Boys track and field Top 20, May 1: North Jersey schools rise following Penn Relays

Penn Relays is officially over.

But the new postseason schedule means that teams and athletes have a quick turnaround for championship season, which includes a slate of county relays, county/conference championships, and other invitationals.

We are officially three days into “championship season” and we’ve already seen some teams make their mark with team titles at championship meets.

Our latest rankings factor in recent relay meets, including Penn Relays, and early championship results. Check them out below.

1-Toms River North

Last week’s ranking: No. 1

The Mariners maintain their position at the top of the rankings as they enter May. They delivered an impressive performance at the Penn Relays, standing out among schools from the Garden State by qualifying for the 4×400 Championship of America. The team shattered the Shore Conference record twice, initially in the heats with a time of 3:13.16, and then in the C of A with a remarkable 3:11.95, which ranks seventh in N.J. history. Additionally, TRN set a new 4×100 Shore Conference record with a time of 41.63, securing fourth place in the Northeast Final.

Up next: Ocean County Relay Championships, 5/2

2-Christian Brothers

Last week’s ranking: No. 2

Competing in honor of Alex Kemp, the quartet of Ryan Schmitt, Ethan Fianko, Wyatt Falkowski and Joe Barrett won the DMR Championship of America race at Penn Relays on Friday (9:59.17). The time ranks ninth all-time in state history and resets their own Shore Conference record. CBA also had a terrific team effort at the Holmdel Twlight Series on Tuesday, with Gavin Schmitt (9:09.65), Ryan Collins (9:10.97), Sean Galvin (9:23.74) and Thomas Field (9:24.55) all placing within the Top 15.

Up next: Monmouth County Relay Championships, 5/1

3-St. Peter’s Prep

Last week’s ranking: No. 4

St. Peter’s Prep demonstrated its prowess in the sprints at the Penn Relays, with their team of Neko-Luzzi Liggins, Jevon Ledgister, Darryl Coleman, and Hunter Watson clinching victory in the 4×100 Northeast Final with a time of 41.42 seconds. This time not only surpassed the previous Hudson County record of 41.65 set by the Marauders in 2019 but also became the ninth-best time in state history as well. Additionally, the squad’s 3:19.64 in the 4×400 heats ranks fifth in N.J. this season.

Up next: Puma East Coast International Showcase, 5/3

4-Demarest

Last week’s ranking: No. 3

Demarest sent Liam Paneque and its 4×800 relay to Penn Relays last week. Paneque secured eighth place in the long jump, qualifying for finals but missing out on a medal (21-11). Amadeo Bonde, Ivan Timochko, Luke Davis, Alec Stratton ran 8:02.29 in the 4×800 to finish 43rd overall.

Up next: Big North Championships (Freedom & National), 5/2

5-Winslow

Last week’s ranking: No. 5

Winslow showcased its resilience and determination at the Penn Relays, overcoming the setback of losing star runner Jayden Poteat to injury during the 4×400 heats. The squad bounced back to win in the Philadelphia Area 4×400, clocking an impressive New Jersey No. 2 time of 3:16.12. Additionally, they posted a 41.86 in the 4×100 heats. Their strong performance at the Penn Relays followed a dominant showing at the Woodbury Relays, where they clinched the Division 3 team title.

Up next: NIKE: SJTCA Elite T&F Meet, 5/1

6-North Brunswick

Last week’s ranking: No. 7

North Brunswick made history on Tuesday by winning its first-ever Middlesex County Relays title, scoring 85 points. Beating out teams like Edison (65) and South Brunswick (64), North Brunswick won the 4×400 with a N.J. No. 3 time (3:16.74), along with the triple jump relay, long jump relay and pole vault relay. Isaac Gaston (13-0) and Kyal Vreeland combined to go 1-2 in the pole vault relay, while Quincy Pearson and Zachary Jefferson leaped 47-0 and 44-2 to place first and third in the triple jump, respectively.

Up next: GMC Championships, 5/6-5/7

7-Bergen Catholic

Last week’s ranking: No. 6

Bergen Catholic’s quartet consisting of Nicholas Shortridge, Aiden Talley, Xavier Jackson, and Andrew Jermiah Boayke, finished third in the 4×100 Northeast Final with a time of 41.60. The time surpassed the team’s previous Bergen County record of 41.69, which they set with a win the 2023 Meet of Champions. Additionally, Texas commit Benjamin Shue clinchef a third-place finish in the discus championship, delivering a final throw of 198-11.

Up next: Puma East Coast International Showcase, 5/3

8-Union Catholic

Last week’s ranking: No. 8

Union Catholic competed in three different meets over the last few weeks. At the Trotter’s Track Carnival on Friday, UC got a 1-2 finish in the long jump from Jalele Williams (22-7.5) and Noah Cooper (22-0.5). At Penn Relays a week later Union Catholic competed in the 4×100 (43.35), 4×400 (3:21.61) and 4×800 (7:51.97), while Noah Cooper finished 16th in the triple jump. On Tuesday, the Vikings competed at Holmdel Night of 3200s, with Danny Kuran placing seventh (9:15.73).

