NJ Boys Advance Three 4x800m Teams To Penn Relays COA

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - New Jersey made its presence felt in a big way in the 4x800-meter relay heats when three teams charged into the Championship of America race to kick off action on Friday at the 128th Penn Relays at Franklin Field. 

Cherokee, Toms River North and West Orange grabbed three of the 12 spots in Saturday's Championship of America final, which is scheduled for 4:10pm.

All three teams ran in the same qualifying heat with Cherokee running 7:51.14, the fourth fastest time of the day, Toms River North went 7:52.51, the sixth fastest time, and West Orange clocked a 7:54.27, the ninth fastest time. Jamaica College ran the top qualifying time with a 7:45.38. 

This is the first time since 2012 that Cherokee has advanced to the 4x800 C of A and Cherokee was third in the the DMR C of A in 2001. Toms River North qualified for the second straight year and West Orange, who just missed its school record of 7:54.12, will be making its first appearance ever in a C of A race.       

Cherokee's lineup consisted of  Nick Kuenkel (1:56.93), Benjamin Realley (1:58.83), Logan Bromley (1:58.83), and Bobby Poplau (1:56.55)

Toms River North used  Camryn Thomas (1:57.85), Mordecai Ford (1:58.54), Tahj Wilson (1:59.96), and Taysaun Wilson (1:56.17). Thomas and Taysaun Wilson ran on the TRN squad here last year, while Ford and Tahj Wilson, who broke 2L00 for the first time today, are new to the lineup this season. 

West Orange featured Andres Acosta (1:56.82), Lyfe Smith (1:58.23), Ciaran Brosnan (1:59.99), and Cooper Harwood (1:59.25). Brosnan's brother, Shane, anchored the winning DMR for Union Catholic here in 2022.

Combined Heats Ranked List

Top 12 advance to the Championship of America race.

There were 15 teams from New Jersey among the 71 squads who competed.