2014 Indoor State Meet Preview - Boys

New York State Indoor Track and Field Championships
Boys Preview
 
   
Links:    Full Boys Seeds

Date: March 1, 2013, Saturday,  2:00 - 5:45 (Boys) Location: Cornell University, Barton Hall
 
 
Meet Info
The New York State Indoor Championships return to Cornell University's hallowed Barton Hall for the ninth straight year, and action is again going to be intense in a packed-in setting on Saturday, March 1. The girls will go first with 17 events in the morning (the 15 standard ones plus the intersectional relay and the racewalk), and the guys will have pretty much the same set of events in the afternoon.  Participants from 11 sections will be competing for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association crowns and also going for Federation titles while vying with the athletes from the mainly NYC-based PSAL public schools, CHSAA Catholic schools, and AIS independent schools. 

The NY States Indoor Championship has all the action pressed into one day unlike the outdoor meet, and it has no divisions like outdoors or alternating guys and girls events. Each section and NYC association is allowed just one relay team, so each of the relay events generally have 14 teams competing in two heats. Up to three contestants can qualify from each of the 14 total entities in the individual events, so the more popular events like the sprints can have 36 sets of feet on the line, while that race walk oddity had only 21 girls finishing last year. And unlike at outdoors, there is no chance that you will be trying to set a state record running into a vicious wind and driving rain, which sounds a bit like the first day at MIddletown last year.

To be honest, States is a mixed bag of great action and big drama that is a bit eclipsed by the specter of all the top teams and athletes that can't be there, either because they're the second and fourth best relay teams in the state but have the top dog in their conference, or the coach would prefer to have the team pointed for Nationals.  But for all who make the trip up to Barton Hall, be prepared for a totally exhausting day of screaming and pandemonium and maybe that rare big upset.
 
Boys Events
The standings below for the previewed 15 events contested at States lists the top 12 or so overall competitors for each one. The listings provide a pretty firm indicator of who will likely win the event.  Note  that we have included our state rankings, instead of the State Issued seeds, which don't include races like Armory Collegiate, and other unnattached races.

There is also an intersectional medley relay being contested, but it's not a race we have good data on.
 
   
55m
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Chris Belcher (Sayville) 6.35, State Record: 6.31, Meet Record (2000s): 6.31, State Qualifier Mark (FAT): 6.74
 
State of the Action:   As is typical in the event, the 55m dash looks to be an upstate/downstate battle, as Trenten Beram and Carnell Noble's season best keep edging close to eachother.  There are a few more names that could snatch the win, but look for these top two seeds to battle it out.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 6.40 Trenten Beram Arlington 2014 Section 1 State Qualifier
2. 6.42 Carnell Noble Greece-Olympia 2015 Section 5 Sectional Champs
3. 6.46 Justin Guerre St. Francis Prep 2014 Molloy Stanner Games
6. 6.52p    Ernest Agyeman Dewitt Clinton 2014 PSAL City Championships
9. 6.53 Andre Hunter Charlotte 2015 Section 5 State Qualifier
11. 6.54 Ryheim Lawes Liverpool 2014 Southern Tier Invitational
14. 6.55p Jordan Wright Shoreham-Wading River 2014   Millrose Games Trials
16. 6.56 Tim Gibson East Meadow 2017 Section 8 State Qualifier
17. 6.57 Patrick Quigley Wantagh 2014 Section 8 Class A Champs
18. 6.57 Mitch Fuller Lancaster 2014 Section 6 State Qualifier
 
   
300m
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Izaiah Brown (Amsterdam) 34.38, State Record: 33.27, Meet Record (2000s): 34.17, State Qualifier Mark (FAT): 36.74
 
State of the Action:  Will this be the year that Izaiah Brown won't win gold?  Many have tried in the past, but it seems the now junior can handle the flat track better than anyone else in the state.  But that's not to say he won't be pushed by fellow junior Anton Porter, who took home gold in the 4x200m at States last year.  Plus, Rai Benjamin is just coming off his state record run in the 400m, and shockingly, Richard Rose, who just went US #4 All-Time in the 600m, is the fourth mentioned here.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 33.82 Anton Porter Mount St. Michael 2015      New Balance Games
3. 34.04 Rai Benjamin Mount Vernon 2015 New Balance Games
4. 34.07p Richard Rose Boys and Girls 2015 PSAL City Championships
5. 34.16 Trenten Beram Arlington 2014 Section 1 State Qualifier
6. 34.28p Semasa Oni Medgar Evers College Preparatory School 2014 PSAL City Championships
7. 34.30 Izaiah Brown Amsterdam 2015 Bishop Loughlin Games
8. 34.55p Ahkeil Savage Newburgh Free Academy 2014 Molloy Stanner Games
9. 34.57 Byron Hearst Greece Arcadia 2015 Section 5 Sectional Champs
11. 34.65p      Mergaran Poleon Paul Robeson 2016 PSAL City Championships
12. 34.81 Y'majesty Allen Huntington 2014 Molloy Stanner Games
 
