From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Desi Stroud, a Holy Family sophomore from Mays Landing and Atlantic City Tech, opened his indoor season with a big long jump win at the FastTrack Season Opener at Ocean Breeze.

Stroud leaped 23-3 ½ on his final attempt to finish on top of a field that saw seven jumpers go 22-0 or better, including three from South Jersey.

Stroud came up just five inches shy of his lifetime-best 23-8 ¾ from a meet at Ocean Breeze last February.

Morgan State sophomore Jordan Ra-Akbar jumped 23-0 ½ on his final attempt for 2nd place.

Stroud had four jumps over 22 feet, including a 22-2 ½ on his 1st attempt, a 22-11 ½ on his 2nd and a 23-0 ½ on his 4th.

Freshman Jamir Brown of Rowan, who destroyed the NCAA Division 3 60-meter hurdles record earlier in the day in the first indoor track meet of his life, placed 4th at 22-6 ¾ after a long day of hurdling, and Stockton sophomore Ahmad Fogg of Egg Harbor Township, who was at Penn State last year, placed 6th at 22-0 ½.

Fogg has a collegiate PR of 23-6 ¾ from a meet this past January in Ann Arbor, Mich., and he jumped a wind-legal 24-4 ¼ at West Philly Nationals in the spring of 2023. Brown jumped a PR 23-8 ¾ when he won the state Group 1 title last spring in Somerset.

Paulsboro graduate Jamile Gantt, a high jump All-America as a freshman, opened his sophomore season with a PR.

Gantt cleared 6-10 ¼ on his 3rd attempt to win the event at the FastTrack Season Opener at Ocean Breeze.

That’s No. 4 in Rowan history and a quarter of an inch above his lifetime-best 6-10, which he hit as a senior at Paulsboro in a meet at Delsea and again when he placed 7th at the NCAA Division 3 Championships in May in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Gantt’s previous indoor PR was 6-7 ½ at the AARTFC Championships in March in Rochester, N.Y. He didn’t compete indoors at Paulsboro.

Gantt passed opening height of 6-0 ½ and then cleared 6-2 ½, 6-4 ½ and 6-6 ¼ on his first attempt.

With the bar going up to 6-8 ¼, there were three jumpers left and all were clean – Gantt and two Holy Family jumpers, Nishorn Pierre, a three-time NCAA Division 2 high jump All-America with a PR of 7-2 ¼, and Isaiah Davenport of Pleasantville.

Davenport missed three attempts at 6-8 ¼, which would have matched his PR, but Gantt cleared it on his 2nd attempt and Pierre on his 3rd.

From there, the bar went up to 6-10 ¼, which Pierre failed to clear, while Gantt got over the bar on his 3rd attempt.

After locking up the win, Gantt took three jumps at 7-0 ¼. Rowan’s indoor school record is 7-0 ½, set by Eastern’s Jeffrey Jon Tucker at the 2015 JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Gloucester County alumni record is 7-1 ½, set by Williamstown graduate Devin Bradham of Penn State at the Jim Thorpe Invitational in University Park in May of 2019.

Here are the top marks I could find from Glassboro State / Rowan high jumpers!

7-2 ¼ … Jeffrey Jon Tucker [Eastern], Penn Relays, Philadelphia, April 27, 2018
6-11 ¾ … Mark Kelly [Audubon], May 29, 1978
6-10 ¾ … Harrison Escoffery [Hackensack], Widener Invitational, Chester, Pa., April 21, 2018
6-10 ¼ … Jamile Gantt [Paulsboro], NCAA Division 3 Championships, Myrtle Beach, S.C., May 25, 2024
6-9 … Pete Sharpless [Princeton], May 28, 1982

Rutgers sophomore Jenovia Logan opened her sophomore season with a big high jump PR and the No. 3 clearance in Rutgers indoor track history.

Logan cleared a lifetime-best 5-10 to win the high jump at the Rutgers Holiday Classic at the Armory in New York.

Logan, whose previous PR was a 5-7 from a meet last April in Tampa. Her previous indoor PR was 5-6 ½ twice last February. At Sterling, she cleared 5-6 numerous times.

The only Rutgers women to go higher than Logan indoors are Courteney Campbell, who set the school-record 5-11 ½ in a meet at the Armory in February 2022, and Rhonda Rogombe, who cleared 5-10 ¾ in a meet at Rutgers’ Bubble in January 2016.

Including indoor and outdoor marks, Logan’s 5-10 ranks tied for 5th in Rutgers history.

Logan passed the first four heights before clearing 5-3 and 5-5 on her 1st attempts. She cleared 5-6 on her 2nd attempt and a PR 5-7 ¼ on her 1st.

