Leonia HS track star posts solid performance in the 4×400 at the 2024 Olympics

by | Aug 11, 2024

NJSIAA Meet of Champions

Jaden Marchan of Leonia HS is the winner the boys 400 meter dash during the NJSIAA Meet of Champions at the Ocean Breeze T & F Facility in Staten Island, NY on Sunday March 3, 2024.Duncan Williams | For NJ Advance Media

 

By: Bakari Tice | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Representing one’s country at the Olympic Games is an honor few get to experience in their lifetime, but for one of N.J’s brightest young track stars, he can already check the accomplishment off of his bucket list.

2024 has been an exciting year to say the least for Leonia’s Jaden Marchan.

The recent graduate who will head to Georgetown in the fall began his year with a battle against Bullis (MD) star and Olympian Quincy Wilson at the Marine Corps Holiday Classic where he edged out the sophomore to win the 600, setting a state record with a 1:17.66.

He finished the indoor season with a state and Meet of Champions title in the 400 and did the same in the outdoor season, also finishing his career with the fourth-fastest time in state history (46.35). He also finished third in the 400 and second in the 400-hurdles at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals back in June.

After his accomplishments at the state and national level, Marchan took to the international stage at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Marchan is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago, allowing him to compete for the latter. He was invited to the Trinidadian National Championships that took place June 28th and 29th. He finished second in the 400 with a PR of 46.30 to become an Olympian and earn a spot on the 4×400 relay squad.
Trinidad and Tobago competed in the first of the two 4×400 heats on Friday which included the U.S. and Quincy Wilson, Marchan’s rival in the 400. The squad finished eighth in the race with Marchan running the third leg in 45.63 to record another PR.