Ocean Breeze Invitational Will Kick Off February With A Bang

Boys Sprints and Hurdles Preview

The boys 55-meter dash will be blanketed by a deep field, as 12 athletes have already broken the 6.50 barrier early this season, all looking to improve on their national ranking.  Led by Graham Houghton-6.40 (Pingry School) US #19, the final should be something to watch with the next three seeded athletes all holding personal bests of 6.44; Donte London (Coatesville), Jaylen Foster (Wissahickon,) and Scotty Coffi (Harriton). The meet record held by former state record holder Jadan Spain (James O'Neill) of 6.33 could be in jeopardy.

One of the hottest events of the day will be the boys 200-meter dash.  Leading the charge will be US # 5 Jayden Horton-Mims of Imhotep Institute Charter who is currently holding a season and career best of 21.44 and is followed closely by US # 8 Shaun McCoullum-21.56 (George Washington).  Also, in the field and making his 200m debut, is freshman phenom Kory Brown. Earlier in this season, he broke both the New York State freshman record in both the 55-meter dash and the 300 meter dash. He will be looking to make it through to the finals, which may take a sub 22 performance.  The winner will need a big race to break the meet record of 21.23 held by Austin Kratz (Dock Mennonite) but we could see a few athletes move into the top 10 US list. Rounding out this incredible field is Malachi James-21.68 (Burlington City), Rhoan Kaulder-21.89 (McQuaid Jesuit), Sahfi Reed-21.91 (Martin Luther King) and Abaas Hunter-21.89 (Episcopal Academy).

The 400-meter dash should also be a great race with the top 10 athletes coming into the weekend with personal bests under the 50 second barrier. Lead by Jesufifunmi Olugbenga of Ridley who has a personal best of 48.70 this season and currently ranked US #24. Olugbenga will be closely chased by Joshua Gresham (DeMatha Catholic), Sahfi Reed (Martin Luther King), Luke Coleman (Abington), and Elijah Smith (Upper Dublin). All of these athletes will be chasing the meet record of 48.26 set in 2018 by Miles Green (St. Joseph's).

In the 55-meter hurdles, the top seed Anthony Waterman (De Matha Catholic) US # 3 comes in with a seed time of 7.30 and will be looking to eclipse the meet record of 7.33 set in 2020 by Brahmir Vick (Middletown).  He will be challenged by Trevon Foster (The Hill School) US # 5 who sits right on his heels at 7.34.  Both Waterman and Foster are ranking in the top 5 in the United States and are looking to improve their marks heading into the championship season.

Girls Sprints and Hurdles Preview

The 55-meter hurdles will be the first varsity event of the day.  Putting one of the oldest meet records in danger, junior Macaela Walker (Oxford Area), currently ranked US #11 will look to continue her dominate path this season, coming with a strong season best of 8.07 run earlier this season.  The current record of 7.99 which was held by Alyssa Sandy (Paul Robeson) might belong to Walker after Sunday morning.  Michelle Korsah-8.18 (Cheltenham) and Damira Allen; 8.38 (Chester) both come in with strong seasonal bests to challenge for the title.

Moving to the dashes, the 55m dash is highlighted by Naylah Jones, who is currently in top 50 in the United States. She has personal best of 7.05 and will be chasing the meet record held by Daija Lampkin (Middletown) at 7.03 set in 2016. After Jones the field runs deep with 6 athletes seeded under 7.30 and those athletes hoping to crack into the top 10. 

In the 200m dash, local senior Samantha Walz of St. Joseph by the Sea is look to keep the gold here on Staten Island but will have to battle number one seed of Jayla Johnson (Montfort Academy) who has a seed time of 24.30, followed by Faith Fuqua (Downingtown East) and Milan Ramey (Harriton) to round out the top four spots with many more athletes looking to dip under the 25 second mark.  The meet record of 23.79 is held by 2022 US 400-meter champion Talitha Diggs and should be safe for at least another year. With a good run from Johnson and Walz they can break into the top 10 list. 

Rounding out the sprints for the ladies, the 400-meter dash promises to bring a ton of excitement to the oval.  Rhia Randolph and Sydney Chadwick, both from Union Catholic, will clash with Payton Drumwright out of Philadelphia's Engineering and Science who comes into the meet with a lifetime best of 55.41 at that distance.  Durmwright's personal best matches the current meet record set by May Stern of Classical High School which was set in 2016.  Overall, nine athletes are coming into the meet with personal best marks under the 58 second mark which may lead to a few breakout performances.