From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Junior Julia Flanagan ran a nearly half-minute PR over 3,200 meterts Friday night and became the first Holy Cross girl in 15 years to win an indoor state title.

Flanagan ran 11:04.51 and ran away with the race at the state Parochial B championships at the Bubble in Toms River.

She won by 25 meters over Blythe Dudley of Villa Walsh Academy of Morristown, who was 2nd in 11:10.02.

Flanagan’s previous PR was a 11:31.30 outdoors last May at Haddonfield. She had just PR’d indoors with a 11:35.20 last month at the Ott Center. So this is a 31-second indoor PR and a 27-second lifetime best.

Flanagan’s time is No. 7 in Burlington County history indoors.

Earlier, Flanagan placed 3rd in the 1,600 in 1,600 for 16 total team points.

Flanagan is the first Holy Cross girl to win an indoor state title since Shannon Grogan won the 55-meter dash in a photo finish over Our Lady of Mercy’s Tacquaya Tobias. Both were timed in 7.47, with the photo reader giving Grogan the edge.

All-Time Burlington County Indoor 3,200 Top 10
10:23.49 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 2011

10:26.48 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 2024
10:46.63 … Erika Kemp [Rancocas Valley], 2013
10:51.65 … Kerry O’Day [Cherokee], 2024
10:55.58 … Nicole Clifford [Cherokee], 2022
11:00.9y … Deanna Germano [Shawnee], 1985
11:04.51 … Julia Flanagan [Holy Cross], 2025

11:06.43y … Colleen Sunderland [Northern Burlington], 1995

11:06.72 … Meghan Malloy [Cinnaminson], 2011

11:08.03 … Nina Bendixen [Shawnee], 2015


Some of the usual names are missing – all-timers like Marielle Hall, English Gardner, Nia Ali, Erika Kemp and Jessica Woodard – but South Jersey nonetheless will have a strong presence at the USATF Championships this weekend at Ocean Breeze.

Seven South Jersey high school alums are listed in heat sheets for the annual U.S. Championships, which runs from 11 a.m. until about 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. until about 3 p.m. Sunday in Staten Island.

Let’s take a look!

Ryan Allen, 3,000 Walk: Kingsway’s Allen returns to the track for the first time in quite a while to compete at 3,.000 meters. According to World Athletics, his last race was Pan-Am Under 20’s over 10,000 meters in August of 2023, and I’m not totally up on walk qualifying but I would think he would have needed a more recent performance to qualify for nationals. In any case, his World Athletics page also doesn’t show any previous race at 3K. He’s listed with a 5,000 PR of 22:38.48 at the 2023 Penn Relays.
Final: 1:45 p.m. Satuday.

Josh Awotunde, Shot Put: Awotunde, a graduate of Delsea and South Carolina and the 2022 World Championship bronze medalist, returns to competition after a seven-month layoff. He last threw on July 11 at a meet in Memphis. Awotunde placed 5th at U.S. Nationals in 2019 and 2021, 3rd in 2022, 2nd in 2023 and 5th last year in an Olympic Trials year. Awotunde is No. 22 in world history and 12th U.S. all-time with his 73-1 ½ when he placed 3rd at Worlds in Eugene in 2022.
Final: 1:45 p.m. Sunday

Ajani Dwyer, 60-Meter Dash: Dwyer, a Penn State freshman from Washington Township, is ranked 34th in the world and 13th in the U.S. with a 6.57 at the Ott Center in West Philly in his second collegiate meet. Dwyer, who doesn’t turn 19 until May, will be one of the youngest competitors at U.S. Nationals.
Semifinal: 1:19 p.m. Saturday
Final: 2:54 p.m. Sunday

Kaitlyn Dermen, Pole Vault: Derman, a graduate of Millville and All-America at Stockton, will be competing in her first national championship. She’s cleared an indoor-PR 14-1 ¼ this year at the Millrose Games at the Armory and has a lifetime best of 14-4 from a meet in Basking Ridge this past July. She’s one of 11 women in the pole vault field.
Final: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Greg Foster, Long Jump, 60-Meter Hurdles: After an 11-month layoff after foot surgery, Foster is back for his junior year at Princeton, Foster, who grew up in Lumberton and attended Lawrenceville School, has jumped 25-8 ¼ and hurdled a PR 7.89 so far this indoor season. He has PRs of 26-1 ¾ in the long jump and 50-7 ½ in the triple (although he hasn’t triple jumped since since last year’s indoor Heps). Foster is able to compete at nationals since Heps aren’t until next weekend in Ithaca, and he’s able to compete in both the hurdles and long jump because they’re on different days.
Hurdles semifinal: 4:25 p.m. Saturday
Hurdles final: 6:38 p.m. Saturday
Long jump final: 1:36 p.m. Sunday

Elisia Lancaster, Weight Throw: Another thrower from the Delsea throws factory, Lancaster is back at nationals after competing in the weight throw last indoor season and the hammer last spring. She has PRs of 220-11 ½ in the hammer from a meet in Idaho last May and 78-2 ¼ in the weight, which she hit last January in a meet in Bloomington, Ind. Lancaster won the Millrose Games weight throw earlier this month at the Armory with a 72-0 ¾.
Final: 11 a.m. Sunday

Tionna Tobias, Long Jump: Winslow and Iowa graduate popped a wild PR 22-9 last July in Gainesville, about a 1 ½-foot PR. Tobias finished No. 5 in the world for 2024 and No. 3 in the U.S., and she’s now No. 20 oin the all-time U.S. list. She’s jumped 20-8 this indoor season and just got her first taste of international competition, competing in meets earlier this month in Paris and Berlin. Her indoor PR is 21-0 ¼ from the New Mexico Collegiate Classic in Albuquerque last February. Tobias was the Big Ten heptathlon champion in 2023 with 5,640 points.
Final: 4:30 p.m. Saturday

Meet schedule: Click here.
Full entry list: Click here.
Ticket information: Click here.