   
600m
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Matt Murray (Norwich) 1:20.61, State Record: 1:17.58, Meet Record (2000s): 1:20.02, State Qualifier Mark (FAT): 1:24.74
 
State of the Action: Richard Rose had what some may have called an upset last year, but this year, he has increased his performance yet again, setting a new US #4 All-Time mark at the qualifier.  While still the favorite, who knows what flat-track athlete could pull the upset again this year, as reigning State Champ Matt Murray is in the field as well.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 1:18.61 Richard Rose Boys and Girls 2015     PSAL City Championships
2. 1:20.22 Kwasi Applewhite Samuel J. Tilden 2014 PSAL City Championships
3. 1:20.60 Luke Germanakos Lynbrook 2015 New Balance Games
4. 1:20.65 Kemarni Mighty Clara Barton 2016 PSAL City Championships
5. 1:20.84 Jake Burcham Half Hollow Hills East (HHH) 2014 Molloy Stanner Games
7. 1:21.80 Trevor Guerrera Sachem East 2014 Long Island Elite Meet
8. 1:21.97 Jordan Burton Warwick Valley 2014 North Shore HS Invitational
9. 1:21.97 Matt Murray Norwich High School 2014 Section 4 Class Championships
10. 1:22.08 Austin Peters McQuaid Jesuit 2014 Section 5 Sectional Champs
11. 1:22.20 Andrew Dorritie Chaminade 2014 CHSAA Championships
14. 1:22.79 Alex Combs Cornwall 2014 Section 9 State Qualifier
15. 1:22.81      Patrick Watts Pleasantville 2015 Section 1 State Qualifier
 
   
1000m
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Cory McCarty (Elmira) 2:29.90, State Record: 2:24.1, Meet Record (2000s): 2:27.86, State Qualifier Mark (FAT): 2:35.24
 
State of the Action:  Liam Purdy has already gone NY #3 All-Time, and unlike Zavon Watkins, who had similar credentials when he won States, Purdy will be racing in the fast heat.  But always present is James Asselmyer and Jake Johnson, who are just close enough to capitalize on a race that sometimes turns tactical.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 2:25.80 Liam Purdy North Rockland 2014 Section 1 State Qualifier
2. 2:26.12 James Asselmeyer Arlington 2015 Section 1 State Qualifier
5. 2:28.48 Jake Johnson Colonie 2016 New Balance Armory Collegiate Invitational
7. 2:29.74 Tim Boston Suffern 2014 Rockland / Northern County Championships
9. 2:30.07 Mike Brannigan Northport 2015 Long Island Elite Meet
13. 2:31.12 Gunnar Nolan Chaminade 2015 CHSAA Championships
14. 2:31.17 Tom Moshier Corning 2014 Section 4 State Qualifier
18. 2:31.57 Tj Hornberger Lake Shore 2014 Brockport Invite
19. 2:32.16        Nate Howe McQuaid Jesuit 2014 Section 5 State Qualifier
 
   
1600m
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Nick Ryan (Fayetteville-Manlius) 4:14.02, State Record: 4:05.50, Meet Record (2000s): 4:14.02, State Qualifier Mark (FAT): 4:28.74
 
State of the Action:  All eyes will hit the track for this race, as Luke Gavigan has already etched his place in history with his Junior State Record earlier this year.  For those looking for an encore, race tactics may have to change, as the turns are not conducive to the sit and kick approach used previously.  Also added to the field are Mickey Burke and TJ Hornberger, who could put a damper on the downstate bias in the seeds.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 4:07.52c Luke Gavigan Tappan Zee 2015 Millrose Games
3. 4:09.85c Sean Kelly Chaminade 2014 Millrose Games
4. 4:12.39c James Burke Port Jefferson 2015 Millrose Games
8. 4:15.61 Mickey Burke Rush Henrietta Sperry 2014 Trent Jackson Invite
9. 4:17.08c John Flannery Bronxville 2014 Millrose Games
10. 4:17.50 Tj Hornberger Lake Shore 2014 Trent Jackson Invite
12. 4:17.66 John McCarthy Corning 2014 Section 4 State Qualifier
14. 4:18.15 Conor Lundy Fordham Prep 2016 CHSAA Championships
15. 4:18.34c Marco Pompilj Collegiate School 2015 Millrose Games
18. 4:19.83c Tom Meehan Eastport-South Manor 2014 North Shore HS Invitational
19. 4:20.07 Jeremy Spiezio Greenwich Central 2015 Section 2 State Qualifier
23. 4:20.74         Benito Muniz Carmel 2015 Section 1 State Qualifier
 
   
3200m
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Sibby Hanson (Arlington) 9:13.43, State Record: 8:50.40, Meet Record (2000s): 9:08.29, State Qualifier Mark (FAT): 9:42.24
 
