From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Natalie Dumas finished the greatest performance in New Jersey girls track history with an astonishing record-setting 800-meter win at the Meet of Champions, her 3rd win of the day.

After winning the 400 and intermediate hurdles somewhat routinely – 53.16 in the 400 and 1:00.25 in the 400 hurdles – Dumas won the 800 in 2:02.75, 3rd-fastest in state history and 3rd-fastest in the U.S. this year.

Dumas joins two legends – Jodie Bilotta of North Hunterdon and Olivia Baker of Columbia – as only the 3rd triple winner in Meet of Champions history.

Bilotta won the 800 in 2:11.16, 1,600 in 5:00.79 and 3,200 in 10:24.18 at the 1988 meet at South Plainfield, and Baker won the 100 in 12.05, 200 in 23.95 and 400 in 53.84 at the 2013 meet, also at South Plainfield.

Dumas, a junior at Eastern, is now the co-state record holder in the 400 at 51.87, No. 3 in state history in the intermediates at 57.30 and No. 3 in the 800.

The only faster girls in state history at 800 meters are Ajee’ Wilson of Neptune, who ran 2:00.91 at the 2012 IAAF World Juniors in Barcelona, and Olympic gold medalist Athing Mu of Trenton, who ran 2:01.17 at the 2019 U.S. Senior Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dumas broke the meet record of 2:04.67 set by Southern Regional’s Jill Smith at the 2009 meet at south Plainfield. She destroyed the South Jersey record of 2:07.33 set also in that 2009 race by Haddonfield’s Marielle Hall.

Clemmie Lilly of Rumson-Fair Haven, a Stanford signee, placed 2nd in 2:05.96. Lilly is a four-time 800 All-America who came into the race ranked 7th in the U.S. with a PR of 2:04.79 from last month at Icahn Stadium in New York.

Dumas was out in 60.45 with a slight lead on Lilly and came back in 62.30, turning a close race into a 20-meter win.

Dumas has run much faster in the 400 and intermediates than she did Wednesday, but this was a massive breakthrough in the 8. Her 800 PR was 2:07.68 indoors at Armory Nationals in March. Her previous outdoor PR was 2:10.49 to win the state Group 4 race last week.

So she dropped nearly eight seconds from her outdoor PR and about five seconds from her lifetime best.

Dumas won the 400 and intermediates at last year’s Meet of Champions, and her five total titles – with a year left – are tied for 7th-most in meet history. Among South Jersey girls, only Erin Donohue of Haddonfield and Carol Lewis of Willingboro – two Olympians – have more all-time MoC individual titles, with six apiece. Michelle Glover of Pennsauken and Willingboro also has five. Billota’s eight are the most in history and nobody else has more than seven.

Dumas’s time is not far off the B standard of 2:02.50 for U.S. Nationals in Eugene next month. She already has the B standards in the 400 and intermediates.

The only South Jersey girls to win the Meet of Champions 800 in the last 25 years are Kadence Dumas in 2023 and Natalie Dumas this year.

Her 2:02.75 also broke her older sister’s outdoor school record of 2:10.44 and the family record. Kadence ran 2:07.30 as a Delaware sophomore this spring in a meet in Lewisburg, Pa.

Her time is 5th-fastest ever run by a South Jersey native. It’s 12th-fastest on the all-time New Jersey alumni list:

1:59.85 … Michelle DiMuro [Shawnee], June 17, 1996, Atlanta
1:59.99 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], July 13, 2010, Liège, Belgium
2:02.20 … Kimarra McDonald [Rancocas Valley], June 2, 2012, Nashville
2:02.49 … Krista Ferrara [Vineland], June 25, 2006, Indianapolis
2:02.75 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], June 4, 2025, Pennsauken
2:03.34 … Greta Feldman [Haddonfield], June 15, 2013, Indianapolis
2:03.88 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], May 13, 2012, Baton Rouge, La.
2:05.06 … Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], May 31, 2013, West Chester, Pa.
2:05.81 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape], May 12, 2024, Ann Arbor, Mich.
2:06.15 … Sydney Coppolino [Sterling], May 13, 2022, Durham, N.C.
2:07.18 … Kristen Neidrach [Shawnee], Kortrijk, Belgium, July 10, 2021

All-Time New Jersey 800 List
2:00.91 … Ajee’ Wilson [Neptune], 2012
2:01.17 … Athing Mu [Trenton], 2019
2:02.75 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2025
2:03.54 … Joetta Clark [Columbia], 1979
2:03.84 … Paige Sheppard [Union Catholic], 2025
2:04.67 … Jill Smith [Southern Reg.], 2009
2:04.79 … Clemmie Lilley [Rumson-Fair Haven], 2025
2:05.15 … Victoria Vanriele [Governor Livingston], 2019
2:05.50 … Hazel Clark [Columbia], 1995
2:05.80 … Corrine Myers [Westwood], 2014

All-Time South Jersey Meet of Champions 800 Winners
Monica Olkowski [Cherokee], 1989 [2:14.27]
Monica Olkowski [Cherokee], 1990 [2:12.09]
Krista Ferrera [Vineland], 1991 [2:10.86]
Lauren McHale [Ocean City], 1998 [2:12.77]
Katrina Sye [Buena], 1999 [2:11.82]
Kadence Dumas [Eastern], 2023 [2:10.44]

Clayton senior Alexander Osayemi blasted the 3rd-fastest 400 in state history and fastest by a South Jersey runner in 41 years Wednesday at the Meet of Champions at Pennsauken.

Osayemi, whose previous PR was 46.60 earlier this month in a meet in Baltimore, blazed a 46.08, fastest by a New Jersey quarter-miler since Clayton Parros of Seton Hall Prep set the state record of 45.71 at the 2009 Great Southwest Meet in Albuquerque, N. Mex.

The only faster time in South Jersey was Olympic gold medalist Dennis Mitchell’s 46.02 at the International Prep Invitational in Elmhurst, Ill., in 1984.

Osayemi shattered the meet record of 46.43 set by Najee Glass of St. Peter’s Prep at the 2011 meet in Old Bridge.

He won by nearly 1 ½ seconds, finishing a whopping 12 meters ahead of 2nd-place Warren Jean, a senior at Linden.

Osayemi’s time is 9th-fastest in the U.S. this year, according to the MileSplit database. It’s only 8-100ths of a second off the B qualifying standard for U.S. nationals in Eugene next month. It’s 19th-fastest on the World Athletics Under-20 list and No. 7 among U.S. Under-20.