On Wednesday, we posted a list of all South Jersey boys seeded in the top 10 at the various state meets coming up this weekend. You can find that here.

Today it’s the girls turn.

The boys and girls Group 2 and 3 meets will be held at the Bubble in Toms River starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with Group 1 and 4 scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The Parochial A and B meets – which don’t have qualifying sectional meets – will be held Friday.

If you see an error or omission, please let me know as soon as possible! And good luck to everybody this weekend!

Group 1
55-METERT DASH
2. Denirah Jones [Woodbury] 7.37
3. Leila Ortiz [Clayton] 7.52
4. Miyana Johnson [Clayton] 7.59
T6. *KaChar Woods [Woodbury], 7.62
T6. **Yuri Yates [Woodbury], 7.62
400-METER DASH
2. Leila Ortiz [Clayton] 1:00.17
3. Jaime Deal [Woodstown], 1:00.61
7. Gia Martellacci [Schalick], 1:02.56
9. Lindsey Baxter [Gateway], 1:02.90
800-METER RUN
2. *Riley Fayer [Audubon], 2:23.12
8. **Isabella Legatie [Audubon], 2:26.95
1,600-METER RUN
1. Jordan Hadfield [Schalick], 5:08.12
3. *Riley Fayer [Audubon], 5:16.95
3,200-METER RUN
2. Jordan Hadfield [Schalick], 11:17.83
10. *Riley Fayer [Audubon], 12:16.95
55-METER HURDLES
2. *Zaryn Cooper [Woodbury], 8.71
8. *Casey Birdwell [Haddon Twp.], 9.29
HIGH JUMP
T1. Ashley Armstrong [Glassboro], 5-2
T3. *Kami Casiano [Woodstown], 5-0
T3. **De’Naysha Coleman [Woodbury], 5-0
T3. Miyana Johnson [Clayton], 5-0
T9. Jessica McGary [Haddon Twp.], 4-10
POLE VAULT
T2. Elizabeth Butrica [Audubon], 10-0
T2. Emersen Levins [Haddon Twp.] 10-0
T4. Megan Morris [Pennsville] 9-6
T9. Osinachi Okpara [Haddon Twp.] 8-0
SHOT PUT
1. *Sunsarai Moore [Glassboro] 36-11 ½
9. *Ava Rodgers [Salem] 31-10 ¼
10. *Heaven Franklin [Glassboro] 31-4 ½
1,600-METER RELAY
2. Woodbury 4:15.91
6. Audubon 4:19.84
9. Schalick 4:23.09

Group 2
55-METER DASH
1. Nester Wea [Willingboro] 7.22
5. *Kaila Speight [Willingboro] 7.33
6. **Maya Bolden [Willingboro] 7.35
7. Jayla Criss [Haddon Heights] 7.37
400-METER DASH
4. Nester Wea [Willingboro] 58.54
6. *Riley Austin [Haddonfield] 59.41
800-METER RUN
5. *Riley Austin [Haddonfield] 2:21.74
10. Kellyn Coller [Cinnaminson] 2:24.72
1,600-METER RUN
None
3,200-METER RUN
10. **Madison Kelsey [Haddonfield], 11:41.24
55-METER HURDLES
1. Nester Wea [Willingboro] 8.51
2. **Trinity Brapoh [Willingboro] 8.66
3. ***Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville], 8.67
HIGH JUMP
1. Egypt Bolan [Lindenwold] 5-8
T4. ***Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville] 5-2
POLE VAULT
1. Rebecca Hoover [Haddonfield] 12-0
T3. **Nina Fisicaro [Haddonfield] 10-0
T9. Sophia Willers [Cinnaminson] 9-0
SHOT PUT
1. ***Isabella Alvarez [Pleasantville] 38-5 ¼
7. Ashe Dewalt [Sterling] 33-10 ½
1,600-METER RELAY
1. Willingboro 4:05.49
7. Haddonfield 4:13.72