Three jumpers were still left when the bar went up to 5-8 ½, a group that also included Clayton graduate Alanna Woolfolk, a Rutgers freshman in her first college meet.

Logan was the only jumper to clear 5-8 ½, but Woolfolk moved into the No. 9 spot in Rutgers history indoors with her 5-7 ¼. Her lifetime best is 5-8, which she cleared multiple times at Clayton.

Logan had the bar moved up to 5-10, which she cleared on her 3rd attempt, then took three shots at 6-0.

Logan is only the 7th South Jersey woman ever to clear 5-10 indoors or outdoors. Here’s that full list:

6-3 … Priscilla Frederick [Paul VI], July 22, 2015, Toronto, Canada
6-1 ½ … MaryBeth Labosky [Holy Cross], April 17, 1992, Lawrence, Kan.
6-0 ¾ … Kenady Wilson [Willingboro], April 23, 2022, Greensboro, N.C.
5-10 ½ … Megan Kirschling [West Deptford], June 2, 2012, South Plainfield
5-10 … Tierra Hooker [Timber Creek], June 9, 2018, Mansfield Twp.
5-10 … Bryanna Craig [Millville], April 14, 2022, West Monroe, La.
5-10 … Jenovia Logan [Sterling], Dec. 6, 2024, New York

 

After running the 7th-fastest hurdles time in NCAA Division 3 history in his first college race, Riverside grad Jamir Brown destroyed the NCAA Division 3 record in his first collegiate final.

Racing at the FastTrack Season Opener at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island, Brown raced away from teammate and NCAA Division 3 outdoor national champion Kwaku Nkrumah with a mind-blowing time of 7.72 in the 60-meter hurdles.

This was Brown’s first final ever over the 42-inch hurdles.

Brown broke the NCAA Division 3 record of 7.75 set at the 2014 NCAA Division 3 Championships at the Devaney Center in Lincoln, Neb., by Luke Campbell of Salisbury (Md.) University. In the trials, Brown ran 7.86, the fastest ever by a New Jersey Athletic Conference hurdler.

Brown’s time is tied for 3rd-fastest ever by a South Jersey hurdler at any level. Camden’s Anwar Moore – who was ranked No. 1 in the world in 2007 outdoors – ran 7.50 in Boston in the trials of the USATF Championships in February 2008 and Olympic bronze medalist Jack Pierce ran 7.52 in Fairfax, Va., in February of 1995. Willingboro’s Isaac Williams ran 7.72 in Houston in 2015.

Only 27 hurdlers in NCAA Division 1 ran as fast as 7.72 last year, including only three freshmen. World Athletics does not maintain an all-time men’s Under-20 performance list, but going through results from the last 15 years it would likely be somewhere inside the top 20. I’ll keep working on that.

Rowan junior Kwaku Nkrumah, the NCAA outdoor champion over the 110-meter highs last spring, placed 2nd in a personal-best 7.92. His previous PR was a 7.93 when he won the NJAC Championships at Ocean Breeze this past February.

That makes him the No. 9 performer in NCAA Division 3 history with the 20th-fastest time ever recorded. Nkrumah is a graduate of Teaneck High School, also the alma mater of your From the Backstretch scribe.

Brown’s time is 8th-fastest all-time by a New Jersey hurdler over the 60-meter highs. Here’s a look at that list:

7.46 … Jeff Porter [Franklin Twp.], Feb. 1, 2014, Mondeville, France
7.50 … Renaldo Nehemiah [Scotch Plains-Fanwood], March 10, 1989, Madrid, Spain
7.50 … Anwar Moore [Camden], Feb. 24, 2008, Boston
7.52 … Jack Pierce [Woodbury], Feb. 25, 1995, Fairfax, Va.
7.55 … Devon Hill [Trenton], March 10, 2012, Nampa, Idaho
7.66 … Cory Poole [East Orange], Feb. 14, 2020, Clemson, S.C.
7.69 … Guy Rose [Wayne Hills], Feb. 24, 2001, State College, Pa.
7.72 … Isaac Williams [Willingboro], Jan. 9, 2015, Houston
7.72 … Jamir Brown [Riverside], Dec. 6, 2024, Staten Island
7.73 … Todd Matthews [Notre Dame], Feb. 17, 2001, Blacksburg, Va.

In his first collegiate race, Washington Township’s Yashahya Brown ran the 3rd-fastest hurdles time in Rutgers history Friday at the Armory.