Osayemi is the first Clayton boy ever to win a Meet of Champions title, the first Gloucester County runner to win the MoC 400 and the first South Jersey runner to win the MoC 400 since hurdler Sincere Rhea of St. Augustine in 2019.

His 46.08 is 7th-fastest ever by a South Jersey alum.

Osayemi ran the 46.08 doubling back after placing 2nd in the 400-meter hurdles in a lifetime-best 52.70, 5th-fastest in Gloucester County history. In his 3rd race of the day he ran a wind-aided 21.43 for 3rd place in the 200.

All-Time South Jersey 400 Alumni List
44.30 … Lamont Smith [Willingboro], June 19, 1996, Atlanta
45.26 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], April 12, 1986, Tampa
45.31 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], May 31, 2025, Jacksonville
45.49 … Darrell Bush [Woodbury], April 11, 2015, Tucson
45.98 … Antonio Abney [Willingboro], May 29, 2010, Charlotte
46.05 … Schefer Sherrer [Vineland], May 18, 2005, Levelland, Texas
46.13 … Brandon Outlaw [Moorestown], May 15, 2021, Raleigh, N.C.
46.19 … Maurice Ransome [Vineland], May 23-25, 1990, Naperville, Ill.
46.26 … Marvin Lewis [Willingboro], July 29, 2010, Nairobi, Kenya
46.48 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], April 1, 2006, Atlanta

All-Time South Jersey 400 List
46.02 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984
46.08 … Alexander Osayemi [Clayton], 2025
46.62 … Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 1991
46.66 … Antonio Abney [Willingboro], 2007
46.67 … Jamaad Muse [Timber Creek], 2014
46.77 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004
46.82 … Brandon Outlaw [Moorestown], 2017
46.95 … Darrell Bush [Woodbury], 2012
47.03 … Royce Reed [Bridgeton], 1994
47.0h … Darron Outler [Lenape], 1984
47.0h … Ron Hillian [Eastern], 2002
47.30 … Rob Gary [Lenape], 1998
47.39 … Premier Wynn [Pennsauken], 2023
47.1h … Brian Bennett [Edgewood], 1985
47.1h … Barry Douglas [Willingboro], 1993
47.2h … Levin Handy [Vineland], 1969
47.44 … Amir Brock [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2017
47.2h … Curtis Mcintyre [Bridgeton], 1992

All-Time New Jersey 400 List
45.71 … Clayton Parros [Seton Hall Prep], 2009 [2nd, Great Southwest, Albuquerque, N.M.]
46.02 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984 [1st, International Prep Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.08 … Alexander Osayemi [Clayton], 2025 [1st, Meet of Champions, Pennsauken]
46.28 … Zyaire Clemes [Trenton], 2013 [3rd, New Balance Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
46.34 … Ray Williams [Scotch Plains-Fanwood], 2002 [2nd, adidas Outdoor Championships, Raleigh, N.C.]
46.35 … Jaden Marchand [Leonia], 2024 [1st, North 2 Group 2 Sectionals, Washington Twp., Warren County]
46.43 … Najee Glass [St. Peter’s], 2011 [1st, Meet of Champions, Carl Sandburg Middle School, Old Bridge]
46.4y … Ron Freeman [Jefferson], 1965 [1st, C.J. Group 4, Union]
46.62 … Gary Satterwhite [Rahway], 1985 [2nd, International Prep Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.62 … Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 1991 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.67 … Jamaad Muse [Timber Creek], 2014 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.68 … Lance Wigfall [East Orange], 2003 [1st, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
46.73 … Mario Heslop [Franklin Twp.], 2018 [1st, Group 4 States, Franklin]
46.77 … Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004 [1st, Group 4 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]
46.81 … Andrew Valmon [Manchester Twp.], 1983 [2nd, Jumbo Elliott, Villanova]
46.81 … Taylor McLaughlin [Union Catholic], 2014 [7th, USATF Junior Nationals, Eugene, Ore.]
46.82 … Brandon Outlaw [Moorestown], 2017 [1st, C.J. Group 3, Bernards]
46.84 … Kevin Lyles [Franklin], 1991 [2nd, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.84 … Mario Heslop [Franklin], 2017 [1st, Group 4 States, Franklin]
46.87 … Ty Adams [Monmouth Reg.], 1993 [2nd, Keebler Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.88 … Shaquan Brown [JFK Paterson], 2005 [3rd, Nike Outdoor Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
46.89 … Jordaine Johnson [East Orange], 2024 [4th, West Philly Nationals, Philadelphia]
46.90 … Antonio Abney [Willingboro], 2007 [5th, Nike Outdoor Nationals, Greensboro, N.C.]
46.8h … Darrell Jeffress [Trenton], 1978 [2nd, International Prep Invitational, Elmhurst, Ill.]
46.94 … Bryant McCombs [Old Bridge], 2005 [1st, Meet of Champions, South Plainfield]
46.95 … Darrell Bush [Woodbury], 2012 [2nd, Meet of Champions, Old Bridge]
46.95 … Charles Cox [Monmouth Reg.], 2007 [1st, C.J. Group 3 Sectionals, Monmouth Reg.]
46.98 … Adian Sanderson [Ewing], 2003 [1st, Group 3 States, Egg Harbor Twp.]

All-Time South Jersey Meet of Champions 400 Winners
Levin Handy [Vineland], 1969 [49.0y, h]
Bill Tyler [Kennedy], 1976 [48.4y, h]
Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1984 [46.5]
Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 1990 [47.78]
Lamont Smith [Willingboro], 1991 [46.62]
Curtis McIntyre [Bridgeton], 1992 [47.71]
Barry Douglas [Willingboro], 1993 [48.12]
Royce Reed [Bridgeotn], 1994 [47.75]
Rob Gary [Lenape], 1998 [47.85]
Reuben McCoy [Winslow Twp.], 2004 [47.42]
Antonio Abney [Willingboro], 2007 [47.35]
Jamaad Muse [Timber Creek], 2014 [47.07]
Brandon Outlaw [Moorestown], 2017 [47.05]
Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine], 2019 [47.89]
Alexander Osayemi [Clayton], 2025 [46.08]

The Ocean City girls – seniors Chloe Care and Maeve Smith, freshman Riley Tolson and sophomore Carly Godfrey – won the Meet of Champion 3,200-meter relay Wednesday with the 4^th-fastest time in meet history and 5^th-fastest time in South Jersey history

Ocean City recorded its first MoC relay win with a time of 9:07.71, fastest in the Meet of Champions in seven years, since Ridge won the 2018 race in 9:03.19.

The time lowered their own Cape May County record of 9:14.20 from the state Group 3 meet in South Plainfield last weekend. Their time is No. 27 in state history.