Group 3
55-METER DASH
1. *Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken] 6.93
2. Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek] 7.00
3. *Olivia Okaro [Winslow Twp.] 7.19
4. ***Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.] 7.21
6. Jaiidah Garrett [Absesgami] 7.34
T7. Sanaya Dupree [Pennsauken] 7.35
400-METER DASH
1. *Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken] 56.68
2. ***Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.] 58.05
5. **Cinniya Robinson [Winslow Twp.] 59.14
6. ***Hope Edwards [Moorestown] 59.28
7. Jaiidah Garrett [Absesgami] 59.55
8. ***Amariah Arango [Winslow Twp.] 59.81
800-METER RUN
3. **Carly Godfrey [Ocean City] 2:18.69
4. ***Hope Edwards [Moorestown] 2:19.32
6. *Lilliana Stack Maya [Moorestown] 2:19.80
7. ***Amariah Arango [Winslow Twp.] 2:20.73
8. Sandra Cutbush [Shawnee] 2:20.76
10. Ava Millner [Winslow Twp.] 2:21.60
1,600-METER RUN
1. Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 4:57.94
2. Maeve Smith [Ocean City] 5:05.10
3. **Carly Godfrey [Ocean City] 5:05.11
5. Chloe Care [Ocean Cit] 5:09.32
6. *Emma Preissman [Mainland Reg.] 5:12.35
3,200-METER RUN
1. Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington] 10:34.24
5. Maeve Smith [Ocean City] 11:16.16
6. ***Riley Tolson [Ocean City] 11:16.52
10. Chloe Care [Ocean Cit] 11:27.47
55-METER HURDLES
1. *Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken] 8.10
2. ***Jasmine Jackson [Winslow Twp.] 8.25
4. *Olivia Dupree [Pennsauken] 8.38
5. *Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.] 8.43
9. Nyla Jackmon-Smith [Clearview] 8.55
HIGH JUMP
1. *Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.] 5-2
T3. *Callie Duff [Ocean City] 5-0
T3. I’Mara Ford [Moorestown] 5-0
T9. Aryanna Perez [Mainland Reg.] 4-10
T9. *Nasira Gordon [Timber Creek] 4-10
T9. *Camryn Demorat [Mainland Reg.] 4-10
T9. *Chantina Walker [Winslow Twp.] 4-10
T9. Allie Thomas [Mainland Reg.] 4-10
POLE VAULT
1. Hannah Byrd-Leitner [Moorestown] 12-6
T5. Jaya Stockham [Moorestown] 10-0
T5. **Gianna Shea [Mainland Reg.] 10-0
T8. *Nyla Williams [Winslow Twp.] 9-6
SHOT PUT
2. Brook-Lynn Roberts [Winslow Twp.] 41-11
4. *Hannah Nuhfer [Delsea] 38-6
T7. *Mitra Simpson [Hammonton] 36-3
1,600-METER RELAY
1. Moorestown 4:00.40
2. Winslow Twp. 4:04.05
3. Pennsauken 4:07.87
8. Ocean City 4:13.68
9. Absegami 4:13.94

Group 4
55-METER DASH
3. Jonelle Lewis [Kingsway] 7.24
400-METER DASH
None
800-METER RUN
1. *Natalie Dumas [Eastern] 2:17.15
5. Ashlynn Newton [Vineland] 2:19.97
6. Georgina Chalow [Vineland] 2:22.23
8. *Alyssa Suriano [Cherokee] 2:23.61
1,600-METER RUN
1. Georgina Chalow [Vineland] 5:06.36
3. *Natalie Dumas [Eastern] 5:10.91
5. *Madeline Meder [Cherokee] 5:11.73
7. Megan Niglio [Cherokee] 5:13.18
3,200-METER RUN
5. Ashlynn Newton [Vineland] 11:32.05
8. *Madeline Meder [Cherokee] 11:37.50
9. *Talia Dicristofaro [Williamstown] 11:40.53
10. ***Erin Healy [Cherokee] 11:41.17
55-METER HURDLES
1. Dakota Jones [Washington Twp.] 8.16
3. **Timia Waters [Williamstown] 8.46
6. **Brianna Growalt [Atlantic County Tech] 8.50
HIGH JUMP
T7. Addison Inge [Williamstown] 5-0
T7. Ashley Lopez [Washington Twp.] 5-0
POLE VAULT
T4. *Cali Lacovara [Washington Twp.] 10-0
T4. Brynn Greenwood [Williamstown] 10-0
T4. Milena Otoo [Rancocas Valley] 10-0
T8. *La’el Yates [Rancocas Valley] 9-6
SHOT PUT
3. Ella Karp [Washington Twp.] 41-7
6. Kendra Green [Rancocas Valley] 38-2
1,600-METER RELAY
1. Eastern 4:00.98
2. Kingsway 4:02.92
8. Washington Twp. 4:07.99

With states up next this weekend, we thought we’d put together a list of all top-10 seeds from South Jersey as culled from MileSplit’s merge of the various sectional meets. We’ll post all boys top-10 seeds today and girls top-10 seeds tomorrow. Names in bold face had the overall top performance in their event at sectionals.

The boys and girls Group 2 and 3 meets will be held at the Bubble in Toms River starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with Group 1 and 4 scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The Parochial A and B meets – which don’t have qualifying sectional meets – will be held Friday.

As always, if you spot a mistake or omission let me know in the comment section!

