BOYS HIGHLIGHTS
The boys' competition featured a record-smashing performance by Essien Plummer of Neptune in the hurdles, who dropped the biggest bomb of the night!!!
Plummer, a junior, burned a 7.19!!! That's the fastest rime ever run by a junior in NJ history, moved him into a tie for the No. 5 spot on NJ's all-time list, smashed the Shore Conference record, and is the third fastest time in the country this season.
Plummer, whose previous PR was the 7.32 he ran at the Ocean Breeze Holiday Festival in December, broke the NJ Junior Class record of 7.22 that Yashayha Brown of Washington Township ran to finish first at the 2023 Meet of Champions, and it shattered the Shore Conference record of 7.30 that Joe Kurak of Manchester ran when he finished second at the 2024 Meet of Champions.
Senior Daniel Tobia of Hillsborough blasted a 6.32, which is tied for No 11 in state history and is No. 2 in Somerset County history, to win the 55 dash. Tobia's 6.32 is No. 2 in the state this season behind the 6.31 run by sophomore Jevon Ledgister of St. Peter's Prep, who captured the boys 200 on Tuesady in 21.43. Bergen Catholic took the next four spots in the 200 with sophomore Adrain Woodward (21.56), his twin Amiir Woodward (21.78), senior Jan Siek (21.91) and senior Kieran Ewers (22.16).
Liaram Nyanke of St. Benedict took the 400 title in 48.17, Liam Angley of St. Peter's crossed the line first in the 800 in 1:54.64, and Eshaan Maggon of Bergen County Tech won the mile in 4:18.92.
In the relays, Seven Garcia dropped a 1:52.8 anchor to bring Hackensack acros first in the 4x800 in a NJ No. 2 7:52.68, Hunterdon Central captured the 4x400 in 3:24.36, and Deptford ripped a NJ No. 4 time of 1:29.55 to fiish first.
There were several great marks in the field events, highlighted by a pair of state season-leading jumps.
High Jump: Braeden Delbrune of Linden cleared 6-6 to win the high jump.
Pole Vault: Senior Mason Henry of Deptford extended his state lead with his winning jump of 15-6. His previous PR was 15-2.
Long Jump: Moses Robles of Glassboro won with a PR of 23-4 , No. 3 in NJ this season.
Triple Jump: Junior Brendan Alef of Demarest reset his NJ No. 1 mark by soaring 48-0. His previous best was 47-7.50.
Shot Put: State Leader Evan Yuzon, a junior at Glen Rock, dominated with a throw of 59-03.25, just off his NJ No. 1 mark of 51-11.50.
GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS
The girls' left a lot of smoke on the track, especially in sprints and hurdles.
In the 55 hurdles, junior Brianna Growalt of Atlantic County Tech surged to victory in 7.93, a monster PR and the second fastest time in NJ this winter and No. 2 all-time in Atlantic County history. The only hurdler from Atlantic County to ever run faster than Growalt is the legendary Nia Ali of Pleasantville, who ran 7.89 to place first at the 2006 Eastern States Championships.
Junior Rhia Randolph of West Orange powered through a strong opening lap and maintained her form down the stretch to win in 55.29.
Senior Alexandra Klein of Shore Regional broke five minutes in the mile, crossing first in 4:58.97.
Senior Joelle Ruccio of Union Catholic dominated the 2-mile, stopping the clock with a PR of 11:19.76.
The field events featured several outstanding performances.
Angelina Brown of Rancocas Valley soared to victory in the long jump with a leap of 18-10, a Big PR and the second best jump in the state this season.
Sophomore Daphne Georgiades of Ridge captured the triple jump with a mark of 37-04.75.
State pole vault leader Jenna Monaco of Dumont won the vault by clerinf 12-0. The senior leads the state with a 13-0.50, which is tied for NJ No. 3 all-time. The state record is 13-5 set by Danielle O'Reilly of Shawnee at the 2004 Varsity Classic at the Armory.
Ramapo scored a pair of big wins in the 4x800 in 9:27.84 and senior Grace Gilbert unloaded a PR of 42-11 to win the shot put.
In the 4x400 relay, Westwood ran 4:08.26 to finish first.
Voorhees ran 12:09.11 to capture the DMR.