Brown won the Rutgers Holiday Classic in 7.86 in his first race over the 42-inch hurdles. Brown is one of two college freshmen from South Jersey (with the same last name) to run 7.86 on Friday in their first college race. Jamir Brown of Riverside ran 7.86 at Ocean Breeze, the 7th-fastest time in NCAA Division 3 history. Yashahya and Jamir Brown ran 1-2 last spring in the Meet of Champions hurdles.

Rutgers hurdlers from South Jersey ran 1-2-4, with freshman Eric Foster Jr. from Willingboro 2nd in 8.23 and Bryce Tucker from Pennsauken 4th in 8.31 in his first collegiate indoor hurdles race.

The only Rutgers hurdlers faster than Brown are Chris Serrao [7.74 at the 2023 Big Ten Championships in Geneva, Ohio] and Kyle Grady [7.84 at the 2010 Big East Championships at the Armory]. Serrao’s 7.74 is the Rutgers freshman record.

In his first college race, Riverside graduate Jamir Brown smashed Rowan’s 60-meter hurdles school record, and he broke a record held by an NCAA champion.

In the trials of the FastTrack Season Opener at Ocean Breeze, Brown led all qualifiers for the finals in 7.86. He broke the school record of 7.93 set by Kwaku Nkrumah when he won the finals of the New JerseyAthletic Conference meet on the same track last February. Nkrumah went on to win the outdoor NCAA Division 3 title in 13.77 this past May in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

This was Brown’s first race ever over 42-inch hurdles.

Brown’s time makes him the 7th-fastest performer in NCAA Division 3 history, according to the USTFCCCA all-time lists.

It appears that Brown’s time is fastest ever by an NCAA Division 3 freshman. The fastest listed freshman time is a 7.99 by Deyton Love of Wartburg in 2022 in Waverly, Iowa. Several athletes are listed without a grade, but I checked every one who ran faster than 7.86 who doesn’t have a grade listed and none were freshmen.

Brown had a huge senior year last spring for Riverside, placing 2^nd in the Meet of Champions in the 110-meter hurdles and winning state titles in both hurdles races and the long jump.

Nkrumah ran 8.04, the second-fastest time in the trials. Willingboro’s Anaias Hughes, a junior, ran 8.31 and also advanced to the final. We’ll have more after the final!

On Wednesday, we posted a list we put together of the top indoor marks of the 2023-24 season recorded by South Jersey athletes – high school, college and post-grad.

You can find that list here.

As promised, here’s the girls / women’s list.  It’s fun to see how the top high school athletes compare to the top collegians and then how the top collegians compare to the handful of high-level women who are continuing to compete after college.

I think I’ll start working on the outdoor list this weekend so I don’t have to spend 10 hours on it the day before I post it!

Welcome to indoor track season! Enjoy the list and if you see any errors or omissions please let me know in the comment section!

60-METER DASH
7.18 … Dennisha Page [Wilson, Tennessee], Feb. 9, Clemson, S.C.
7.27 … English Gardner [Eastern, post-grad], Feb. 11, New York
7.47 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], March 9, Boston
7.53 … Ryan Jennings [Timber Creek], March 9, Boston
7.56 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], March 10, New York
7.56 … Lauren Princz [Egg Harbor Twp., Penn State], Jan. 13, State College, Pa.

200-METER DASH
23.12 … Dennisha Page [Wilson, Tennessee], Feb. 2, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
24.00 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], March 3, Staten Island, N.Y.
24.15 … Naylah Jones [Timber Creek], Feb. 4, Staten Island, N.Y.
24.18 … Maya Drayton [Cherry Hill East, Georgetown], Feb. 24, Chicago
24.30 … Arianna Sharpe [Paulsboro, una.], Feb. 9, Nashville, Tenn.

400-METER DASH
53.37 … Nylah Perry [Winslow Twp., Iowa], Feb. 24, Geneva, Ohio
53.91 … Arianna Sharpe [Paulsboro, una.], Feb. 10, Nashville, Tenn.
55.04 … Jewel Ash [Eastern, Charleston Southern], Jan. 29, Clemson, S.C.
55.06 … Maya Drayton [Cherry Hill East, Georgetown], Feb. 24, Chicago
55.15 … Sianni Wynn [Pennsauken], Dec. 23, Staten Island, N.Y.

800-METER DASH
2:09.51 … Kami Joi Hickson [Washington Twp., Maryland], Feb. 9, Boston
2:11.03 … Kadence Dumas [Eastern], Feb. 22, New York
2:11.85 … Shaelan McNally [Paul VI], Feb. 24, Staten Island, N.Y.
2:12.37 … Kelsey Niglio [Cherokee], Feb. 25, Boston
2:12.75 … Shelby Whetstone [Lenape, Rutgers], Jan. 27, Clemson, S.C.

