Jackson Barna Among Juniors Showing Future Is Bright In New Jersey With 8:52 3,200 At MOC

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Jackson Barna from Ridge, a junior, ran 8:52.00 to win the boys 3,200 meters and was one of the stars of the NJSIAA Meet of Champions at South Planfield High after a year's absence due to COVID-19. 

The meet, in its 52nd year, went off a week after the Group Championships as the track season clicked back into place. 

There was some sad news hanging over the meet as well, with the passing of NJSIAA track and field administrator Bill Bruno. 

Shamali Whittle of Hamilton North-Nottingham pulled off an impressive sprint double, with 10.55 (10.48 prelim) to win the 100 and 20.95 in the 200. 

Another junior, Kyle Rakitis of Kingsway, won the boys 1,600 in 4:08.58 and led three other boys under 4:10. 

Jesse Legister from Montclair sped to the 400 meters title in 47.63. Old Bridge's Nicholas Medeiros won the 800 in 1:51.83, ahead of Ridge's James Kisker (1:52.20). 

Sophomore Bryce Tucker from Pennsauken won the 400-meter hurdles in US#2 52.17.

Christopher Serrao from East Brunswick won the 110 hurdles in 13.93 seconds. 

Floyd Whitaker of Highland Regional won the triple jump with US#8 49-7. Kaelen Mitchell of Piscataway won the long jump with 24-3.50.

Cole Tucker from Colts Neck threw 64-10.50 to win the boys shot put title by five feet. He was already US#8 with a season's best of 65-4.75. 

Sophomore Fabian Gonzalez of Southern Regional won the discus with 184-9. 

Tyler Zawatski from Freehold Township, a junior, won the javelin with 191-1. 

Brian McSweeney from East Brunswick cleared 16-4.75 to win the pole vault. Two years ago, he placed 21st. 

Elizabeth ran 3;17.68 to claim the boys 4x400 relay. 

In girls competition, Jada Ellis of Manchester Township won a sensational 100 meters final against Egg Harbor's Lauren Princz in a battle of NCAA Division 1 talents. Ellis ran 11.57 and Princz was second in 11.66. 

Princz won the 200 in 24.22. Two years ago at the MOC meet, Princz was second in the 100 and fourth in the 200. 

Julia Jackson from Scotch Plains-Fanswood won the 400 meters in 54.48. She also helped her team to the 4x400 title, in 3:46.73. 

Lilly Shapiro of Colts Neck won the 800 meters in 2:13.05. She was second to Westfield's Katie Hamilton (4:51.95) in the 1,600, running 4:52.89. 

In the 3,200, River Dell freshman Christina Allen edged out Kent Place's Lindsay Hausman, 10:46.36 to 10:46.41. Angelina Perez of Lakeland Regional was there as well, third in 10:46.53. 

Jailya Ash of Eastern Regional won the 100 hurdles in 14.02. 

North Brunswick's Adelaide Asante won the 400 hurdles with a US#3 time of 1:00.24.

Nicole Woods from NV-Demarest won the javelin with a mark of 149-5.  

Team champions - (Groups June 11-12)

Group 1 - Clayton boys 59 points, Clayton girls 89 points - RESULTS

Group 2 - Rumson-Fair Haven Regional boys 41 points, Haddonfield Memorial girls 70 points - RESULTS

Group 3 - Pennsauken boys 61 points, Colts Neck girls 58 points - RESULTS

Group 4 - Southern Regional boys 54 points, Egg Harbor Township girls 56 points - RESULTS

Non-Public A - Christian Brothers Academy boys 136.5 points, Union Catholic girls 189 points - RESULTS

Non-Public B - Immaculata boys 71 points, Montclair Kimberley girls 71 points - RESULTS