Haddonfield repeats as Group 2 champions
Haddonfield continued its dominance in Group 2 this winter, following up its sectional title with another commanding performance at the state championships. The Bulldogs repeated as Group 2 champions on Friday, securing their second straight state crown.
Haddonfield finished with 50 points, well ahead of runner‑up Voorhees, which totaled 22. The victory marks the program’s 13th state title, tying St. Benedict’s Prep for the fourth‑most in New Jersey history.
As usual, the Bulldogs did the bulk of their scoring in the distance events. In the 1,600 meters, Benjamin Andrus led the way with a runner‑up finish in 4:17.89, while Peter Simpson added a fourth‑place showing in 4:23.82. Brandon Stoner finished second in the 800 meters in 2:00.06, with teammate Aaron Keith close behind in fourth at 2:00.63.
Haddonfield’s distance depth continued to shine in the 3,200, where Ryan Gibson claimed second in 9:29.47 and Andrus doubled back for third in 9:38.37.
The Bulldogs closed out their title run with a strong performance in the 4×400 relay. The team of Jack P. Brand, Ryder Bozine, Andrew Brand, and Stoner took the win in 3:30.63, securing one final boost of points to lock down the championship.
Neptune’s Plummer sets Group 2 record with electric run in 55 hurdles
Neptune junior Essien Plummer has come back this winter with something to prove — and he’s spent the entire season delivering on that mission.
As a sophomore, Plummer flashed early promise with a 7.47 personal best in the 55‑meter hurdles before an injury cut his indoor season short. That setback, however, became fuel for a breakout junior campaign.
Plummer opened the winter with consecutive victories at the Demarest Invitational and the STCA Season Opener, clocking 7.33 in the latter. He went on to win the Bill Bruno Holiday Classic and then dropped a 7.32 personal best at the 11th Annual Ocean Breeze Invitational — a time that still stands as New Jersey’s fastest this season. Just last week, he added the Central, Group 2 championship in 7.38.
On Saturday, Plummer cruised through the prelims in 7.44 to secure the top seed in the Group 2 final. Moments later, he delivered one of the defining races of his season. Exploding out of the blocks with so much force that he splintered the first hurdle as he cleared it, Plummer never faltered, powering to a 7.33 finish to break the Group 2 meet record of 7.34 set by Highlands’ Chris Hill in 2015.
Plummer wasn’t done making noise. He also placed second in the 55‑meter dash, running 6.50 — a sharp improvement on his 6.55 personal best from last year.
With the success he’s had this season, Plummer is confident that he’ll lock up the Meet of Champions title in the 55-hurdles in two weeks.
Watt posts huge 1,600 time to reset the group record
Bernards senior Brody Watt has established himself as one of New Jersey’s premier distance runners over the past four years — and one of its most versatile. In his final appearance at the Bubble, the UPenn commit delivered a performance worthy of his résumé.
Watt stormed to victory in the 1,600 meters, running 4:14.44 to lower his own state‑leading time of 4:14.63 set earlier this season at the MSTCA Boston Holiday Challenge. His effort also broke the Group 2 meet record of 4:15.75, which had stood since River Dell’s Colin Daly set it in 2016.
His success this winter has stretched far beyond the 1,600. Watt owns top‑15 marks in the state in both the 3,200 (9:31.21) and 800 (1:55.98), winning sectional titles in each. He also ranks second statewide in the 1,500 (4:00.19) and 3,000 (8:57.33), and sits fourth in the mile (4:15.49).
Perhaps most impressively, Watt even stepped outside his usual wheelhouse on Friday, anchoring Bernards’ 4×400 relay to a fourth‑place finish in 3:35.35.
With his championship pedigree, Watt will be a major contender in the 1,600 at the Meet of Champions in two weeks.
Other highlights
Madison’s Rohan Tucker sprinted to the 400‑meter title, crossing the line in 50.16 to secure the win.
Voorhees’ Dillon Devine claimed the 800 meters in 1:59.92, while Pemberton’s Jaden Goins captured the 55‑meter dash crown with a winning time of 6.47.
Hopewell Valley’s Finnegan Curley dominated the distance field, taking the 3,200 meters in 9:20.62.
In the high jump, Holmdel’s Lukas Lundh earned the state title by clearing 6‑2 on his first attempt.
Hackettstown’s Thomas Bengyak won the pole vault after clearing 13‑6 on his second attempt.
Montville’s Anthony Agnoli closed out the field events with a standout performance, launching a 58‑2¼ throw on his final attempt to secure the shot put championship.
This story will be updated.