MILE
4:53.23 … Isabella Leak [Egg Harbor Twp., Monmouth], Feb. 23, New York
4:57.05 … Leah Clear [Camden Catholic, Delaware], Feb. 23, New York
4:57.28 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], Feb. 3, Boston
4:58.32 … Emily Pierontoni [Kingsway, South Carolina], Feb. 9, Boston
4:58.75 … Grace Wassell [Highland, Wake Forest], Feb. 10, Lynchburg, Va.

3,000-METER RUN
9:54.58 … Keira Mansure [Northern Burlington, Rider], Feb. 9, Boston
9:56.88 … Abby Waddington [Clearview, Boston College], Feb. 3, Boston
9:58.70 … Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek, una.], Jan. 19, Staten Island, N.Y.
9:59.30 … Grace Wassell [Highland], Feb. 9, Lynchburg, Va.
10:13.21 … Maddy Dischert [Atlantic City, Rider], Jan. 20, Staten Island, N.Y.

5,000-METER RUN
16:56.62 … Keira Mansure [Northern Burlington], March 2, Boston
17:02.44 … Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], March 9, New York
17:03.21 … Alyssa Condell [Timber Creek, una], Feb. 9, Boston
17:19.09 … Abby Waddington [Clearview, Boston College], Feb. 9, Boston
17:24.09 … Helene Usher [Haddonfield, La Salle], Jan. 27, New York

60-METER HURDLES
7.89 … Nia Ali [Pleasantville, post-grad], Jan. 27, Astana, Kazakhstan
8.15 … Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp., Iowa], Feb. 3, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
8.19 … Jailya Ash [Eastern, UConn], Jan. 26, New York
8.54 … Aliya Rae Garozzo [Paul VI, Penn], Feb. 9, Clemson, S.C.
8.61 … Mariah Stephens [Egg Harbor Twp., Rider], Feb. 24, New York

HIGH JUMP
5-8 … Alanna Woolfolk [Clayton], March 3, Staten Island
5-6 ½ … Jenovia Logan [Sterling], Feb. 9, Chicago
5-6 … Dahlia Beasley [Washington Twp.], Dec. 12, Toms River, N.J.
5-5 ¾ … Bryanna Craig [Millville / Purdue], Feb. 23, Geneva, Ohio
5-4 ½ … Teyana Ames [Atlantic County Tech, Rutgers], Feb. 10, Chicago
5-4 ½ … Tionna Tobias [Winsow Twp. / Iowa], Feb. 23, Geneva, Ohio

LONG JUMP
21-0 ¼ … Tionna Tobias [Winslow Twp., Iowa], Feb. 2, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
20-4 ¾ … Kristina Tossas [Cinnaminson, Rutgers], Feb. 23, Geneva, Ohio
19-3 ½ … Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], Jan. 20, New York
19-1 … Mariah Stephens [Egg Harbor Twp., Rider] Feb. 24, New York
17-11 ½ … Bryanna Craig [Millville, Purdue], Feb. 24, Geneva, Ohio

TRIPLE JUMP
41-1 ½ … Claudine Smith [Atlantic City, Rutgers], Jan. 27, Clemson, S.C.
40-9 ¼ … Sophia Curtis [Ocean City], March 3, Staten Island, N.Y.
39-8 ¼ … Mariah Stephens [Egg Harbor Twp., Rider], Feb. 25, New York
39-3 … Ma’Syiah Brawner [Winslow Twp.], Jan. 20, New York
38-1 ½ … Lauren Fadairo [Rancocas Valley], Feb. 20, New York

POLE VAULT
13-9 ¾ … Kaitlyn Derman [Egg Harbor Twp., una.], Jan. 12, Blacksburg, Va.
12-6 … Hannah Byrd-Leitner [Moorestown], Dec. 30, Conshohocken, Pa.
12-3 ¾ … Rebecca Hoover [Haddonfield], March 10, Boston
11-0 … Quin Zacamy [Haddon Heights], Feb. 17, Toms River, N.J.
10-11 ¾ … Sarah Parr [Audubon, Rhode Island], Feb. 5, Roxbury, Mass.

SHOT PUT
18.57 … Jessica Woodard [Cherokee, post-grad], Feb. 16, Albuquerque, N.M.
47-4 … Fatimah Owens [Millville, Towson], Feb. 10, Lynchburg, Va.
45-9 ½ … Teyana Ames [Atlantic County Tech, Rutgers], Jan. 20, Boston
44-6 ¼ … Isabelle Deal [Washington Twp., Rowan], Feb. 10, Staten Island, N.Y.
41-3 ½ … Hannah Nuhfer [Delsea], Jan. 26, Toms River, N.J.