South Jersey swept the top three spots, with Moorestown 2^nd in 9:18.34 – 8^th-fastest in Burlington County history – and Cherokee 3^rd in 9:20.37.

Care led off for Ocean City with a 2:16.35 split that had Ocean City in 2^nd behind Moorestown senior Sarah Brown, who led off in 2:14.18. Smith split 2:17.90 to move Ocean City into the lead, and Tolson split 2:22.60 to hold the lead. Godfrey then anchored emphatically in 2:10.89.

For Moorestown, sophomore Sophia DiFiore and freshmen Payton Derer and Hope Edwards followed Brown, with Edwards anchoring in 2:14.10.

Cherokee’s lineup was freshman Erin Healy and juniors Sofia Recinto, Madeline Meder and Alyssa Siriano, with Recinto splitting 2:17.31 and Meder 2:17.37.

This is the first time 1-2-3 South Jersey sweep since the 4-by-8 was added in 2010.

Alk-Time South Jersey 4-by-8 List
9:00.51 … Haddonfield, 2021
9:05.62 … Lenape, 2012
9:05.83 … Lenape, 2008
9:06.30 … Haddonfield, 2008
9:07.71 … Ocean City, 2025
9:10.32 … Haddonfield, 2000
9:12.30 … Haddonfield, 2019
9:13.67 … Cherokee, 2025
9:14.25 … Cherokee, 2023
9:15.61 … Ocean City, 2014
9:15.19 … Lenape, 2007
9:15.51 … Ocean City, 2024
9:15.92 … Haddonfield, 2015
9:16.57 … Seneca, 2017
9:16.79 … Haddonfield, 1999
9:17.50 … Winslow Twp., 2025
9:17.77 … Cherokee, 2022
9:18.22 … Kingsway, 2016
9:18.34 … Moorestown, 2025
9:18.37 … Haddonfield, 2019
9:18.57 … Seneca, 2018
9:18.71 … Lenape, 2011
9:18.93 … Haddonfield, 2018
9:18.94 … Lenape, 2006
9:19.15 … Wilson, 2002
9:19.68 … Kingsway, 2017

All-Time Meet of Champions list
9:01.69 Freehold Township, 2014 [1]
9:03.19 Ridge, 2018 [1]
9:06.81 Ridge, 2016 [1]
9:07.71 Ocean City, 2025 [1]
9:08.15 Southern Regional, 2016 [2]
9:08.75 Ridge, 2019 [1]
9:10.06 Southern Regional, 2014 [2]
9:10.24 Haddonfield, 2021 [1]
9:10.69 Freehold Township, 2013 [1]
9:11.48 Ridge, 2015 [1]
9:11.81 Ridge, 2017 [1]
9:13.70 North Hunterdon, 2016 [3]
9:14.04 Mountain Lakes, 2017 [2]
9:14.07 West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 2014 [3]
9:14.48 Mount St. Dominic, 2012 [1]
9:14.98 West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 2015 [2]
9:15.15-Hillsborough, 2024
9:15.16 Haddonfield, 2019 [2]
9:15.19 Southern Regional, 2017 [3]
9:15.51-Ocean City, 2024
9:15.69 Lenape, 2012 [2]
9:15.92 Haddonfield, 2015 [3]
9:16.22 The Wilberforce School, 2023 [1]
9:16.60 Hunterdon Central, 2010 [1]
9:16.82 Seneca, 2017 [4]
9:16.86 Summit, 2012 [3]
9:17.68 Ramapo, 2014 [4]
9:17.82 Middletown South, 2013 [2]
9:17.84 Westfield, 2018 [2]
9:18.13 North Hunterdon, 2017 [5]
9:18.17 Hunterdon Central, 2017 [6]
9:18.22 Kingsway, 2016 [4]
9:18.30 Union Catholic, 2015 [4]
9:18.34 Moorestown, 2025 [2]
9:18.57 Seneca, 2018 [3]
9:18.71 Lenape, 2011 [1]
9:18.88 Hunterdon Central, 2014 [5]
9:18.93 Haddonfield, 2018 [4]
9:19.41 West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 2012 [4]
9:19.74 Bernards, 2013 [3]
9:19.89 Westfield, 2016 [5]

All-Time State 4-by-8 list
8:34.20 … Union Catholic, 2024
8:44.98 … Union Catholic, 2023
8:45.37 … Columbia, 2014
8:52.80 … Southern Regional, 2009
8:54.88 … Columbia, 1997
8:55.44 … Freehold Township, 2014
8:55.82 … Ridge, 2017
8:56.45 … Pope John XXIII, 2007
8:59.16 … Voorhees, 2002
8:59.78 … Union Catholic, 2019
9:00.38 … Bernards,2010
9:00.51 … Haddonfield, 2021
9:00.43 … Ridgewood, 2012
9:03.74 … Red Bank Catholic, 2012
9:03.4h … Bernards, 1983
9:04.11 … Rumson Fair Haven, 2025
9:04.22 … Roxbury, 2008
9:04.48 … Ridge, 2024
9:05.62 … Lenape, 2012
9:05.83 … Lenape, 2008
9:06.14 … Union Catholic, 2022
9:06.30 … Haddonfield, 2008
9:06.47 … West Windsor-Plainsboro, 2014
9:06.80 … Voorhees, 2008
9:06.92 … Randolph, 2010
9:07.1h … Columbia, 1983
9:07.71 … Ocean City, 2025

With the 56th running of the boys Meet of Champions scheduled for Wednesday at Pennsauken, we thought we’d take a look at every South Jersey boy who qualified.

If anyone is missing or a name is spelled wrong, please let me know in the comment section ASAP and I’ll get it fixed!

And click here for the girls list!

