Nate Rayan continued his blistering season by running one of the fastest times ever in the hurdles, Sianni Wynn burned a pair of NJ No. 1 sprint times, Alanna Woolfolk, Damarion Potts, and Xavier Donaldson shined, and the Union Catholic boys made a big statement in the DMR at 86th Eastern States Championships at the 168th Armory in New York.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood's Rayan, a senior who has been the biggest breakout star in the state this season, smashed the meet record in the 55 with an electrifying performance, stopping the clock at 7.14!!! That's the third fastest auto time in NJ history, and No.14 in U.S. history!!
The only two NJ hurdlers to ever go faster than Rayan are Cory Poole of East Orange (7.07 in 2017) and Sincere Rhea of St. Augustine (7.10 in 2019). In case your wondering, the national high school record is 6.87, set in 2017 by Trey Cunningham of Winfield City High School in Alabama.
Wynn, Pennsauken's dazzling freshman phenom, lowered her NJ No. 1 time in the 55 dash to 7.04 and took over the state lead in the 400 with a 56.10 as she won both races.
Woolfolk, a junior at Clayton, cleared a PR of 5-8 to move into a tie for the No. 1 spit in the state rankings with Samantha Strydesky of Howell. Woolfolk will be aiming for her third Meet of Champions title this Sunday at Ocean Breeze.
Another sprinter who moved to the top of the NJ rankings this season is Elizabeth senior Cynthia Boakye, who ran a NJ No. 1 24.69 to win the 200.
The most impressive boys relay performance of the meet was turned in by Union Catholic, who dropped a 10:11.61, the third fastest time in the country this season, to finish first
Ryan Cichocki led off with a 3:12.76 1,200 leg. Marcus McCoy then ran 51.08 400 carry. Sean Wilson put the Vikings ahead with a 1:58.33 800, and then Jimmy Wischusen put the race away with 4:09.45 anchor carry!
Seton Hall Prep's Donaldson dropped his state-leading time to 21.53 by winning the 200. Seton Hall Prep also pick up a win in the 4x800 with a NJ No. 3 of 7:55.29.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS
Potts of South Brunswick, the Meet of Champions HJ winner last winter, cleared a NJ No. 1 6-7 to finish first, and soared a NJ No. 2 23-0.25.
Lia Malave of Toms River North soared to the top of the state rankings with a PR of 18-0.75 to win the girls long jump.
Jashad Kersey of Eastern matched his state leading mark in the triple jump with a winning jump of 45-11.
The Cherokee girls took over the No. 1 spot in the state in the DMR with a runner-up time of 12:14.47, which is No. 7 in the nation this season. The four runners for the Chiefs were Megan Niglio (3:44.25 for 1200), Madison Van Haren (65.37 for 400), Kelsey Niglio (2:16.80 for 800) and Kerry O'Day (5:07.96 for 1,600).
Christina Allen of River Dell of River Dell captured the girls 800 with a NJ No. 4 time of 2:15.21.
Spencer Anderson of Morristown-Beard ran a NJ No. 4 6.44 to finish first in the boys 55 dash, edging Graham Houghton of Pingry (6.45).
Bryce Tucker of Pennsauken won the boys 400 in a NJ No. 3 48.44.
Deptford won the boys 4x400 in 1:29.80, No. 3 in the state this season.
Paramus ran a NJ No. 2 1:43.83 to win the girls 4x200, and North Hunterdon won the girls 4x400 in a NJ No 8 4:03.00.
Jack Small of Old Tappan won the boys shot put with a massive PR of 56-3.74, which is NJ No. 6. His previous best was 51-10.
State-leader Jessica Oji of Livingston won the girls shot put with a 42-2.25. Oji's PR is 47-2.25.