From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

She beat a 12.20 sprinter in the 100. She beat a state indoor champion in the 200. She beat the state’s fastest freshman sprinter in the 400.

No matter who lined up next to her, Winslow Township’s Shakira Dancy was’t going to be denied Saturday.

Dancy edged Cherry Hill East’s Maya Drayton to win the 100-meter dash, she beat speedy teammate Flora Ahiarakwe to win the 200, and she out-raced precocious Eastern freshman Jewel Ash in the 400, leading three girls under 57 seconds.

Whew! What a day for Dancy, who ran 12.49, 24.77 and 56.24 Saturday afternoon at Haddon Heights.

Let’s take a look at her three races:

100-METER DASH: Dancy ran 12.49, edging Drayton by 2-100ths of a second to win her second straight Camden County 100 title. Her PR at 100 meters is 11.89 from the Olympic Conference championships earlier this week.

200-METER DASH: Dancy won by more than a second with her 24.77. Her PR is 23.96 from states last year on her way to winning the Meet of Champions.

400-METER DASH: Dancy ran 56.24 to lead Ash (56.76) and Ahiarakwe (56.97) under 57 seconds. It was her first major 400 this year. Ash’s previous PR was 59.57 earlier this year at Rowan. Ahiarakwe ran slightly faster (56.73) at the conference meet, but the three of them now rank No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4 in South Jersey this year.

Dancy is now ranked No. 1 in South Jersey in the 200 and 400 and No. 2 in the 100, behind only Bria Mack’s 11.86.

Rancocas Valley senior Julianne Foering joined the elite 140-foot club Saturday, bombing the javelin 140-8 to win her second career title at the Burlington County Open. Foering won the javelin at the 2015 meet with a 126-4.

Her throw Saturday at her own school broke the meet record with the new javelin implement, which has been in use since 2000.

The previous meet record was a 139-1 by Kaela Schrier of Cherokee last year, when Foering was second. Foering’s throw is second-best in meet history with either javelin, behind only Lynlee Phillips’ 144-2 with the old javelin in 1999.

Foering’s previous PR was a 136-9 at last year’s Group 4 sectionals. She was close to that with a 136-0 earlier this month at the Rowan Invite, and she’s been over 130 feet in five straight meets.

Foering and teammate Danielle Steff went 1-2 for R.V., with Steff taking second with a throw of 127-7. Her PR is 137-4 at last year’s sectionals.

Foering’s throw is No. 13 in South Jersey history but less than a foot outside the all-time top-10. She’s only nine inches shy of the Burlington County record with the new jav, set four years ago by Kelly Yanucil of Bordentown.

• 160-  8 … Maria Jimenez (Vineland), 2012
• 152-  9 … Katherine Johnston (Haddonfield), 2012
• 152-  4 … Jill Shaner (Egg Harbor Twp.), 2009
• 148-  8 … Caitlin Cielo (Eastern), 2002
• 146-  7 … Victoria Imbesi (Our Lady of Mercy), 2008
• 145-  0 … Brielle Smith (Oakcrest), 2017
• 143-11 … Ayana Culhane (Absegami), 2016
• 142-  6 … Kaela Schrier (Cherokee), 2016
• 141-  6 … Lindsay Minch (Pennsville), 2010
• 141-  5 … Kelly Yanucil (Bordentown), 2013
• 141-  1 … Tumelo Nwanma (Vineland), 2016
• 141-  0 … Jocelyn McRae (Millville), 2006
• 140-  8 … Julianne Foering (Rancocas Valley), 2016
• 140-  1 … Caitlin Ciello (Eastern), 2002
• 140-  0 … Melissa Lake (Cherokee), 2011

Here’s the all-time meet performance list (since 2000):
140-  8 … Julianne Foering (Rancocas Valley), 2017
139-  1 … Kaela Schrier (Cherokee), 2016
137- 6 … Mercedes Glover (Burlington Twp.), 2010
136-11 … Kelly Yanucil (Bordentown), 2013
135-  9 … Melissa Lake (Cherokee), 2011
132-  8 ……… Lake, 2010
131- 1 … Faith Blamon (Cinnaminson), 2012
130- 6 …….. Foering (Rancocas Valley), 2016
128-  0 … Allison Vetter (Cinnaminson), 2006
127-  7 … Danielle Steff (Rancocas Valley), 2016
126-  4 …….. Foering, 2015
124-  8 … Betsy Kennedy (Delran), 2000
124-  6 …….. Yanucil, 2012
123-  6 …….. Yanucil, 2011
122-  8 … Jess Donoghue (Seneca), 2009
121-  5 …….. Schrier 2014

