WWP North claims the title behind Lee’s big distance double. Other highlights include a speedy sprint triple from Nottingham’s Crusoe Gaye, three field event golds for Hopewell Valley’s Obidike, and lots of big breakthroughs.
Allison Lee (WWP North) shatters the outdoor 3200m state record with a stunning 9:46.78, a wave of distance runners rewrite the county leaderboards, and Corey Woodson (Lawrenceville) and Yi-Tian Xiong (Princeton) trade big PRs in the 110mH.
Stella Blanchard (Wilberforce) and Tyler Hurst (Steinert) get big 1600m wins, Corey Woodson (L’ville) and Yi-Tian Xiong (Princeton) run two of the top 110mH times of the year, and countless others set big PRs on a busy weekend.
NJ.com’s reporters Bakari Tice (for boys) and Corey Annan (for girls) shine a light on 8-9 talented runners in each group who have been flying under the radar this season.
The Group 2 boys include John O’Leary (Allentown, Sr.). “O’Leary has built an impressive résumé this season with a string of strong performances across major events.”
The Group 2 girls include Addison Frascella (Allentown, Fr.), along with a nice photo of her at the Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational. “With Allentown graduating its No. 1 runner from last year, having a freshman like Frascella step into that role so quickly has helped keep Allentown competitive.”
The Group 3 girls include Anna Wilson (Hopewell Valley, Jr.). “When Hopewell Valley is healthy, this is one of the better teams in the state. Wilson is a big part of their lineup and showed it on Thursday.”
The Non-Public A/B girls include Kayla Peckens (Princeton Day, Fr.). “Princeton Day should be excited about their future with Peckens leading the lineup.”
NJ.com selects Princeton Day as the favorite to win the boys Non-Public B group championship this season, given their “strong returning core and a proven postseason pedigree.” Grayson McLaughlin leads the charge for the defending champions, along with Edward Letko, Alexander Chia, Luke Nolte, and Michael Zhou. (Track Mercer note: Letko will not be returning for Princeton Day this season.)
Wilberforce is one of two teams “Making Their Move” behind Princeton Day. They are led by Elias Edwards, Micah Brox, Cade Wilson, and Henry Jepson.
NJ.com selected sophomore Eowyn Deess as Princeton’s MVP. She beat her previous Holmdel PR by over a minute and gave Princeton three runners in the Top 20. As the Princeton Day boys’ MVP, NJ.com selected Grayson McLaughlin, who has led Princeton Day all season and continued to do so in the biggest race of the year. He bested his previous Holmdel PR by over 30 seconds.
NJ.com picks Princeton Day to win the Non-Public B boys championship over main contenders Moorestown Friends, Rutgers Prep, St. Rose, Wilberforce. The Grayson McLaughlin and Edward Letko are two of five “Runners to Watch,” and Alexander Chia and Michael Zhou can place in the Top 15.
WWP South’s Kinsler and Ewing’s Jones deliver big sprint duels, WWP North sweeps the distance events, and Notre Dame’s Crawford leads the Irish to the team title.