Group 1
55-METER DASH
1. Marquis Taylor {Woodbury] 6.45
2. *Jaiden Steele [Camden] 6.63
5. *David Stewart [Schalick] 6.65
400-METER DASH
1. *Joshua Crawford [Woodstown] 51.03
3. Alexander Osayemi [Clayton] 51.27
4. *Yandel Montanez [Buena] 51.72
5. *Christian Braxton [Camden] 51.85
6. Marquis Taylor {Woodbury] 52.19
9. *Jaiden Steele [Camden] 52.93
800-METER RUN
4. *Joshua Crawford [Woodstown] 2:01.51
5. Cole Lucas [Woodstown] 2:01.72
9. Ty Blackman [Glassboro] 2:04.57
1,600-METER RUN
9. Ty Blackman [Glassboro] 4:35.51
10. Joseph Saicic [Glassboro] 4:35.91
3,200-METER RUN
9. Ty Blackman [Glassboro] 10:00.31
10. Joseph Saicic [Glassboro] 10:03.65
55-METER HURDLES
1. Anthony Parker [Salem] 7.71
T3. Andres Santiago [Haddon Twp.] 7.82
T6. Dayshaun Day [Glassboro] 8.07
T6. *Chase Robinson [Camden 8.07
HIGH JUMP
T2. *Amari Sabb [Glassboro] 6-0
T8. *Elijah Young [Woodbury] 5-10
T10. Thomas Weick [Audubon] 5-8
T10. ***Mekhi Parker [Glassboro] 5-8
POLE VAULT
2. Jacob George [Haddon Twp.] 14-6
T7. *Salvatore Longo [Schalick] 11-0
T9. *Michael Kozlowski [Palmyra] 10-6
T9. *Dylan Gallagher [Audubon] 10-6
SHOT PUT
2. Kyle Williams [Glassboro] 49-5 ¾
5. Daniel Fonseca [Buena] 45-11
7. Pedro Ibarra [Clayton] 44-10 ½
1,600-METER RELAY
1. Woodbury 3:32.09
2. Woodstown 3:32.34
5. Audubon 3:35.72
9. Salem 3:39.65

Group 2
55-METER DASH
1. Christopher Scott [Willingboro] 6.52
3. Bright John [Sterling] 6.60
T4. *Davon Hannah [Oakcrest] 6.61
400-METER DASH
7. Xavier Nesbeth [Haddon Hts] 52.27
800-METER RUN
2. *Aaron Keith [Haddonfield] 1:57.94
3. *Isaiah Shockley [Pemberton] 1:58.79
4. Melvin Lewis [Pleasantville] 1:59.11
8. Nasier Fields [Willingboro] 2:00.92
1,600-METER RUN
3. *Luke Andresen [Haddonfield] 4:26.00
9. *Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield] 4:33.44
3,200-METER RUN
6. *Peter Simpson [Haddonfield] 9:47.47
8. Bennett Wright [Haddonfield] 9:51.85
9. *Benjamin Andrus [Haddonfield] 9:51.89
55-METER HURDLES
T5. Somad Iyiola [Willingboro] 8.01
T5. Mark Dimedo [Haddonfield] 8.01
HIGH JUMP
T9. *Shafiq Herrington [Cinnaminson] 5-10
POLE VAULT
2. Ed Frey [Cinnaminson] 14-0
3. Brant Nichols [Haddonfield] 13-6
T7. Xavier Carrington [Oakcrest] 12-0
T7. Kabir Speight [Willingboro] 12-0
SHOT PUT
3. Justin Banks [Willingboro] 50-8
8. Jaleen Johnson [Willingboro] 47-9 ½
1,600-METER RELAY
4. Willingboro 3:34.39
6. Lindenwold 3:35.22
7. Pleasantville 3:35.50

Group 3
55-METER DASH
3. Jayden Poteat [Winslow Twp.] 6.56
7. Chris Keena [Mainland Reg.] 6.63
8. Thomas Cusack [Shawnee] 6.64
9. *Karon Ali [Pennsauken] 6.65
9. Neo Clark-Tabb [Deptford] 6.66
400-METER DASH
1. Darryl Pitt [Northern Burlington] 50.59
2. Dominic Bassey [Winslow Twp.] 50.79
3. Jayden Poteat [Winslow Twp.] 51.18
6. *Karon Ali [Pennsauken] 51.63
8. Kareem Brown [Deptford] 51.74
800-METER RUN
3. *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea] 1:59.12
4. Dominic Bassey [Winslow Twp.] 1:5995
8. *Andrew Dopkin [Highland] 2:01.03
9. Brody Dillich [Shawnee] 2:01.37
1,600-METER RUN
None
3,200-METER RUN
9. *Matthew Littlehales [Delsea] 9:50.44
55-METER HURDLES
1. Ryan Sanchez [Deptford] 7.42
3. Josiah Williams [Mainland Reg.] 7.73
6. *Larry Norman [Deptford] 7.82
9. *Quincy Matthews [Delsea] 7.94
HIGH JUMP
1. Jayden Deleon [Highland[] 6-10 ¼
T4. Tivaun Douglas [Triton] 6-0
T4. Thomas Armstead [Cumberland Reg.] 6-0
T4. Abdulbasid Shodolu [Highland] 6-0
POLE VAULT
T1. Henry Cifaloglio [Delsea] 14-6
T4. Worrell Walker [Delsea] 12-6
T4. *Mason Henry [Deptford] 12-6
T4. *Mason Murray [Delsea] 12-6
SHOT PUT
2. Jonathan Harris [Delsea] 58-7
3. Anthony Liakhnovich [Hammonton] 57-9 ¾
4. Jayson Ross [Timber Creek] 55-9
6. Christian Medina [Hammonton] 52-11
7. Savien Diggs [Delsea] 52-9
1,600-METER RELAY
1. Winslow Twp. 3:27.67
2. Deptford 3:31.11
8. Pennsauken 3:34.36
10. Shawnee 3:34.94