With indoor track getting underway this weekend with a bunch of college meets, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of the top five marks recorded last indoor season by South Jersey athletes – high school, college, post-graduate.

This of course is an impossible task so we’ll rely on you guys to point out any errors and omissions on this list. A couple events – the 800, high jump and pole vault in particular – I feel like there are definitely people missing. But I can’t keep track of everybody, no matter how hard I try!

This list only includes marks made indoors and only marks made last season. I’ll have a women’s list tomorrow [Thursday]!

Here we go!

60-METER DASH
6.71 … Malachi James [Burlington City], Feb. 24, Staten Island, N.Y.
6.76 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], Feb. 11, New York
6.80 … Ahmad Brock [Egg Harbor Twp. / Monmouth], Feb. 22, New York
6.88 … Shamar Love [Bridgeton, Rowan], Feb. 19, Staten Island
6.88 … Evan Corcoran [Kingsway, Rowan], Feb. 19, Staten Island

200-METER DASH
21.25 … Ajani Dwyer [Washington Twp.], Feb. 5, Staten Island
21.28 … Malachi James [Burlington City], March 3, Staten Island
21.42 … Premier Wynn [Pennsauken, Norfolk State], Feb. 20, Virginia Beach
21.70 … Damon Dukes [Kingsway, NJIT], Feb. 19, Boston
21.75 … Jah’mere Beasley [Sterling, Rutgers], Jan. 27, Clemson, S.C.

400-METER DASH
47.43 … Premier Wynn [Pennsauken, Norfolk State], Feb. 3, State College, Pa.
47.88 … Bryce Tucker [Pennsauken, Rutgers], Jan. 14, Boston
48.56 … Michael Mazaro [Paul VI, Rutgers], March 2, Boston
48.84 … Micah Wood [Rancocas Valley, Rutgers], Feb. 9, Chicago
49.12 … Jayden Greene [Washington Twp., St. Joe’s], Jan. 27, New York

800-METER RUN
1:50.37 … Stone Caraccio [Kingsway, Monmouth], March 3, Boston
1:50.90 … Jayden Greene [Washington Twp., St. Joe’s], Feb. 9, Staten Island
1:51.70 … Ian Moore [Rancocas Valley, Monmouth], Feb. 22, New York
1:52.05 … Peyton Shute [Woodbury], June 8, Somerset
1:52.41 … Josh Thaler [Timber Creek, St. Joe’s] March 2, Boston

MILE RUN
4:05.34 … Tom Cooke [Kingsway, post-grad], March 2, New York
4:07.95 … Matthew Coffey [Camden Catholic, St. Joe’s], Feb. 3, Boston
4:09.57 … Noah Deckert [Delsea, St. Joe’s], Jan. 27, New York
4:11.05 … Scott Hubbard [Audubon, Rowan], Feb. 23, Staten Iland
4:11.45 … Peyton Shute [Woodbury], March 10, Boston

3,000-METER RUN
7:58.94 … Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson, Duke], Feb. 10, Boston
8:04.87 … Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg., N.C. State], Feb. 10, Boston
8:07.88 … Noah Deckert [Delsea, St. Joe’s], Feb. 3, Boston
8:12.00 … Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield, Iowa State], Feb. 9, Fayetteville, Ark.
8:12.50 … Matthew Coffey [Camden Catholic, St. Joe’s], Jan. 27, New York

5,000-METER RUN
14:08.24 … Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg., N.C. State], Feb. 22, Boston
14:20.38 … Ethan Wechsler [Cherokee, Syracuse], Feb. 22, Boston
14:27.85 … Martin Riddell [Haddonfield, Yale], Feb. 10, Boston
14:27.93 … Matthew Coffey [Camden Catholic, St. Joe’s], Feb. 3, Boston
14:41.84 … Dennis Fortuna [Triton, St. Joe’s], Feb. 9, Lynchburg, Va.

