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Princeton High School – Sprinter & Jumper Known as “Mose” in the sports press, Moses William Walker was the captain of Princeton High School’s Track and Field Team.  He competed in jumps and ran the 100, 220, 440 & Half Mile for the Tigers.  He was a multiple time state champion. In both his sophomore and junior track seasons of 1935 and 1936, Walker won the Group 2 State Championship in the 440 Yard Dash. In the 1935 state meet he also scored third in the broad jump. Walker was a member of a Central Jersey Championship three-peat for Princeton High’s Track Team--from 1934-1936.  He won 3 straight Central Jersey gold medals in the 440 Yards during the 3 year streak.  In the 1935 meet he was a double-winner, taking the Central Jersey crown for the Broad Jump. In just his freshman year of 1934, Walker won gold at the inaugural Mercer County Meet to become the first-ever county champion in the quarter mile.  With his win he helped propel Princeton High School to the first-ever Mercer County team title. He would go on to repeat as county 440 champ in 1935 and 1936. During his track career at Princeton, Mose routinely broke meet records in the 440, and he held a personal best in the broad jump of over 21 feet.    Walker played football for Princeton High School and was a starting full back. He also played varsity basketball.  He was elected President of the Athletic Association Council. After graduating high school in 1937, Walker attended Dillard University where he played football, ran track and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies in 1942.  He later attended and graduated from LSU.  He was a veteran and served in the US Army in World War II. MAJOR TITLES WON 2-TIME STATE GROUP II CHAMPION -- 440 YDS (1935 & 1936) 4-TIME CJ SECTIONAL CHAMPION – LJ (1935), 440 YDS (1934, 1935, 1936) 3-TIME MERCER COUNTY CHAMPION – 440 YDS (1934, 1935, 1936) Back to Historical Class

Published 2/13/26 For over 50 years David "Poppy" Sanderson has served as the athletic trainer at Trenton Central High School. On account of his dedicated and exemplary career, Sanderson will be inducted into the Mercer County Track and Field Hall of Fame this coming spring as a member of the Induction Class of 2026. A graduate of North Carolina A & T and The University of Pennsylvania Sports Fellowship Program, Sanderson has positively impacted countless athletes, coaches, camps and programs. He is the founder of the Education Outweighs Them All Foundation. Long time Trenton track coach and hall of fame member Al Jennings says of Sanderson: "He is Mr. TCHS. He is Mr. Everything Trenton High. He is responsible for all the uniforms for all the teams, he takes care of all the injuries, & prevention of injuries. When a coach has a problem communicating with athletes, he usually can. He not only does this for Trenton athletes but any athlete in the area. The kindest, caring man I have ever met." The highly decorated Sanderson has already been honored by organizations such as The Mercer County Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation just to name a few of the many accolades he has received. Now Sanderson will receive another honor at Mercer Oaks on Sunday May 17, 2026 when he's inducted with the Class of 2026 at the 3rd annual awards banquet of the Mercer County Track and Field Hall of Fame. Anyone wishing to attend the induction may get info on doing so HERE at the 2026 Banquet page. Deadline for RSVP is May10th. © 2026 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame Back to Articles

An Unexpected Beginning The newspapers had gotten his initials wrong.  In the aftermath of his most impressive high school athletic accomplishment, The Illustrated Sporting News reported his name as “J.H. Whiteley”.  The same mistake was reprinted in The Lawrence  newspaper in Mercer County NJ where he was enrolled as a student at Lawrenceville Prep.  Perhaps that was understandable, because up until that point in his extremely short running career there were no indicators that the boy’s name would deserve to be memorable.  His rise to national prominence arrived suddenly. His name was actually “G.H. Whiteley”, short for George Henry Whiteley Jr.  He unexpectedly made nationwide news in 1906 for setting a world scholastic record in the half-mile run.  Whiteley covered the 880 yards distance in a time of 1 minute 57 and 2/5 seconds at the Middle States Championship held in Philadelphia on May 19th of that year.  (The newspapers   at least  did  get his time right.) Whiteley not only topped the previous scholastic record set by The Pingry School’s Herbert E. Manvel in 1897, he also posted a time better than all US collegiate runners of that year.  The Illustrated American . Volume 21 Apr 10 1897 The Philadelphia Inquirer  described Whiteley’s record shattering effort at Franklin Field as the “greatest race of the day” and his mark was so fast that even after it was broken nationally, it remained the Lawrenceville Prep record for decades.   What made Whiteley’s record even more remarkable was that he had only started running a few months before.  Up until then he was a self-described baseball guy.  He had not thought to be a runner until a roommate at Lawrenceville persuaded him to give it a try.  Very soon it would be made clear that Whiteley was a natural running talent. In later years Whiteley claimed to have broken the half-mile record in only his second time ever running the distance.  However The Lawrence ’s post-season review on G.H.’s schedule of races in the spring of 1906 reveals that he actually set the record on his 4th attempt.   