Group 4
55-METER DASH
5. John Santos [Washington Twp.] 6.47
6. M.J. Lincoln [Lenape] 6.48
400-METER DASH
None
800-METER RUN
8. **Benjamin Realley [Cherokee] 1:58.91
1,600-METER RUN
2. *Logan Bromley [Cherokee] 4:21.37
4. ***Jack Tindall [Cherokee][ 4:22.81
7. Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East] 4:24.91
8. Brandon Lyons [Cherry Hill East] 4:25.19
9. Enzo Corona [Cherokee] 4:25.74
3,200-METER RUN
6. Brody Bogos [Cherry Hill East] 9:39.79
8. *Alvin Lin [Cherry Hill East] 9:44.17
9. Liam Tindall [Cherokee] 9:44.25
10. *Milo Poerner [Cherry Hill East] 9:44.31
55-METER HURDLES
T6. *Jasiah Gibbons [Williamstown] 7.69
HIGH JUMP
T6. Jayden Rountree [Rancocas Valley] 6-2
T6. Samuel Green [Cherokee] 6-2
T6. *Michael Carr [Millville] 6-2
POLE VAULT
T1. Trevor Farrell [Kingsway] 13-6
T3. *Sawyer Schmidt [Egg Harbor Twp.] 13-0
T3. Tobin Horwath [Cherokee] 12-6
T7. Jack Luehrs [Cherry Hill East] 12-0
SHOT PUT
2. Jayron Lewis [Williamstown] 54-2 ¼
1,600-METER RELAY
1. Eastern 4:00.98
2. Kingsway 4:02.92
8. Washington Twp. 4:07.99

Pennsauken’s Bryce Tucker., a sophomore at Rugers, ran 1:18.24 for 600 meters at the 4th annual Wisconsin Badgers Windy City Invitational Saturday at the Worrill Indoor Track in Chicago.

His time is 23rd-fastest among U.S. men this year and 4th-fastest in Rutgers history, behind Jermaine Griffith [1:16.12 in 2016 in Geneva, Ohio], Rancocas Valley graduate Micah Wood [1:17.65 in 2024 in Geneva] and Boaz Madeus [1:17.99 in 2018 in Geneva].

Tucker had just PR’d at 600 meters two weeks ago with a 1:19.15 in a meet at the Armory. His 1:18.24 is 7th-fastest all-time by a New Jersey runner and 3rd-fastest by a South Jersey runner. Full sub-1:19 list below.

1:16.12 … Jermaine Griffith [Nottingham], Feb. 27, 2016, Geneva, Ohio
1:16.22 … Jaymes Dennison [Penns Grove], March 7, 2015, Albuquerque
1:17.83 … Ryan Matulonis [Seton Hall Prep], Dec. 7, 2024, Philadelphia
1:17.96 … Jayden Marchan [Leonia], Feb. 11, 2024, New York
1:17.99 … Boaz Madeus [Nottingham], Feb. 23, 2018, Geneva, Ohio
1:17.65 … Micah Wood [Rancocas Valley], 2024, Geneva, Ohio
1:18.24 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken], Feb. 15, 2025,
1:18.40 … Gabriel Moronta [Pleasantville], Jan. 14, 2022, Birmingham, Ala.
1:18.49 … Dallas Hohney [Glassboro], Dec. 7, 2024, Staten Island, N.Y.
1:18.53 … Fred Sharpe [Paulsboro], Jan. 31, 2004, Boston
1:18.78 … Greg Gomez [Franklin], Jan. 19, 2008, State College, Pa.
1:18.80 … Dylan Capwell [Hopatcong], Dec. 8, 2017, New York
1:18.90 … Clayton Parros [Seton Hall Prep], Feb. 7, 2009, New York
1:18.74 … Allen Eke [Union Catholic], Jan. 19, 2018, Albuquerque
1:18.91 … Aaron Younger [Delsea], Jan. 14, 2011, New York
1:18.97 … Derrell Manhertz [Kingsway], Feb. 6, 2016, Lincoln, Neb.
1:19.30 … Gabe Rodriguez [Union], Feb. 23, 2024, Geneva, Ohio

Eastern graduate Jewel Ash and Winslow grad JaNeya Hammond both ran hurdles PRs this weekend and both moved into the No. 5 spot on the their school’s all-time performance list.

Hammond, a senior at Charlotte, ran a PR 8.50 in the trials of the 11th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational in Lynchburg, Va., then placed 3rd in the final with an 8.51. Her previous PR was an 8.53 at Clemson last month and before this season she had a PR of 8.68 from a meet last February in Birmingham, Ala.

Ash and Hammond are both intermediate hurdlers outdoors. Hammond has a PR of 1:00.35. which is No. 7 in school history.
Ash ran 8.59 in the prelims of the Don Kirby Elite Invitational at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Her previous PR was an 8.65 in January in the prelims of a meet in Spokane, Wash.

This is Ash’s first season competing for Fresno after beginning her track career and education at Charleston Southern of North Charleston, S.C., where she was a two-time Big South Conference 400-meter intermediate hurdles champion.