And every winner in meet history:
1978….. Cheryl Dutton (Willingboro) 104- 7
1979….. Amy Gaines (Kennedy) 113- 5
1980 ….. Denise Thomas (Willingboro) 113- 5
1981 ….. Donna Pritchett (Lenape) 122-11
1982 ….. Liz Pellerin (Holy Cross) 128-11
1983 ….. Lillian Rivera (Pemberton) 136- 5
1984 ….. Lillian Rivera (Pemberton) 133- 2
1985 ….. Joanne Sienkiewicz (Delran) 121-10
1986 ….. Joanne Sienkiewicz (Delran) 121-11
1987 ….. Kathy Patterson (Lenape) 113- 9
1988 ….. Tracy Ritter (Lenape) 121- 1
1989 ….. Jen Thornton (Shawnee) 107- 0
1990 ….. Michelle Labosky (Holy Cross) 94- 6
1991 ….. Sharon Sfrisi (Holy Cross) 105- 8
1992 ….. Sharon Sfrisi (Holy Cross) 118-11
1993 ….. Tricia Anderson (Cinnaminson) 107- 5
1994 ….. Tricia Anderson (Cinnaminson) 107- 4
1995 ….. Helen Labosky (Shawnee) 115- 2
1996 ….. Helen Labosky (Shawnee) 114- 5
1997 ….. Helen Labosky (Shawnee) 118- 9
1998 ….. Lynlee Phillips (Shawnee) 124- 7
1999 ….. Lynlee Phillips (Shawnee) 144- 2
2000 ….. Betsy Kennedy (Delran) 124- 8 [first year new javelin]
2001 ….. Aleyna Schaefer (Northern Burlington) 116- 9
2002 ….. Aleyna Schaefer (Northern Burlington) 128- 7
2003 ….. Aleyna Schaefer (Northern Burlington) 115- 7
2004 ….. Veronica Myricks (Willingboro) 116- 2
2005 ….. Brianna Brennen (Holy Cross) 114- 9
2006 ….. Allison Vetter (Cinnaminson) 128- 0
2007 …..Brianna Connor (Maple Shade) 118- 7
2008 …..Jess Donoghue (Seneca) 118- 6
2009 …. Jess Donoghue (Seneca) 122- 8
2010 ….. Mercedes Glover (Burlington Twp.) 137- 6
2011….. Melissa Lake (Cherokee) 135- 9
2012….. Faith Blamon (Cinnaminson) 131- 1
2013….. Kelly Yanucil (Bordentown) 136-11
2014….. Kaela Schrier (Cherokee) 121- 5
2015…..Julianne Foering (Rancocas Valley) 126- 4
2016….. Kaela Schrier (Cherokee) 139- 1
2017 … Julianna Foering (Rancocas Valley) 140-8

Foering’s 140-8 is No. 4 in the state this year and No. 2 in South Jersey behind Oakcrest sophomore Brielle Smith, who has a 145-0 to her credit.

Pennsville sophomore Arianna Smith has run three major 400-meter dash races this spring, and she’s PR’d in each one.

Her last PR is the fastest time in South Jersey this year!

Smith ran 56.71 to win the Tri-County 400 Thursday after a 57.77 for third ta the Rowan Invitational and a 57.39 to win the Salem County meet.

Smith never broke 60 seconds as a freshman, when she focused mainly on the high hurdles (and placed fourth in the state Group 1 meet).

Smith did also win the 100-meter highs Thursday with a PR 15.04, but her 56.71 is the fastest in South Jersey this year and No. 6 in the state. It’s also just 15-100ths of a second off the meet record of 56.56 set in 2012 by Penns Grove’s Faleesha Dowe.

It’s also third-fastest in Salem County history behind Dowe (54.75) and Candyce DeLoatch of Schalick (55.84 in 1996).

Smith’s 15.04 in the high hurdles is No. 7 in South Jersey this year and No. 2 among South Jersey sophomores, behind only Atlantic City’s Claudine Smith, who ran 14.89 Thursday at the Cape Atlantic meet.