60-METER HURDLES
7.75 … Sincere Rhea [St. Augustine, Miami, Fla.], Feb. 9, Clemson, S.C.
7.96 … Marquise Young [Sterling, Rowan], Jan. 20, Staten Island
7.96 … Greg Foster [Lumberton, Princeton], Feb. 9, Clemson, S.C.
8.01 … Naseem Smith [Deptford, Syracuse], Feb. 23, Boston
8.07 … Isaiah Lewis [Winslow Twp., Syracuse], Jan. 19, Staten Island

HIGH JUMP
7-1 ½ … Mawali Osunniyi [Mainland Reg., U. Conn], Feb. 2, Cambridge, Mass.
6-8 ¾ … Keven Kevelier [Collingswood, Monmouth], Dec. 8, Staten Island
6-7 ¾ … Jamile Gantt [Paulsboro, Rowan], March 1, Rochester, N.Y.
6-6 … Dillon Page [Cherry Hill East, Rutgers], Dec. 1, New York
6-6 … David Godbolt [Rancocas Valley], Dec. 29, New York

LONG JUMP
25-3 ½ … Greg Foster [Lumberton, Princeton], Feb. 9, Clemson, S.C.
23-9 ¾ … Zach Manorowitz [Pennsville, Rider],
23-9 … Ahmad Brock [Egg Harbor Twp., Monmouth], Feb. 22, New York
23-8 ¾ … Desi Stroud [Atlantic City Tech, Holy Family], Feb. 9, Staten Island
22-7 ½ … Rece Englehart [Moorestown], March 3, Staten Island

TRIPLE JUMP
52-3 … Floyd Whitaker [Highland, Oklahoma], Feb. 24, Lubbock, Texas
50-2 … Greg Foster [Lumberton, Princeton], Feb. 24, Cambridge, Mass.
48-5 … Orion Joyner [Kingsway, Rhode Island], Feb. 24, Virginia Beach
48-1 ¾ … Jaden Johnson [Timber Creek / East Stroudsburg], Jan. 27, Boston
47-0 1/2 … Keven Kevelier [Collingswood / Monmouth], Feb. 23, New York

POLE VAULT
16-7 ¼ … Noah Kriesman [Cherry Hill East, Rutgers] Feb. 9, Chicago
16-6 … Nico Morales [Delsea, Rutgers], Dec. 1, New York
16-0 … Ryan Merlino [Oakcrest], March 9, New York
14-0 … Daniel Couse [Clearview], Feb. 17, Toms River, N.J.
14-0 … Jackson Murry [Willingboro], Jan. 17, Toms River, N.J.

SHOT PUT
59-10 … Lucciano Pizarro [Cherokee, Penn State], Feb. 16, State College, Pa.
57-0 … Jason Nwosu [Delsea, William & Mary], April 13, Charlottesville, Va.
53-9 ¼ … Malicah Etienne [Cinnaminson, Georgian Court], Feb. 9, Staten Island
52-45 … John Purvis [Winslow Twp., Marshall], Feb. 9, Louisville, Ky.
50-9 ½ … Chris Johnson [Willingboro, Delaware State], Feb. 20, Virginia Beach

With Liliah Gordon qualifying again for Foot Locker Nationals – you can read about that here – we thought it would be a good time to go back and look at every South Jersey that’s ever finished in the top 25 at a Foot Locker (or Kinney or Champs or Eastbay) Regional in the nearly half century since the first race was held back in 1979 as part of the St. John’s Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park.

It’s taken a few years but I think I finally have a complete record of South Jersey runners at Foot Locker Regionals. If you notice anybody missing or an incorrect time or place, drop me a note and let me know!

Liliah won’t run in San Diego until a week from Saturday, but over the next few days we’ll post all-time finishes by all Foot Locker Nationals qualifiers from New Jersey. Track season starts this weekend, but it’s fun having one more cross country race to go!