Her best time over the 60-meter highs before this winter was an 8.75 in the prelims of a meet in Columbia, S.C., last February. Her 400IH PR is 57.16 from her win at the 2022 Big South Conference meet in High Point, N.C.

Here’s a look at the fastest hurdles times by South Jersey women so far this winter:

8.42 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville], Jan. 25, Astana, Qazaqstan
8.42 … Arianna Smith [Pennsville], Feb. 8, Philadelphia
8.50 … JaNeya Hammon [Winslow Twp.], Feb. 14, Lynchburg, Va.
8.59 … Jewel Ash [Eastern], Feb. 14, Albuquerque
8.77 … Bryanna Craig [Millville], Jan. 10, Louisville, Ky.
8.78 … Anabella Chin [Rancocas Valley], Feb. 7, Cambridge, Mass.
8.80 … Mariah Stephens [Egg Harbor Twp.], Feb. 7, Staten Island, N.Y.

Junior Luke Andresen led a 1-2-3 sweep of the 1,600 and junior Peter Simpson led a sweep of the 3,200, giving Haddonfield 48 points in two events on the way to its 7th indoor sectional title but first since 2017.

Andresen won the 1,600 in 4:26.00, with junior Ben Andrus 2nd in 4:34.44 and senior Bennett Wright 3rd in 4:35.55. Simpson won the 3,200 in 9:47.47, with Wright 2nd in 9:51.85 and Andrus 3rd in 9:51.89.

Haddonfield finished with an 82-63 margin over Willingboro, with Cinnaminson [36], Manchester [25], Cedar Creek [19] and Haddon Heights [18] also in the mix.

Haddonfield won South Jersey Group 1 titles in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and Group 2 in 2017 (although the mistake-riddled NJSIAA program lists Haddonfield winning Group 4 in 2016 and Group 3 in 2017).

Junior Aaron Keith won the 800 in 1:57.94, with junior Brandon Stoner 6th in 2:02.07. Keith’s time is fastest by a Haddonfield half-miler since Derek Gess ran 1:55.93 at 2017 Easterns at the Armory, and it was his first time under two minutes indoors or outdoors.

Junior Mark DiMedio placed 2nd in the hurdles with a personal-best 8.01 and also took 5th in the high jump at 5-6, and senior Brant Nicholls cleared 13-6 for 2nd in the pole vault, tying his personal best.

Also for Haddonfield, sophomore Ryder Bozine ran 8.25 for 5th in the hurdle, sophomore Jack Brand ran 53.69 for 6th in the 400 and the 4-by-4 team of Brand, serior Kai Richards, Andresen and senior Connor Williams placed 5th in 3:37.19.

Seniors Christopher Scott, Somad Iyiola and Justin Banks recorded wins for Willingboro.

Scott won the 55 in 6.52, lowering his PR from 6.59. That 6.52 is fastest by a Willingboro sprinter since Michael Bolling ran 6.49 in 2001 and 6th-fastest on the all-time Willingboro list (Kenny Reynolds 6.36, Carl Lewis 6.37, George McKey 6.43, Gary Gordon 6.48, Bolling 6.49).

Banks recorded a 1 ½-foot PR and surpassed 50 feet for the first time with a winning throw of 50-8 on his final attempt to pass senior teammate Jaleen Johnson and move into the lead. Johnson finished 2nd at 47-9 ½.

Iyiola ran a huge PR of 8.01, lowering his best from 8.17 at the Armory in December, and joined Scott, senior Nasier Fields and Jones on the winning 4-by-4, which ran 3:34.39.

Also for the Chimeras, senior Jamere Brooks ran 8.13 and placed 3rd in the hurdles.

Cinnaminson got wins from senior Ed Frey with. 14-0 clearance in the pole vault and junior Shafiq Herrington, who cleared 5-10 to win the high jump.

Haddon Heights senior Xavier Nesbeth ran 52.27 to win the 400, and Cedar Creek junior Gabriel Smith was 2nd in an indoor PR 52.54. Cedar Creek also got a 3rd place from senior pole vaulter Ryan Hassa, who cleared 13-0.

Pemberton junior Isaiah Shockley placed 2nd in the 800, lowering his own school record to 1:58.79, and Hornets senior Monroe Hall threw a monster PR 44-2 ½ for 3rd in the shot put. He had never thrown 40 feet before indoors or out.

Pleasantville senior Melvin Lewis ran an indoor PR 1:59.11 for 3rd in the 800 and also ran on P’ville’s 3rd-place relay team, which ran 3:35.50 with senior Qwasim Jackson, Lewis, senior Jeury Perez and junior Brandon Williams.

Lindenwold was 2nd on that 4-by-4 in 3:35.22 with seniors Jostin Acosta Palacios, Nyeeam Hudson, Zaeyonn Scutchings and Ty’Mere Thomas.

Also, Delran senior Deniz Canli ran 53.11 for 3rd in the 400, Sterling senior Bright John took 2nd in the 55 in 6.60 and Oakcrest junior Davon Hannah was 3rd in that 55 in 6.61.

Junior Riley Fayer won the 800 and placed 2nd in the 1,600 and 3,200, and the Audubon girls won their 3rd indoor sectional championship and 2nd in a row Saturday in Toms River.

