South Groups 1 & 4 Sectionals Highlights

NJ State Meet Coverage
Jim Lambert


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SOUTH GROUP 1


BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Glassboro, sparked by a 24-point explosion in the shot put, outscored Peyton Shute-led Woodbury, 67-56, to capture its second title.

Glassboro's first title came in 2009, which was just the second year that the sectional championships were held.

In the shot, Glassboro went 1-2-4 with senior Carter Kensil winning a throw of 47-5.25. Junior Damere Lassiter took second with a 46-5.25, and senior Malachi Willis was fourth with a throw of 41-8.

Glassboro also picked up victories from junior Desmond Vasell in the 55 hurdles in 8.10, and the Bulldogs also earned gold in the 4x400.

Also for Glassboro, junior Elijah Whitaker finished second in the 3,200 in 9:52.60, junior Cartell Moore was fifth in the 400, sixth in the high jump, and he ran on the 4x400, and junior Brysheen Ferguson was third in the 55 dash in 6.69.

Shute, a junior, was the big scorer for Woodbury, scoring 30 points by winning the 800 in 2:01.29, 1600 in 4:24.87, and the 3200 in 9:41.27.

South Group 1 Champions


Courtesy of Clayton HS T&F

GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

For the last couple years, Clayton has ruled the state Group 1 competition outdoors, but hadn't had the same success indoors.

But sparked by a great performance from juniors Alanna Woolfolk and Maylisa Bluford, Clayton has risen to the top for the first time ever at the indoor sectional championships, defeating Burlington City, 77-42, for its first title.  Clayton has won the last two state outdoor Group 1 titles  

Woolfolk, who has won the high jump at the last two indoor Meet of Champions, cleared 5-5 to win the HJ, placed second in the 400 in 1:02.24, and ran on the winning 4x400 relay.

Other big contributors for Clayton included Bluford, who won the shot put (35-0.50), sophomore Miyana Johnson, second in the 55 dash in 7.65 and fifth in the high jump, senior Rayael Marshall, second in the hurdles in 8.97, and junior Josephine Connolly, third in the shot put (31-1.50).   

Burlington City senior Ny'era Hand-Brooks was a triple winner, capturing gold medals in the 55 hurdles in 8.65, the 400 in 1:01.89, and with a 1:01.89, and the 55 dash in 7.43.

Meghan Lex of  Haddon Township won the 1,600 and 3,200.

South Group 1 Champions


SOUTH GROUP 4


Courtesy of Southern Regional T&F

BOYS HIGHLIGHTS

Rajhan Dixon won a pair of golds, Fabian Gonzalez captured the shot put, and Southern's distance crew had a big day to power the Rams to its first title, and Yashahya Brown of Washington took down the meet record in the hurdles with a NJ No. 2 time.

Brown, a junior, burned up the track when he won the 55 hurdles in 7.36!!! That's the fastest time in all the sectionals combined and is the second fastest time in the state behind the 7.30 run by Nate Rayan of Scotch Plains-Fanwood at the Varsity Classic at the NY Armory.

In the team competition, Dixon, senior, won the 55 dash in 6.46 and 400 in 50.84 to help the Rams outscore Ocean County rival Toms River North, 61.5-38. Gonzalez, one of the state's best throwers, won the shot put with a throw of 52-4.25.

Southern's distance trip of seniors Andrew Bowker, Fabian Ramales Perez, and junior Santino D'Amelio combined for 30 points.

Bowker was second in the 1,600 (4:28.88) and second in the 3,200 (9:39.67). Ramales Perez was third in the 1,600 in 4:29.39, and junior Santino D'Amelio took fifth in 4:29.75 and third in the 3,200 (9:40.04).

Southern senior Johnathan Holden also scored key points by finishing third in the 55 hurdles in 7.73,

South Group 4 Champions

Courtesy of Eastern Regional T&F

GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

Kadence Dumas turned in an epic performance to ignite Eastern to thrilling 66-64 victory over Toms River North, 66-64, for its first title ever, and Ciara Demarest of Williamstown unloaded a big throw to highlight the action.

Dumas, a senior, was simply sensational as she her hand in more than half of the points for the Vikings.

Talk about range!! Dumas won the 400 in 57.62 and the 800 the 2:17.30, which are both the fastest times of all the sectional meets combined, ran on the winning 4x400, which ran a combined sectional best of 4:01.05 to clinch the team title, and she was second in the 1,600 in 5:12.76.

Senior Johnay Stilley won the 55 hurdles for Eastern in 8.40, and was fourth in the 55 dash in 7.52 (7.51 trials), and rising freshman star Natalie Dumas, Kadence's sister, was third in the 400 in 59.92, and ran on the first-place 4x400.

Demarest, a state champion in the discus last spring, unloaded the shot put 42-4.75 to finish first. That's was the second best throw of all the sectionals combined.

With the State Group 4 Championships this Saturday, Demarest, ranked No. 2 in the state with a 42-11.25, will clash with sophomore Jessica Oji of Livingston, who bombed a state leading 43-5.50 to win the NJ. Sec. 1 Group 1 championship.

South Group 4 Champions