In his second half-miler of the season he suffered a loss, placing 2nd on April 21st 1906 at Princeton, by finishing runner-up to Tom Hughes of Mercersburg Academy.  In that race Hughes himself nearly broke the 1897 record of 1:59 & 3/5 seconds, missing it by a fifth of a second with a 1:59 & 4/5 for the win.  Perhaps the fast pace taught Whiteley a thing or two about high level running. Whiteley would avenge that loss a month later when he broke the record in Philly. With Hughes also in the field, Whiteley took the lead from the start.  He led wire to wire and crossed the finish line leaving Hughes a distant third and Halliday of The Hill School at runner-up.  Some reports claim Whiteley won by twenty yards, others claim thirty.  He hadn’t just taken the old record down by a sliver.  He had murdered it by over 2 seconds. The 18 year old Whiteley’s result was phenomenal when put in the perspective of the times.  With his 1:57 2/5 he had run only one second slower than 22 year old Jim Lightbody’s winning time at the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis two years before.  He had also run a better time than the senior mens’ 1905 AAU National Champion the previous season.  Such a colossal record was Whiteley’s that it would take over a half of a century until another student at Lawrenceville Prep would run faster in the half mile.  In 1906 there was not yet an NJSIAA federation to hold an official NJ state meet.  So the Middle States Championship was a final exclamation point on a short high school career that abruptly rose up and put him into the limelight.  In just 4 meets he became the fastest 880 runner in high school history, and faster than any half miler at any university he could attend.   The Ups and Downs of Being a Tiger After graduating from Lawrenceville Prep, Whiteley chose to enter Princeton University in the fall of 1906.  He ran on the cross-country team, and soon became the Tigers’ #1 harrier.  He won cross-country duals, covered 6.5 mile courses in the 35 minute range, and by 1907 finished 4th place at the Inter-Collegiate Cross-Country Championships with a time of 35:22. Of course, Whiteley also ran track at Princeton, and by the 1908 college season he put up the best collegiate time in the country for the half mile.   He had mastered the art of winning as well.  Besides the 1906 loss to Hughes in his 2nd half mile race ever, he had not lost another race at that distance though April of 1908.  Whiteley’s 880 Yard win streak would continue as he won the event again in early May of 1908.  On the 10th he took 1st against Yale in a dual meet.  However the box score shows his winning time to be a surprisingly slow 2:01 4/5.  The reason being that he had stepped in a hole in the track and injured his ankle during the race—damaging a tendon.   In the early 1900s, blocks hadn’t been invented yet.  Sprinters had to dig holes in the cinder tracks to achieve better footing for their starts. Prior to Whiteley’s race, the holes needed to be re-filled after a sprint race had concluded. Unfortunately no one had done so that day.    The hole G.H. stepped into caused him to stumble.  He was able to regain his balance and gut out the win, but was left seriously hurt.   His season was over.     This was a blow not only to Whiteley himself, but to the United States National Team as well.  Whiteley was a favorite to represent the US at the 1908 Olympic Games in London.  The injury was so severe that he had to pull out of the Olympic Trials held in June of 1908 in Philadelphia.  The Gazette.  York, Pennsylvania · Sunday, June 07, 1908 It was a shame Whiteley didn’t have the opportunity to compete at the Olympics. His times were world class and his abilities at racing would have held up well at the London Games.  Of all the prelim races to get into the Olympic finals not one of them was run faster than Whiteley’s personal best, with most being considerably slower.  In the Olympic finals Mel Sheppard of the United States took gold with a world record 1:52.8.  All was not lost for Lawrenceville fans though.  Whiteley’s former Lawrenceville Prep teammate J.A. Rector   did in fact make the Olympic team and won a silver medal at the games in the 100 meters. Comeback Kid The ankle took a long time to heal.  According to Whiteley himself, he was out of running for two years because of it.  This wasn’t true, but perhaps he wanted to forget the 1909 season.  He might have understandably blocked it out of his memory.  His 1909 times weren’t what they were the previous year. He lost his win streak.  He failed to win a major championship.  By 1910 Whiteley had rehabbed fully.  During his last spring season at Princeton he was able to achieve his all-time personal best of 1:56 1/2 in a dual meet vs Cornell.  That time returned him to the top of the college rankings.   In May of 1910 Whiteley won the greatest championship of his career.  He ran a 1:57.0 to take 1st at the IC4A Championships—the college national championships of his day.  His time was the fourth fastest in the history of the meet.  It was also 2.2 seconds faster than former world record holder Walter Dohm ’ s t ime when he won the IC4A as a Princeton athlete back in 1890. Whiteley crossing the finish to win the 1910 IC4A Then… it was over.  Whiteley retired from running.  Maybe the 1912 Olympics were just too far away.  Or maybe as a graduate of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, he wanted to take on a new challenge in the business world.   