition, originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon, was rescheduled for early Friday because of bad weather in the area on Thursday.

Nuhfer broke the South Jersey record (and school record) of 172-2 set at the 2004 Rowan Invitational in Glassboro by Delsea’s Jocelyn White.

Nuhfer has now improved more than 25 feet in about six weeks. Her PR going into the state Group 3 meet was 153-2 from the Woodbury Relays. She extended it to 161-4 at states in South Plainfield before the 167-5 on her 2^nd throw and then the historic record setter on her 3^rd.

She won the competition by more than 10 feet over J’Nia Simpson of Tampa Catholic, who threw 166-6 on her final attempt to move up from 3rd to 2nd.

The only South Jersey women to ever throw farther than Nuhfer at any point in their track and field career are Cherokee’s Jessica Woodard [190-9 in 2018], Delsea’s Jamine Moton [182-1 in 2001] and White [180-1 in 2008].

Nuhfer is now the South Jersey record holder in both the shot and discus. She set a South Jersey shot put record of 47-9 at South Jersey Group 3 Sectionals at Delsea last month.

After her mammoth 178-9, Nuhfer finished the competition with throws of 160-7, 163-8 and 158-7. Her average throw went 163-9  and would have been good enough to win the competition.

Glassboro junior Sunsarai Moore threw 147-4 on her 2^nd attempt and placed 9^th. She was 4^th among underclassmen. Moore missed reaching the finals by two feet.

 All-Time New Jersey 150-Foot Discus List
182-0 … Alyssa Wilson [Donovan Catholic], 2017
178-9 … Hannah Nuhfer [Delsea], 2025
172-2 … Jocelyn White [Delsea], 2004
172-2 … Layla Giordano [Old Tappan], 2024
168-10 … Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], 2013
161-11 … Helene O’Connell [Jackson], 1977
166-2 … Jessica Oji [Livingston], 2025
161-1 … Jamine Moton [Delsea], 1997
155-7 … Jada Mia Puryear [Union Catholic], 2022
155-2 … Sunsarai Moore [Glassboro], 2025
153-6 … Tisha Kerrin [Eastern], 1989
153-3 … DeAnne Hahn [Brick Twp.], 2008
153-2 … Sylvia Galarza [Millville], 2004
153-2 … Hannah Nuhfer [Delsea], 2025
152-4 … Kirsten Batts [Marlboro], 2007

And here’s a look at the all-time New Jersey top-10 alumni list!
199-4 … Alyssa Wilson [Donovan Catholic], May 24, 2019, Sacramento, Calif.
198-8 … Pam Dukes [Freehold Twp.], June 4, 1996, Dallas
190-9 … Jessica Woodard [Cherokee], March 31, 2018, Austin, Texas
189-4 … Denise Wood [Haledon], May 7, 1983, Knoxville, Tenn.
184-4 … Layla Giordano [Old Tappan], May 10, 2025, New Haven, Conn.
182-1 … Jamine Moton [Delsea], April 27, 2001, Philadelphia
181-7 … Helene Connell [Jackson], March 22, 1980, Palo Alto, Calif.
180-1 … Jocelyn White [Delsea], May 17, 2008, Chapel Hill, N.C.
178-9 … Hannah Nuhfer [Delsea], June 20, 2025, Philadelphia
171-5 … Erica Davis [Northern Burlington], May 13, 2007, Princeton
171-5 … Fatimah Owens [Millville], May 11, 2024, Elon, N.C.

Hammonton senior Anthony Liakhnovich PR’d in the discus Thursday at West Philly Nationals with the No. 15 throw in South Jersey history.

Liakhnovich threw 183-6 at the discus circle across the railroad tracks from Franklin Field, increasing his PR by four inches, passing Penns Grove’s Janier Armstead [183-4 in 2023] and moving up one spot on the all-time South Jersey performance list.

His throw is No. 3 in Atlantic County history, behind Egg Harbor’s James Plummer [197-0 at 2013 Greensboro Nationals] and St. Augustine’s Franklin Simms [191-11 at the 2022 Meet of Champions in Somerset]. His throw puts him at No. 5 all-time in the Cape-Atlantic League, behind Braheme Days Jr. of Bridgeton [199-6 in 2013], Plummer, Simms and Middle Township’s John Mooers [185-11 in 2015].

Liakhnovich fouled on his 1^st attempt and threw 176-11 on his 2^nd before finishing with his big 183-6.

Carlstadt’s Benjamin Shue of Bergen Catholic High in Oradell won the event with a 199-1 on his 4^th attempt.

All-Time South Jersey Discus list
216-11 … Ron Dayne [Overbrook], 1996
199-6 … Braheme Days Jr. [Bridgeton], 2013
197-0 … James Plummer [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2013
192-5 … Josh Awotunde [Delsea], 2013
191-11 … Franklin Simms [St. Augustine], 2022
189-7 … Ray Wilks [Bridgeton], 1995
185-11 … John Mooers [Middle Twp.], 2015
185-10 … Russ Willett [Penns Grove], 1985
185-7 … Matt Huckabee [Timber Creek], 2010
185-6 … Kamron Kobolak [Cinnaminson], 2018
185-5 … Ken Manahan [Deptford], 1976
184-8 … Damere Lassiter [Glassboro], 2023
184-4 … Adam Hunt [Collingswood], 2017
183-9 … Jason Nwosu [Delsea], 2022
183-2 … Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton], 2024
183-4 … Janier Armstead [Penns Grove], 2023
182-5 … Jamal Wallace [Millville], 2025
181-10 … Jason Winrow [Cumberland Reg.], 1989
181-10 … Shawn Brady [Bishop Eustace], 2024
181-3 … Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton], 2024
180-3 … Howard Clark [Pennsauken], 1998

After a busy Day 1 for South Jersey at West Philly Nationals, Day 2 on Friday promises to be even more exciting, with Sianni Wynn in the girls 100 final and Natalie Dumas in the 400-meter hurdles final and much more.

