MIleSplit NY - With championship season on the horizon, the track fan in all of us is already putting together our hopes and wishes for the state meet. Fast times and great races are always a highlight at the conclusion of a years worth of training. This Tuesday, we give you our top ten picks of the races that could be. As always, all events are made up from the leaderboards, and in no way represent what athletes may or may not actually run at their State Qualifier. Also, they have to make it past their State Qualifier first, which is a bigger test for some rather than others. But still, here are our (hypothetical) picks.
1. Boys 800m
If anything, this will be a replay of the 800m held at the Loucks Games last weekend. Ryan Manahan (Marcellus) and Dylan Murphy (Kellenberg) going toe-to-toe on the line at Middletown is an exciting possibility. Add into that factor the indoor state champ Matt Murray (Norwich), and shorter distance state champ Cory McCarty (Elmira), and you set yourself up for a flying final. All entrants can easily approach 1:50, and look for someone to even dip under.
2. Girls 400m
The top entrants come from the Federation, as both Kadecia Baird (Medgar Evers) and Deajah Stevens (Cardozo) have put in marks under 54secs. Add to that factor upstates' Maddie Kopp (Spencerport), who took All-American at Indoor Nationals. With all participants at full strength, this one should scorch the track.
3. Boys Triple Jump
Too many names to list them all. We have five over 47 feet already, and Devon Willis (Schalmont) made a huge leap at Loucks to take the lead over 48 feet. Thomas Johnson (White Plains), Mustafa Dais (Hackley), and Kaishawn Cathey (Edison Tech) look to challenge the boards. However, Middletown's own may have the home field advantage. Jamal Bynum (Middletown) took second at Indoor States, and could prove to be a factor, despite only a 39-footer so far this spring.
4. Girls 3000m
It has been an interesting spring for the longer event. Indoor season dominator, Bella Burda (Arlington) has been taking a slow and steady approach to fast times, peaking later in the season. In her wake, several athletes have shown promise, including Eileen O'Hara's (Webster-Thomas) win at the Glavin upstate. Gianna Frontera (Newburgh) and Katie Lembo (Penfield) both are very close, and it is building to be a great race.
5. Boys 3200m
Could this be the fastest ever seen at the state meet? We have Ryan Udvadia (Shoreham-Wading River), whose 9:02 was very strong to win the Loucks Games. That time matches what Nick Ryan (Fayetteville-Manlius) ran to win the race last year, as well as set the state leading for 2012. However, Ryan recently went 8:55, running alone. Add to that members of the Glavin 3200m, and you have a race like no other.
6. Girls 110 Hurdles
Akayla Anderson (Cardozo) and Ashley Wiggins (New Rochelle) were very evenly matched indoors over 55m, but Outdoors, Wiggins has taken the lead. Anderson has run under 14secs before, and could pull a late season upset.
7. Boys Shot Put
Look for all the contenders here Indoors to return again Outdoors. Benjamin Bonhurst (Smithtown West) is the current leader, with fellow Long Islander Noah White (Jericho) suddenly coming into the conversation. Teammates Billy Bishop and Will Pope (Iona Prep) are looming on the horizon, and give reigning champ Devon Patterson (Williamsville-South) some warm weather, and he may crack the 60foot barrier.
8. Girls Pole Vault
Karmen Auble (Warsaw) is the standout of the spring here, as she set the Section V record twice in one meet. Now sitting at 12-7, she is only an inch off of Indoor leader Jen Thill (Lancaster), who has only reached 11-0 this spring. However, look for her to get back in shape just in time to vie for that state title.
9. Boys 1600m
Plenty of athletes have promised under 4:10, but only one in the state has actually done it before. If Nick Ryan (FM) chooses to attack the double again, it could be fast. However, Eric Holt (Carmel), Ryan Manahan (Marcellus), and an ever improving Stephen Shine (Briarcliff) could make this very interesting otherwise.
10. Girls 800m
Sabrina Southerland (Cardozo) is the one name to watch here. She hit a very strong 2:03 state record indoors, and opened her season at 2:06 just last weekend. While Mary Cain has been off running 2:01 unattached, Southerland looks posed to match that at the State Meet herself. Behind her, sophomore Jazzmine Fray (Kellenberg) looks promising over the years to come. Emma Gallagher (Garden City) and Leah Triller (Holy Names) should also never be underestimated.