The Next Chapter Whiteley’s father had started a dental supply company in 1899 in New York City.  In 1911 after Princeton, G.H. joined up with his father’s company: Dentsply International Incorporated .  It grew into the world’s largest manufacturer of artificial tooth products.  Whiteley eventually became president of the company by 1949 and chairman of the board in 1955.  He personally held a US patent in the area of artificial tooth technology.   Whiteley also was active in civic affairs serving on multiple boards for banks, libraries and the YMCA.  His company donated money toward education, in particular for York County Day School in York Pennsylvania where he eventually settled down. The Record that Wouldn’t Fall By 1912 Teddy Meredith of Mercersburg Academy in PA had taken the scholastic world record down to 1:55. The summer after Meredith graduated high school he won Olympic gold in the 800 meters (4 meters shorter than the half mile) in a world record 1:51.9.   As the years went on however, one mark remained.  Whiteley’s 1906 time continued as the school record at Lawrenceville Prep.  By 1956 his record had hit the 50 year mark.   By the late 1950s Ed Poreda  took over as head coach at Lawrenceville.  Poreda himself was a sub 2 minute half miler who had won 2 state championships for Trenton Central in 1943 & 1944.  With Poreda’s experience the athletes at the storied track school were sure to benefit in middle distance training.  But despite Poreda’s excellent coaching, the 1960s arrived and Whiteley’s school record stubbornly remained.  In 1964 Lawrenceville Prep’s Tom Callahan ran 1:55.4 at the NJ Prep State Championships to become the fastest half miler in the history of the school.  His time was 2 seconds faster than Whiteley. The problem however was that his run was at the indoor state meet, so it only counted as a winter season record.  (Whiteley’s was an outdoor record mark, set in the spring season) A few months later the official record finally fell to Callahan.  The record breaking event occurred in the spring of ’64 at an outdoor dual meet against The Hill School with Callahan running 1:56.  He soon topped that mark at the 1964 NJ Prep State Meet, posting a 1:55.8 to win the spring state championship. The Lawrentian, 1 July 1964 By comparison, Callahan’s title as the fastest in school history wouldn’t last nearly as long as Whiteley’s did.   His #1 status ended after 9 years when future Mercer Track Hall of Famer Merrell Noden hit a 1:54 in 1973 to take over the top spot in the Lawrenceville record book. The Legacy George Henry Whiteley Jr passed away at 86 years old in 1973.  He was survived by his wife and four children. Whiteley’s track career ended as abruptly as it started.  From the first time he took to a starting line to the last time he crossed a finish was a total of only 4 years plus 3 months. Whiteley ran in the days where the tracks were dirt or cinder, where equipment was crude, and training wasn’t as advanced.  Yet the record time he ran at Lawrence Prep would still be relevant today.  His 1 min 57.4 seconds as a high schooler would have won the last 3 NJ Prep A State Championships—from 2023-2025.  One wonders what times athletes from his era would have run if they had access to better surfaces, with better shoes.   He did have the following advice for young runners well after his athletic days had ended.  He said, "If you want to do a good job, train conscientiously, take your work seriously, and don't break training.  Diligence will ultimately pay off."  © 2025 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame Visit The Historical Class   to learn more about some of the best Mercer County track & field athletes from the pre-1960 era.

Published 2/9/2026 On the evening of February 9, 1983 , Princeton's Boys and Notre Dame's Girls won the Indoor Colonial Valley Conference Track Championships. In an extremely tight battle with Lawrence for the boys team title, The PHS Little Tigers were paced by soon-to-be hall of fame inductee Stephan Fletcher . He won the 55m High Hurdles in 7.40 seconds, and took 2nd in the 55m Dash. Stephan Fletcher PHS Other CVC event champions for Princeton were P.J Young in the Shot Put (55' 11 1/4") and Bill Bushnell who took the 1600 Meter Run (4:31.17). Coached by Lamont Fletcher, Princeton narrowly surpassed Lawrence by a 1 point margin in the team standings 68 to 67. Notre Dame was third with 51. On account of the field events taking longer than the track events, the final scoring opportunity for the meet was decided in the high jump. Lawrence failed to gain enough points in the event to overtake PHS's score. Trenton Times Feb 10, 1983 For Notre Dame's Girls Team the CVC meet was one of domination. Head Coach Tony Genovese 's squad piled on 119 points to outdistance PHS's girls who were runners-up with 45. Lawrence took third with 42. ND's effort was a well-balanced one. The Lady Irish took 6 gold medals with 5 different individuals claiming CVC event titles. ND track winners were Sonja Vaughan in the 400, Sue Teieski in the 800, Melanie Nosol in the 1600 and Jane Cieslin in the 3200. ND's Melanie Nosol (Left) and Jane Cielsin (Right). Winners of the 1600 and 3200 - Indoor CVC 1983 In the field, ND's Gretchen Guender won the Shot Put. The winners closed out the meet by taking the 1600 Relay title with the lineup of Nosol, Teieski, Smith and Vaughan. Also assisting the ND team with significant point scoring was Charisse West who earned 2 silver medals-- in the 55 Hurdles and 55 Dash. Charisse West For Notre Dame, 1983 was their 4th consecutive year winning the girls indoor CVC track crown. © 2026 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame Back to Articles

