NJTF Update: Shue's Strong Opener, Swindell Sets Pace Early

This series will aim to release each week gathering the top news and headlines around New Jersey high school track and field. Headlines and notes in this article cover through April 3rd, 2024.

• Week 1 Results & Coverage
• Boys State Leaderboard
• Girls State Leaderboard
• Recent: Results | Videos | Photos

Shue Opens Strong at Penn Qualifier

Benjamin Shue, the Bergen Catholic star junior, had the strongest opener of his high school career on Monday during the Penn Relays Qualifier throws meet hosted by Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ. 

He started off with a US No. 16 mark of 61-6.25 in the shot put and followed that up doubling back for a US No. 4 discus throw of 195-3. The shot put victory was also head to head with the defending Meet of Champions winner Joshua Huisman of St. Rose, Huisman was second with a US No. 25 mark of 60-1.

Shue showed plenty of consistency across both series. The discus 194-7 / 194-5 / 191-1 / 195-3 and shot put 60-8.5 / 61-6.25 / 61-6 / 60-10.75.

While some other states have been competing outdoors for weeks now this is an impressive early start for New Jersey which officially opened season on April 1st.

Shue is coming off a wresting season and while he didn't compete in the throws during the majority of indoors he did cap off winter with a third place 62-8.75 All-American performance at Nike Indoor Nationals in March. You know, just to break off any rust.

He will be traveling to California this weekend to compete against an elite field at the Arcadia Invitational.

• Recap Article: Benjamin Shue Opens US No. 4, CBA Penn Qualifier Recap
• Meet Coverage: Results | Videos & Interviews | Photos

Swindell Sets Pace Early With Outdoor Performances in Florida

Sofia Swindell, the star junior out of the Lawrenceville School didn't let the end of indoor season stop her, she continued her impressive run of performances straight to outdoors! On March 16th in Florida Swindell clocked a 23.85 (+1.4) to win the 200m at the Spring Break Invitational at IMG!

Amongst wind legal performances that is US No. 15 for the 200m so far this outdoor season. Swindell also took home the 100m hurdles win with a 14.26 and was third in the triple jump with a mark of 36-5.75.

She's coming off an indoor season that saw her break the state record in the 200m finishing fourth with a 23.97 at New Balance Nationals Indoor.

It was a wild end to indoor season for the event. On March 3rd during the Meet of Champions Sianni Wynn of Pennsauken tied the all-time 200m mark by Sydney McLaughlin at 24.00. Then on March 7th during New Balance Nationals Indoor Sofia Swindell and Rhia Randolph, a freshmen out of Union Catholic, both cut under that time with a 23.97 and 23.99 respectively. 

In 1984 Wendy Vereen of Trenton Central did run a 23.87 in the 220y dash and holds the record for that event.

• Related: Feature Article by Jim Lambert

NJSIAA Dates & Locations Locked In

The final piece of the puzzle was secured with Livingston hosting the North 1 Groups 1 and 4 Sectionals. There will also be a third location this year for Group Championships with Stockton University hosting the Non-Public A & B state championships.

• Related: NJSIAA Dates to Remember, Meet Locations Outdoor 2024
• Rankings: NJSIAA Returners by Group and Section

New Jersey Indoor Track and Field All-State Released

NJ MileSplit released closing honors for indoor track and field at the end of March, congratulations to all the athletes mentioned including three teams and a freshmen selection for every event.

Yashahya Brown and Joshua Huisman were the track and field athletes of the year for the boys. Taylor Cox and Alanna Woolfolk were the track and field athletes of the year for the girls.

• Related: MileSplit New Jersey All-State Indoor T&F

Recent Articles

Recent Video Albums

Recent Photo Albums

Boys State Leaderboard

Girls State Leaderboard