NJSIAA Track and Field Meet of Champions

PENNSAUKEN — Jason Meza rattled off a list of reasons why he shouldn’t have won the 400-meter hurdles at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on Wednesday. The Cornell-bound senior from Morristown saw so many technical flaws: a little stuttering, “alternating where I shouldn’t,” even going over the obstacle with the wrong leg first.

“It wasn’t a great race, but my strength got me through it,” said Meza, who finished second as a sophomore.

He praised his grandparents, who emigrated from Honduras and Colombia “to give me a better life.” Meza also thanked his coaches, parents and other family members – a large crowd of whom turned out at Pennsauken High School on Wednesday.

“I’ve been dreaming of this for four years. All my hard work has paid off and it’s an incredible feeling,” Meza said. “This is everything I wanted in my career in New Jersey. I’m overwhelmed with joy. I’m not crying, but if I did, I would be crying right now.”

Meza was part of a three-medal haul for Morristown’s hurdles. Senior Aaliyah Murphy placed second in the 100-meter hurdles with a personal best of 14.18, and senior Ethan Stallone was eighth in the high hurdles.

Jefferson junior Kiley Shatzel finished fifth in the 400 hurdles.

Murphy, who signed a national letter of intent with Troy University, was disappointed with her success in the 400 hurdles. She had intended to opt out, but her “support system” – including Colonials head coach Gordon Drewery, who is retiring after the season – convinced her to try.

“I came to compete knowing I might not win anything,” said Murphy, who has won three consecutive medals at the CPM. “I’m happy to have reached the top in the 100 hurdles this year.”

Exceptional in their field

West Morris junior Cade Zeolla resumed his pole vault rivalry with Oakcrest senior Ryan Merlino on Wednesday. Both cleared 16 feet, but Merlino won the gold medal by missing less. Delbarton senior Paul Quense finished fourth at 14-6.

Morris Hills junior Shreya Sathiyan cleared 12 feet in the girls pole vault, placing fourth for miss.

Sathiyan and Zeolla are expected to compete in NBON this weekend. Zeolla is still gunning for Morris County’s record of 16-1, which dates back to 2013.

“It’s the best competition I’ve ever had,” Zeolla said of Merlino. “Unfortunately, that’s where we stop competing with each other. It’s been an incredible year. I’ve never been so even.

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∎ Delbarton junior Peter Donini (58-6.25) was fourth and Hanover Park senior Luke Riordan (58-2.25) sixth in the shot put. West Morris junior Capp Desheplo was fifth in the discus (170-6).

∎ Randolph sophomore Seanna Parsons finished third in the triple jump with a personal best of 39-4.

Need of speed

∎ After a tough stretch in Non-Public A last weekend, Delbarton senior Ryan Johnson placed second in the 100 meters (10.65).

“This is how I wanted it to go,” said Johnson, who plans to run at Penn State. “I was happy to get here and happy to have done the work.

∎ Parsippany Hills senior Julio Tatis finished second in the 200 and third in the 400.

∎ Morris Knolls senior Luke Schagelin placed third in a close 800-meter run (1:52.58).