New York Gets Flat Track Fast Over The Weekend


Not all tracks are created equal.  The banked tracks of New York State are significantly faster, one of the main impetus' for the switch to Ocean Breeze for the 2017 Indoor State Championships.  However, it doesn't mean the flat tracks are limited to slow performances.  In fact, when a fast time is run on a flat track, it can only mean good things when those athletes show up on the banks further down the season.  Meet five athletes from this past weekend, who will be ready to roll when they hit the banks.


Sophie Ryan (Fayetteville-Manlius) - 1500m - Utica College

Junior Sophie Ryan has been on a roll since winning her third NXN Team title. Heading into the competition on Friday night, Ryan was already NY #5 in the 1000m, the Mile, and the 3000m (consistency at work!)  However, she moved way up the ranks with a solo performance in the 1500m at Utica College, hitting 4:29.10 to win.  The mark moves her to tie Shola Lynch ('86) for NY #9 All-Time, and US #2 for 2017.  Only Jessica Lawson (Corning) has run faster in the country this season (including en routes), and that was a week after NXN.  Ryan also broke the Section 3 record in the event, which was held en route by Sage Hurta (Hamilton), who continued on to run 4:47.75.  That mile time would put Ryan at US #1 this year.


Stevie Schulz (Liverpool) - 1600m - Onondaga Community College

Senior Stevie Schulz turned in another big performance, following up a strong XC season.  Schulz would win his race over XC State and Fed Champion teammate Ty Brownlow, with a 4:18.12.  The mark makes Schulz Liverpool's 5th best miler since the turn of the century, and US #2 for the true 1600m distance.  When converting Mile times, Schulz moves to US #16, but remains NY #1.


Lauren Harris (Sachem East) - 1500m RW - Suffolk Community College

At the Section 11 League Championships, Indoor and Outdoor National Record Holder for the Mile Walk, Lauren Harris, continued her domination of the event.  While the time was relaxed, winning in 6:55.90, it still would be NY and US #1 in the event.  However, Harris walked 6:30.30 earlier in the season, which remains the national leader.  All eyes will be on Harris in the coming weeks, as she'll get her first crack at Ocean Breeze this weekend.


Jenna Crean (Orchard Park) - 55m / 300m - Houghton College

When Jenna Crean set the 8th grade state record for the 300m, it was on the flat track of Cornell.  Now a sophomore, and Crean is still putting up fast times on the flat surfaces.  At the Section 5 vs. Section 6 Invite, Crean would go NY #3 in the 55m, at 7.19.  Of course, every 55m is run on a flat track.  Which is why in the 300m, when Crean came back with a NY #4 mark of 39.62, things got even more impressive.  The mark is also US #4 for flat track performances.


Sammy Watson (Rush-Henrietta) - 600m - Houghton College

By now, you've probably heard about this one.  Senior Sammy Watson set a State and National Record in the 600m, running away from the field with ease.  You can read more about the performance here, but it goes to show that you don't need fast tracks to run fast.  Some of us can do it the old fashioned way.