All-Time South Jersey Foot Locker Regionals Top-25 Finishes
Boys
2024
None
2023
Peyton Shute [Woodbury], 5th [15:08]
Nick Kuenkel [Cherokee], 12th [15:40]
Aiden Williams [Audubon], 21st [15:59]
2022
None
2021
Not Held
2020
Seth Clevenger [Haddonfield], 12th [15:42.3]
2019
Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg.], 4th [15:24.0]
Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson], 22nd [16:07.4]
2018
Kevin Antczak [Mainland Reg.], 16th [16:02.8]
Austin Gabay [Cinnaminson], 23rd [16:16.3]
2017
None
2016
Josh Clark [Highland], 4th [15:28.4]
2015
None
2014
Luke Petela [Haddon Twp.], 2nd [15:33.4
Shawn Hutchison [Bishop Eustace], 10th [15:45.7]
Dominick Munson [Timber Creek], 23rd [16:03.3]
2013
Lou Corgilano [Hammonton], 9th [15:40.7]
2012
Shawn Wilson [Cherokee], 3rd[15:42.5]
Stephen Maine [Highland], 21st [16:12.5]
2011
Nick Costello [Delsea], 19th [16:26.5]
Shawn Wilson [Cherokee], 21st [16:31.1]
2010
Miles Schoedler [Ocean City], 15th [16:03.5]
Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 20th [16:19.1]
2009
Paul Szulewski [Williamstown], 13th [16:23.2]
Michael Rankin [Paul VI], 24th [16:37.4]
2008
Brett Johnson [Ocean City], 8th [15:50.1]
Dave Forward [Shawnee], 16th [16:09.7]
2007
Brett Johnson [Ocean City], 25th [16:07.8]
2006
None
2005
None
2004
None
2003
Jon Anderson [Cinnaminson], 7th [15:30.4]
Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.], 17th [16:04.1]
2002
Keith Krieger [Cherokee], 12th [15:55.7]
Greg Hughes [Mainland Reg.], 23rd [16:12.9]
2001
Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 6th [15:40.1]
Chris Platt [Haddonfield], 19th [16:08.8]
2000
Marc Pelerin [Cherokee], 9th[15:50.1]
Mike Myers [Eastern], 14th [15:58.3]
Chad Lyons [Overbrook], 25th [16:04.5]
1999
None
1998
Nate Miller [Highland], 5th [15:49]
1997
Murad Campbell [Overbrook], 2nd [15:27]
1996
Matt Ruhl [Triton], 18th [16:37.0]
1995
None
1994
Kurt Wayton [Mainland Reg.], 16th [16:07.1]
1993
*Kurt Wayton [Mainland Reg.], 223rd [16:23]
1992
None
1991
Tom Keefer [Paul VI], 11th [16:20.0]
Keith O’Brien [Shawnee], 21st [16:33.2]
Pete Fixler [Vineland] 23rd [16:34.6]
1990
Pete Dougherty [Paul VI], 9th [16:16.5]
1989
Mark Sivieri [St. Augustine], 11th [16:23.0]
Joe Cranston [Paul VI], 19th [16:29.6]
Vince Cieslik [Paul VI], 25th [16:38.3]
1988
Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 1st [15:17.6]
Jason Fiscus [Haddon Twp.], 12th [15:58.3]
Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton], 13th [16:00.0]
Dave Donohue [Haddon Twp.], 20th [16:10.7]
1987
Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 4th [15:46.7]
Eric Lorenz [Holy Cross], 8th [15:49.4]
Urie Ridgeway [Bridgeton], 11th [16:03.0]
Joe Shanahan [Haddonfield], 13th [16:08.9]
Joe Magre [Paul VI], 25th [16:22.1]
1986
Jason DiJoseph [Paul VI], 6th [15:55]
1985
Kevin Pumphrey [Highland], 2nd [15:25.6]
Ron Faith [Paul VI], 6th [15:46]
1984
Jeff Davis [Cumberland Reg.], 13th [15:50]
Chris Hageman [Paul VI], 18th [15:56]
Kevin Pumphrey [Highland], 20th [15:59]
George Steinhoff [Paul VI], 23rd [16:03]
Ron Faith [Paul VI], 25th [16:07]
1983
Bill Stewart [Cherry Hill East], 11th [15:53]
1982
None
1981
None
1980
Dan Owens [Absegami], 12th [16:06.3]
1979 [qualifying held at St. John’s Invitational]
Jerry Andrews [Highland], 1st [15:34.0]
Jim Smith [Haddonfield], 3rd [15:48]

Girls
2024
Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 7th [18:01]
2023
Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 7th [17:51]
Shaelan McNally [Paul VI], 16th [18:31]
2022
Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 20th [19:16.1]
Shaelan McNally [Paul VI], 23rd [19:22.4]
2021
None
2020
Not Held
2019
None
2018
Isabella Turner [Shawnee], 22nd [19:03.0]
2017
None
2016
Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], 1st [17:40.3]
2015
Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 5th [17:44.2]
Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], 6th [17:47.8]
2014
Devin Grisbaum [Ocean City], 22nd [18:50.5]
2013
Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 5th [17:43.2]
2012
None
2011
Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 4th [18:24.9]
Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 11th [18:44.4]
Dina Iacone [Washington Twp.], 22nd [19:16.3]
2010
Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 3rd [18:08.0]
Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 16th [18:44.8]
2009
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 5th [18:36.4]
Megan Venables [Highland], 16th [19:13.3]
2008
Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 5th [18:08.3]
Megan Venables [Highland], 15th [18:38.9]
Megan McGlinchey [West Deptford], 25th [18:50.9]
2007
Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 10th [18:00.4]
2006
Theresa Cattuna [Cherry Hill West], 23rd [18:42.5]
2005
None
2004
Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 10th [18:33.0]
2003
Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 2nd [18:16.4]
Arianna McKinney [Highland], 22nd [19:07.3]
2002
None
2001
None
2000
None
1999
None
1998
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2nd [18:08]
1995
Ann Klocke [Bishop Eustace, 14th [18:45.9]
1994
Jamie Weisgerber [Woodstown], 15th [18:39.8]
1993
None
1992
None
1991
None
1990
None
1989
None
1988
None
1987
None
1986
None
1985
Ruth Lockbaum [Glassboro], 9th [N/A]
1984
Mindy Rowand [Sterling], 10th [18:25]
1983
Lori Watson [Cherry Hill East], 11th [18:40]
1982
Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 3rd [17:28.7]
Wendy Westphal [Highland], 17th [18:37.5]
1981
Michelle Rowen [Washington Twp.], 11th [18:17.6]
1980
None
1979
None

