By John Spinelli
PHILADELPHIA – Despite the rainy weather, athletes from the Two River area excelled at the 130th Penn Relays at historic Franklin Field, which took place April 23 to 25.
In the Championship of America Distance Medley Relay, Christian Brothers Academy made history once again, finishing with a new school record of 9:56.57, the sixth fastest time in New Jersey history.
The team of Gavin Schmitt, Liam Wheeler, Wyatt Falkowski, and Luke Hnatt placed third behind Mifflin High School (PA) with a time of 9:52.20 and Northern Penn (PA). Christian Brothers entered the meet as back-to-back champions. This year the Colts ran 3 seconds faster over their 2025 time.
Schmitt led the team in the 1,200-meter leg, passing the baton at 3:02.74. During the 400-meter leg, Wheeler ran a blazing 49.28 before passing to Falkowski, who ran the 800 in 1:55.03 to take the lead. But Falkowski and Hnatt fumbled the baton on the final handoff and Hnatt crossed the finish line after 1,600 meters with an unofficial time of 4:09.53.
In the 4×400-meter championship, the Holmdel High School women’s team of Teagan Flaherty, Brielle Lambros, Bisi Mabogunje and Aylen Peters rallied to earn eighth place with a time of 4:13.88.
While the event primarily consisted of relays, there were some individual highlights.
In the collegiate events, Villanova University’s Matt Bogdan, from Colts Neck, finished in the Top 10 in the 3,000-meter, clocking in at 8:49.58.
Monmouth University’s Julie Thomas won gold in the College Women’s Discus Championship with a throw of 49.0 meters.
Saturday’s relays were specially designated to honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
During the afternoon session, Neptune Olympian Ajee Wilson clocked 2:08 during the elite Olympic Development 800-meter event. Later in the day, the Shore AC 4×100-meter men’s team ran in the open championship, finishing 10th in 44.25.
This year, the meet also came with some sad news. Long Branch native and centenarian Lester Wright, who made history running the +80 Masters 100-meter dash with a time of 26.34 during the 2022 Penn Relays, passed away April 23. He was 103 years old and will be remembered as a family man and for his brave service in World War II.
The article originally appeared in the April 30 – May 6, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
