Video of Alyssa Wilson's 167-7 throw at Sectionals courtesy of Ken Oliver.
Let's take a moment to review some of the leaders that emerged from Sectionals this past weekend.
Related Links and Coverage
- Sectionals Full Results & Merge Rankings
- Photos South G1, G4, NPA by RunningWorksPics
- Photos North 1 G2, G3 by Ruben Rivera
- Photos Central G1, G4 by Aaron Laserna
- We Are the Champions: Every Team Winner
- NJSIAA Group Information
Sydney McLaughlin Unleashes Major Triple
After what seemed to be three time trials well out ahead of the field Sydney McLaughlin of Union Catholic leads the state with brand new times in the 200m at 23.19, 400m at 52.89 US#3, and 400m hurdles 55.52 US#1. All three were overall Sectional meet records. The 200m time is the best of her career, her previous was just last week at the Union County Championships.
Bria Mack of Williamstown hit a big PR in the 100m dash with her 11.65 at the South Group 4 in Egg Harbor. She takes over the state lead and also ranks NJ#3 in the 200m at 24.19 behind Sydney McLaughlin's 23.19 and Shakira Dancy's 23.85.
In the 100 meter hurdles Lenaami Morton of Camden, who won the indoor Meet of Champions 55m hurdles, had the fastest sectional time clocked at 14.15 NJ#2. Amaya Chadwick of Union Catholic, 14.20, and Simone Kirton of Chatham, 14.24, not far behind from different races and locations. Last year's Meet of Champions winner Kishona McCray of Central HS won the North 2 Group 2 and hit a 14.65 in prelims. Will be exciting to see all these athletes have more competition to push them a we move forward through the NJSIAA meets.
Distance Events Were a PR Fest
Rachel Vick didn't come to play, three major career bests and sectional wins. She now ranks NJ#1 in the 1600m with a 4:52.88, NJ#2 in the 3200m at 10:32.53, and NJ#6 in the 800m 2:13.00. It was a big triple win weekend for Alyssa Aldridge as well who led all sectionals in the 3200m running 10:31.12. Brooke Fazio of Ridge took over the 800 meter state lead with a PR run of 2:10.32 to win the North 2 Group 4. The girls 800 meter has been an event that seems to grow more crowded by the week in terms of competition and contenders.
Throwing Dominance from Wilson, a Surge from Jessie Geller
Donovan Catholic's Alyssa Wilson led the weekend in both the discus 167-7 and shot put 53-2.25. Her shot put mark was the farthest by over nine feet and her discus mark an even greater lead, just under 33 feet! She already hit the national record in the shot put earlier this season at 57-1.25.
In the javelin Jessie Geller of Northern Valley Demarest continues some major momentum and had the best performances marked at 145-8. She had just thrown over 140 feet for the first time the weekend before at Bergen County MOCs.
It is Getting Crowded at the High Jump Mat
Three girls cleared 5-06 to lead all the sectional meets this weekend in the high jump. A familiar face in Courteney Campbell of South Brunswick among those athletes, she is the defending Meet of Champions winner. The other two were freshmen Tierra Hooker of Timber Creek and Jenna Rodgers of Rutherford. Combine those names with the other season leaders and you've got a lot of talented individuals in contention.
Another battle ground event, the pole vault saw three over 12 feet. Julia Dannenbaum the indoor MOC winner led the vaulters at 12-01. Leah Saifi of Governor Livingston and Francesca Porambo of Bernards finished first and second in the Central Group 2 both at 12-0.
The state leading triple jumper Bonvie Fosam of Robbinsville had a solid 39-06.5 mark at Sectionals, she is the only girl over 40-0 in New Jersey this season. In the long jump Tionna Tobias of Winslow Twp leapt to 18-06.5, the farthest by an inch and a quarter.
Three Relays - Three NJ Three Performances
All three relay leaders from the combined Sectional weekend ended up ranked NJ#3 this season. Delsea girls ran to a 47.78 season best in the 4x100m, Lenape 3:50.27 in the 4x400m, and North Hunterdon 9:21.98 in the 4x800m.
Sectional Weekend Leaders
Here are the merge leaders from Sectionals. If you click on the event links they will take you to the full merges.
| TRACK | TIME (W) | ATHLETE/TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 100m | 11.65 | |
| 200m | 23.19 | |
| 400m | 52.89 | |
| 800m | 2:10.32 | |
| 1600m | 4:52.88 | |
| 3200m | 10:31.12 | |
| 100mH | 14.15 | |
| 400mH | 55.52 | |
| RELAY | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM |
| 4x100m | 47.78 | |
| 4x400m | 3:50.27 | |
| 4x800m | 9:21.98 | |
| FIELD | MARK (W) | ATHLETE/TEAM |
| Long Jump | 18-6.5 | |
| High Jump | 5-6 | |
| Triple Jump | 39-6.5 | |
| Pole Vault | 12-1 | |
| Discus | 167-7 | |
| Shot Put | 53-2.25 | |
| Javelin | 145-8 |