Up next: Union County Conference Championships, 5/1-5/2

9-Ridgewood

Last week’s ranking: No. 9

Ridgewood’s performance at the Penn Relays was marked by Luke Pash’s impressive run in the 3,000-meter championship. The North Carolina commit secured third place with a time of 8:17.51, setting a significant personal record and marking a notable improvement from his 9:01.90 finish in 22nd place in 2023. The Maroons are set to compete for the Big North Freedom Division title on Friday.

Up next: Big North Freedom & National Division Championships, 5/2

10-Westfield

Last week’s ranking: No. 10

Competing in the DMR Championship of America race at Penn Relays, Westfield finished eighth with a time of 10:13.62. They also fielded 4×100 (44.19) and 4×400 (3:34.86) relays at Franklin Field.

Up next: Union County Conference Championships, 5/1-5/2

11-Elizabeth

Last week’s ranking: No. 11

Elizabeth had a few athletes deliver solid individual performances at the Penn Relays. Maximus Bonilla secured a 12th-place finish in the 3,000-meter run championship with a time of 8:32.81. Meanwhile, Jayden Cadet achieved 14th-place in the triple jump a mark of 44-9 on his second attempt. The team is set to compete in the Union County Conference Championships on Friday.

Up next: Union County Conference Championships, 5/1-5/2

12-Haddonfield

Last week’s ranking: No. 12

Haddonfield won the DMR in the Division 2 race at Woodbury Relays (10:52.50), and also snagged second in the 4×800. In the DMR Championship of America race at Penn Relays, Haddonfield placed seventh (10:13.01) and was the third-fastest N.J. school in the relay. They also competed in the 4×400 (3:33.89)

Up next: NIKE: SJTCA Elite T&F Meet, 5/1

13-Hasbrouck Heights

Last week’s ranking: No. 16

Hasbrouck Heights solidified its status as one of the top teams in the state this spring after securing its 16th-consecutive NJIC Divisional title. The Aviators showcased their dominance with eight event winners, with five athletes claiming two or more titles. Michael Napolitano stood out by winning three events and breaking his own school record in the 100 with a time of 10.87 seconds.

Up next: Bergen County Championships, 5/9

14-Ridge

Last week’s ranking: No. 18

Ridge claimed its fourth straight Somerset County title on Tuesday in dominant fashion, scoring 102 points in the competition. Senior Brenden McMahon cemented himself as one of the most decorated athletes in county history by winning his fourth straight title in the 1600 (4:16.51), while also claiming second in the 3200 (9:24.82).

Up next: Skyland Conference Championships, 5/6

15-Delsea

Last week’s ranking: No. 14

Delsea delivered strong field performances at the Penn Relays. Henry Cifaloglio tied for 13th place in the pole vault, successfully clearing 14-2.5. Meanwhile, Jonathan Harris secured eighth place in the shot put with a throw of 60-6.5 on his fifth attempt. Delsea is set to host the Nike SJTCA Elite Meet on Thursday and the SJTCA Open on Saturday.

Up next: NIKE: SJTCA Elite T&F Meet, 5/1

16-Camden

Last week’s ranking: No. 15

Camden finished second to Woodstown in the Division I team standings at the Woodbury Relays. They pulled off an impressive trio of wins, capturing the 4×100 (42.68), 4×110 hurdles (1:02.77), 4×200 (1:29.02).

Up next: NIKE: SJTCA Elite T&F Meet, 5/1

17-Colts Neck

Last week’s ranking: No. 13

Colts Neck’s DMR quartet, consisting of John Shapiro, Joe Louro, Kyle Schandall, and Jay Adimala, competed in the DMR Championship at the Penn Relays, securing a 13th-place finish with a time of 10:21.59. Adimala delivered an impressive performance on the 1,600-meter leg, clocking in at 4:15.28. In the week prior to Penn, Colts Neck hosted the Colts Neck Spring Invitational, where Adimala triumphed in the 800 with a time of 1:55.08.

Up next: Monmouth County Relay Championships, 5/1

18-South Brunswick

Last week’s ranking: No. 17

South Brunswick ran one of the fastest 4×400 relays statewide at Penn Relays, as the quartet of Jason Keiser, Anshul Jha, Jaylen Brundidge, Bryant Williams finished in 3:21.07. They managed to go even faster at the Middlesex County Relays (3:18.98) in a second-place effort. At that meet, they finished third overall with 64 points. The Vikings claimed wins in the 4×800 (8:11.50), 4×1600 (18:28.19) and 4×400 (54.47)

Up next: GMC Championships, 5/6-5/7

19-Delbarton

Last week’s ranking: No. 19

Peter Donini led Delbarton’s performance at the Penn Relays, earning Top American honors in the shot put. The Michigan commit achieved a throw of 63-11.5 on his fifth attempt, securing fourth place in the event. Delbarton is set to compete for a county relay title at the upcoming Morris County Relay Championships this weekend.

Up next: Morris County Relay Championships, 5/1

20-Cherokee

Last week’s ranking: No. 20

Cherokee sent both its 4×100 and 4×400 relays to Penn Relays. In the 4×400, the quartet of Mateo Rosario, Colin Feehan, Dom Pileri, Tate Midora finished in 3:36.92.

Up next: NIKE: SJTCA Elite T&F Meet

Bakari Tice and Corey Annan can be reached at btice@njadvancemedia.com and cannan@njadvancemedia.com.

Follow them or send them a message on X at @BakariTice and @coreyannan360.

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