Wildwood Catholic grad is NJAC track champ

Wildwood Catholic High School graduate Rakim Coyle is continuing his track and field exploits at the college level.

Coyle, now a freshman at Rowan University, won the long jump at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships Saturday afternoon at Richard Stockton University.

Coyle leaped 23 feet, 6 inches (7.16 meters), which represented his best at the college level to date. His teammate, John Owens, placed second at 22-4 ½.

Coyle’s first-place helped Rowan win the team title for the fifth straight year.

Coyle is currently ranked No. 2 among freshmen and No. 17 overall in the nation in Division III in the event.

As a high school track athlete at Wildwood Catholic, Coyle won the state Non-Public B title in both the long jump as part of the 4×100 relay team last spring. He placed sixth in the long jump at the Meet of Champions, jumping a school-record 23 feet, 1 ¾ inches.

Coyle was also a four-year starter in soccer and a member of the basketball team at Wildwood Catholic.

— Brian Cunniff