The 2025–26 indoor track postseason is underway, and the opening week of sectional meets delivered no shortage of standout moments.
From eye‑catching personal bests to record‑breaking performances, the first round of sectionals — along with several county and conference championships held over the past week — produced plenty of highlights.
Scroll below for a look at the performances that defined last week’s action.
Boys
Hackensack’s Garcia sets new All‑Sections standard in 400
Hackensack’s Seven Garcia once again etched his name into the record books at the North 1, Group 4 sectional meet, lowering his own all‑sections mark in the 400 meters. The USC commit crossed the line in 48.78 to secure the title, breaking his previous record of 48.93. The performance now ranks as the third‑fastest time in the state this season. –Bakari Tice
Mohammed soars to bew North 2, Group 3 high jump record
West Side junior Malik Mohammed leapt into the record books at the North 2, Group 3 sectional meet, delivering a historic performance in the high jump. Mohammed cleared a season‑best 6 feet, 9 inches to claim the sectional title, shattering the previous record of 6‑5 set by Middletown South’s Mark Anselmi in 2018. The mark also moved Mohammed into sole possession of second place in the state this season. One of the state’s premier jumpers, Mohammed has showcased his versatility across multiple events. He is currently tied for the state lead in the long jump with a personal‑best 23‑6 and also owns the fifth‑best mark in the triple jump this season at 46‑5. –Bakari Tice
Manalapan’s Brown keeps rolling in the sprints
Manalapan senior Crue Brown continued to showcase his sprinting range at the Shore Conference Championships, adding another standout performance to his résumé in the 55‑meter dash. Brown captured the title in the event with a personal‑best 6.47, a time that now ranks fifth in New Jersey this season.The victory further highlighted Brown’s prowess in the sprints, as he has already established himself as one of the state’s premier quarter‑milers. He currently owns the state’s top time in the 400, clocking a 48.61 in his win at the Dr. Sander Scorcher earlier this season. –Bakari Tice
Record‑setting run lifts Valenzuela to North 2, Group 3 crown in the 3,200
Chatham’s Marcus Valenzuela delivered a historic performance in the distance events, cementing his place in North 2, Group 3 history at the sectional meet. The American University commit captured the 3,200‑meter title in a personal‑best 9:16.29, earning his third win of the season in the event. The time broke the sectional record of 9:16.59 set by Mendham’s Jack Jennings in 2020 and now ranks as the second‑fastest mark in the state this season. Valenzuela wasn’t finished. He doubled back to claim another sectional championship in the 1,600 meters, crossing the line in 4:26.61 to cap a dominant showing. –Bakari Tice
Donovan Catholic’s Hester moves up to N.J. No. 5 in 55‑hurdles
Donovan Catholic junior Jael Hester continued his rise in the hurdles with a standout showing at the Shore Conference Championships. Hester captured the 55‑meter hurdles title with a winning time of 7.51, a performance that now ranks fifth in New Jersey this season. He also made his presence felt in the field events, claiming the Shore Conference high jump title with a personal‑best clearance of 6 feet, 4 inches. The mark ties Hester for ninth in the state, further highlighting his growing versatility and impact. –Bakari Tice
Girls
Bartlett continues to make history
Blair Bartlett has proven time and time again that she is one of the top athletes in the state. During the Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championships on Saturday, Bartlett smashed the indoor record in the 3,200 and ran the No. 2 all-time U.S. time of 9:42.38. This cruised past the previous mark of 10:00.90, set by Angelina Perez of Lakeland in 2022. — Greg Patuto
Voorhees’ distance runners dominate
Voorhees had a clear strength heading into sectionals and showed it off during distance events at the North 2, Group 2 meet. Lexie Mizzone won gold in both the 1,600 (5:02.64) and 3,200 (10:46.96) to lead the way. Adding extra points, Daphne Roskowski finished as the runner-up in both events while Emily Leyton was third in the 1,600 and fourth in the 3,200. Across both events, Voorhees had six of the top eight places. — Greg Patuto
Ramsey’s Finnegan has monster day
Kaylee Finnegan did all she could to lead Ramsey to a sectional title on Saturday. The junior competed in multiple events, going three-for-three across distance races. Finnegan won gold in the 800 with a time of 2:20.93 before winning the 1,600 at 5:05.61. Finnegan would complete the trifecta by winning the 3,200 at 11:18.38. — Greg Patuto
Ridge’s Kalra resets pole vault mark
Mira Kalra came into sectionals as an elite pole vaulter and had her sights set on a special number. She was able to reach it, setting a new meet record and PR of 11-6 during the North 2, Group 3 meet on Friday. This was the third consecutive time that Kalra has reached 11-0 but decided to take it up a notch and was able to reset a record. — Greg Patuto
Morristown’s Ewing approaches 55 hurdles lead
Kayla Ewing won gold in the 55 hurdles during the North 1, Group 4 sectional meet. She used a time of 8.10 to bring home the title. This was good for a new PR and No. 2 time in the state this season. Ewing has finished either first or second during prelims and finals each time she has competed in the hurdles this season. — Greg Patuto