Fayer won the 800 in 2:23.12 and placed 2nd to Schalick senior Jordan Hadfield in the 1,600 and 3,200, single-handedly scoring nearly half of Audubon’s points – 26 of 53 – as the Green Wave came out on top of a wild seven-team race.

Woodbury placed 2nd with 42 points, followed by Schalick [38], Woodstown [37], Haddon Township [35], Glassboro [30] and Clayton [28].

Audubon also won the 2020 and 2024 South Jersey Group 1 titles. They’re the first to repeat in SJ-1 since Collingswood in 2018 and 2019.

Senior Elizabeth Butrica won the pole vault at 10-0 for Audubon, and sophomore Isabella Legatie ran 2:26.95 for 2nd place in the 800 and also ran on Audubon’s 2nd-place 4-by-4 team, with junior Kylie Tocco, Micayla Cary and Sophia Rizzo. They ran 4:19.84 and placed 2nd to Woodbury. Tocco also placed 6th in the 400 with a 1:04.11.

Woodbury got wins from junior Zaryn Cooper with a 8.71 in the 55-meter hurdles and senior Demirah Jones with a PR 7.37 in the 55 and from the 4-by-4 with junior KaChar Woods, junior Ayanna Miller, Jones and Cooper running 4:15.91. Sophomore De’Naysha Coleman cleared 5-0 for 3rd place in the high jump.

Schalick senior Jordan Hadfield doubled the 1,600 in 5:08.12 and the 3,200 in 11:17.83 and anchored the 3rd-place relay team. Senior Gia Martellacci, sophomore Brooke Valentine, senior Allyson Green and Hadfield ran 4:23.09. Also Martellacci ran 1:02.56 for 3rd in the 400.

Glassboro junior Sunsarai Moore won the shot put at 36-11 ½, the best throw this year by a New Jersey Group 1 girl, and senior Ashley Armstrong won the high jump at 5-2, a lifetime best. Junior Heaven Franklin also placed in the shot put, taking 3rd with a 31-4 ½.

Woodstown got big points from senior Jaime Deal, junior Kami Casiano and freshman Abby Marino. Deal was 2nd in the 400 in 1:00.61, a lifetime best (she doesn’t run outdoors), Casiano placed 2nd in the high jump with a 5-0 clearance tying her PR and Marino ran 3rd in the 3,200 in 12:41.77, also a PR.

Haddon Township senior Emersen Levins tied her PR with a 10-0 clearance for 2nd place in the pole vault and junior Casey Birdwell PR’d at 9.29 for 2nd in the hurdles.

Clayton senior Leila Ortiz won the 400 in 1:00.17 and was 2nd in the 55 in 7.52. Also for the Clippers, senior Miyana Johnson ran 7.59 for 3rd in the 55.

Salem junior Ava Rodgers threw 31-10 ¼ for 2nd in the shot put and Lower Cape May junior Jenna Hill [5:41.79, 1,600], Camden senior Brooklyn Brown [9.36, hurdles], West Deptford junior Kayla Romanowski ]2:28.50, 800] and Pennsville senior Megan Morris [9-6, pole vault] also registered 3rd-place finishes.

La Salle’s Helene Usher from Haddonfield ran a massive 5,000 PR Saturday in Boston, trimming more than half a minute off her lifetime best.

Usher, a La Salle sophomore, ran 16:30.14 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University. Her previous PR was a 17:05.55 outdoors at last year’s Atlantic 10 meet in Fairfax, Va. Her indoor PR was 17:24.09 at the Armory last January.

Her time is 10th-fastest all-time by a South Jersey high school graduate and 7th-fastest ever on a 200-meter indoor track.

It’s No. 2 this year in the Atlantic 10 Conferfence, behind only teammate Gwenno Goode from Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg High School in Barry, Wales. She ran 15:59.52 in the same race.

Usher ran her K’s in 3:19.68, 3:19.55, 3:21.23, 3:13.08 and 3:16.30. She ran each of her last 11 laps between 38.16 and 39.58.

All-Time South Jersey short-track women’s 5,000 list
15:06.05 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], Feb. 20, 2016, New York
15:14.76 … Erika Kemp [Rancocas Valley], Feb. 27, 2020, Boston
15:53.74 … Megan McGlinchey [West Deptford], Dec. 7, 2013, Haverford, Pa.
15:56.73 … Mindy Rowand [Sterling], March 9, 1990, Indianapolis
16:06.92 … Amanda Goetschius [Delsea], March 12, 2020, Fayetteville, Ark.
16:25.97 … Kylie Anicic [Kingsway], March 10, 2023, Virginia Beach, Va.
16:30.14 … Helene Usher [Haddonfield], Feb. 14, 2025, Boston
16:32.79 … Katie Van Horn [Triton], Feb. 9, 2007, Fayetteville, Ark.
16:34.70 … Jenna Darcy [Shawnee], Feb. 19, 2005, Kingston, R.I.
16:48.01 … Kathleen Linck [Bishop Eustace], Feb. 19, 2000, Syracuse
16:49.00 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], March 9, 2012, New York
16:54.24 … Allie Pierontoni [Kingsway], March 5, 2022, Boston
16:54.41 … Abby Waddington [Clearview], Feb. 8, 2025, Boston
16:56.62 … Keira Mansure [Northern Burlington], March 2, 2024, Boston
16:56.86 … Shelby Cain [Haddonfield], Feb. 3, 2017, New York

