Locals Strong in Indoor Track MOC

South Jersey Athletes Have Strong Showing in MOC Indoor Track

It doesn't get as much publicity as the outdoor track championships, but South Jersey produced some truly impressive performances during the recently completed indoor track season. Six South Jersey athletes, three boys and three girls, won championships in the Meet of Champions, consisting of the top finishers in the state championship meets. Several others finished among the top six.

Haddon Township senior Luke Petela was a dominant figure in the fall, winning the Meet of Champions Cross Country title. He continued his impressive year in the winter by earning the 1,600 meter title, winning in a time of 4:14.71. Delsea senior Justin Branco was fifth.

South Jersey runners placed first and second in the 55 meters, with St. Joseph’s Hammonton senior Caleb Williams winning in 6.48 seconds and Highland senior Chais Hill placing second (6.56) Rancocas Valley senior Sterling Pierce captured the 200 meters in a time of 22.20 seconds. Vineland’s Jeremiah Atoki, a Temple football recruit, placed fourth (22.70).

South Jersey schools dominated the high jump by earning the top four spots. Pleasantville senior Tyriq Adams was the winner in 6-8. Delsea senior Ameer Banks was second, also in 6-8. Williamstown senior Devin Bradham was third (6-6) while Lenape’s Jake Liebling was fourth (6-4).

In the 400 meters, Penns Grove’s Norman Morris finished fifth in a time of 50.20, followed by sixth place Alvin Abraham of Egg Harbor Township (50.38).

Winslow Township senior Edwin Alston was fourth in the 55 hurdles (7.63).

In the 800 meters, Rancocas Valley junior Isaiah Curbelo placed second in a time of 1:55.54. Deptford placed fourth and Willingboro was sixth in the 1,600 meter relay. Deptford’s quartet of Walter Victor, Anthony Hernandez, Shaquille Dixon and Eric Hill finished in 3:25.52. Willingboro’s Yunisa Bakarr, David Miller, Kenny Brosier and Tyler Davidson finished in 3:27.33.

In girls action, Ocean City senior Epiphany Grisbaum, a Vanderbilt recruit, won the 3,200 meters in a time of 10:45.20. Grisbaum was the cross country Meet of Champions winner in the fall.

Deptford junior Kiara Lester won the 200 meters in a time of 25.18 seconds.

Winslow Township senior Gabrielle Bennett won the high jump at 5-8.

Kingsway senior Thaila Cooper was sixth in the 400 meters in a time of 58.23 seconds.

Lenape captured two of the top six spots in the 1,600. Sophomore Megan Quimby was second (5:00.12) while senior Camille Franklin was sixth (5:05.08).

Winslow Township senior Gabrielle Bennett was second in the 55 hurdles (8.18). Four South Jersey athletes placed second through fifth in the 55 meters. Delsea sophomore Cecilia Gertstenbacher was second (7.24), followed by Deptford’s Kiara Lester (7.27), Williamstown sophomore Bria Mack (7.32) and Timber Creek senior Jaijah Davis-Hines (7.34).

In the 800 meters, Haddonfield sophomore Briana Gess was fourth (2:15.05) while Lenape senior Carly Pettipaw was sixth (2:16.41).

Burlington Township senior Ronetta Hunter was fourth in the shot put (42-10.75).

Lenape and Winslow Township finished third and fourth respectively in the 1,600 meter relay. Lenape’s Carly Pettipaw, Jasmine Staten, Shannon Storms and Marissa Topolski had a time of 3:58.70. Winslow Township’s unit of Vashti Williams, Flora Ahirakwe, Tziarra King and Brittany Preston had a time of 4:01.51.

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Author: Marc Narducci