Penns Grove boys track wins Bridgeton Relays Division 1 title

BRIDGETON – Having picked up his team's last set of medals, Tom Mason headed for the exits of Jim Hursey Memorial Stadium.

The Penns Grove boys track coach figured his squad did not have enough points to win the team title at the Bridgeton Relays, because Group 1 and 2 schools comprise Division 1 at the meet.

He was mistaken.

"This win is an all-around win," Mason said after being tracked down to come back for the team trophy. His team had out-pointed runner-up Willingboro, 59-52, on Saturday.

“But the field events did an outstanding job. The shot putters, discus throwers and jumping events really nailed it for us. As bad as the conditions were today, our kids still competed. This was a major step up for our overall team. We were looking for a top-3 finish, but these kids rose up.”

Penns Grove came on late, winning the field events to climb to the top. Leading the charge was senior Tarik Robinson, who took home the Athlete of the Meet award for field events. Rancocas Valley's Robert Hawkins won it for the track events.

“I feel good,” said Robinson, who won the triple jump, his specialy, with Tahjmere Summiel. “I absolutely come in thinking that I am the guy to beat. That is always the feeling, but I never go out there cocky. It’s just a little competition, that’s all.”

Robinson and Summiel combined to jump 80 feet, two inches. Robinson had the best leap of the day at 43-10¾.

“I don’t like to brag, but I really think that Tarik will be a major contender for the state and South Jersey triple jump titles,” said Mason, who was recently inducted into the NJSCA Hall of Fame. “If he continues the way he is going, he has a good shot to be a high medalist at the Meet of Champions. He has a great work ethic and is a great athlete. He just has to continue the hard work and stay hungry and humble.”

Penns Grove won the shot put (85-2¼) behind Avory Ransome (42-9½) and KeyShawn Seals (42-4¾) was second in the discus, with Ransome and Isaiah Roberts an inch behind Holy Spirit (241-3).

Penns Grove also finished third in the 800 hurdles when Jason Staefanski (56.98) and Rion DeGraffenreid (1:07.22) combined for a time of 2:04.20.

“Whatever comes, I will take it as it is,” Robinson said of the expectations for the rest of the season.

Schalick finished fourth as a team behind Oakcrest after taking second in the sprint medley relay, with Cosmo Pirozzi, Antonio Covington, Kason Barrett and Samuel Gerstenbacher crossing in 3:41.80. Pleasantville won in 3:37.20.

Schalick came in second to Cinnaminson (10:58.42) in the distance medley relay. Pirozzi, Julani Carter, James Clancy and Gerstenbacher finished in 11:02.50. Pennsville was third (11:03.91).

Salem was a surprise winner in the 4x100 last weekend at the Woodbury Relays. The Rams proved it was not a fluke when they won the 4x100 with the fastest time in the meet. Spenser Jarrett, Ramon Bentley, Jamere Furbush and Zaire Jones finished in 44.39. Clayton finished second in 44.40.

Salem also claimed the 4x200 title with a time of 1:33.26. Jarrett, Jones, Furbush and Bentley combined on the time. Penns Grove (Lamar Iverson, Robinson, Jessie Evans and Kimere Brown) took second in 1:34.01.

“I still expected us to do well even with a different lineup,” said Jarrett, whose team was without Jonathan Taylor, who was on a football recruiting trip. “I told the guys that we are going to get out there, do what we’ve got to do and win this race. All the guys on the team are putting in the work at practice and doing what they’ve got to do.”

The pole vault, high jump and 4x110 high hurdles were canceled due to the weather conditions.

Cinnaminson won the 4x800 in 8:29.0. Penns Grove (Jason Stefanski, Lamar Iverson, Jose Collazo and Dallas Allison) was third in 9:01.20.

Holy Spirit won the javelin (187-9) and Woodbury (249-0) finished sixth. Michael Messado-Moten (140-9) had the fourth-best throw for Woodbury, combining with Maurice Royals (108-3).

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