We Are the Champions: Groups 1, 4, and NPA

BOYS

GROUP 4 - Team Breakdown

Franklin, led by triple winner Mario Heslop, finished third in the meet concluding 4x400 relay to edge East Orange, 71-67, for its state title since winning Group 3 in 1997.

Heslop split 45.5 in the 4x400, and he won the 100 in 10.44, the 200 in 21.41, and the 400 in 46.84, which are all state sophomore records.

GROUP 1 - Team Breakdown

Boonton, led by Omar Anderson and James Eyler, won its title ever with a 51-42 victory over runner-up A.P. Schalick. 

Anderson won the long jump with a 22-9 ¼ and was second in the 100 dash in 10.87, and Eyler placed second in the 400 hurdles (55.82) and second in the 200 (22.36).

NON-PUBLIC A - Team Breakdown

Christian Brothers Academy won its second straight title, 128-108 over Union Catholic to tie Montclair for the boys state record for the most state outdoor titles won with 21. CBA has now won 69 state titles between indoors and outdoors, including state relay championships.

Tim Jacoutot and Dan Mead were among the stars for CBA. The Monmouth-bound Jacoutot won the 400 hurdles and the 110 hurdles and placed third in the 200 to score 26 points. Mead won the discus (162-0)  and shot put (57-1). Tim McInerney won the 800 for CBA in 1:54.92 and was fifth in the 1,600.  

GIRLS

GROUP 4 - Team Breakdown

Seniors Brooke Fazio and Jessica Creedon helped lead Ridge to its first ever state title with a  52-41 over runner-up Kingsway.

The Richmond-Fazio won the 800 in 2:11.25, placed second in the 400 in 55.75, and ran on the third-place 4x400. Creedon won the 100 hurdles (PR of 14.69 in the trials) and placed second in the high jump (5-6) and fifth in the 400 hurdles.    

GROUP 1 - Team Breakdown

Rising star Rebecca Ochan turned in a remarkable quad as the freshman won the 400 in a personal best 56.53, won the 200 in a personal best 25.01, captured the long jump with an 18-5 ¾, and anchored the winning 4x400 (3:56.73) to lead Highland Park to its first state title since winning Group 1 in 1980. Highland Park, which has now won three state girls titles, scored 57 points to defeat Park Ridge and Hasbrouck Heights, which tied for second with 34.   

NON-PUBLIC A - Team Breakdown

Olympian Sydney McLaughlin smashed two state records, broke a World Junior record, and shattered three All-Group meet records, Amaya Chadwick was a triple winner, and Leena Morant won the 800 to spark Union Catholic to its third straight title,139-67 over runner-up Paramus Catholic.

In the fastest triple in state history, McLaughlin won the 400 hurdles in a World Junior record 54.03, won the 400 in 51.88, just .01 off her state record, and captured the 200 in a state record 22.96. All three of McLaughlin's times broke the All Groups meet records.