Published 2/9/2026 The sport of Track and Field in Mercer County NJ is marked by a rich tradition in the throwing events. Two of the counties greatest throwers ever--Terrence Glover and Jackie Hudgins--are being inducted this year into the Mercer County Track and Field Hall of Fame. Terrence Glover threw for Hamilton West in the late 1990s. He was a champion athlete in both the Shot Put and Discus. In NJ competition, Glover held the Meet of Champions crown for 3 straight years in the Discus--from 1997 to1999. In 1999 he was a double winner taking the Meet of Champs Shot Put. He also won the 1999 Indoor Meet of Champs in the Shot. In county competition Glover set the still standing Outdoor Mercer County Meet mark in the Discus of 186' 6 in 1997. The next season in '98 he won county crowns in both the Shot and Disc'. Glover dominated on the nation-wide level as well. He was outdoor national champion in the Discus in both 1998 & '99, and he is the current county record holder in the event at 202' 0". Glover Winning the Meet of Champs Discus as just a sophomore in 1997 Glover attended Penn State University where he played football for the Nittany Lions. Hudgins Shot Put and Discus thrower Jackie Hudgins starred for Hightstown in the early 2000s. She absolutely dominated NJ shot putting in her senior season of 2001, taking first place at both the indoor and outdoor Meet of Champions. The list of Hudgins additional accomplishments makes her throwing career even more superb. She was a county winner outdoors in the discus once, and county champ multiple times in the shot. She was also a state group champion in the shot put, and currently holds both the indoor and outdoor county marks for that event at 47"0" and 48' 0 1/2" respectively. She finished runner-up in the shot nationally in 2001, and her outdoor personal best at the time made her the 2nd farthest female thrower in the history of the state. Hudgins went on to compete collegiately at Clemson University. She is in the all-time top 10 list for Women's Shot Put at Clemson with a 48" 0 3/4" performance in 2002. Jackie Hudgins Shot Put Both Terrence Glover and Jackie Hudgins will be inducted into the Mercer County Track and Field Hall of Fame on May 17th, 2026 at the 3rd annual awards banquet. The venue for the event is Mercer Oaks. To attend see our 2026 banquet page here. © 2026 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame BACK TO NEWS AND ARTICLES

Trenton Central High School – Sprinter Joe Lenzner was the first in a long line of great quarter milers for TCHS.  At the NJSIAA state meet in 1921 he won the Class A 440 Yard Dash.  Along with teammate Frank Donlon’s win in the 100 Yards, the Trenton pair became the first Trenton High athletes in school history to win individual state titles. Besides his quarter mile prowess, Lenzner possessed a wide range.  He competed successfully for the Tornados in events from the 100 yards up to the half mile.  With Lenzner on the anchor leg at the 1921 Penn Relays—joined by teammates Donlon, E. Clarke, and future NFL player Bob Millman--TCHS finished first in the public schools division in the Mile Relay.         In addition to being TCHS’s best relay anchor, and the state’s #1 quarter miler, Lenzner was Trenton City Champ for 440 Yards in 1921, and he won the South Jersey Championship in 1921 for the quarter mile. Known as “The Trenton Flash”, he was a three sport star for TCHS who added varsity football and basketball to his resume.    After TCHS, Lenzner attended Mercersburg Academy where he focused on football while still running summer track for the Trenton Times AA Club.  From 1925 to 1928 he played college football for the Penn Quakers and graduated from Penn’s School of Dentistry. Dr. Lenzner practiced Dental Medicine in Manhattan from 1930 to 1974.  He also taught at New York University’s Dentistry School. MAJOR TITLES STATE CHAMPION CLASS A 440 YARDS (1921) SJ SECTIONAL CHAMION 440 YARDS (1921) TRENTON CITY CHAMPION 440 YARDS (1921) Back to Historical Class

In the words of his student-athletes and colleagues... Published 1/23/2026 “Doug Martin always led by example and showed generations of teenagers how to be athletes and adults: practice every day, always shoot for your personal best, and have a sense of humor about the whole thing.” -Doug Larkin (Steinert Class of 1988, Member XC State Champs '87, Professor at Montclair State University) "I had the rare fortune of having Doug Martin as a coach, teacher and mentor for six years. He had the unique ability to teach discipline and hard work through example yet somehow made every workout fun. I am forever grateful the fork in my road led to Doug."  -Dave Lauer (Class of 1980, County Champ Relay & Jav) "For me, Mr. Martin was both a coach and mentor who led by example. His dedication to his athletes instilled a hard work ethic, positivity, and a 'never-quit' attitude that contributed immensely to my success as an athlete and in everyday life since." -Rich Henrie (Class of 1982, Meet of Champs Winner - Discus) "His 3 philosophical pillars and their application to sports and life: have fun, no clown injuries, keep your sense of humor. Doug Martin's impact on his athletes cannot be adequately captured by mere words. A sport is a microcosm of life and Doug Martin was the best at linking a strong positive message on how to deal with ups and downs on the track as a model of how to live." -Tom Porter (Class of 1979, Member of CJ & Mercer XC Champs) "He pretty much treated everyone like they were his own children. I remember on weekends in the offseason, groups of us would run by his house and he'd be lifting weights in the garage and then go run with us when he finished. During cross country meets you'd be about to the halfway point, make a turn, and there he was out of nowhere, cheering you." -Wes Rupell (Class of 1978, Mercer Cross Country Champion '77) "Mr. Martin taught us to be competitive and believe in ourselves, and if we were unsure of our ability, he was going to run along side of us and show us the way.” -Paul DiLouie (Class of 1980, Member of XC County Champs ’78) "He is a father figure. Someone who will always be there for you no matter what.   