Some of New Jersey's biggest stars threw down sizzling performances in New York on Saturday.
Let's start out at the Freedom Games at Ocean Breeze where Georgetown-bound Jackson Barna of Ridge, coming off an All-American XC season, opened his indoor campaign by winning the 3,200-meter run in 9:22.78, which is No. 1 in NJ and US No. 5 this season. Barna won the 3,200 at the Meet of Champions last June in 8:52.00.
Finishing second to Barna was his teammate, Andrew McCabe, who ran a NJ No. 2 9:29.75. McCabe also won the 1,000 in a NJ No. 1 2:34.62.
Junior Xander Roberts of Pleasantville sliced nearly a second off his state leading time in the 600 when he won the three-lap race at the Freedom Games in 1:23.78, which is No. 6 in the U.S. this season. Roberts, who has had a torrid start to his season, also leads the state in the 400 with a 49.81.
Over at the Hispanic Games at the NY Armory, Rutgers-bound Fitzroy Ledgister of St. Peter's Prep improved on his state leading times in both the 55m and 200m by winning those races in 6.37, which is US No. 5 and is tied for No. 7 in state history, and 21.84, which is No. 4 in the US this season.