As of now, Smith is the No. 1 seed going into sectionals in both the 400 and the highs among all New Jersey Group 1 athletes and No. 6 in the 200 (25.82).

 

Led by Jonathan Taylor’s anchor leg, Salem ran the fastest 400-meter relay in New Jersey history by a Group 1 school, burning the Delsea track in 41.71 seconds Thursday at the Tri-County Conference championships in Franklinville.

The previous fastest time ever by a New Jersey Group 1 school was Salem’s 42.07 at last year’s Meet of Champions.

The time is No. 11 in South Jersey history and No. 16 in state history. Only eight New Jersey high schools — Camden (five times), Winslow (twice), Plainfield (twice) and Timber Creek, Trenton, Franklin Township, Willingboro and Weequahic — have ever run faster.

Here’s the updated all-time state 400-meter relay list:

40.92 .. Winslow, 2003
41.0h … Plainfield, 1980
41.09 … Camden, 2000
41.2h … Weequahic, 1972
41.25 … Camden, 2004
41.25 … Camden, 2001
41.45 … Timber Creek, 2014
41.46 … Franklin Twp., 2016
41.50 … Timber Creek, 2013
41.52 … Plainfield, 1998
41.54 … Camden, 2002
41.62 … Camden, 2003
41.64 … Winslow Twp., 2004
41.65 … Trenton, 1999
41.69 … Willingboro, 1991
41.71 … Edgewood, 2000
41.71 … Salem, 2017
41.71 … Teaneck, 2010
41.72 … Plainfield, 1998
41.74 … Rahway, 1985
41.5h … Westfield, 1978
41.80 … Oakcrest, 2012
41.82 … Neptune, 2009
41.83 … Camden, 1997
41.83 … Westfield, 1977
41.83 … Camden, 1997
41.83 … Oakcrest, 2011
41.85 … Pennsauken, 2016
41.6h … Montclair, 1984
41.6h … Montclair, 1972
41.89 … Deptford, 2017
41.91 … Irvington, 2005
41.7h … Camden, 1996
41.7h … Edgewood, 2001
41.98 … Plainfield, 2000

It’s not entirely clear who ran for Salem. The official results list Ramon Bentley, Jamere Furbush, Justin Harris and Zaire Jones. But obviously Taylor anchored, so one of those four didn’t run.

Whoever did, 41.71 is fast as heck. If Salem can run 2-100ths of a second faster, they’ll move into the all-time South Jersey top-10.

Salem’s Jonathan Taylor edged Mar-Quel Davis of Deptford in the 200-meter dash at Thursday’s Tri-County Conference meet, with Taylor and Davis running the two-fastest times in New Jersey this year!

Taylor ran 21.53 and Davis 21.57 in one of the fastest 200-meter dash races ever contested by South Jersey runners.

The only other races we could find involving two or more South Jersey runners going sub-21.60 fully automatic in the same race:

–> In the 2002 state Group 4 meet, Todd Dutch of Washington Township and Ron Hillian of Eastern went 1-2 in 21.33 and 21.56.

–> And in 2012, Fabian Santiago of Oakcrest and Jammed Muse of Timber Creek ran 1-2 in the South Jersey Group 3 race in 21.00 and 21.24, with Reginald Morton third in 21.38. But because none of those three ever came close to those times again, there are major questions about timing irregularities involving that particular race.

Curiously, neither Taylor nor Davis had broken 22 fully automatic before this race.

Taylor, the Meet of Champions winner at 100 meters last year, generally focuses on the shorter race. His previous 200 PR was a 22.00 to win Group 1 sectionals last year.

Davis’s previous 200 PR was 22.04 at the Gloucester County championships last weekend.

