• Bergen Catholic, Ordell, NJ, c/o 2025

• AthleticNET Bio

Get to Know Q & A

-Your nickname, if any, and how did it come about?

Benji. I was named after my dad’s brother who passed away when he was 4. And his nickname was Benji.

- How did you get your start in track and field and/or cross country?

My parents signed me up for my youth track team when I was in first grade.

- Your parents' athletic background. Did they play any sports-where(HS, College, Pro), what position, when, any awards?  Please include names.

My mom (Aileen)and dad (Bill) both did college track at Albright college. My dad initially started at Robert Morris University and played football. My mom still has the hammer and weight throw school record at Albright.

- Any siblings? Please include names and genders and any accomplishments in or out of sport.

I have a brother and his name is Bryce. He is seven years old and he’s tried a ton of different sports from soccer, wrestling, basketball, t-ball, and throwing shot put.

- Outside interests- your hobbies, talents(musical, chess, anything), volunteering- what do you do in your free time?

I enjoy watching Nascar and playing with my little brother.

- At school, do you do any extracurricular activities? i.e. student government, clubs or other sports.

I also am on the football team and we’ve won 3 straight state championships. I also wrestled where I’ve placed fourth in the state the past two years.

- Pre- and post- race rituals. Any superstitions?

Pre meet ritual is as simple as just listening to music.

- Movie watcher and/or book reader? What is/are your favorite book and/or movie and why?

Movie watcher. Whenever I get a chance I watch a new movie so I don’t really have one.

- How do you deal with setbacks and triumphs?

Just keep working towards your goal.

- Pet owner? If so, what is your pet's name and type/breed?

No

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to be chasing National Titles and US teams

- What words would you have for your sixth grade self?

To keep chasing your dreams and never give up.

- Who is your favorite track and field athlete and why? How about other sports-who is your favorite athlete and why?

Right now I don’t really have anyone. Growing up it was David Storl and Robert Harting because they were some of the best throwers in the world at the time.

- Favorite hype song, if any, before your competition

I don’t have one exact song but I like to listen to edm/house music to pump me up

- Many athletes are quoted as saying " trust the process". What does that mean to you?

I believe it means to keep going and trust whatever life has for you and you will make it out better for it.

- How do you balance social media with your performance? Does social media impact you positively or negatively?

I do post stories for most meets and the bigger ones I make post and I think it is impacted positively because it helps me interact with people.

- Favorite and not favorite high school subject and why?

Favorite is math and that’s because I have a number-like brain. Not favorite is literature

- Favorite musical artist and why? What is your favorite song by that artist?

My favorite artist is Zach Bryan. I really like his country music. Favorite song is Revival

- Favorite pre- and post- meal?

As of late has been bacon, breaded chicken, and cheese and mac n cheese from Wawa

- Dire question warning :) If you were unable to continue to compete in track and field, what would you do?

If I wasn’t able to do track I would still compete in my other two sports wrestling and  football

- What do you see your legacy being-in and outside the track world?

In the track world being the first person in NJ history to throw both over 69 and over 200 and also having both my county records. Outside is the relationship I have with my brother even though we have a 11 year age gap.

- What is your vice? What do you binge on that you can't seem to control?

Nerd clusters

- If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Peyton Manning because I am a huge Colts fan and watched him play growing up