Here are some quick bullet point highlights to catch you up on New Jersey track and field athletes who competed at the Rio Olympics.
- English Gardner won gold in the 4x100 meter with her Team USA squad mates, they posted a quick 41.01 out of lane one to take the victory. It wasn't an easy road to that final as they had to file for rerun of their semifinal after their hand off was obstructed by a Brazilian runner. That rerun went through with flying colors landing them the opportunity to go for gold. Gardner also made it to the final in the 100 meter dash where she placed seventh overall running 10.94. She graduated from Eastern Regional HS in 2010.
- Nia Ali won silver in the 100 meter hurdles running 12.59, this was the first time that U.S. women swept a track event at the Olympics. She graduated from Pleasantville HS in 2006.
- Keturah Orji Broke Her Own American Triple Jump Record at the Olympics! Orji placed fourth in the women's triple jump marking 48-03.25, that is the highest place ever for U.S. women in this Olympic event. She graduated from Mount Olive HS in 2014.
- Sydney McLaughlin's Historic Season Comes to an End in the Semis. Union Catholic's star high school athlete made it all the way to the semi-finals in the 400 meter hurdles where she ranked 17th with a time of 56.22. She is heading into her senior year of high school this fall.
- Robby Andrews was looking strong in the 1500 meters before unfortunately being DQ'd in the semifinal round for taking steps on the inside of the track. Andrews had speed left in his legs for the final stretch but found himself boxed in leading to the eventual bump off the track trying to pass a runner ahead of him. The disqualification news came after finishing in a spot that would have advanced him to the finals. Andrews graduated from Manalapan HS in 2009.
- Ajee' Wilson earned third in her 800 meters semifinal heat running 1:59.75. Despite the strong run she was still on the outside of final qualification ranked 12th overall. She graduated from Neptune HS in 2012.
- Jeff Porter finished third in his heat during the 110 meter hurdles semifinals running 13.45. That ranked him 10th overall just outside of advancing to the finals. He graduated from Franklin HS in 2003.
- Marielle Hall placed 33rd in the 10,000 meter run with a time of 32:39.32. She graduated from Haddonfield Memorial HS in 2010.
- Christina Epps jumped 45-11.5 in the qualification round of the triple jump, unfortunately that wasn't enough to advance but she ranked 15th overall just three spots out of the final. She graduated from Morristown HS in 2009.
- Stephen Mozia finished 28th in the qualification round of the men's shot put marking 62-03.25. He was competing for Nigeria, has duel citizenship. He graduated from Hackensack HS in 2011.