h
The Dayton and East Brunswick boys won for the first time, the Metuchen and Hunterdon Central girls captured their third titles, and Chris Serrao and Brian O'Sullivan shattered records at Saturday's NJSIAA Central Jersey Groups 1-4 Championships at the Bennett Center in Toms River.
Serrao, who is headed to Rutgers, had an electrifying double for the East Brunswick boys, who defeated runner-up Hunterdon Central, 52.50-31.
Serrao, who won the 110 hurdles at the Meet of Champions last spring, burned up the track by winning the 55m hurdles in a NJ No. 1 7.29, which smashed the overall meet record (all Sections and Groups combined), is No. 6 on the state's all-time list, is the fastest time in the nation this season, and is a new Middlesex County record. Serrao also won the 55 dash in 6.46, the third fastest time in the state this season.
The 7.29 in the hurdles by Serrao broke the meet record of 7.32 was set in 2020 by Terrel Williams of Columbia, and took down the Middlesex County record of 7.36, which was set when Christian Boateng of Old Bridge won the Meet of Champions title in 2011.
East Brunswick also picked up 18 points from Jayden Phillip, who placed second in the 55 dash in 6.56, and second in the 400 in 51.09.
AIR O'SULLIVAN
Junior Brian O'Sullivan of Hillsborough was the biggest star in the field events, clearing 16-0.25 to win the Group 4 pole vault, which is No. 6 in state history, and tied the meet record that Bradley Jelmert of Watchung Hills set in 2020. O'Sullivan is now tied for No. 16 in the nation this season
RED DEVILS WIN A THRILLER
Kyla Massenburg, Dale Leonard, and Noreen Hussain sparked Hunterdon Central to a dramatic 49-47 victory over Middletown South for the girls Group 4 championship. It's the second straight title for the Red Devils, also won in 2014.
Massenburg, a sophomore, won the 55 dash in 7.35. Leonard captured the 800 in 2:16.76, and Hussain won the 55 hurdles in 8.73, and cleared 9-0 to place second in the pole vault.
Hunterdon Central also picked up key points from Olivia Shalley, who finished fifth in the pole vault and high jump, and the 4x400 squad, who clinched the team title with a clutch third-place finish.
DAYTON SOARS TO FIRST TITLE
Colin Riley pulled off the distance double in Group 1 to spark a well-balanced Dayton squad to its first ever sectional indoor title, 75-59 over New Providence for the boys Group 1 title.
Riley, a junior, led a 1-2-5 finish for Dayton on the 1,600 with a winning time of 4:28.84, and he captured the 3,200 in 9:32.16. James Garcia also had a huge day for Dayton in the distances, placing second in the 1,600 and third in the 800.
Dayton also received a runner-up finish from Jonah Malino in the shot put, a runner-up finish from its 4x400 squad, and a second-place finish from David Rocha in the pole vault.
SCHLEIF LEADS METUCHEN GIRLS
Caroline Schleif racked up 28 individual points and added a leg on the wining 4x400 relay to lead the Metuchen girls to an 87-61 victory over Shore Regional. Metuchen also won sectional titles in 2014 and 2017.
Schleif, a senior, won the 1,600 and the 3,200, and finished second in the 800.
Metuchen received several other key contributions, including a strong performance from Nelagh Matthews.
Matthews, a junior, won the 55 dash in 7.60 (7.59 in the trials), and also placed third in the 55 hurdles (9.53).