100-METER DASH
3. Julian Onesti [St. Augustine] 10.56
6. *Quayd Hendryx [Burlington Twp.] 10.71
8. Robert Null [Shawnee] 10.76
11. M.J. Lincoln [Lenape] 10.83
13. *Jaiden Steele [Camden] 10.86
15. *Donte Davis [Burlington City] 10.89
20. Thomas Cusack [Shawnee] 10.94
21. **Xavier Sabb [Glassboro] 10.95
25. **Ian Israel [Williamstown] 10.98
29. Bright John [Sterling] 11.02

200-METER DASH
2. *Quayd Hendryx [Burlington Twp.] 21.52
4. *KaRon Ali [Winslow Twp.] 21.76
10. Matthew Niedbalski [Clearview] 22.02
11. Alexander Osayemi [Clayton] 22.04
15. *Solomon Wesley [Burlington Twp.] 22.16
23. Julian Onesti [St. Augustine] 22.33
25. Steven Niedbalski [Clearview] 22.33

400-METER DASH
1. Alexander Osayemi [Clayton] 47.81
2. *KaRon Ali [Winslow Twp.] 48.48
3. *Marc Maccario [St. Augustine] 48.63
4. Jermain Nelson [Pleasantville] 48.74
14. **John Froehlich [Overbrook] 49.38
17. Matthew Niedbalski [Clearview] 49.48
22. Dominic Bassey [Winslow Twp.] 49.69
26. Benji Contarino [Gateway] 49.83

800-METER RUN
3. *Joshua Crawford [Woodstown] 1:53.44
13. Melvin Lewis [Pleasantville] 1:54.74
15. Cole Lucas [Woodstown] 1:55.01
16. *Logan Bromley [Cherokee] 1:55.06
17. Christian Napoli [Paul VI] 1:55.17
18. Brandon Lyons [Cherry Hill East] 1:55.34

1,600-METER RUN
7. Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East] 4:15.96
11. Bennett Wright [Haddonfield] 4:17.27
16. *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea] 4:18.91
17. *Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield] 4:19.18
23. *Luke Andressen [Haddonfield] 4:21.56
25. **Benjamin Realley [Cherokee] 4:21.76

3,200-METER RUN
5. *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea] 9:12.23
9. *Peter Simpson [Haddonfield] 9:14.76
17. Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East] 9:19.10
27. *Ryan Gibson [Haddonfield] 9:25.24
28. ***Joe Saicic [Glassboro] 9:39.38

110-METER HURDLES
7. Ryan Sanchez [Deptford] 14.38
11. Jasiah Gibbons [Williamstown] 14.53
23. *Quincy Matthews [Delsea] 14.87
25. ***Mekhi Parker [Glassboro] 14.88
26. Josiah Williams [Mainland Reg.] 14.90

400-METER HURDLES
3. Alexander Osayemi [Clayton] 52.79
6. Dominic Bassey [Winslow Twp.] 53.85
7. *Kareem Brown [Deptford] 53.87
16. **David Stewart [Schalick] 55.04
17. *Chase Robinson [Camden] 55.06
22. Andres Santiago [Haddon Twp.] 55.33
29. Kadon Harris [Gloucester] 56.04

400-METER RELAY
1. Burlington Twp. 41.30
5. Lenape 41.75
6. Rancocas Valley 41.79
12. Winslow Twp. 42.24
17. Camden 42.50
19. Williamstown 42.56
23. Deptford 42.64
25. Timber Creek 42.72
27. Schalick 42.82
28. Haddon Heights 42.86

1,600-METER RELAY
3. Winslow Twp. 3:19.53
9. Willingboro 3:20.94
11. Camden 3:21.59
12. Clearview 3:22.25
13. Pleaantville 3:22.52
15. Atlantic County Tech 3:22.92
18. Woodstown 3:23.43
24. Shawnee 3:24.81

3,200-METER RELAY
5. Woodstown 7:59.15
12. Winslow Twp. 8:05.92
16. Paul VI 8:08.45
17. Eastern 8:08.74
20. Haddonfield 8:10.96
23. Ocean City 8:12.06

HIGH JUMP
T3. Jaleel Latimore [Palmyra] 6-6
T3. Ryan James [Gloucester] 6-6
T8. Jermain Nelson [Pleasantville] 6-4
T15. **Dayvon Kersey [Paulsboro] 6-2
T15. Colin Kummings [Mainland Reg.] 6-2
T15. *Jaylen Day [Atlantic City] 6-2

LONG JUMP
3. Bright John [Sterling] 23-2
9. Josiah Williams [Mainland Reg.] 22-5 ¼
10. Anthony Parker [Salem] 22-5
16. **Dallas Rowell [Mainland Reg.] 22-2 ½
19. *Zyaire Rothmiller-McIntosh [Winslow Twp.] 21-11
21. ***Alex Adeleye [Glassboro] 21-11
22. *Christopher Jones [Willingboro] 21-10
23. Zamir Chance [Bridgeton] 21-9 ¾
25. **Jaiden Mitchell [Overbrook] 21-9

TRIPLE JUMP
1. Zzmir Channce [Bridgeton] 48-9
6. Artrill Evans [Winslow Twp.] 46-0
7. Josiah Williams [Mainland Reg.] 45-9 ½
15. Ezra Williams-Thomas [Moorestown] 44-10 ¾
16. Xavier Samedi [Northern Burlington] 44-10
18. Adris Lewis [Rancocas Valley] 44-4
22. **Titan Gray [Highland[ 44-0 ¾
24. *Bryan Garlic [Penns Grove] 44-0
25. *Gavin Seaver [Clearview] 43-11 ¾
27. Jeremiah Carroll [Florence] 43-9

POLE VAULT
2. Ed Frey [Cinnaminson] 15-6
3. Marcus Hood [Deptford] 15-0
T4. Jacob George [Haddon Twp.] 14-6
T6. Henry Cifaloglio [Delsea] 14-0
T6. Brant Nicholls [Haddonfield] 14-0
T9. Ethan Plut [Moorestown] 13-6
T9. Trevor Farrell [Kingsway] 13-6
T14. *Max Frey [Cinnaminson] 13-0
T14. Daniel Adams [Glassboro] 13-0

SHOT PUT
4. Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton] 61-8 ¾
8. Jon Harris [Delsea] 58-2 ¼
9. Jayron Lewis [Williamstown] 58-1 ½
10. Jayson Ross [Timber Creek] 57-11
16. Christian Medina [Hammonton] 55-0 ¾

DISCUS
2. Jamal Wallace [Millville] 182-5
15. Jonathan Harris [Delsea] 161-8
18. Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton] 159-2
23. *Zion Josia Brockenbrough [Highland] 155-1
27. Jayson Ross [Timber Creek]  153-8

JAVELIN
3. Dylan Fitzpatrick [Burlington Twp.] 182-2
7. Kristopher Jackson [Winslow Twp.] 177-5
10. Dylan Husband [Delran] 175-6
12. Connor Ayars [Pennsville] 172-10
13. *Richard Pierce [Cumberland Reg.] 172-9
15. *Wayne Farmer [Williamstown] 170-10
19. Anthony Barber [Burlington Twp.] 168-8
23. Elijah Thompson [Highland] 164-9
24. **Kristofer Oesterle [Rancocas Valley] 164-7
25. *Matt Muits [Mainland Reg.] 163-10
27. **Gavin Taylor [Ocean City] 162-3

With the 51st running of the girls Meet of Champions scheduled for Wednesday at Pennsauken, we thought we’d take a look at every South Jersey girl who qualified and where they’re seeded.

