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The sprint crews at Union Catholic, Winslow, and Timber Creek produced historic performances to highlight a sizzling show by New Jersey's top girls relay squads at Sunday's 116th running of the Millrose Games at the New York Armory.
Winslow and Timber Creek clashed in an epic 4x400 in the Suburban Division race with Winslow coming out on top by an eyelash, 3:49.50 to 3:49.59. This marks the first time in state indoor history that two teams cracked 3:50 in the same 4x400 race!!
Olivia Okaro (58.86), Cinniya Robinson (56.11), Djassi Dean (58.29), and Dominique Clement (56.25) shared the baton for Winslow, who moved into No. 11 history with their 3:49.50.
Timber Creek, now no. 12 in state history with their 3:49.59, countered with Chloe Jones (57.91), Billie Frazier (58.90), Ryan Jennings (56.47), and Naylah Jones (56.33).
Union Catholic, third in 3:53.31 in the 4x400, lit up the track in the 4x200, stopping the clock at 1:38.03, which smashed the state record of 1:38.60 that UC set when the Vikings placed fourth at the New Balance Nationals last March in Boston
UC's record-breaking sprinters were freshman Rhia Randolph (24.68), junior Taylor Aska (24.00), freshman Sydney Chadwick (24.61) and junior Taylor Cox (24.75).
That big leadoff leg put the finishing touches on a remarkable double by Randolph.
Earlier in the 300m, Randolph finished 6th in 38.59 and Sianni Wynn of Pennsauken was 7th in 38.66!!! Those are the No. 3 and No. 4 times in state history, and make Randolph and Wynn the two fastest non-Olympic gold medalists in NJ high school history. Only Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of Union Catholic (36.82 in 2017) and Athing Mu of Trenton (37.36 in 2020) have run faster.
The Union Catholic girls also took over the state lead in the 4x800 by placing third in 8:59.98. Delaware's Padua (meet record and US No. 1 8:49.86) and Tatnall (8:56.83) finished 1-2.
UC's splits were 2:15.70 for freshman Sophia Thompson, 2:11.37 for sophomore Jimmiea King, 2:20.55 for senior Courtney Kaiser, and 2:12.37 for freshman Paige Sheppard.
In the girls triple jump, Sophia Curtis of Ocean City placed fourth with a 39-8.
DWYER, MARCHAN LEAD NJ BOYS
Ajani Dwyer of Washington Township, the state record in the 55 dash at 6.18, was second in the boys 60 in a US No. 2 6.76 and Malachi James of Burlington City was third in a US No. 4 6.78. Jelani Watkins of Klein Forest High in Houston won the race with a PR and US No.. 6.68.
Jaden Marchan of Leonia, who came into the meet as the national leader in the 600, placed second in 1:17.96, just behind Quincy Wilson of Bulllis (Md.), who took over the national lead with a national sophomore record 1:17.36. Marchan had edged Wilson in their last meeting, 1:17.66 to 1:17.81 in December on the same track
Winslow was second in the boys Suburban Division 4x400 in 3:20.43 and West Orange placed third in 3:23.20. Toms River North ran 3:18.91 to cross the line second, but was disqualified.
Junior Liam Paneque of Demarest finished fourth in the triple jump with 46-6-25.
Livingston ran 1:29.36 to place fifth in the 4x200.
Ridge finished fifth in the 4x800 in 7:59.87, tied for NJ No. 3 this season.
Luke Schagelin of Morris Knolls was NJ's top finisher in the boys mile, placing 9th in 4:15.25. Alex Pelov of Montville was 10th in 4:16.42, and Jimmy Wischusen of Union Catholic, running his first race in two months, finished 11th in 4:17.85.