For Rutgers track, 'potential' remains the word after Penn Relays haul

PHILADELPHIA – At the Penn Relays Saturday, there was a five-minute span that captured the potential of Rutgers track & field.

Sincere Robinson and Celine Brown took turns stepping onto the awards platform at the center of Franklin Field, receiving their gold watches for winning the men’s and women’s long jump, respectively.

Meanwhile, brothers Brian O’Sullivan and Kevin O’Sullivan were wrapping up a 1-2 finish in the men’s pole vault.

Three titles at one Penn Relays is a record haul for the Scarlet Knights at this iconic meet, which draws some of the top collegiate competition from around the country.  And here’s the best part: All three victors hail from New Jersey.

Rutgers' Sincere Robinson (left) and Celine Brown (right) show their gold watches after winning the men's and women's long jump, respectively, at the Penn Relays

“New Jersey is great in track and field, and us representing New Jersey and winning just emphasizes that,” said Brown, a Plainfield High School graduate. “To be able to represent your home in high school and continue in college is such a great statement, and keeping the talent in Jersey only makes us better.”

That’s the trick, right? Jersey oozes track & field talent ever year. The Penn Relays was a reminder. Villanova won the men’s 4xmile thanks to a 3:55 anchor by Bridgewater’s Marco Langon. Georgetown struck gold in the spring medley with Leonia’s Jaden Marchan on the 400-meter leg. At the high school level, Hackensack’s 400-800 superstar Seven Garcia is committed to USC. Christian Brothers Academy's Luke Hnatt, a two-time state champ in the distances, will run collegiately at Virginia. Eastern's record-breaking girls hurdler and middle-distance runner, Natalie Dumas, is headed to Arkansas. Pennsauken speedster Sianni Wynn is on her way to Florida.

“We’re trying to let everybody know that you don’t need to go down south, you don’t need to go to the West Coast,” Rutgers jumps coach Corey Crawford said. “If we keep the talent home, I think everybody knows we’re going to be a problem.”