Red Raiders Strike Gold at Meet of Champions
On the grandest stage of New Jersey high school track & field, the Ocean City Red Raiders etched their names into history.
At the 2025 NJSIAA Meet of Champions, held Wednesday at Pennsauken High School, Ocean City’s girls 4 x 800-meter relay team of Chloe Care, Maeve Smith, Riley Tolson, and Carly Godfrey stormed to the state championship with a stunning victory.
The Meet of Champions is where the best of the best gather: no divisions, no classifications, just the elite track and field athletes of New Jersey competing to crown one true state champion. The Lady Raiders’ 4×800 relay didn’t just win; they dominated.
The 4 x 800 is a true test of endurance and teamwork. The event requires each runner to complete two laps (800 meters) at full effort. The Red Raiders ran it to perfection.
Chloe Care led off, setting the tone with a smart, tactical first leg that kept the Raiders in prime position. From there, Maeve Smith seized control of the race, surging to the front and never looking back. Riley Tolson ran a strong and composed third leg, maintaining the team’s lead. Carly Godfrey anchored in style, delivering a powerful closing leg that brought the victory home.
Their final time — an astonishing 9:07.71 was nearly 11 seconds ahead of the next closest team. A statement of absolute dominance at the state’s pinnacle meet.
Beyond the relay triumph, two members of the championship relay also starred in individual events: Carly Godfrey placed 7th in the 800 meters, clocking 2:11.72. Maeve Smith turned in an inspired performance in the 3200 meters, claiming 3rd place with a superb time of 10:32.54
Qualifying for the Meet of Champions is an accomplishment in itself. Only the top two finishers from each Group Championship event earn automatic bids, with the next best 18 performances statewide rounding out the elite fields.
To win at this meet, against the best athletes from every group, every region, is to reach the sport’s highest level. To prevail here is to stand atop the entire Garden State.