The two times are No. 17 and No. 22 on the all-time South Jersey performance list:

21.00 … Fabian Santiago (Oakcrest), 2012
21.06 … Dennis Mitchell (Edgewood), 1984
21.24 … Jamaad Muse (Timber Creek), 2012
21.14 … Reuben McCoy (Winslow Twp.), 2004
21.30 … T.J. Johnson (Egg Harbor Twp.), 2010
21.38 … Reginald Morton (Oakcrest), 2012
21.40 … Rob Gary (Lenape), 1998
21.40 … Todd Dutch (Washington Twp.), 2001
21.41 … Dorian Bryant (Kingsway), 2002
21.43 … Barry Cephas (Winslow Twp.), 2008
21.46 … Brondon Jenkins (Delran), 1994
21.46 … Sabli Gonnet (Eastern), 2007
21.47 … Curtis McIntyre (Bridgeton), 1992
21.51 … Reuben McCoy (Winslow Twp.), 2004
21.53 … Robert Hargrove (Vineland), 1996
21.53 … A.J. Bunton (West Deptford), 2006
21.53 … Jonathan Taylor (Salem), 2017
21.54 … Derek Ward (Kingsway), 1992
21.55 … Anthony Maturano (Hammonton), 2015
21.56 … Ron Hillian (Eastern), 2002
21.56 … Bruce Owens (Deptford), 2005
21.56 … Darrell Bush (Woodbury), 2011
21.57 … Mar-Quel Davis (Deptford), 2017
21.58 … Antray Miles (Winslow Twp.), 2003
21.59 … John Stone (Mainland Reg.), 1997
21.60 … Juwan Johnson (Glassboro), 2013

Interestingly, another very fast 200 was going on nearby. At the Cape-Atlantic meet, Bo Melton of Cedar Creek ran 21.71, followed by Revell Williams of Bridgeton (21.74) and Amir Brock of Egg Harbor Township (21.77).

Those two races now make up five of the six-fastest times in South Jersey this year.

Cherry Hill East junior Kervins Mezilus out-raced New Jersey’s top-ranked intermediate hurdler Wednesday, running a huge personal-best 54.45 at the Olympic Conference Championships at Washington Township.

Mezilus lowered his 400-meter intermediate hurdles PR from 55.52 from last year’s state meet by 1.07 seconds.

South Jersey’s fastest intermediate hurdler this year is Winslow Township senior Jamil Adams, who ran 53.51 at the Penn Relays. He was second to Mezilus Wednesday with a 54.90.

Mezilus’s time is fastest at the Olympic Conference meet since Mike Williams of Lenape ran 54.09 in 2013, and he’s Cherry Hill East’s second winner, following Alex Reber, who ran 52.92 in 2012.

Here’s a look at all the 400IH winners at the Olympic Conference meet since 1992:

2017: Kevin Mezilus (Cherry Hill East) 54.45
2016: Not held
2015: Max Dickens (Paul VI) 55.24
2014: Benny Walls (Camden Catholic) 56.84
2013: Michael Williams (Lenape) 54.09
2012: Alex Reber (Cherry Hill East) 52.92
2011: Not held
2010: Barry Bethea (Eastern) 54.64
2009: Saliym Starkey (Timber Creek) 54.29
2008: Tim Carrey (Washington Twp.) 56.44
2007: Sherman Goree (Camden) 54.9
2006: George Eggers (Eastern) 54.2
2005: Devon Burroughs (Camden) 53.8
2004: Reuben McCoy (Winslow) 52.4
2003: Reuben McCoy (Winslow) 53.8
2002: Young (Camden) 54.7
2001: Dwight Ruff (Camden) 52.7
2000: Dwight Ruff (Camden) 53.6
1999: Dwight Ruff (Camden) 53.8
1998: Danyne Brown (Camden) 54.3
1997: Danyne Brown (Camden) 54.3
1996: Jones (Bishop Eustace) 56.1
1995: Dupree (Camden) 55.5
1994: Rodney Briggs (Camden) 55.2
1993: Donovan Darius (Wilson) 54.3
1992: Donovan Darius (Wilson) 55.3

Shakira Dancy ran a pair of New Jersey #1 times Wednesday at the Olympic Conference meet, with a PR 11.89 to win the 100 and a fast 24.16 to win the 200.

Fastest sprint double in meet history!

Dancy’s 200 PR is 23.96 to win states last year, but the 24.16 is her second-fastest time ever, fastest this year and fastest ever this early in the season.

The Winslow junior had a previous 100 PR of 11.94 set in the preliminaries at states last year.

Dancy’s times are both fastest FAT times in meet history. Olympic gold medalist English Gardner of Eastern ran 12.01 in 2010, and Winslow’s Torie Robinson ran 24.65 in 2014.

