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Of all the fantastic performances whipped up by the South Jersey, Group 2 and 3 athletes on Sunday at the Bennett Center in Toms River, perhaps the most formidable was chalked up by the Haddonfield girls, who swept the top three slots in all three distance events, and all three milers stormed the leader board.
Haddonfield's Sarah Naticchia led a 1-2-3 all-junior sweep of the 1,600 meters with a NJ#6 5:06.90, while Allison Colflesh was second in NJ#11 5:08.17 and Payton Weiner was third in NJ#19 5:12.74.
Also in Group 2, Barnegat sophomore Madison Cappuccio cleared a meet-record 5-8 in the high jump to create a three-way tie atop the state leader board with Timber Creek's Tierra Hooker and Rutherford's Jenna Rogers.
Pinelands senior Elizabeth Makar won the Group 2 shot put at 42-5. That throw would rank NJ#4 but Makar already has a NJ#2 44-11 ¾.
In Group 3, Pennsauken junior Jade Pope won the 400 in NJ#10 58.01.
On the boys side, there were three individuals with outstanding efforts at the South Jersey sectional. Winslow senior John Purvis won the Group 3 shot put with a 57-9 ¼ which would rank fourth in the state, but he's already logged a NJ#2 60-0.
Pleasantville senior Gabriel Moronta won the Group 2 400 in NJ#4 49.70, just a shade off his outdoor personal best of 49.68. Moronta also won the 800 in 1:57.29 which would be a top 10 time but he's already run a NJ#3 1:54.59.
And Delsea senior Marco Morales vaulted 15-8 in Group 2 which would be NJ#3 except he's already vaulted NJ#2 16-0.
South Jersey, Group 2 Boys - Full Results
On the strength of sweeping the top three shot put slots and finishing 1-2-5 in the pole vault, as well as a strong distance showing from Noah Deckert, Delsea won the Central Jersey, Group 2 title 89-64 over runner-up Haddonfield.
Junior Joe Metzger won the shot put with a 47-7 and was followed by senior Rick Kurczeski (46-4 ½) in second sophomore Josh Caudill (44-0 ¼)in third. In the pole vault, the terrific senior Marco Morales won with a 15-8, senior Nico Morales was second with a 14-6 and junior Dylan Caceci was fifth with an 11-6.
Deckert, a senior, won the 1,600 meters in 4:31.80 and placed second in the 3,200 (9:43.12). Also scoring for the Crusaders were senior Shaikyi Hannah, second, 400 (51.78) and sixth, 55 dash (6.86); senior Damir Lomax, second, 55 hurdles (8.10) and fifth, 400 (52.57); sophomore Andrew Littlehales, third, 3200 (9:51.76); and senior Nigel Berry, sixth, 55 hurdles (8.24).
South Jersey, Group 2 Girls - Full Results
Fueled by a top-three sweep of all three distance races, the Haddonfield girls ran away with the Group 2 title with an astounding 137 points.
Sarah Naticchia led a super-fast 1-2-3 all-junior sweep of the 1,600 with a NJ#6 5:06.90, while Allison Colflesh was second in NJ#11 5:08.17 and Payton Weiner was third in NJ#19 5:12.74.
Natacchia also won the 3200 in 11:25.46 and was followed by seniors Evie Andrews (11:53.40) and Lilly Sirover (11:55.47) in second and third. In the 800, it was Lindsay Colflesh first (2:19.84), twin Allison second (2:21.33) and junior Olivia Stoner third (2:23.34).
Lindsay Colflesh also placed third in the 400 (1:00.12). Senior Rachel Bonnett won the 55 hurdles in 9.10 and was second in the high jump (5-0). Senior Grace Kegler was second in the hurdles (9.21) and third in the pole vault (9-0); and junior Robin Rosen, second, pole vault (10-6) and fifth, high jump (4-10). Haddonfield also placed second in the 4x400 relay (4:09.73).
South Jersey, Group 3 Boys - Full Results
Senior John Purvis won the shot put (57-9 ¼) and Winslow carved out a 1-2-3 finish in the 55 hurdles to pave the way to a Group 3 section title by a narrow 51.5 to 50 margin over Ocean City.
Winslow's hurdles finish was authored by senior Isaiah Lewis (NJ#10 7.66), junior Brandon Greene (7.79) and senior Terry McNeill (7.81). Lewis also placed third in the high jump (5-10) and McNeill was fifth (5-8). Also scoring for Winslow was senior Kyle Robinson, fourth in the 55 dash (6.74).
For Ocean City, sophomore Owen Ritti won the mile in 4:27.62 and was third in the 3200 (9:57.33). Senior Luke Kramer and junior Tyler Greene came up huge for Ocean City. Kramer (2:03.29/4:30.54) and Greene (2:03.36/4:32.09) finished 2-3 in both the 800 and 1,600.
South Jersey, Group 3 Girls - Full Results
Winslow individuals scored in five of 10 events, but when they did score they did so in clusters. Senior Janeya Hammond helped the Eagles fashion 1-2 finishes in the 55 dash and 55 hurdles and a 2-3 finish in the 400 to lead her team to a 70-40 victory over runner-up Ocean City.
Hammond (7.29) and sophomore Jaia James (7.42) crossed 1-2 in the 55 dash, while it was Hammond (8.56) and junior Shevell Higgs (8.57) doing the same in the hurdles. Senior Nylah Perry (58.09) and Hammond (58.84) placed second and third in the 400.
Junior Olivia Wright (5-0) and Higgs (4-10) placed second and fifth, respectively, in the high jump. Also scoring for Winslow was sophomore Charly Dutton, fifth in the 800 (2:28.36). The Winslow 4x400 relay placed second in 4:10.70.