N.J. was well‑represented at the 11th annual Ocean Breeze Freedom Games, where some of the state’s top athletes delivered standout performances throughout the weekend.
Scroll below for a full look at how competitors from the Garden State fared during the two‑day meet.
Boys
St. Peter’s Prep sophomore Jevon Ledgister continued his strong start to the season, powering to a victory in the 55‑meter dash with a winning time of 6.37. Ledgister currently holds the fastest mark in New Jersey this winter with his 6.31 personal best.
The Marauders saw additional success on the track. Senior Aiden Dunn placed third in the 600 in 1:25.24, while sophomore Liam Angley earned third in the 1,000 with a time of 2:34.43. In the hurdles, St. Peter’s Prep’s Jacob Anderson turned in a standout performance, finishing second in the 55-meter event with a 7.46 PR.
Manalapan senior and Syracuse commit Clay Stevens claimed the 3,200 title, clocking 9:17.31 to move up to No. 2 in the state this season.
North Hunterdon’s Cole Kober secured a third‑place finish in the 1,600, crossing the line in 4:28.30.
Bergen Catholic delivered one of the meet’s top relay performances, as the quartet of Amiir Woodward, Bryan Porter, Thomas McAnulty and Adrian Woodward captured the 4×200 title in 1:27.32—now the fastest time in the state.
In the field events, Westfield junior Nicholas Dena threw a personal‑best 52‑1 to place fourth in the shot put, surpassing the 50‑foot mark for the first time. Woodbridge’s Liam Updale cleared 6‑0 to take fourth in the high jump, with St. Peter’s Prep’s Jaden Bryan also clearing 6‑0 to finish fifth.
Girls
Manalapan senior Jessica Abbott delivered one of the meet’s top middle‑distance performances, winning the 600 in 1:37.91—an N.J. No. 4 time this season and a new school record. Her mark eclipsed the 1:44.79 previously held by Madalyn Bacharde from the 2024 Demarest Invitational. Abbott, a Boston University commit, added another milestone in the 1,000 meters, placing third in 2:58.36. The time moves her to No. 1 in the state and breaks the school record of 3:01.51 set last year by Sadie Honig at the same meet.
Wilberforce’s Stella Blanchard also impressed in the distance events, placing fifth in the 1,500 with a 4:55.50 effort, good for N.J. No. 3. She returned to take third in the 1,600 in 5:11.96. Trinity Hall’s Steele Summers followed closely behind in both races, finishing sixth in the 1,500 (4:55.60) and fourth in the 1,600 (5:14.14).
Summit’s Ella Ryan climbed to the top of the state rankings with a third‑place finish in the 3,000, clocking 10:14.79. Paul VI followed with two top‑six finishes: Giovanna Mantuano took fourth in 10:15.70 and teammate Macy Huber placed sixth in 10:20.60.
In the jumps, Woodbridge junior Anjee Alston tied for first in the high jump after clearing 5‑2 alongside Dwight‑Englewood’s Grace Dalgetty. The pole vault also produced a tie among New Jersey athletes, with Paul VI’s Gianna Cianfrani and Marlboro’s Timber Jackson each clearing 10‑6 to share second place.
Alston’s teammate, Ciara Murphy, added a strong hurdle showing, claiming second in the 55‑meter hurdles with an 8.32—good for N.J. No. 8.
Rancocas Valley’s Angelin Brown delivered a runner‑up finish in the long jump at 17‑3 and later placed fourth in the high jump with a 5‑0 clearance.
Ewing’s 4×200 relay team of Angel Johnson, Karis Crossland, Faith Settles and Leah Daniels closed out the meet with a second‑place showing in 1:44.41.
