2025 NJSIAA Track and Field Meet of Champions

Making history was on the mind of the Burlington Township boys 4×100-meter relay team when they took the track at Meet of Champions in Pennsauken.

The quartet of Gemaus Sackie, Quayd Hendryx, Yeator Tappia and Solomon Wesley was confident they could achieve history after setting the state’s best time this season at the NJSIAA Group 3 Championships last week.

All four sprinters each took turns flashing brilliance on the track, which concluded with Hendryx cemeting the Falcons’ 4×100 relay team into the state record books.

Hendryx pulled away from the field and crossed the finish line to score a winning time of 40.75 seconds, helping his teammates and himself achieve their goal of setting a state record.

“It’s the best feeling in the world hearing the crowd cheer you on down the straightaway and knowing you’re going to win a state championship,” Hendryx said.

“We wanted to be the best 4×100 relay team in state history. We knew we could break that record.”

Burlington Township’s new record time breaks the mark of 40.92 seconds, set by Winslow back in 2003.

It also shatters the meet record of 41.45 seconds that Timber Creek recorded in 2014.

Burlington Township’s Gemaus Sackie, Quayd Hendryx, Yeator Tappia, Solomon Wesley after they won the Boys 4×100 Meter Relay at the 2025 NJSIAA Meet of Champions, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Pennsauken, N.J. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

“It’s the best feeling to do something great with the guys,” Tappia said. “We’ve put in the work all season, and the results showed today.”

This is the first time in program history that Burlington Township won a gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay at Meet of Champions.

Bergen Catholic came in second place with a time of 41.15 seconds. St. Peter’s Prep outduled Rancocas Valley for third place with a time of 41.25 seconds.

As Burlington Township began to take hold of the event, head coach Brian David knew his squad had first place locked up with Hendryx at the anchor spot.

When he saw that his squad set a state record, David couldn’t have been more proud of his four runners.

He credits the hard work of his assistant coach, Darryl Curtis, for helping the team set a state record.

“They’ve been amazing to watch,” David said. “Setting a state record is awesome. These guys work so hard. It was an unbelievable day.”

A huge key to the Falcons setting a new state record was getting Wesley back in the fold.

The junior missed half of the season dealing with a hamstring injury and returned to the lineup for the 4×100 team last week at the Group 3 championships.

With Wesley back in the fold, the Falcons ran a time of 41.30 seconds to win the Group 3 title.

Wesley’s hamstring was feeling great, and thus grew the confidence of Burlington Township’s 4×100-meter relay squad, who knew history was well within their grasp.

“It was hard, but I took those three weeks off and came back to help drop that amazing time,” Wesley said. “I’m happy to be back.”

Wesley ran up the turf cheering on Hendryx as he crossed the finish line.

Having to watch his teammates from the sidelines run without him during the season, Wesley was happy to come back for the state tournaments and help his team make history.

“It feels amazing. Our true colors showed in the biggest moment,” Wesley said.

4×100 Boys Relay Place Winners:

1 – Union Catholic – Gemaus Sackie, Quayd Hendryx, Yeator Tappia, Solomon Wesley – 40.75

2 – Bergen Catholic – Nicholas Shortridge, Andrew Jeremiah, Boakye Amiir, Woodword Aiden Talley – 41.15

3 – St. Peter’s Prep – Neko Luzzi, Liggins Jevon, Ledgister Darryl Coleman, Andres Perez – 41.26

4 – Rancocas Valley – Thomas Howard Jr., David Smith, Julian Coppage-Seepersaud, Ethan Jones – 41.29

5 – Lenape – Zimir Lane, Peyton Brown, Xavyion Chapman, MJ Lincoln – 41.53

6 – Schalick – Reggie Allen Jr, Michael Eberl, Zaeshawn Mills, David Stewart – 42.08

7 – North Brunswick – Jahir Dawud, Tommy Koroma, Michael Perry, Jamell Wilmote – 42.10

8 – Rahway – Prince Rousseau, Mekhi Davenport, Rolando Simpson, Quashawn Haynes- 42.20

Steven Bassin can be reached at SBassin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @SBassin_Sports

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