LaToya Benson of Washington Township ran a hand-timed 11.6 in 2002, but Dancy’s FAT time is close enough to her converted 11.84 that both should be considered as meet records.

The fastest hand time in the 200 is Krystal Cantey’s 24.0 for Winslow back in 2003. Dancy’s 24.16 is faster but again you can’t convert a time into a record, so Cantey and Dancy will both be considered co-meet record holders.

Dancy moved into the No. 13 spot in South Jersey history in the 100, just 5-100ths out of the top 10. She’s already No. 3 in the 200 with her 23.96, behind only two legends — Michele Glover (23.69 for Willingboro in 1981) and Denise Liles (23.90 for Kingsway in 1984).

Here’s the updated all-time South Jersey list:

• 11.61 … Amandi Rhett [Moorestown], 1999
• 11.68 … Bria Mack [Williamstown], 2016
• 11.70 … Assante Johnson [Camden], 2009
• 11.73 … Torie Robinson [Winslow Twp.], 2014
• 11.77 … Aisha Morgan [Schalick], 1999
• 11.78 … Shameka Speed [Bridgeton], 2003
• 11.81 … Denise Liles [Kingsway], 1984
• 11.81 … Audrey Wilson [Deptford], 2008
• 11.82 … Annie Johnson [Shawnee], 2012
• 11.84 … Robin Taylor [Deptford], 1980
• 11.85 … Dana Burnett [Williamstown], 1996
• 11.88 … Denise Mitchell [Edgewood], 1983
• 11.89 … Shakira Dancy [Winslow Twp.], 2017
• 11.94 … Emily Carson [Haddonfield], 2013
• 11.95 … Aliyah Taylor [Rancocas Valley], 2017
• 11.96 … Jamillah Nock [Woodrow Wilson], 2004
• 11.98 … Kiara Lester [Deptford], 2016
• 11.98 … Ciera Ismail [Schalick], 2014

And here are the all-time Olympic Conference meet winners in the 100- and 200-meter dashes:

100-METER DASH
2017: Shakira Dancy (Winslow Twp.) 11.89
2016: Shakira Dancy (Winslow Twp.) 12.51
2015: Ariel Mitchell (Lenape) 12.98
2014: Cidae’a Woods (Winslow Twp.) 12.06
2013: Cidae’a Woods (Winslow Twp.) 12.61
2012: Annie Johnson (Shawnee) 12.32
2011: Not held
2010: English Gardner (Eastern) 12.01
2009: Assante Johnson (Camden) 12.60
2008: English Gardner (Eastern) 12.11
2007: English Gardner (Eastern) 11.7w
2006: Dana Cataldo (Lenape), 12.2
2005: Shatteri Alston (Wilson) 12.0
2004: Christina Smith (Winslow) 12.1
2003: Ariel Brockman (Cherokee)
Jamillah Nock (Wilson), 11.8
2002: LaToya Benson (Washington Twp.) 11.6
2001: LaToya Benson (Washington Twp.) 12.2
2000: LaToya Benson (Washington Twp.) 12.4
1999: Samantha Sweeney (Cherokee) 12.2
1998: Kyline Bines (Highland) 12-6.
1997: Kyline Bines (Highland) 12.1
Spring Harris (Camden) 12.1
1996: Shavon Arline (Pennsauken) 11.9
1995: Shavon Arline (Pennsauken) 12.2
1994: Not available
1993: Medina Salaam (Camden) 12.5
1992: Teneacia Smith (N/A) 12.1

200-METER DASH
2017: Shakira Dancy (Winslow Twp.) 24.16
2016: Shakira Dancy (Winslow Twp.) 25.08
2015: Jasmine Staten (Lenape) 25.21
2014: Torie Robinson (Winslow Twp.) 24.65
2013: Torie Robinson (Winslow Twp.) 25.62
2012: Annie Johnson (Shawnee) 25.31
2011: Not held
2010: Michelle Brown (Seneca) 25.66
2009: Assante Johnson (Camden) 25.54
2008: Fametta Lewis (Woodrow Wilson) 25.32
2007: Not held
2006: Jackie Dim (Washington Twp.) 25.4
2005: Krystal Cantey (Winslow) 24.6
2004: Krystal Cantey (Winslow) 24.9
2003: Krystal Cantey (Winslow) 24.0
2002: Raniyah Walker (Camden) 25.1
Brittany Wright (Eastern) 25.1
2001: LaToya Benson (Washington Twp.) 24.9
2000: Haleema Fisher (Camden) 25.3
1999: Haleema Fisher (Camden) 25.0
1998: Kyline Bines (Highland) 25.6
1997: Salyndia Johnson (Camden) 26.3
1996: Shavon Arline (Pennsauken) 25.2
1995: Shavon Arline (Pennsauken) 24.9
1994: Not Available
1993: Chantel Parks (Camden) 25.7
1992: Coleman (Camden) 25.0

