JAMESBURG, N.J. — October 31, 2026 — Hunterdon Central freshman Lucca Sanz won the Group 4 boys 5,000 meters in 15:31.23 at the NJSIAA Sectionals Central, edging West Windsor-Plainsboro South's Aron Zola (15:31.25) by 0.02 seconds. Manalapan won the Group 4 boys team title for a second straight year with 60 points, and Hunterdon Central was second with 89. Freehold Township freshman Sophia Acquaviva won the Group 4 girls race in 17:40.71, and Freehold Township took the girls team title with 38 points.
Ocean Township junior Leah Starkey won the Group 2 girls race in 16:41.73 for a second straight year, beating Rumson-Fair Haven Regional's Kaitlyn Hathaway (17:44.90) by 63.17 seconds. Rumson-Fair Haven Regional won the Group 2 girls team title for a second straight year with 26 points. Cinnaminson freshman James McKeon won the Group 2 boys race in 16:02.77, and Cinnaminson won the boys team title for a second straight year with 36 points.
West Windsor-Plainsboro North went 1-2 in the Group 3 boys race, with junior Agrim Jha winning in 15:21.46 and Rohan Varma second (15:31.21). The school won the boys team title for a second straight year with 32 points. Colts Neck junior Siena Nicholson won the Group 3 girls race in 17:31.65, and Middletown South took the girls team title for a second straight year with 45 points.
Shore Regional senior Alexandra Klein won the Group 1 girls race in 17:51.73 for a second straight year, beating Delaware Valley Reg's Erin Dushinka (19:06.47) by 74.74 seconds, and Shore Regional won the girls team title for a second straight year with 26 points. Manville senior Jayran Rodriguez won the Group 1 boys race in 15:59.63. Bernards edged McNair Academic for the boys team title, 62 points to 63.
Winners
| Race | Individual | Time | Team | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys / Men · 5,000 Meters Group 1 | Jayran RodriguezManville | 15:59.63 | Bernards | 62 |
| Girls / Women · 5,000 Meters Group 1 | Alexandra KleinShore Regional | 17:51.73 | Shore Regional | 26 |
| Boys / Men · 5,000 Meters Group 2 | James McKeonCinnaminson | 16:02.77 | Cinnaminson | 36 |
| Girls / Women · 5,000 Meters Group 2 | Leah StarkeyOcean Township | 16:41.73 | Rumson-Fair Haven Regional | 26 |
| Boys / Men · 5,000 Meters Group 3 | Agrim JhaWest Windsor-Plainsboro North | 15:21.46 | West Windsor-Plainsboro North | 32 |
| Girls / Women · 5,000 Meters Group 3 | Siena NicholsonColts Neck | 17:31.65 | Middletown South | 45 |
| Boys / Men · 5,000 Meters Group 4 | Lucca SanzHunterdon Central | 15:31.23 | Manalapan | 60 |
| Girls / Women · 5,000 Meters Group 4 | Sophia AcquavivaFreehold Township | 17:40.71 | Freehold Township | 38 |