If anyone is missing or a name is spelled wrong, please let me know in the comment section ASAP and I’ll get it fixed!

And click here for the boys list!

100-METER DASH
1. Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek] 11.45
3. *Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken] 11.55
4. Nester Wea [Willingboro] 11.62
13. *Olivia Okaro [Winslow Twp.] 12.18
14. **Maya Bolden [Willingboro] 12.19
18. Nia’Leila Cuascut [Washington Twp.] 12.25
21. Jayla Criss [Haddon Twp.] 12.26
25. **Addison Barnes [Shawnee] 12.29
27. Sydney Greenidge [Riverside] 12.31
28. Jaidah Garrett [Absegami] 12.33
30. Leila Ortiz [Clayton] 12.40

200-METER DASH
1. *Sianna Wynn [Pennsauken] 23.57
2. Nester Wea [Willingboro] 23.89
3. Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek] 23.93
6. *Natalie Dumas [Eastern] 24.46
14. *Kaila Speight [Willingboro] 25.05
15. ***Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.] 25.07
16. **Maya Bolden [Willingboro] 25.07
20. Jayla Kriss [Haddon Heights] 25.27
22. *Olivia Okaro [Winslow Twp.] 25.30
24. Jaidah Garrett [Absegami] 25.36
26. *Sananya Dupree [Pennsauken] 25.47
27. Leila Ortiz [Clayton] 25.57
29. Miyana Johnson [Clayton] 25.94

400-METER DASH
1. *Natalie Dumas [Eastern] 53.17
2. Nester Wea [Willingboro] 53.98
3. *Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken] 54.06
10. *Claire Magee [Paul VI] 56.11
14. Samantha Osei-Kyei [Eastern] 56.97
15. **Cinniya Robinson [Winslow Twp.] 56.98
18. **Maya Bolden [Winslow Twp.] 57.32
21. Leila Ortiz [Clayton] 57.42
24. ***Noemi Haller [Kingsway] 57.72
25. *Olivia Okaro [Winslow Twp.] 57.80

800-METER RUN
7. *Natalie Dumas [Eastern] 2:10.49
10. **Carly Godfrey [Ocean City] 2:11.25
13. **Grace Gutowski [Paul VI] 2:12.13
16. ***Hope Edwards [Moorestown] 2:13.65
25. *Riley Fayer [Audubon] 2:15.24
28. *Samia Ghazaz [Absegami] 2:15.34

1,600-METER RUN
11. Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 4:59.99
12. Jordan Hadfield [Schalick] 5:01.16
13. Maeve Smith [Ocean City] 5:01.21
15. **Grace Gutwoski [Paul VI] 5:02.06
16. ***Peyton Derer [Moorestown] 5:02.45
17. Megan Niglio [Cherokee] 5:02.71
20. Georgina Chalow [Vineland] 5:03.51
21. *Riley Fayer [Audubon] 5:03.61
25. *Julia Flanagan [Holy Cross] 5:05.55
31. Gracie Repici [Middle Twp.] 5:38.48

3,200-METER RUN
3. Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 10:35.67
5. Maeve Smith [Ocean City] 10:44.48
14. *Julia Flanagan [Holy Cross] 10:52.74
20. Jordan Hadfield [Schalick] 10:59.56
30. ***Morgan Kuzma [Paul VI] 11:11.79

100-METER HURDLES
2. ***Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.] 13.94
5. ***Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville] 14:56
6. **Brianna Growalt [Atlantic County Tech] 14.59
11. *Olivia Dupree [Pennsauken] 14.72
12. **Trinity Brapoh [Willingboro] 14.76
13. *Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.] 14.78
17. Dakota Jones [Washington Twp.] 14.98
20. **Nyla Jackmon-Smith [Clearview] 15.00
27. **Ciani Floyd [Maple Shade] 15.69
28. *Zoe Saunders [Florence] 15.73

400-METER HURDLES
1. *Natalie Dumas [Eastern] 57.30
3. **Cinniya Robinson [Winslow Twp.] 1:01.01
4. ***Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.] 1:01.08
6. Cecilia King [Rancocas Valley] 1:01.23
12. ***Hope Edwards [Moorestown] 1:03.42
19. Billie Frazier [Timber Creek] 1:04.02
20. **Tristan Hughes [Winslow Twp.] 1:04.09
21. Sunny Obiyo [Willingboro] 1:04.33
29. Emily Madden [Buena] 1:05.68

400-METER RELAY
2. Pennsauken 47.24
5. Winslow Twp. 47.89
8. Willingboro 48.28
9. Rancocas Valley 48.32
13. Ocean City 48.81
16. Kingsway 48.99
17. Washington Twp. 49.06
23. Woodbury 49.33
27. Burlington Twp. 49.42

1,600-METER RELAY
2. Winslow Twp. 3:53.16
4. Kingsway 3:54.95
6. Willingboro 3:55.51
11. Moorestown 3:58.76
14. Egg Harbor Twp. 4:01.26
16. Rancocas Valley 4:01.33
21. Paul VI 4:03.01
23. Shawnee 4:03.19
27. Clayton 4:05.03

3,200-METER RELAY
1. Ocean City 9:14.20
2. Winslow Twp. 9:19.84
4. Moorestown 9:23.31
17. Shawnee 9:45.65
19. Cherokee 9:46.17
22. Haddonfield 9:47.42

HIGH JUMP
T1. *Egypt Bolan [Lindenwold] 5-6
T3. *Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.] 5-4
T3. *Phallen Still [Collingswood] 5-4
T3. ***Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville] 5-4
T14. Addison Inge [Williamstown] 5-2
T14. I’Mara Ford [Moorestown] 5-2
T14. Isabella Patruno [Sterling] 5-2
T35. Miyana Johnson [Clayton] 5-0

LONG JUMP
1. Jaidah Garrett [Absegami] 18-10 ½
10. **Brianna Growalt [Atlantic County Tech] 17-7
12. *Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.] 17-6 ½
14. ***Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville] 17-6 ¼
16. *Leeya Joseph [Winslow Twp.] 17-5 ½
23. Sakiyah Horsely [Shawnee] 17-1
25. Denirah Jones [Woodbury] 17-0
30. **Nyima Burley [Burlington City] 16-10