Also keep an eye on New Jersey No. 2 Hannah Nuhfer in the girls discus final, postponed by thunderstorms Thursday and rescheduled for first thing Friday – 8:15 a.m.!

Click here for a *.pdf with the full set of heat sheets for Friday!

Haddonfield’s Luke Andresen, Peter Simpson, Ben Andrus and Bennett Wright ran the 12th-fastest 4-mile relay in state history late Thursday evening and missed the hallowed 52-year-old South Jersey record by less than eight seconds.

Andresen, Simpson, Andrus and Wright all split between 4:20 and 4:24 and Haddonfield placed 5th at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field in 17:27.79.

Haddon Township’s Mark Yellin, Dan Matousch, Steve Cummings and Mike Elder set the South Jersey record – then No. 5 in U.S. history – with its 17:20.0 at the 1970 New Jersey Relays in Elizabeth.

Haddonfield, with Colin Baker, Ben Potts, Matt Nussbaum and Jon Vitez, virtually tied that record with a FAT 17:20.21 when it won 2010 Greensboro Nationals.

Haddonfield’s performance Thursday is 3rd-fastest in South Jersey history and fastest in 15 years.

Andresen, Simpson, Andrus and Wright earned All-America honors by finishing in the top six. Andresen led off in 4:20.01, Simpson split 4:22.45, Andrus ran 4:23.99 and Wright anchored in 4:21.35.

Andreson, Simpson and Andrus are all back in 2026, and Haddonfield has several potential 4th legs, including Michael Sinnes, who ran 4:27.44, Ryan Gibson, who ran 4:31.51, and Augustan Coley, who ran 4:33.67 as a freshman.

Haddonfield finished behind one school from Oregon, two from Utah and Mannheim Township outside Lancaster.

All-Time New Jersey 4-Mile Relay Sub-17:30 List
17:12.2h … Essex Catholic, 1966
17:12.6h … Paramus Catholic, 1973
17:16.62 … CBA, 2024
17:19.69 … West Windsor-Plainsboro, 2018
17:20.14 … CBA, 2019
17:20.0h ..… Haddon Twp., 1973
17:20.21 ..… Haddonfield, 2010
17:21.16 … Don Bosco, 2013
17:21.60 … Colts Neck, 2024
17:23.32 … CBA, 2013
17:25.2h … St. Joe’s-Metuchen, 1976
17:27.79 … Haddonfield, 2025
17:28.84 ..… Mainland Reg., 2004
17:29.1h … St. Joe’s-Metuchen, 1975

Ocean City senior Maeve Smith ran the 12th-fastest 5,000 in New Jersey history [and 3rd-fastest of the day] Thursday at West Philly Nationals at Franklin Field.

Smith ran 17:08.01, 4th-fastest in South Jersey history, in her first track 5,000 ever indoors or outdoors.

Smith, coming off a 10:32.54 for 3rd place at the Meet of Champions at Pennsauken, was the 2nd New Jersey finisher. Junior Allison Lee of West Windsor-Plainsboro North ran 16:38.27, 3rd-fastest in state history. Earlier in the day in Eugene, Ore., Northern Burlington senior Liliah Gordon ran 16:38.54 at the USATF Under-20 Championships at Hayward Field.

Results do not show splits.

Smith, who plans to run for Villanova, broke the Cape May County and Cape-Atlantic Conference outdoor records by more than a minute. At 2014 Greensboro Nationals, Ocean City’s Devin Grisbaum ran 18:09.71.

Mainland Regional’s Alyssa Aldridge ran 17:24.43 indoors in 2016 at Armory Nationals and Grisbaum ran 17:47.78 in 2015 at Armory Nationals.

All-Time New Jersey 5,000-Meter Run List
15:52.10 … Charlotte Bednar [The Lawrenceville School], 2021
16:34.66 … Alexa Westley [Warren Hills], 2019
16:38.27 … Allison Lee [Plainsboro], 2025
16:38.51 … Ashley Higginson [Colts Neck], 2007
16:38.54 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2025
16:45.86 … Megan Curham [Villa Walsh], 2013
16:50.75 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 2011
16:58.19 … Carleen Jeffers [Ridgewood], 2015
17:03.13 … Grace Dwyer [Nottingham], 2013
17:05.30 … Monica Hebner [Northern Highlands], 2018
17:07.92 … Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 2009
17:08.01 … Maeve Smith [Ocean City], 2025
17:08.55 … Holly Bischoff [Bishop Eustace], 2011
17:09.82 … Isabel Hebner [Northern Highlands], 2018
17:13.56 … Camryn Wennersten [Ridgewood], 2020
17:13.86 … Caroline Kellner [West Windsor-Plainsboro South], 2012
17:17.02 … Mackenzie Barry [Mendham], 2013
17:18.68 … Miranda Lorsbach [Kent Place], 2020
17:27.49 … Megan Venables [Highland], 2010