All-Time South Jersey women’s 5,000 list
15:02.27 … Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], July 9, 2019, Azusa, Calif.
15:10.10 … Erika Kemp [Rancocas Valley], May 29, 2021, Attleboro, Mass.
15:41.78 … Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], May 1, 2011, Palo Alto, Calif.
15:53.74 … Megan McGlinchey [West Deptford], Dec. 7, 2013, Haverford, Pa.
15:56.73 … Mindy Rowand [Sterling], March 9, 1990, Indianapolis
16:06.92 … Amanda Goetschius [Delsea], March 12, 2020, Fayetteville, Ark.
16:12.62 … Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], April 7, 2012, Williamsburg, Va.
16:14.07 … Kylie Anicic [Kingsway], April 12, 2024, Asuza, Calif.
16:17.67 … Lori Townsend [Kingsway], April 27, 1995, Philadelphia
16:22.18 … Kathleen Linck [Bishop Eustace], May 19, 2000, Centerville, Mass.
16:30.14 … Helene Usher [Haddonfield], Feb. 14, 2025, Boston
16:32.79 … Katie Van Horn [Triton], Feb. 9, 2007, Fayetteville, Ark.
16:34.70 … Jenna Darcy [Shawnee], Feb. 19, 2005, Kingston, R.I.
16:36.18 … Megan Lacy [Cherokee], June 5, 2021, Nashville, Tenn.
16:40.17 … Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek], April 15, 2022, Princeton
16:41.24 … Vanessa Wright [Haddonfield], May 25, 2013, La Crosse, Wisc.
16:43.90 … Shelby Cain [Haddonfield], March 31, 2017, Williamsburg, Va.
16:48.96 … Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], April 16, 2021, Charlottesville, Va.
16:54.24 … Allie Pierontoni [Kingsway], March 5, 2022, Boston
16:54.41 … Abby Waddington [Clearview], Feb. 8, 2025, Boston
16:56.62 … Keira Mansure [Northern Burlington], March 2, 2024, Boston

Senior Riley Austin, sophomore Madison Kelsey and senior Rebecca Hoover recorded wins, and Haddonfield scored its 6th consecutive sectional title and 12th overall Saturday in Toms River.

Austin won the 800 in 2:21.74, Kelsey was 1st in the 3,200 in 11:41.24 and Hoover won the pole vault with a 12-0 clearance, and Haddonfield outscored Willingboro, 93-73.

The 1,600 results appear incomplete, although the performances seem to be reflected in the final team scores.

Austin also placed 2nd in the 400 in 59.41 and ran on the 2nd-place 1,600-meter relay team along with Hamblin and seniors Tylin Regan and Edith Green. Haddonfield ran 4:13.72. Sophomore Nina Fiscaro gave Haddonfield a 1-2 finish in the pole vault with a 10-0 clearance.

Typical NJSIAA ineptitude – the “official” meet program shows Central Jersey team winners under “Sectional Champions – South” from 2008 through 2015. The NJSIAA simply doesn’t care and never has how much incorrect information is in its track programs.

Haddonfield won its first indoor seven indoor sectional titles in Group 1 – 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. They’ve won Group 2 titles in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2025 and Group 3 in 2024. There was no meet in 2021. No school in the state has won more sectional titles, and the current streak of six straight titles is 3rd-longest since indoor sectionals were added in 2008.

Willingboro got an impressive triple from senior Nester Wea, who won the 400 in 58.54, the hurdles in 8.51 and the 55 in a PR 7.22. She has now won 13 sectional titles indoors and out in her brilliant Willingboro career.

Junior Kaila Speight, junior Jaden Murry, senior Sunny Oyibo and junior Aaliyah Robinson ran 4:05.49 and won the 1,600-meter relay.

Speight was also 2nd in the 55 in 7.33, sophomore Trinity Brapoh ran 8.66 for 2nd in the hurdles and Oyibo placed 5th in the hurdles in 9.07.

Pleasantville freshman Isabella Alvarez fashioned a wild double, winning the shot put with a huge PR of 38-5 ¼, took 3rd in the hurdles in 8.70 and was 4th in the high jump at 5-2.

Lindenwold junior Egypt Bolan cleared 5-8 in the high jump, matching her PR and breaking the South Jersey Group 1 record of 5-5 set in 2023 and 2024 by Clayton’s Alana Woolfolk. She also tied the overall South Jersey sectional record set by Montgomery’s Fiona Paladino in 2010 and 2011 and Montgomery’s Hannah Taylor and Winslow’s Gabrielle Bennett in 2015.

For Sterling, senior Ashe DeWalt threw 33-10 ½ for 2nd place in the shot put, and senior Jonalee Adames ran 12:06.52 for 3rd place in the 3,200.

Cinnaminson senior Kellyn Coller ran 2:24.72 for 2nd in the 800, and senior Sophia Willers placed 3rd in the pole vault with a 9-0.

Sophomore Victoria Rutkowski, freshman Whitney Pew, freshman Amber Kovatch and junior Taylor Adamson ran 4:22.15 for Seneca, which placed 3rd in the 4-by-4.