TRIPLE JUMP
1. *Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.] 40-3
6. **Brooklyn Ezekiel [Cherry Hill West] 38-7 ¾
8. Jaidah Garrett [Absegami] 37-5 ½
14. **Maryam Fall [Northern Burlington] 36-6 ¾
19. *Chantina Walker [Winslow Twp.] 36-2 ¼
T23. **Timia Waters [Williamstown] 35-10
T26. **Nyima Burley [Burlington City] 35-9

POLE VAULT
1. Hannah Byrd-Leitner [Moorestown] 12-8
T4. Rebecca Hoover [Haddonfield] 11-6
T6. *Cali Lacovara [Washington Twp.] 11-0
T6. *Brynn Greenwood [Williamstown] 11-0
T10. Megan Morris [Pennsville] 10-6
T13. Addison Wright [Cherokee] 10-0
T13. Elizabeth Butrica [Audubon] 10-0
T13. Emersen Levins [Haddon Tp.] 10-0
T13. *Gianna Cianfrani [Paul VI] 10-0
T13. *La’el Yates [Rancocas Valley] 10-0
T28. **Nina Fisicaro [Haddonfield] 9-6

SHOT PUT
3. *Mitra Simpson [Hammonton] 42-9 ¾
4. Ella Karp [Washington Twp.] 42-2
7. *Hannah Nuhfer [Delsea] 40-7 ¾
8. Kendra Green [Rancocas Valley] 40-6
12. ***Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville] 38-10 ¾
20. Antonia Federici [Woodbury] 37-0
23. *Tatiyonna Crawford [Pennsville] 36-9
26. Rainelle Blocker [Clayton] 35-10 ¾
28. Ashe DeWalt [Sterling] 35-9 ¾

DISCUS
2. *Hannah Nuhfer [Delsea] 161-4
4. *Sunsarai Moore [Glassboro] 142-6
6. Brook-lynn Roberts [Winslow Twp.] 134-5
14. Ella Karp [Washington Twp.] 124-0
16. Imani Dennis [Bishop Eustace] 123-2
20. **Virginia Tarasevich [Glassboro] 118-1
21. Raylyn Hardy [Bordentown] 117-6
30. Raven Shaw [Maple Shade] 106-4

JAVELIN
2. Josephine Buxton [Absegami] 138-8
14. *Addison Lore {Cherokee] 111-7
15. Rainelle Blocker [Clayton] 110-1
21. Sophia O”Shaughnessy [Cherry Hill West] 107-2

I looked at the NJSIAA’s boys “Meet of Champions program” for 10 minutes and found 17 mistakes.

I didn’t even look that hard. And I didn’t even open the girls program. And I didn’t even check times or distances. Just names.

This is inexcusable, but it’ll never change unless the NJSIAA puts Jim Lambert and me in charge of the state meet programs. We would jam it with tons of historical data, all-time performance lists, accurate records and, yes, correctly spelled names. As well as a new typeface to replace the tired one they’ve been using since 1897.

Ten minutes. Here’s what I found:

1) John Stone, the 1997 Meet of Champions 100-and 200 champ in 1997, is listed as competing for “Midland High School.” The NJSIAA doesn’t even know the names of its own schools.

2) Reuben McCoy’s name was spelled incorrectly as “Rueben.” If anybody knows that mis-spelling it’s me.

3) Newark Science star Nakia Fenner’s first name is spelled “Nokia.” Like the phone company.

4) The great Seton Hall Prep quarter-miler Clayton Parros’s name is spelled Clayton “Palms.”

5) Ocean Township’s Alexander Sadikov’s last name is spelled “Sadikor.”

6) CBA star distance runner Blaise Ferro has his last name spelled “Perro.”

7) Manalapan’s Tom Fischer’s last name is spelled “Fishcer.”

8) Linden’s Emmanuel Daux’s last name is spelled “Dana.” How do you get Dana from Daux?

9) The great Darius Pemberton from Hackensack has his first name spelled “Darium.”

10) Bridgeton’s Markquese Bell has his first name incorrectly spelled “Marquese.” But he’s kind of obscure and has only played for the Dallas Cowboys for three years.

11) 1970 pole vault champ George Mouravieff from Cedar Grove has his last name spelled “Mouvraieff.”

12) Trenton long jump star Evans Tober is listed as “Evan Tobler.”

13) Kevin DiGiorgio – one of the greatest throwers New Jersey has ever produced – has his last name spelled “DiGeorgia” … twice.

14) Another great thrower, Penns Grove’s Russ Willett, has his last name spelled “Willit” … twice.

15) Mark Ryan from Sayreville, winner of the javelin in 1980, is listed as Mary Ryan. Mary Ryan? Seriously, NJSIAA? You had one job. Mary Ryan???

16) Oakcrest’s Carnelius Cruz, the  1994 javelin winner, is spelled “Cornelius.”

17) Not a mis-spelling, but the records section shows New Jersey running 300 hurdles through 1992 when they actually went to 400 meters in 1980. Only off by 12 years!

Should I bother going through the girls program?

St. Augustine senior Julian Onesti lowered the Atlantic County 100-meter dash record and posted the 7^th-fastest wind-legal time in South Jersey history Friday in the state Parochial A meet in Galloway Township.

Onesti ran 10.56 with a legal 0.8 tailwind, breaking the wind-legal county record of 10.59 set by Oakcrest’s Fabian Santiago at the 2012 Meet of Champions at Old Bridge.

Onesti had run 10.58 at the Atlantic County Championshisps last month at Egg Harbor but there was no wind gauge at that meet. His previous wind-legal PR? Good question. This was Onesti’s first race this year with a wind gauge, and it looks like he didn’t have one last year either. Unreal. Fortunately, Stockton University had a wind gauge set up and the wind was legal, and Onesti now has an official 100 time to his credit.

Athletic directors: HAVE WIND GAUGES SET UP FOR EVERY MAJOR EVENT YOU HOST – ONE FOR THE TRACK AND ONE FOR THE HORIZONTAL JUMPS. DO THIS.

Onesti will be the No. 3 seed in the 100 Wednesday at the Meet of Champions at Pennsauken. The top three seeds are all out of the Parochial A race, and the top six seeds are from one of the two Parochial races. The top public school seed is Burlington Township junior Quayd Hendryx at 10.71 (also with legal wind).

