Photo Credits:
Southern’s Cole Isaac Cramer is no stranger to a runner-up finish. In 2023, he finished second to Robbinsville’s Maxim Rychkov who captured the 55-meter dash title that season. Last year, Cramer came in second to Burlington City’s Malachi James who reset the meet record with a 6.22 in the process. This year, it was finally Cramer’s time to shine.
The Tennessee commit finished second in the trials with a 6.36, but came back with a huge performance in the finals to win with a 6.24. The time easily becomes N.J. No. 1 and is the only sub-6.30 time in the state this season. It’s also the third-best time in the state-history, surpassing the 6.26 set by the late Mario Heslop of Franklin back in 2019.
“I just came out and I wasn’t scared”, said Cramer after the race. “I came back off an injury this season, too, so it wasn’t like, I wasn’t thinking like, ‘oh, I need to win. I need to win. I was just comfortable in my race, smooth stride. Everything just ended up working out, and I had fun on the way. So I’m forever grateful for this opportunity,
Despite being injured to begin the season, Cramer ended things on fire. He made his season debut at the South, Group 4 sectional meet, capturing the title in 6.40. He became the state leader in the event as well at last week’s Group 4 Championships as he won the state title in 6.32.
Pingry’s Graham Houghton finished second behind Cramer in 6.37 with Bergen Catholic’a Andrew Jeremiah Boakye placing third in 6.41.
“It means a lot to win, These guys have all worked hard and so have I and it just means that much more to go out there and perform that well”, said Cramer, speaking on the level of competition he’s had to face over the past three years.
Cramer is confident heading into the outdoor season.
“I find that the straightaways are way easier to work with than on this curve”, he said. The 200 And the 100 in the spring is going to be crazy, I can’t wait for it I’ve been thinking about it ever since fall, so I’m just really hyped for it".
1-Cole Isaac Cramer, Southern Sr., 6.24
2-Graham Houghton, Pingry, Sr., 6.37
3-Andrew Jeremiah Boakye, Bergen Catholic, Sr., 6.41
4-Julian Onesti, St. Augustine Prep, Sr., 6.42
5-Shayne Spiteri, Roxbury, Sr., 6.42
6-Daniel Tobia, Hillsborough, Jr., 6.44
7-Marquis Taylor, Woodbury, Sr., 6.45
8-Joey Rozynski, Pope John, Sr., 6.49
