Fri. S.J. track: Penns Grove's Dowe sets mark
Penns Grove's Faleesha Dowe flew through the 400-meter dash in 54.75 seconds to win the Group 1 girls' title and set a meet record Friday at the state track and field championships at South Plainfield.
Penns Grove's Faleesha Dowe flew through the 400-meter dash in 54.75 seconds to win the Group 1 girls' title and set a meet record Friday at the state track and field championships at South Plainfield.
The previous Group 1 mark of 54.94 was set by Tiffany Weatherford of Science Park in Newark. The record had stood since 1990.
The Penns Grove girls got another first-place finish when Courtney Smith took the 400 hurdles in 1 minute, 1.40 seconds.
In Group 1 boys' action, the Haddon Township 4x800 team broke its own meet record with a time of 8:09.13, topping last year's mark of 8:12.05.
Florence's Curtis Thompson blew away the competition in the javelin with a throw of 216 feet, 11 inches.
The next-best throw, 207-7, came from Midland Park's Seth Zuidema.
Group 2 Championships
West Deptford's Nick Pulli launched the shot put 62-101/4 at Egg Harbor Township for the top throw in the state and the 20th best in the nation this year.
Haddonfield's Briana Gess used a strong final-lap kick to win the girls' 1,600 with a career-best 4:51.09.
Group 3 Championships
The Ocean City girls' 4x800 team demolished the meet record with a time of 9:15.61 at South Plainfield.
The previous standard, 9:22.67, was set last year by Middletown South.
Group 4 Championships
Clearview's Bill Dolan won the boys' 1,600 with a state-best 4:12.08 at Egg Harbor.
Williamstown's Bria Mack won the girls' 100 meters by one-tenth of a second. She finished in 12.00.
Non-Public B Championships
St. Joseph took the top two spots in the boys' long jump at South Plainfield. Rocco Ordille leaped 21-2 to win the championship. Teammate Ben Mitchell followed with a 20-10.