10.28 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024 [+0.3]
10.32 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024 [-1.4]
10.41 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2010 [+0.1]
10.45 … James Townsend [Holy Cross], 2003 [+1.2]
10.47 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983 [+0.0]
10.55 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], 2002 [-2.7]
10.56 … Julian Onesti [St. Augustine], 2025 [+0.8]
10.57 … Jamil Benjamin [Cumberland Regional], 2006 [+1.4]
10.57 … Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], 2024 [+0.9]
10.58 … James Burrus [Moorestown], 2022 [-2.5]
10.58 … Anthony Miles [Winslow Twp.], 2003 [+1.4]
10.59 … Fabian Santiago [Oakcrest] 2012 [+1.2]

10.18 … Malachi James [Burlington City], 2024
10.21 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], 2024
10.35 … Jamar Ervin [Camden], 2000
10.36 … Damiere Byrd [Timber Creek], 2010
10.45 … James Townsend [Holy Cross], 2003
10.47 … Dennis Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
10.47 … James Brown [Glassboro], 2009
10.49 … Jonathan Taylor [Salem], 2017
10.53 … Todd Dutch [Washington Twp.], 2001
10.54 … Fabian Santiago [Oakrest], 2010
10.55 … Evan Corcoran [Kingsway], 2022
10.56 … Julian Onesti [St. Augustine], 2025
10.56 … Yashahya Brown [Washington Twp.], 2024 [+0.9]
10.57 … Jamil Benjamin [Cumberland Regional], 2006
10.57 … Geof Navaro [Absegami], 2008
10.58 … Anthony Miles [Winslow Twp.], 2003
10.58 … James Burrus [Moorestown], 2022
10.59 … Lloyd Shambry [Gateway], 2024

Ocean City sophomore Carly Godfrey blazed one of the fastest 800s in South Jersey history Friday at the state Group 3 meet at Somerset.

Godfrey placed 3^rd in a very fast race in 2:11.25, 15^th-fastest in South Jersey and fastest by a South Jersey sophomore in 21 years, since another Ocean City runner – Renee Tomlin – ran 2:10.44 at the 2004 Meet of Champions in South Plainfield. Tomlin went on to run 2:05.06 for 800 meters, 4:08.09 for 1,500 meters, 4:34.39 for the mile after graduating from Princeton.

Godfrey ran 2:23.02 indoors as a freshman and then got down to 2:18.50 last spring. She ran 2:15.05 indoors and then PR’d in her last two races – 2:14.43 at South Jersey Group 3 sectionals and then a more than three-second PR Friday with the 2:11.25.

She’s the third Ocean City girl under 2:12, following Tomlin’s 2:09.50 at Greensboro Nationals in 2005 and Rachel Stremme’s 2:09.84 at the 2014 Meet of Champions at South Plainfield. She’s also one of an astonishing 32 New Jersey girls under 2:15 this year

Godfrey also anchored Ocean City’s winning 4-by-8 at states with a 2:11.52 split. Chloe Care led off in 2:18.88, senior Maeve Smith split 2:17.80 and freshman Riley Tolson ran 2:26.02 for the Red Raiders, whose 9:14.20 is 8^th-fastest in South Jersey history and a Cape May County record and makes them the No. 1 seed at the Meet of Champions.

Godfrey also PR’d at sectionals in the 1,600 with a 5:04.33 but focused only on the 800 and 3,200-meter relay at states.

Smith, meanwhile, is the No. 5 seed in the 3,200 after a 10:44.48 and 3^rd-place finish. She ran 10:39.76 at Cherokee in April, No. 19 in South Jersey history. She’s No. 13 seed in the 1,600 at 5:01.21.

All-Time South Jersey 800 List
2:07.33 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 2009
2:08.87 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2001
2:09.2h … Katrina Sye [Buena], 1999
2:09.50 … Renee Tomlin [Ocean City], 2005
2:09.84 … Rachel Stremme [Ocean City], 2014
2:10.1h … Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1982
2:10.44 … Kadence Dumas [Eastern], 2023
2:10.49 … Natalie Dumas [Eastern], 2025
2:10.55 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape], 2019
2:10.57 … Nijgia Snapp [Oakcrest], 2009
2:10.79 … Krista Ferrara [Vineland], 1991
2:10.9h … Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 1985
2:11.07 … Miya Johnson [Lenape], 2007
2:11.12 … Nicole Clifford [Cherokee], 2022
2:11.25 … Carly Godfrey [Ocean City], 2025
2:11.45 … Sydney Coppolino [Sterling], 2017
2:11.56 … Mary Bohi [Seneca], 2009
2:11.80 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2016
2:11.80 … Kelsey Niglio [Cherokee], 2022
2:11.88 … Kayla Martin [Seneca], 2015
2:11.94 … Bridget Flynn [Ocean City], 2014

All-Time South Jersey 3,200-Meter Relay List
9:00.51 … Haddonfield, 2021
9:05.62 … Lenape, 2012
9:05.83 … Lenape, 2008
9:06.30 … Haddonfield, 2008
9:10.32 … Haddonfield, 2000
9:12.30 … Haddonfield, 2019
9:13.67 … Cherokee, 2025
9:14.20 … Ocean City, 2025
9:14.25 … Cherokee, 2023
9:15.61 … Ocean City, 2014
9:15.19 … Lenape, 2007
9:15.51 … Ocean City, 2024
9:15.92 … Haddonfield, 2015
9:16.57 … Seneca, 2017
9:16.79 … Haddonfield, 1999
9:17.50 … Winslow Twp., 2025
9:17.77 … Cherokee, 2022
9:18.22 … Kingsway, 2016
9:18.37 … Haddonfield, 2019
9:18.57 … Seneca, 2018
9:18.71 … Lenape, 2011
9:18.93 … Haddonfield, 2018
9:18.94 … Lenape, 2006
9:19.15 … Wilson, 2002
9:19.68 … Kingsway, 2017

All-Time South Jersey 3,200-Meter List
10:12.8h ….. Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 1983
10:18.93 … Shaelan McNally [Paul VI], 2024
10:19.31 … Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 2009
10:22.02 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 2012
10:22.20 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2024
10:27.44 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], 2017
10:28.6h….. Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2001
10:29.28 … Rachel Vick [Kingsway], 2017
10:30.57 … Dina Iacone [Washington Twp.], 2012
10:32.4h….. Mindy Rowand [Sterling], 1985
10:33.22 … Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 2012
10:33.25 … Megan Venables [Highland], 2011
10:33.85 … Sarah Naticchia [Haddonfield], 2021
10:34.79 … Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill East], 2007
10:35.59 … Amanda Goetschius [Delsea], 2007
10:37.47 … Meghan McGlinchey [West Depford], 2009
10:37.53 … Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], 2005
10:39.15 … Devon Grisbaum [Ocean City], 2015
10:39.76 … Maeve Smith [Ocean City], 2025
10:40.24 … Katie Van Horn [Triton], 2005
10:40.95 … Erika Kemp [Rancocas Valley], 2013
10:42.22 … Jenn Rawls [Highland], 2009
10:43.3h….. Deanna Germano [Shawnee], 1985
10:43.50 … Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek], 2017
10:43.86 … Ava Thomas [Haddonfield], 2023
10:44.23 … Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 2004
10:45.12 … Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 2014
10:45.24 … Nicole Clifford [Cherokee], 2022
10:45.40 … Julianna Catania [Egg Harbor Twp.], 2016
10:45.73 … Meghan Hughes [Moorestown], 2002
10:46.38 … Madison Coppolino [Sterling], 2018
10:48.87 … Sarah Naticchia [Haddonfield], 2019

Woodstown junior Josh Crawford became the first Woodstown runner ever to win an outdoor state title on Friday and continued closing in on the Salem County 800 record.

