New York, NY - To put it succinctly, the Indoor Season starts when New York starts. Always ready to race after a season of waiting for XC to finish, the middle distance and sprinters have come to join the party. They bring with them their field event friends, and things start to get interesting? How interesting? New names have already been established, as a strong freshmen group is emerging. Shotput will no longer be the forgotten event, as three throwers already are over 57 feet. And the sprinters are more than apt to handle the meets, as the harriers take some much needed rest.
Jim Mitchell Invite brings about the return of the 4xMile
A seldom run event in most states, the 4xMile (and 4x1500m for the ladies) combines relay tactics to the longer distance runners. A National event at NBIN, teams get little chance to test their speed, and the Mitchell Invite provides a perfect opportunity to try it out. For the girls, it was all about relay placement. Who ran what leg decided the race, as Bronxville took the race out early. For the second leg, Arlington had elected MileSplit XC All-Star Bella Burda to run, and she came back from 14th place to put her team right in second. The momentum changed again, as the baton was passed to Northport's third leg, Brigid Brennan, who propelled her team to the lead. However, Miller Place, having the Guevera twins run the second half of the relay, proved you didn't have to frontload your relay to win the race. The pair steadily approached the lead pack in their legs, and pulled away with two laps to go, to grab the victory in 19:47.13 . It was similar fare for the boys, as Massapequa had a very consistent-splitting squad. Harrier of the Week Ryan Cooney anchored the team to victory, in a strong 18:33.25.
Despite all the running around the track, it was the inside of the oval that took center stage. A 1-2 punch by Smithtown West's Mike McCann and Devin Mirenda in the High Jump garnered them US#1 and NY #2 respectively. Meanwhile, their teammate was doing big thing in the shotput circle, as Ben Bonhurst also went US #1 in the 'put. throwing 57'8". Not a bad meet to grab 4 US #1's, but it was to be followed up the day after with some more.
Bishop Loughlin Games Going on 40
It was the 39th annual Bishop Loughlin Games, and the times did not disappoint. Several new breakout stars have emerged, with some old favorites making their first appearances of the season. Two standouts included Kadecia Baird of Medger Evers, and Richard Rose of Boys and Girls. Baird smoked to the win in the 300m prelims, grabbing an easy 39.22 . Baird would not return for the finals of the event, which may be related to the wrap on her knee during the race. Rose, on the other hand, took off in the finals, and swept to a 600m mark that lit up the Armory. Rose's time of 1:19.9 is the second fastest ever run by a sophomore in the USA, and US #1 this year. Rose looks to pick up where his teammate Robert Rhodes left off last year, handling the relays and individual events quite handily.
There were some new stars at the Armory as well. Ayo Obadare of Elmont's name sticks out, as he solidified himself as an early favorite to qualify for states. The senior sped to the US #1 time in the 300m, running a PB of 34.42, then returned later in the night to lead his 4x400m to gold as well. Also not to be forgotten, freshmen Shayla Broughton of Medger Evers soared to new heights, making her US #1 in the High Jump, after clearing 5'8".
Some favorites who may have been missing from the scene for a bit have also returned. Deejah Stevens, now of Benjamin Cardozo, took over the 300m in Baird's absence, winning in 39.11. Another name you may remember is Kristiane Width. She was the runner from the PSAL who surprised the crowd at spring states to take 3rd in the 3000. After playing soccer in the fall, the girl from UNis sit and kicked on Gianna Frontera, to win the 2 mile in impressive fashion. You can look for her as another big name in distance running for New York State.
The two signature races of the day, the Elite mile which serves as an automatic Millrose bid, were completely different in execution. The boys race saw a more relaxed field, and with 800m to go, Chris Marco powered away to negative split a 2:05, to win his way to the Mile. On the girls, it was a much closer affair, but Sabrina Southerland of Benjamin Cardozo, already the US #1 in the 1000m, stormed the field to win a way much like her former teammate Alexis Pannisse did just one year ago in the very same race. Southerland would close on the field, and win her spot in 4:56.25.
Mitchell Highlights - full albums here
Stefan Buchele hits 14-6 in the Pole Vault, making him NY #2....
as his teammate Bella Burda runs the fastest split of the day in the 4x1500, clocking 4:38.8.
Laura Nolan, Dominique Betterbed, Talia Guevera, and Tiana Guevera, the relay members of the winning 4x1500m
Massapequa's winning 4xMile, consisting of Mike Puleio, Danny Deluna, Kyle Smith, and Ryan Cooney.
Ben Bonhurst, Mike McCann, and Devin Mirenda of Smithtown West, the top male athletes at the Mitchell Invite.
Bishop Loughlin Highlights - full albums here
Akayla Anderson returns for Cardozo, winning the 55m hurdles.
There is a new name to look out for in high jumping, and that's freshmen Shayla Broughton.
Richard Rose cruises in his closing lap to the US #2 Sophomore All-Time.
Kara Snyder of Colonie wins the Pole Vault, hitting 11-06
Ayo Obadare coming in for the photo finish in the 300m dash.
Sabrina Southerland kicks it in, to win the Elite Girls mile in under 5 minutes.
Kadecia Baird, en route to the fastest qualifying time of the day.
Numerous DQ's in the 4x200, as runners became antsy for that fastest time in the nation.
Gianna Frontera leads Kristianne Width, before the two would kick for the win at the tape.
Bronze medalist at NBIN last year for the 300m, Deejah Stevens takes back to team running, by scoring points in the 300m again.