Track & field: Manchester's record-setting jumper has big plans -- as a doctor

In the frightening early days of the COVID pandemic, young Mubaraq Aderogba witnessed his father making a daily journey into lion’s den. Adeniji Aderogba, who brought his family to the U.S. from Nigeria a decade ago, is a certified nursing assistant who was working at a nursing care center in Lakewood.

“It was pretty difficult, him coming home every day and we didn’t know what he’d been exposed to,” Mubaraq said. “That’s a reason why I want to become a doctor. He chose to work at that time because he knew other people needed him.”

Mubaraq immersed himself in his studies at Manchester Township High School, taking seven advanced placement courses. He’s ranked third academically in the senior class and headed to Brown University in the fall, where he will study biology in preparation for medical school. He applied that same work ethic to sports, becoming a standout for Hawks in soccer and, most recently, a record-setting member of the track & field team.

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That last endeavor moves to the fore over the next few weeks as Mubaraq attempts to become just the second schoolboy in state history to win the long jump and triple jump at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions – and to break the Shore Conference records in both events in the process. He’s going full steam ahead after breaking the Ocean County championship-meet records the long jump (23 feet, 8.5 inches) and triple jump (46-5) last weekend.

It’s hard to believe, but Mubaraq’s only been triple jumping for a few weeks.

“There’s no limit to what he can do,” Manchester jumps coach Tom Scheffler said. “He’s so intelligent and he’s so focused. I think those things work out well together.”

'You see the fire in his eyes'

"We came to the U.S. to give our children a better life with greater opportunity," Adeniji Aderogba said.

Adeniji grew up playing soccer in Nigeria, so that was a natural for Mubaraq. Track came later, an outgrowth of his obvious speed on the pitch. He broke out last spring, winning the NJSIAA Group 2 gold medal in the long jump with a 22-foot leap. This season has been next level. On Saturday, Mubaraq added a whopping three feet to his personal-best triple jump and an entire foot to his best long jump effort.

“I’m seeing this aggressiveness come out,” Scheffler said. “Before he used to be a little bit reserved. Now you see the fire in his eyes.”

Previously that fire was reserved for the classroom. He aced the advanced placement chemistry test with a score of 5, the highest possible, and chalked up 4s in language and world history. As a senior he’s taking AP environmental science, AP biology and AP statistics.

“His parents have high expectations for Mubaraq,” Manchester track head coach Jason Griffith said. “He’s the first generation in his family going to a U.S. college.”

That's a big deal for any family.

"I am extremely proud of all he has achieved in the classroom while performing well in track," Adeniji Aderogba said, adding of his son's balancing act, "It's something he that he has always done and managed to keep doing entirely on his own without once falling behind."

A lot left to give

Mubaraq is committed to compete in track at Brown, too, and the coaches are following his progression closely. His long jump last weekend matched the overall Ocean County record and is within striking distance of the Shore Conference standard of 24-1.75 set in 1994 by Asbury Park’s Ron Lewis. The league’s triple-jump mark is 47-10 by Toms River South’s Rob Whitfield from 2010; Mubaraq’s coaches believe he’s got a 48-footer in him.

“I still think I have a lot to give in the triple jump,” he said. “I still have not extended my phases.”

He’s also contributing on the track. Last weekend he anchored the Hawks’ winning 4x100, which posted a school-record time of 42.98. And he's split 50 seconds on their 4x400. It’s uncertain what events he’ll enter for Saturday’s Shore Conference Championships at Neptune – the Hawks have designs on winning sectional and state Group 2 crowns in June, so his load will be light – but Mubaraq is reaching for that extra gear down the stretch.

“It’s my senior year,” he said. “Last chance to make a name for yourself.”

There will be more chances, of course, in college and then in the medical profession. With his father’s example as a guide, Manchester’s scholar-athlete has an eye on the big picture.

“I liked seeing him helping people, and it’s something I want to do with my life,” Mubaraq said. “His job is to support people and give them the best life possible. That’s something I want for my future.”

5 Shore Conference meet story lines

Rumson-Fair Haven seeks a first: In recent years the Bulldogs’ girls have won every available team title – except this one. They’re the favorite, with Toms River North, Point Pleasant Borough and Colts Neck as the top challengers.

CBA tune-up: The Colts have won the meet 10 of the past 11 times it’s been held. This is their last championship-format tune-up before the much-anticipated NJSIAA Non-Public A showdown June 9-10 with Seton Hall Prep.

Throwing deep: Most of the Shore Conference meet records are outlandish, but this year’s elite boys throwers are good enough to threaten two of them. St. Rose junior Josh Huisman and Southern senior Fabian Gonzalez both could eclipse the shot put mark of 63-8 set by Matawan’s Tyrone Garland in 1993, and Gonzalez will contend for the discus standard of 201-2 set by Monmouth Regional’s Adam Kuehl in 2002.

Jumping high: Howell senior Samantha Strydesky has cleared 5-8 a few times. The next level up, at 5-10, would put her on par with the league’s best ever – Mater Dei’s Tish Edwards (1981) and Freehold Borough’s Debra Vento (2003).

Surprises coming: Each year, some top athletes sit this meet out to rest for the upcoming rounds of states. That opens up opportunities for others to become a Shore Conference track & field champion – a proud distinction for 50-plus years, and one that will continue to resonate far into the future.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Track & Field: Manchester jumper Mubaraq Aderogba has big plans