No  questions asked." -Aaron Oldfield (Class of 1988, CJ XC Champ, Head Coach of Hopewell Valley Track & XC) "Coach Martin was the best! More than a coach, a true mentor and leader. I will be forever grateful for the incredibly positive influence he has been in my life." -Scott Young (Class of 1988, State Javelin Champion) “It is really hard to put into words what Doug has meant to so many of us. The impact he has made on so many of his student-athletes is immeasurable. I, along with so many others absolutely love this man for all the time and energy and positive influences he has made on all our lives.” -John Johnson (Class of 1979, Mercer Cross Country Champ) "Doug Martin has always exemplified what it means to work hard, have honor, and celebrate doing your best. He continues to be a model of that ethos. and anyone who has met him can attest to his influence and integrity... I am forever grateful Doug Martin has been a mentor and a friend!" " - Steve Zarodnanksy (Class of 1996, former Varsity T&F, Teacher and Coach at SHS) "There are so many running memories I have about Doug whom I have known since we were in high school... About our XC course in Vets Park... Him running to East Brunswick on the morning of a Saturday invitational... Running, with numerous team members, from Washington Crossing to Bowman's Tower, and doing repeats of the loop at the Tower, then running back to Washington's Crossing." - Ed Connor (SHS Teacher & Assistant Track Coach 1977-2013) "How did I end up here? Answer: Doug Martin. I'm where I am today because of him." -Frank Ferrara (Class of 1988, Mercer County 400 Hurdles Champ, Steinert Teacher & Coach) "Whatever it was that put me in the most pain and discomfort, somehow Coach Martin could find a way to make that fun.  He showed us all how to smile through the pain, embrace it, know that we could overcome it, and use it to our advantage. That’s not just Track Hall of Fame level stuff. That guy belongs in the Life Hall of Fame." -Thom Mozloom (Class of 1985, Mercer County Pole Vault Champ) "Doug always made us feel important. His desire to excel and always try to do your best, while having fun and working hard has made a lasting impact on so many of his student athletes.” -John Bowe (Reynolds Middle School 1976, XC/T&F) "Mr. Martin inspired me to continually be a better person. I recently completed 14 years as a principal and now I work in a leadership position for one of the larger charter school management orgs. in the nation. I think when I trace this back, I absolutely give Mr. Martin a ton of credit, and I’m so excited that he’s being inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame." -Gary Springer (Class of 1991, County Champ 800m) "Congratulations Doug! Well deserved. You made such a positive difference in so many young lives that we could never repay you enough. I hope this award helps you realize how important you were to so many people!" - Ken Robbins (Class of 1980, Member of Mercer T/F Champs '79 & XC '78) "I was a better student and human being because of him. Our dedication to the sport, to him, to the team and to ourselves, grew greater and greater. He fostered our determination to be the best we could be, for ourselves and the team! Confidence, Concentration, Consistency, Discipline, Dedication, Determination! The ingredients for success in life!" -Chris Manno (Class of 1986, School record PV, Superintendent of Burlington NJ & Bedford NY Schools) "I recall seeing Mr. Martin in the weight room, diligently completing his annual 1,000 push-ups—an impressive display of discipline and commitment. His passion for running and physical fitness set a lasting example, motivating me to remain active for 36 years after high school." -John Molnar (Class of 1990, Mercer County 400 Hurdles Champ) " It was never about just winning, it was about doing the things you needed to do to put yourself in that position and success for you as an individual and as a team would come, however you defined that. I'm sure he got much more joy out of you hitting a PR than you winning your event." - Tom Young (Class of 1988, County & CJ Champ 400m) “Anywhere around Hamilton Square on any given day in any type of weather you were bound to see him shirtless doing that tippy toe jog along the side of the road, and he sure never asked us to do anything that he wasn’t already doing.  