Shawnee senior Mark Miller reduced his 1,600 PR by nearly five seconds Wednesday at the Olympic Conference meet at Washington Township.

And that wasn’t even the biggest improvement in the field.

Miller lowered his PR from 4:21.44 — which he ran two weeks ago at the South Jersey Invitational at Delsea — to 4:16.86, fastest this year by a South Jersey miler

Miller broke Dave Forward’s Shawnee school outdoor record of 4:17.42, set in 2009. Forward ran 4:18.21 indoors at Easterns in 2009, which converts to 4:16.71. But since you can’t convert a time into a record, Miller and Forward will be considered co-Shawnee record holders, at least for the time being.

His time is fastest by a Burlington County runner since Shawn Wilson of Cherokee ran 4:11.69 in 2013 and fastest at the Olympic Conference meet since 2009, when Dave Berger of Cherry Hill East ran 4:16.0, and third-fastest in meet history behind Berger and meet record-holder Murad Campbell of Overbook, who ran 4:14.6 in 1998.

Second-place Kevin Lauer, a Lenape junior, lowered his PR from 4:28.07 to 4:18.96 – a ridiculous 9.1-second improvement – and became No. 3 miler in Lenape history behind two legends – Burlington County record holder Ryan Garvin (4:11.15 in 2009) and Anthony Kelhower (4:15.77 in 2005).

His time is the fastest second-place time in meet history.

As for Miller, he now ranks third in New Jersey this year, behind only Billy Hill of Franklin Township (4:16.35 at the Skyland Conference meet) and Eric Clay of Morristown High (4:16.35 at the Northwest Jersey Conference meet).

A couple lists. First, all the 1,600 winners in the Olympic Conference meet, going back to 1992:

2017: Mark Miller (Shawnee) 4:16.86
2016: Isaiah John-Baptiste (Cherry Hill East) 4:25.12
2015: Dominick Munson (Timber Creek), 4:18.79
2014: Aaron Groff (Cherry Hill East) 4:24.19
2013: Julian Greco (Lenape) 4:23.19
2012: Alex McGrainer (Seneca) 4:27.42
2011: Cancelled
2010: Michael Rankin (Paul VI) 4:21.23
2009: Dave Berger (Cherry Hill East) 4:16.0
2008: Kevin McDonnell (Camden Catholic) 4:19.13
2007: Josh Clark (Seneca), 4:31.7
2006: Rudy Belko (Triton) 4:28.8
2005: Anthony Kelhower (Lenape) 4:23.2
2004: Josh Krowicki (Triton) 4:30.6
2003: Greg Cavella (Washington Twp.) 4:22.2
2002: Marc Pelerin (Cherokee) 4:24.9
2001: Mike Myers (Eastern) 4:26.4
2000: Mike Myers (Eastern) 4:19.8
1999: Nate Miller (Highland) 4:18.6
1998: Murad Campbell (Overbrook) 4:14.6
1997: Earl Wise (Overbrook) 4:24.6
1996: Mike McGowan (Bishop Eustace) 4:25.1
1995: DiGiacomo (PVI) 4:26.9
1994: Not available
1993: Dave Cox (Wilson) 4:25.2
1992: Tom Keefer (Paul VI) 4:17.6