Crawford PR’d for the 2^nd meet in a row, winning the state Group 1 title in Somerset with a 1:53.44, finishing about a meter in front of Metuchen senior Eric Schleif, who was 2^nd in 1:53.60.

Crawford had lowered his PR from 1:56.97 to 1:53.59 when he won the South Jersey Group 1 title. He never broke two minutes until he won the indoor state Group 1 title at the Bubble with a 1:59.01 I February. He PR’d at 1:57.65 at indoor Meet of Champs at Ocean Breeze, then dropped to 1:56.97 at Haddonfield Distance Night earlier this month before his back-to-back sub-1:54s.

So he’s dropped more than four seconds in less than a month – since May 5, to be exact.

Crawford’s time is less than half a second off the Salem County record of 1:52.97 set by Jaymes Dennison of Penns Grove at the 2013 Meet of Champions in South Plainfield.

Woodstown’s only other individual state champ in school history is Brandon Bedilion, who won the javelin in 2015 with a throw of 178-8 at Egg Harbor.

Senior teammate Cole Lucas placed 3^rd in the state Group 1 race 1:55.01, just off his PR of 1:54.87 from sectionals. That’s No. 11 on the all-time South Jersey Group 1 list.

Crawford is seeded 3^rd at the Meet of Champions Wednesday at Pennsauken, behind Union Catholic’s Keandre Kelly [1:52.18] and Bernards’ Brody Watt [1:52.72]. Lucas is seeded 14^th.

Woodstown won the 4-by-8 at states last year with Karson Chew, Joshua Crawford, Jacob Marino and Cole Lucas running 8:11.67 and again this year in 7:59.15 with a listed lineup that doesn’t include either Crawford or Lucas. I highly doubt they ran sub-8 without their two-fastest half-milers, but the official results show junior Karson Chew (who PR’d at 1:58.34 at states), sophomore David Farrell, sophomore Pacey Hutton and junior Jacob Marino. If anyone has the correct lineup please let me know in the comment section!

In any case, that 7:59.15 broke the meet record of 7:59.88 set in 2017 by Shore Regional at Egg Harbor and looks like the fastest by a South Jersey Group 1 school since Rich Caton and Woodbury ran 7:51.1 in 1977, which converts to 7:48.3 for the 4-by-8.

Woodstown’s 4×8 is seeded 5^th Wednesday.

1:49.72 … Rich Caton [Woodbury], 1979
1:49.74 … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], 1997
1:49.84 … Rob Novak [Bordentown], 2005
1:52.05 … Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 2024
1:52.94 … Keith Griffin [Florence], 2009
1:52.97 … Jaymes Dennison [Penns Grove], 2013
1:53.40 … Daveigh Brooks [Burlington City], 2016
1:53.44 … Joshua Crawford [Woodstown], 2025
1:54.58 … Brady Shute [Pitman], 2021
1:53.78 … Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2015
1:54.87 … Cole Lucas [Woodstwon], 2025
1:54.88 … Thoams Morley [Haddon Twp.], 2002
1:54.89 … Jake Dinerman [Haddon Twp.], 2016

What a remarkable performance over the weekend by the uniquely talented Pleasantville freshman Isabella Alvarez in her first outdoor state meet.

Alvarez won the 100-meter hurdles in 14.56 and the shot put at 38-10 ¾ with an outdoor PR 17-11 ¾, finished in a three-way tie for 2^nd in the high jump at 5-4 and took 4^th in the long jump at 17-6 ¼.

That’s 30 points for Alvarez, enough to place 3^rd in Group 2 team scoring by herself.

Alvarez is the 8^th South Jersey girl to win two individual state titles as a freshman, the first from Atlantic County and certainly the first in state history to ever double the hurdles and shot put.

She goes into the Meet of Champions tied for the No. 3 seed in the high jump, No. 5 seed in the hurdles, No. 12 in the shot put, No. 14 in the shot put. She’s the top freshman in New Jersey in the shot [39-8] and in the high jump [5-6], No. 2 behind Winslow’s Jasmine Jackson in the wind-legal hurdles [14.55] and No. 2 in the long jump among legal marks [17-11 ¾].

I don’t have all-time freshman lists. I probably should work on that one day. But it looks like her 14.55 is actually 2^nd-fastest all-time among South Jersey freshmen – behind Jackson’s 13.94 in the state Group 4 meet Saturday – and her 39-8 is somewhere around 7^th or 8^th. Still working on that. She’s somewhere in the top five in the high jump an top 10 in the long jump. Alvarez owns Atlantic County freshman records in all four events.

Alvarez is the first Pleasantville girl to win a state title in any event since Olympian Nia Ali, inducted into the South Jersey Track Hall of Fame in February, won the Group 2 hurdles in 2006 in 13.95. She’s the first Pleasantville girl to double at states since 1996, when Shereese Price won the 100 in 12.22 and the hurdles in 14.66.

Jackson had a pretty great weekend as well, winning the highs and taking 2nd in the 200 and intermediates as Winslow won Group 4. She’s No. 2 seed at Meet of Champions in the hurdles, No. 4 in the intermediates and No. 15 in the 200.

Here’s a look at the South Jersey girls who’ve doubled at states as freshmen:

Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville], Group 2 2025 [100HH, SP]
Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], Group 4 2023 [100, 400]
Brianna Gess [Haddonfield], Group 2 2014 [1,600, 3,200]
English Gardner [Eastern], Group 4 2007 [100, 200]
Krystal Cantey [Winslow Twp.], Group 4 2003 [400, 400IH]
Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], Group 2 2000 [200, 400, LJ]
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 1998 Group 1 [800, 1,600, 3,200]
Dawn Harris [Paul VI], 1987 Parochial A [100, LJ]