KEY
1979-1992: Kinney
1993-2019: Foot Locker
2021: East Bay
2022: Champs
2023: 2024 – Foot Locker

1979 – 2022: Van Cortlandt Park, New York
2023 – 2024: Franklin Park, Boston

Northern Burlington senior Liliah Gordon cruised to another top-10 finish at Foot Locker Northeast Regionals Saturday morning, earning a 2nd consecutive trip to the National Championships in San Diego.

Gordon ran 18:01 over 5K at Franklin Park in Boston and placed 7th among the top runners in the Northeast U.S. The top 10 finishers qualify for Foot Locker Nationals in two weeks.

Gordon also placed 7th last year and she’s now the 5th South Jersey girl to qualify for Nationals more than once.

The only other South Jersey girls to qualify for Nationals twice are Brittany Sedberry of Ocean City, Chelsea Lea of Kingsway and Alyssa Aldridge of Mainland Regional.

Sedberry placed 2nd in 2003 and 10th in 2004, Ley was 10th in 2007, 5th in 2008 and 3rd in 2009, Gess placed 5th in both 2013 and 2015 and Aldridge was 6th in 2015 and 1st in 2016.

Virginia Kraus of Saucon Valley High in Lower Saucon Township outside Bethlehem, the Pennsylvania state champion, won the race in 17:35 and defending champ Zariel Macchia of William Floyd High in Mastic Beach, N.Y., ran 17:40 for second.

Allison Lee of West Windsor-Plainsboro North, who Gordon beat to win the state Group 3 title, finished two seconds ahead of Gordon in 6th and will also represent New Jersey in San Diego.

Gordon was out very fast in 5:26 through the first mile. She settled in the next two miles, splitting 6:03 for the second mile and then averaged 5:48 pace for the final 1.1 miles.

Gordon was the only South Jersey runner to compete in either the boys or girls championship races at Franklin Park Saturday.

Oddly, she’s the only South Jersey girl ever to finish 7th at Foot Locker Regionals and she’s now done it twice.

Gordon and Cherokee’s Megan Lacy, who was 3rd in 2010, are the only Burlington County girls to qualify for Nationals.

Gordon has had a remarkable senior cross country season, capped by her a 3rd consecutive state title, 4th straight Meet of Champions top-8 finish with a lifetime-best 2nd place and now a 2nd straight trip to Foot Locker Nationals.

Foot Locker Nationals will be held at Balboa Park in San Diego on Dec. 14, with the girls race scheduled for 9:15 a.m. PST, which is 12:15 p.m. EST.

Here’s a look at every South Jersey qualifier for Foot Locker Nationals since the meet’s inception:

2024
Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 7th [18:01]
2023
*Liliah Gordon [Northern Burlington], 7th [17:51]
2016
Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg.], 1st [17:40.3]
2015
Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 5th [17:44.2]
*Alyssa Aldridge [Mainland Reg,.], 6th [17:47.8]
2013
*Briana Gess [Haddonfield], 5th [17:43.2]
2011
Holly Bischof [Bishop Eustace], 4th [18:24.9]
2010
Megan Lacy [Cherokee], 3rd [18:08.0]
Megan Venables [Highland], 4th [18:11.0]
2009
Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 3rd [18:33.1]
Marielle Hall [Haddonfield], 5th [18:36.4]
2008
*Chelsea Ley [Kingsway], 5th [18:08.3]
2007
**Chelsea Ley, [Kingsway], 10th [18:33.1]
2004
*Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 10th [18:33]
2003
**Brittany Sedberry [Ocean City], 2nd [18:16.4]
2001
Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 2nd [18:07.8]
1998
***Erin Donohue [Haddonfield], 17th [18:36]
1982
Michelle Rowan [Washington Township] 2nd [17:28.7]