And the updated all-time Burlington County list, with Miller in the No. 12 spot
4:11.15 ….. Ryan Garvin (Lenape), 2009
4:11.69 ….. Shawn Wilson (Cherokee), 2013
4:11.83y … Marc Pelerin (Cherokee), 2002
4:13.0y ..… Rick Jacques (Burlington Twp.), 1968
4:14.60 ..… Matt Poskus (Cinnaminson), 2007
4:14.8y ….. Vance Watson (Willingboro), 1982
4:15.28 ….. Jon Anderson (Cinnaminson), 2004
4:15.44 ….. Brian Tetreault (Cinnaminson), 2007
4:15.49 ….. Steve Burkholder (Cherokee), 2010
4:15.77 ….. Anthony Kelhower (Lenape), 2005
4:16.71y,i .. David Forward (Shawnee), 2009
4:16.86 ….. Mark Miller (Shawnee), 2017
4:16.6y ….. Herb Gordon (Willingboro), 1982
4:16.93 ….. *Ian Waterhouse (Rancocas Valley), 2004
4:17.34 ….. Chris Martin (Northern Burlington), 2015
4:17.39 ….. Chris Sallade (Shawnee), 1990
4:17.4y ….. Bob Mann (Willingboro), 1979
4:17.7y ….. Joe League (Holy Cross), 1972
4:18.43 ….. *Josh Joseph (Cherokee), 2000
4:18.52 ….. *Rob Novak (Bordentown), 2005
4:18.3y ….. Rey Johnson (Willingboro), 1980
4:18.3h ….. Keith O’Brien (Shawnee), 1992
4:18.64 ….. Josh DeJesus (Rancocas Valley), 2016
4:18.6y ….. Bryant Walker (Pemberton), 1983
4:18.7y ….. Mark Strucko (Rancocas Valley), 1979
4:18.91 ….. Steve Unger (Shawnee), 2003
4:18.9y ….. Terry Delaney (Moorestown), 1979
4:18.96 ….. *Kevin Lauer (Lenape), 2017
4:19.01 ….. *Bill Sepich (Delran), 2004

Rowan sophomore Ryan Gebhardt surpassed 200 feet in the javelin for the third straight meet at the NJAC championships, winning with a personal-best 207-11.

Gebhardt’s previous PR was 206-6, when he won the 2015 Meet of Champions as a senior at Walkill Valley High School in Hardyston Township, Sussex County. His previous college PR was a 206-3 at the Oscar Moore Open in Glassboro in April. His best as a Rowan freshman was 193-0.

At the New Jersey Athletic Conference meet, Gebhardt actually opened with a PR of 207-0 on his first throw, then had a 205-6 before what turned out to be the winning 207-11. He threw 203-0 on his fourth attempt before passing on his next two with the win in the bag.

Second place Rob Melillo of Montclair State via Nutley High School was more than 10 feet back at 196-1.

Gebhardt now ranks No. 7 in NCAA Division 3.

It’s not clear what Rowan’s school record is with the new implement. The university’s web sites correctly lists Mike Juskus’s NCAA Division 3-record 273-3 as the school record with the old javelin but lists a 219-4 by Burlington City graduate Mike Boone from 1992 as the record with the new javelin. But the new javelin wasn’t in use until 2000, so it can’t belong to Boone.

(Juskus, by the way, like Gebhardt, hails from Sussex County. He played baseball at Hopatcong and didn’t try the javelin until he was at what was then called Glassboro State College. He wound up winning three Division 3 national titles and one NCAA Division 1 national title back when top Division 3 athletes were allowed to participate in D-1 nationals. He was also a 6-8 high jumper and 22-foot long jumper.)

 

Bordentown graduate Kelly Yanucil of Mount St. Mary’s threw 169-9 to win the Penn Relays. Faith Blamon of Cinnaminson and Monmouth threw 162-7 to win the Metro Atlantic Conference title.

Now that South Jersey duo has some company in the 160-foot club.

Kathryn Johnston, a Rutgers senior out of Haddonfield High, threw 161-1 Sunday to place second in the Big 10 championships at State College.

Her previous PR was 157-4 at the Metropolitans last month.

Johnston threw 152-9 as a senior at Haddonfield in 2012 when she won the state Group 2 title.

Before transferring to Rutgers, Johnston threw the javelin and played soccer at William and Mary. Her best throw there was a 152-1 her sophomore year at the Colonial Athletic Championships at James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va. That ranks No. 2 in school history.

She threw a freshman-record 130-10 in 2013 and her best in 2015 was 144-5

According to the latest rankings, Yanucil, Blamon and Johnston are currently ranked 22nd, 32nd and 37th in all of NCAA Division 1.

Three in the top 37! Not bad for South Jersey!