New York Shows Out At USATF Juniors

This weekend, alongside the USA Championships for the Pro's, there was the USA Junior Champions for the younger athletes.  While some tried to double in both, New York sent several in an attempt to take Top 2.  With USA no longer sending a team to World Juniors, the goal was to qualify for the Pan-Am Cup, later this summer in Peru.  Here's how we did in California.

Men's 5000m

Maine-Endwell's Dan Schaffer came up just short in his bid for a ticket to Pan-Am's.  The college freshman went 14:27.98, less than a second off the winning time.  His mark got him third in a photo finish, now waiting as the alternate for a trip to Peru.  Ryan Kutch (St. Anthony's) took 8th.

Women's Racewalk

Senior Lauren Harris (Sachem East) took home the silver medal at the USATF Jr's 10k Racewalk.  She had already earned her trip to Pan-Am's earlier in the season in a separate Racewalk event.  She walked 52:47.84. one minute off the leader.

Men's 400H/110H

New York sent out two hurdlers, and both came away with solid times, but would not put them in contention for a title.  Tai Brown (Midwood) went 14.11 in the 110HH, and Robert Walker (Newburgh) went 53.01 in the 400H.

Women's 3k Steeple

Senior Alex Harris (North Rockland) gave up graduation for a chance at a podium slot, and the move paid off.  Harris improved her lifetime best at the rarely run 3000m distance, going 10:25.80 to take second overall.  She was the lone high schooler in the race.

Men's 3000m Steeple

Mike Grabowski (Smithtown West) headed out west, and came up just short in the final meters.  He would take third behind two Collegians, but ahead of last year's State Champ, Eion Nohilly (John Jay-Cross River).  Grabowski ran a 9:15.69, good enough for a new personal best, and improves his NY #2 this year.