Meet of Champions: Top Storylines To Follow

Here we go!

Let's dive into some of the top storylines to follow.  

Sianni Wynn of Pennsauken, one of the greatest sprinters in NJ history, is known for always performing at her best on the biggest stage. 

So you know that sparks will be flying when she blasts out of the blocks in the 100 and 200 and anchors the 4x100 in her final M of C.  You also know that Wynn will be looking to put on a show in her final race ever on her home track as she continues to chase even more history.

The electrifying Wynn already owns the state record for most M of C titles in a career with 13 titles (8 indoors and 5 outdoors), and she's never lost a race at the M of C. If Wynn sweeps the 100 and 200, she would finish her career with the second most outdoor M of C titles in state history. Jodie Bilotta of North Hunterdon owns the record with 8

Wynn has also won 3 national titles (1 outdoors and 2 indoors) and owns 3 state indoor records (55, 60, 200), but going into this season, the University of Florida-bound Wynn said she felt she needed to break at least one outdoor state record to be completely satisfied with her career.

Wynn has had the state records in the 100 and 200 in her crosshairs the last two years, coming close to breaking both. The targets for Wynn are 11.17 (Wendy Vereen of Trenton in 1983) and 22.96 (Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of Union Catholic in 2017). Wynn's PR's are 11.25 (wind-aided at the Meet of Champions last year) and 23.05 at the Camden County Championships last month.       

There's also a good chance that Wynn can anchor Pennsauken to a new state record in the 4x100. Pennsauken already broke the NJ record once this season when they ran 45.30 at the Penn Relays, but they have said all along that they can drop that even lower.

Could you imagine if Wynn broke the NJ records in the 100 and 200 and anchored NJ's fastest 4x100 of all-time!!!!

That would be iconic!!!!!

Can she do it??

If anyone can, Wynn can!!!

You just can't put a limit on what greatness can do!!! 

QUEEN OF THE CIRCLE

Make sure you don't miss the Hannah Nuhfer throwing show.

The all-time great from Delsea is favored to pull off the circle sweep!! 

Nuhfer is in a league of her own in the discus.

The Penn State-bound star smashed the NJ record in the discus at the South Jersey, Group 3 meet with a 184-5, won the New Balance National title in the discus last June, and is the defending champ in the event. 

Nuhfer will most likely blow apart the meet record of 171-7 set in 2024 by Layla Giordano of Old Tappan!

Can she make a run at 190??

I'd never bet her!

In the shot put, Nuhfer owns the top PR in the state with the 47-9 she unloaded this past indoor season.  But she will have to be at her best to get the win because senior Nesta Oji of Livingston comes into this with a PR of 47-1, the No. 1 throw in the state this season. Nesta is looking to continue her family's winning streak. Her sister Jessica, how a freshman at UPenn, won the shot put the last 2 years.

AIR EGYPT

DISTANCE DUO COULD MAKE HISTORY

CBA teammates Luke Hnatt and Gavin Schmitt, the state's top distance duo, could each win a title and make history.

Hnatt, a senior, is seeking the distance triple crown (a Meet of Champs title in all 3 seasons), won the XC M of C and the 3,200 Indoor. He's qualified for the 1,600 and 3,200, but the 3,200 is his bread and butter, so you know he will be running that.

Schmitt has an interesting choice between the 1,600 and 3,200, but after the way he closed out his victory in the 1600 at the State Non-Public A Championships on Saturday when he ran a 4:13.19, the 1,600 might be the way to go for him.

If Hnatt and Schmitt each win, they would become the first set of teammates to ever sweep the 1,600 and 3,200!!!! While there have been double winners before in the 1,600/3200 (Jim Nielsen of Bernards in 1984 and Craig Forys of Colts Neck in 2007), there has never been two guys from one team who swept the 1,600/3200 in the same year.

Interestingly, Hnatt is the state leader in the 1,600 (4:12.34), and Schmitt is the state leader in the 3,200 (8:47.96), but they may not run those races.

If Schmitt runs the 1,600, Hnatt would be the clear favorite in the 3,200 with the 8:48.91 he ran at Arcadia.

Schmitt, a junior, is NJ No. 3 in the 4:13.19. Marcus Valenzuala of Chatham, the Group 3 1,600 champ, has run 4:13.16.

There are ??? other sub 4:16 guys in this race, including

BIG SHOTS

There are 5 guys who have surpassed 60 feet in the shot put who will square off.

Junior Evan Yuzon of Glen Rock,  the indoor M of C winner, is the state leader at 64-2. Senior Anthony Agnolli of Montville is right behind him at 63-10.50. Then there's senior Ayden Winters of Ocean Township (61-1.25), senior Vin Pundzius of St. Joseph (Mont.) is at 60-5, and Jaxon Ellis of Brick Memorial checks in with a 60-4.50.  

Agnoli has the best chance to pull off the throwing double. He ranked No. 2 in the state in the discus with a 181-5, just behind Joelle Urdanivia of Bloomfield, who has hit 182-0.