We would push ourselves beyond our own limits in practice for the promise of an ice cream sandwich to the winner. Classic. Well deserved.” -Ed Aquilino (Class of 1983, County Champion 800m) "Coach's optimism made us believe in ourselves and what was possible. He prepared us to avoid pitfalls, to adapt to the unexpected, and to concentrate in the midst of any challenges that came our way. I love him for that." - Bob Marchetti (Class of 1988, State Champ HJ) "From my days as a student/athlete at Steinert, to now entering my18th yr coaching and teaching at Steinert, all that I do for my students/athletes is because Mr. Martin set the foundation and standard years before... His true impact on the county is immeasurable." - Michael Giacobbe ( Class of 2002, Teacher and Coach at Steinert) "I owe so much to Doug. My life would be so different if he wasn’t in it during those formative years. In fact I can say with some degree of confidence that I probably wouldn’t be alive without his guidance and support." -Mark Fisher (Class of 1982, All-County Track and Field) “Mr. Martin was always the first one in the building working out each morning, a patient and dedicated teacher throughout the day, and the last one to leave the track every night. Congratulations on a truly well-deserved honor--few embody the spirit of a Steinert Spartan more than he does.” -Nick Kutovy (Class of 1991, Golden West Champion, Javelin) "Respect yourself and others, have fun, don't get a stupid injury, keep a sense of humor. That's what Doug Martin told us. Having Doug as a coach in 3 sports and teacher in GALRE meant I saw a lot of him, and am grateful for that... He inspired me as an athlete, influenced me academically and challenged me to be informed-all the time having fun. God bless him and all whom he has touched." -Erik Reitz (Class of 1983, CJ & County Champ, School Record HJ) “As a coach Doug Martin was such a POSITIVE difference maker in our students’ lives. We hosted the Mercer County T&F championships at Steinert and the Mercer XC championships at Vets Park under his leadership. He did everything to promote the sport of track and field throughout the county and is truly an outstanding human that made a positive difference in all that he met.” - Dave McWilliam (Former Steinert Director of Athletics) "Driven and determined mixed with humor and caring, Doug is a unique blend. I'm proud to have had him as a coach and mentor." - Tom Canto (Class of 1988, Member of State Champs XC '87) “Fun-Run is an oxymoron unless you ran with Coach Doug Martin... He ran right alongside of us during our practices at Vets Park, pushing us to excel all the white delivering his quirky brand of humor that made us laugh through the fartleks.  He was a great coach and more importantly a great role model ...Long live the weight man relay!" - Larry LeClaire (Class of 1982, 1 st  team all-Mercer XC) "Doug was a trail blazer in both the physical and the metaphorical sense, making sure we girls had opportunity to line up and run. In the late 70s - before and at the very beginning of the establishment of official girls teams - he opened doors for us, and in so doing - gave me a sense of confidence that helped shape the person I am today. For that, I will always be grateful. Congratulations on this well deserved recognition Doug!!!!"     -Bobbi Lynch Heydacker (Class of 1979, County Champion XC & 5x T&F County Champion ) "I was never an athlete until I went out for track my freshman year. Mr. Martin recognized my desire to improve and inspired me to work hard and to compete with ferocity. He invested so much of himself in the sport and in the team that he made you want to perform. He modeled what being a true lionheart looked like." -Cathy Smith (Class of 1991, County & CJ Chanp 1600m) "There are few that have a resume approaching the one that Doug Martin has amassed. Not only is his coaching resume amazing, but his resume as a human being is equally impressive. A coach of cross country, indoor and outdoor track for 34 of his 39 years as an educator of young men and women. He was a highly respected master teacher both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. His teams’ successes are not just measured by what they accomplished as athletes, but by the message he promoted to his teams about values, sportsmanship, and building self-confidence. The number of lives that he has touched cannot possibly be counted. He is likewise a devoted husband, father and grandfather. On a personal note, I couldn’t be prouder to say that he is my dear friend for 50 plus years and I am a better person for having known him, taught with him, and coached with him." -Andre Modica (Former Steinert Coach and Administrator, Track Official) ------------------- Doug Martin along with 17 other Mercer greats will be inducted into the Mercer County Track and Field Hall of Fame on Sunday May 17, 2026 at Mercer Oaks, at the hall's annual awards event. If you'd like to attend please RSVP HERE. © 2026 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame BACK TO ARTICLES & NEWS

1973 Outdoor Division B Hilary Noden , Hopewell, 1 Mile Run 1974 Outdoor Division A Kathy Woodbridge , Princeton, 880 Yards Division B Hilary Noden , Hopewell, 1 Mile Run 1975 Outdoor Division B Hilary Noden , Hopewell, Division B, 1 Mile Run 1976 Outdoor Group II Hilary Noden , Hopewell, 2 Mile Run Hightstown Mile Relay , (Ellen Bradley, Mary Lee Damutz, Lynn Roach, Margaret McCormick) 1977 Outdoor Group II Margaret McCormick , Hightstown, 880 Yards Group VI Gina Nelson , Trenton, 100 Yards Dorothea Smith , Trenton, 220 Yards Vee Hearns , Ewing, Long Jump 1978 Outdoor Group II Kim Hatchett , Lawrence, High Jump 1979 Outdoor Group II Lori Dowers , Lawrence, (2) Group II, 100 Yards & 220 Yards Karen Hatchett , Lawrence, (2) Group II, 110 Hurdles & High Jump Lawrence: Group II Team Title 1980 Outdoor Group II Karen Hatchett , Lawrence, (2) Group II, 110 Hurdles & High Jump 1982 Indoor Group II Enechi Modu , Lawrence, Group II, 55m Dash Group VI Wenda Vereen , Trenton, 55m Dash Outdoor Parochial A Charisse West, Notre Dame, (2) Parochial A, 100m & 200m Sonja Vaughan , Notre Dame, Parochial A, 400m Notre Dame: Parochial A Team Title 1983 Indoor Group IV Wenda Vereen , Trenton, (2) 55m Dash & 55m Hurdles Parochial Charisse West , Notre Dame, (2) 55m Dash & 55m Hurdles Sonja Vaughan , Notre Dame, 400m Gretchen Guender , Notre Dame, High Jump Notre Dame : Parochial Team Title Outdoor Group IV Wenda Vereen ,. Trenton (2) , 100m & 200m Trenton 1600 Relay , Group IV (Rhonda Gipson, Donna Powell, Angela Heckey, Wenda Vereen) Parochial Charisse Wes t, Notre Dame, (3) Parochial A, 100m, 200m & Long Jump Sonja Vaughan , Notre Dame, Parochial A, 400m Notre Dame 1600 Relay , Parochial A Notre Dame : Parochial A Team Title 1984 Indoor Group IV Wenda Vereen , Trenton, 55m Dash Parochial Charisse West , Notre Dame, 55m Dash Sonja Vaughan , Notre Dame, 800m Melanie Nosa l, Notre Dame, 1600m Janet Cieslin , Notre Dame, 3200m Joyce Lanier , Notre Dame, Shot Put Notre Dame:   Parochial Team Title Outdoor Group IV Wenda Vereen, Trenton, (2) 100m & 200m Trenton 1600 Relay, (Anette Walker, Tamerian Nieves, Angela Hilol, Vereen) Parochial A Sonja Vaughan , Notre Dame, (2) , 400m & 800m Tina Taylor , Notre Dame, 400 Hurdles Joyce Lanier , Notre Dame, (2) Shot Put & Discus Notre Dame 1600 Relay , (Nosal, Harrison, Taylor, Vaughn) Trenton: Group IV Team Title Notre Dame:   Parochial A Team Title 1985 Indoor Parochial A Charisse West , Notre Dame, 55m Dash Sonja Vaughan , Notre Dame,  (2) 400m & 800m Janet Cieslin , Notre Dame, 3200m Helen Rebbeck , Notre Dame, High Jump Notre Dame:   Parochial Team Title Outdoor Group IV Donna Powell , Trenton, 400 Hurdles Parochial A Charisse West , Notre Dame, 100m Sonja Vaughan , Notre Dame, (2) , 200m & 800m Stacey Harrison , Notre Dame, 100 Hurdles Carrie Prophett , Notre Dame, Long Jump Stephanie Carter, Notre Dame, High Jump Notre Dame 1600 Relay Notre Dame : Team Title 1986 Indoor Group II Tina Smith , Lawrence, High Jump Group IV Tracey Wright , Trenton, 55m Dash Cheryl Baker , Trenton, 400m Trenton: Group IV Team Title Outdoor Group II Tina Smith , Lawrence, Long Jump Group IV Donna Powell , Trenton, 400 Hurdles Parochial A Carrie Prophett, Notre Dame, Long Jump Stephanie Carter , Notre Dame, High Jump 1987 Indoor Group II Tina Smith , Lawrence, 55m Hurdles Beth Starr , Lawrence, 800m Lawrence : Group II Team Title Outdoor Parochial A Debbie Mahon, Notre Dame, Long Jump Stephanie Carter , Notre Dame, High Jump 1988 Indoor Group II Sandra Tignor, Princeton (2) , 1600m & 3200m Outdoor Group II Sandra Tignor , Princeton, 1600m Group VI Yvonne Prilo , Trenton, 400 Hurdles\ Parochial A Michelle Dey, Notre Dame, 3200m 1989 Indoor Group II Caty Willard , Princeton, 800m Karen Swartz , Princeton (2) , 1600m & 3200m Group III Dawn Ellery , West Windsor South, High Jump Princeton : Group II Team Title (Indoor) 1990 Indoor Group III Dawn Ellery , West Windsor South, High Jump Oudoor Group II Jen Watkins , Hopewell, Discus Group IV Dawn Ellery , West Windsor South, High Jump Trenton 1600 Relay (Jacqui Grimes, Tracy Smith, Tyra Sample, Hameeda Jackson) Trenton : Group iv Team Title 1991 Indoor Group II Mandy Pietrowicz , Hopewell, 400m Outdoor Group II Jen Watkins , Hopewell, Discus 1992 Indoor Group II Ailey Penningroth , Princeton, Shot Put Group VI Minee Blamo , Trenton, 400m Princeton : Group II Team Title Outdoor Group III Jackie Davis , Nottingham, Javelin Group VI Minee Blamo , Trenton, 100m Lisa Morris , Trenton, Discus Robin Dollson , Trenton, High Jump Parochial A Elandra Farrior , Notre Dame, Shot Put Tanya Parotta , Notre Dame, Javelin Trenton : Group IV Team Title 1993 Indoor Group II Ailey Penningroth , Princeton, Shot Put Group IV Minee Blamo, Trenton, (2) 55m Dash & 400m Trenton : Group IV Team Title Outdoor Group II Ailey Penningroth , Princeton, Shot Put Group III Jackie Davis , Nottingham, Javelin Group IV Minee Blamo , Trenton, 400 Hurdles Parochial A Tanya Parotta , Notre Dame Notre Dame : Parochial A Team Title 1994 Outdoor Group III Jackie Davis , Nottingham, Javelin Group IV Tara Hollowell , Trenton, (2) Shot Put & Discus 1995 Indoor Group II Mira Manickam , Lawrence, High Jump Group IV Tara Hollowell , Trenton, Shot Put Outdoor Group III Jackie Davis , Nottingham, Javelin Group IV Tara Hollowell , Trenton,  (2)  Shot Put & Discus Parochial A Danielle Grady , Notre Dame, (4) 100m, 200m, 100 Hurdles, Long Jump Karen Middleton , Notre Dame, High Jump Notre Dame: Parochial A Team Title 1996 Indoor Group III Kelly Mcabe , Notred Dame, 3200m Aricia Joasil , Hamilton West, Shot Put Notre Dame : Group III Team Title Outdoor Group III Mira Manickam , Lawrence, High Jump Parochial A Danielle Grady , Notre Dame, (2) 100m & Shot Put Jain Ja Williams , Notre Dame, 200m Daya Washington , Notre Dame, 400m Jessica Rosidivito , Notre Dame, 800m Kelly McCabe , Notre Dame, 1600m Kathleen McCabe , Notre Dame, 400 Hurdles Karen Middleton , Notre Dame, High Jump Erica Destefano , Notre Dame, Long Jump Gena Carapezza , Notre Dame, Discus Lauren Primerano , Note Dame, Javelin Notre Dame 1600 Relay (Williams, Grady, Washington, Kathleen McCabe) Notre Dame : Parochial A Team Title 1997 Indoor Group II Erica DiStefano , Notre Dame, 55m Hurdles Notre Dame 4x400 Relay (Kathleen McCabe, Jain Ja Williams, Daya Washington, Amanda Ewing) Group III Aricia Joasil , Hamilton West, Shot Put Notre Dame : Group II Team Title Outdoor Parochial A Danielle Grady , Notre Dame, (3) 100m, 100 Hurdles, Long Jump Jain Ja Williams , Notre Dame, 200m & 400m Kathleen