Boys track & field: Record-setting jump headlines CBA's Shore Conference title defense

Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press
·4 min read

NEPTUNE — Two-dozen Christian Brothers Academy teammates lined the runway, clapping in unison as Kam Coleman began his final triple jump attempt.

“When they started the thunderclap, I was ready for something far,” Coleman said.

He sure was. The junior leapt into rarefied air with a 46-foot jump — 46 feet and three-quarters of an inch, to be precise — at Saturday’s Shore Conference Track & Field Championships. That marked the day’s lone meet-record performance, boys or girls, eclipsing the 45-10.25 standard set by Lakewood legend Emanuel Mayers in 2007.

Coleman put his name in the books despite falling back on his right hand, which probably cost him three inches.

Lakewood Menzel Thomas takes first in the 110 hurdles and CBA's Kam Coleman (left) is second at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.
Lakewood Menzel Thomas takes first in the 110 hurdles and CBA's Kam Coleman (left) is second at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.

“I knew I had more in me,” Coleman said. “I just had to throw my legs out farther and I finally got it, even though I still hit my hand. That makes me very confident because I know I have more to go.”

As it was, this marked a huge improvement for the Eatontown resident. Coming into the meet, Coleman’s best was 44-8. He already had broken CBA’s program record, set in 2002 by current Monmouth University assistant track coach Devin Barry.

“He works so hard,” CBA head coach Karl Torchia said. “He’s earned every inch of that triple jump.”

CBA's Kam Coleman after his triple jump record
CBA's Kam Coleman after his triple jump record

Coleman’s fireworks were not confined to the runway. He also placed second in one of the day’s best races, the 110-meter high hurdles. Lakewood junior Menzel Thomas broke the tape in a blistering 14.66, with Coleman right behind at 14.79 — another personal best.

“Great competitor,” Coleman said of Thomas. “He pushed me hard out of the blocks.”

Coleman’s double helped Christian Brothers defend its team title with plenty room to spare. The Colts racked up 115 points, well ahead of runner-up Manchester (38).

“I know CBA has a big legacy,” Coleman said. “To add my name to this legacy is awesome.”

CBA Matt Herman wins his heat of the Boys 400 hurdles at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.
CBA Matt Herman wins his heat of the Boys 400 hurdles at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.

Also garnering gold medals for the Colts: junior Matt Herman in the 400 hurdles (56.20), sophomore Jack Falkowski in the 1600 (4:22.34), and junior Nick Sullivan in the 3200 (9:34.10). Balanced as usual, CBA took home four silver medals as well: sophomore Conor Clifford in the 800 (1:56.53), senior Chris Brown in the high jump (6-2), senior Tyler Mayerhoff in the discus (168-7) and senior Robert Manse III in the shot put (56-10.75).

Manse also captured third in the discus (162-3) to complete a good day’s work.

Christian Brothers has won this meet 10 of the past 11 times it took place.

“Shore Conference is important to us,” Torchia said. “CBA is all about the team and the brotherhood. We do this for each other.”

CBA track athletes hold up the Shore Conference title banner and trophy
CBA track athletes hold up the Shore Conference title banner and trophy

Top 10 boys performers

1. Kam Coleman, Christian Brothers: The junior set a meet record in the triple jump (46-0.75) and placed second in the 110 hurdles (14.79).

2. Branden Satterwhite, Matawan: The junior won the long jump with a leap of 22-3.5 and placed second in the triple jump (44-1.5).

3. Fabian Gonzalez, Southern: The junior won the discus with a personal-best 189-9 and placed third in the shot put (54-8.5).

Southern Regional Fabian Gonzalez in the Boys Discus at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.
Southern Regional Fabian Gonzalez in the Boys Discus at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.

4. Mark Viggiano, Ocean Township: The junior won the 800 in 1:55.21 and ran on the second-place 4x400 (3:27).

5. Alex Sadikov, Ocean Township: The junior won the 400 in 48.76 and ran on a second-place 4x400 (3:27).

6. Steven Bado, Jackson Memorial: After sitting out the 100, the senior won the 200 in a Shore Conference-leading 21.50, just 0.02 off the meet record set by Red Bank’s Nigel Mitchell in 2019.

7. Menzel Thomas, Lakewood: The junior won the 110-meter hurdles in a personal-best and Shore Conference-leading time of 14.66.

Neptune's Nyron Lewis wins the 100 Dash at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.
Neptune's Nyron Lewis wins the 100 Dash at the Shore Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Neptune, NJ on May 21, 2022.

8. Nyron Lewis, Neptune: The senior posted one of the day’s biggest upsets, winning the 100-meter dash in 11.11.

9. Tyler Zawatski, Freehold Township: The senior won the javelin with a distance of 193-10, just three feet shy of the meet record.

10. Tyler Raimondi, Toms River South: The senior won the pole vault with a Shore Conference-best height of 13-6.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Boys track & field: Record-setting leap headlines CBA's title defense