Christian Brothers Academy and the Union Catholic girls continued their dominance, Noah Cooper smashed a state freshman record, and several sparkling performances were turned in at Saturday's New Jersey Catholic Track Conference Wayne Letwink Memorial Championships at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island.
It's nothing new to see CBA and UC on top of the team standings. Both teams are undefeated this season having each swept their county relay and individual titles, and they both captured the State Non-Public A Relay Championships.
This time, CBA outscored runner-up Seton Hall Prep, 96.33-73, for the boys title, and the UC girls defeated runner-up Immaculate Heart Academy, 151-51.75.
CBA received victories from junior Nick Sullivan in the 1,600 in 4:24.05, its 4x800 squad (8:55.80), Kam Coleman in the triple jump (41-5.75), Ben Skrincosky in the pole vault (12-0), and from Robert Manse in the shot (55-3). CBA also picked up a 2-3 finish in the 3,200 from junior Kevin Allen (10:05.38) and sophomore Brady Barber (10:05.77), and a third from Coleman in the 55 hurdles (7.86).
In the girls team competition, junior Alexandra Bonn was a double winner to help lead the charge for Union Catholic. Bonn retook the state lead in the triple jump with a winning mark of 36-4.50, and she won the long jump (16-9.75), and was fourth in the hurdles.
UC also picked up first-place finishes from Jada Mia Puryear in the shot put (39-6.50), Ajanae Thompson in the 55 hurdles in 8.48 (8.37 in the trials), the 4x400 squad (4:08.24), and from Maameyaa Nyinah, who led a 1-2-3 finish for the Vikings in the 600. Freshman Taylor Cox also had a big day for UC, placing second in both the 55 dash and the 300, and Simone Motley had a PR of 36-0 to place second in the shot put.
AIR COOPER
When UC's Cooper soared 21-3.50 to win the boys long jump, he smashed the state freshman record of 21-2.50 set in 2011 by Karl Bostick of Bergen Catholic. Cooper is now ranked No. 7 in the nation among freshman in the LJ.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS
Mike Mazero of Paul VI captured the boys 300 in 34.39, which is No. 14 in state history and No. 14 in the nation this season.
Rutgers-bound Fitzroy Ledgister of St. Peter's Prep won the boys 55 dash in 6.46. Ledgister is the state leader with a 6.37.