McCabe , Notre Dame, 400 Hurdles Diedre Mullen , Notre Dame, High Jump Lauren Primerano , Notre Dame, Javelin Notre Dame 1600 Relay (Falcone, Rosidivito, Ka. McCabe, Mullen) Notre Dame: Parochial A Team Title (1997 Box Scores) 1998 Indoor Group III Kathleen McCabe , Notre Dame, 55m Hurdles Diedre Mullen , Notre Dame, High Jump Outdoor Group IV Charlene Davis , West Windsor South, High Jump Parochial A Jain Ja Williams , Notre Dame, 100m & 200m Kathleen McCabe , Notre Dame, 100 Hurdles & 400 Hurdles Melanie Campbell , Notre Dame, Shot Put Lauren Primerano , Notred Dame, Javelin Notre Dame : Parochial A Team Title (1998 Box Scores) 1999 Indoor Group II Laura Petrillo , Hopewell, 3200m Group III Diedre Mullen , Notre Dame, High Jump Outdoor Group III Jackie Hudgins , Hightstown, Shot Put Parochial A Jain Ja Williams , Notre Dame, 400m Melanie Campbell , Notre Dame, Shot Put Kira Hadalski, Notre Dame, Discus Notre Dame : Parochial A Team Title (1999 Box Score) 2000 Indoor Group III Jackie Hudgins, Hightstown, Shot Put Diedre Mullen , Notre Dame, High Jump Outdoor Group III Jackie Hudgins , Hightstown, Shot Put Parochial A Diedre Mullen , Notre Dame, High Jump Melanie Campbell, Notre Dame, Shot Put Kira Hadalski, Notre Dame, Discus Notre Dame : Parochial A Team Title (2000 Box Score) © 2025 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame

Published 1/14/2026 On Sunday January 14, 2007 , high jumper Devon Bond of Trenton Central High School not only broke the indoor Mercer County record, he cracked the 7 foot barrier. Bond's 7'0" leap took place at the NJSIAA Group 4 Indoor Relay Championships held at the Jersey City Armory. His jump combined with teammate Frank Thompson's 6'0 leap gave Trenton the high jump relay crown. About his his record breaking performance he said: Trenton Times Jan 15, 2007 Bond's and Thompson's win was part of a huge team performance for Trenton. The Tornadoes took the team title, scoring 38 points to out-distance double runners-up Hillsborough and Don Bosco who each scored 24. Other events won by the Tornadoes on the day were the 800 Relay and the1600 Relay. Bond would go on to win both the winter and spring Meet of Champs in the high jump in 2007. © 2026 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame Back to News & Articles

Published 1/27/2026 On Sunday January 27th, of 2013 West Windsor Plainsboro North's girls won their first ever Mercer County Indoor Track Championship. The Knights were led by Mercer hall of famer Patrycja Dziekonska (HOF Class of 2025) who not only won the first ever indoor county long jump title at 18'7", she also took gold in the 55m Hurdles, and silver in the 400. Also getting a double-win for WW North was Simone Counts. Counts took first in both the 800 and 1600 meter events. Counts leads the 800 - Trenton Times Jan 28, 2013 Speaking about the team's efforts Dziekonska said: Trenton Times Jan 28, 2013 Soon to be inducted Noel Jancewicz of Robbinsville was selected as the Girls Most Valuable Performer for winning the 55m, 200m, and High Jump. In the final team standings North secured 103 points for the win. WW South came in second scoring 71, and Robbinsville was third with 57. BACK TO NEWS AND ARTICLES

Published Jan 2, 2026 On Saturday January 2nd of 2010, Hopewell Valley senior Emily Kianka high jumped 5' 9 1/2" to set the all-time indoor Mercer County mark for girls. She broke her own county record of 5'8 set the previous year when she was a junior. Kianka's record leap earned her first place at the Track Universe Invitational held in the NYC Armory. Her jump also put her 2nd in the U.S. High School rankings list for January of 2010. Later in the indoor 2010 season, Kianka would win the Meet of Champions with an even higher leap of 5'10. © 2026 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame Back to Latest News & Articles

Steinert HS-- Javelin How good does an athlete have to be to be named to the Mercer County Track and Field Hall of Fame because of one event? They have to be dominant, memorable and special. Steinert’s Nick Kutovy meets all of those criteria and then some. On a short list of Mercer County’s greatest javelin throwers, Kutovy was magical in a way that transcended his sport; he was must-see viewing when he competed, much in the way that baseball crowds stay glued to their television sets when a home-run hitter is at bat or football crowds eye a superstar quarterback in the final two minutes of a close game. Hyperbole? Not much in the magical spring of 1991 when Kutovy went undefeated in scholastic events in the javelin. Kutovy went unscathed through the CVC dual-meet campaign, won the Mercer County title and took both the Central Group III and Group III state crowns. But that was just the beginning. Kutovy threw the javelin a stunning 230-2 to dominate the New Jersey Meet of Champions and later went on to win two of the biggest scholastic events in America that year, the Golden West and Keebler invitationals. Quite simply, he was the best in America and went to a prestigious four-year collegiate career at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he resided at the time of his induction with his family. But for those who witnessed him perform that magical spring, he will always have a home in Mercer County, who he captivated track fans the way few before him did and few have since. MAJOR TITLES Golden West Champion 1991 Keebler Invitational National Champion 1991 Meet of Champions Winner 1991 State Group III and Central Jersey Sectional Champion 1991 Mercer County Champion 1991 Back to Class of 2025