State of the Action:  Senior Brian Cook will be trying to break the curse of third place with his top seeded entry in the 3200m run.  Standing in his way are the top members of the three teams who have made NXN in the past, plus Pat Tucker, who recently cruised in a 4:17 mile unnopposed on a flat track.  Not a bad way to start off the afternoon.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 9:05.14 Brian Cook Pearl River 2014 Section 1 State Qualifier
2. 9:14.41 Pat Tucker Saint Anthony's 2015 CHSAA Championships
3. 9:17.96 Tim Mcgowan Northport 2014 Molloy Stanner Games
6. 9:19.76 Aidan Tooker Saratoga Springs 2016 Southern Tier Invitational
7. 9:21.06 Jack Mcgowan Northport 2014 Molloy Stanner Games
8. 9:21.69 Andrew Berge Fayetteville-Manlius (FM) 2014 Sec. 3 OHSL/CNYCL Champs
9. 9:21.80 Bryce Millar Fayetteville-Manlius (FM) 2015 Section 3 State Qualifier
10. 9:22.20 John Rice Xavier 2015 CHSAA Championships
11. 9:22.80 Peter Ryan Fayetteville-Manlius (FM) 2016 Sec. 3 OHSL/CNYCL Champs
19. 9:28.08    Alex Shodai Middletown 2014 Section 9 State Qualifier
20. 9:30.03 Sam Chauvin Corning 2014 Southern Tier Invitational
 
   
55m hurdles
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Jay Hebert (Ticonderoga) 7.31, State Record: 7.0, Meet Record (2000s): 7.31, State Qualifier Mark (FAT): 7.94
 
State of the Action:  Jay Hebert has been very quiet in his race selections this year, heading down to the Armory to reinforce his hand-timed state leading mark with an FAT equivalent.  However, their are plenty of powerplayers right on his tail, where one mistimed hurdle could be all the difference.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 7.44h Jay Hebert Ticonderoga 2014 CVAC Section 7 #1
2. 7.54 Sidney Gibbons Monsignor McClancy 2015 80th Eastern States Championships
3. 7.59 Alex Egeli Batavia 2014    Section 5 State Qualifier
4. 7.64 Aaron Mcfadden Walter G. O'Connell-Copiague 2015 Long Island Elite Meet
5. 7.64p Powel Deslandes Sheepshead Bay 2015 PSAL City Championships
6. 7.68 Sam Chiamezie Half Hollow Hills East (HHH) 2015 Molloy Stanner Games
7. 7.70s Thomas Matera Fordham Prep 2014 80th Eastern States Championships
8. 7.71 Tarique Wilson North Rockland 2015 Section 1 State Qualifier
9. 7.75 Michael Outing Farmingdale 2015 Molloy Stanner Games
10. 7.75p     D.j Ohlson Alexander Central 2014 Section 5 State Qualifier
11. 7.77p Kevaughn Gordon Dewitt Clinton 2015 The Hispanic Games
12. 7.79 Devon Willis Schalmont 2014 Southern Tier Invitational
 
   
Long Jump
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Desmond Mobley (Greece-Olympia) 23-5.75, State Record: 25-7.75, Meet Record (2000s): 24-2.50, State Qualifier Mark: 21-6
 
State of the Action:  Mike Egotanda has been the States top ranked jumper all season, that is until Eastern States, where Dayshaun Taylor of Longwood took not only the win, but the State Leader as well.  Egotanda has been jumping well lately in his home pit, but Taylor's progression has been more recenlty impressive.  This could come down to the finals to determine the winner.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 23-8.5 Dayshawn Taylor Longwood 2014      80th Eastern States Championships
2. 23-8.25 Michael Egotanda Vestal 2014 The Hispanic Games
3. 23-5 Tobi Tella McQuaid Jesuit 2016 Section 5 State Qualifier
4. 22-9 Rayvon Grey Beacon 2016 80th Eastern States Championships
5. 22-7 Casey Burley Warwick Valley 2014 OCIAA Champs
6. 22-5.75      Dawan Jones Tapestry Charter 2014 Section 6 Team Championships
7. 22-5.25 Glen Reddick Longwood 2014 Section 11 County Champs
10. 22-3.25 Mark Vanmarter Liverpool 2014 Section 3 State Qualifier
11. 22-2 Alex Siracusa Churchville-Chili 2015 Section 5 State Qualifier
12. 22-1 Malik Sainnoval Brentwood 2015 Section 11 State Qualifier
16. 21-11 Nickino Allwood Medgar Evers College Preparatory School 2014 PSAL City Championships
23. 21-8.5 Dejean Rose Cambria Heights Academy 2014 PSAL City Championships
 
   
Triple Jump
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Darrel Jones (Monroe-Woodbury) 47-9.25, State Record: 50-7.25, Meet Record (2000s): 50-1, State Qualifier Mark: 43-6
 
State of the Action:  Reigning state champ Darrel Jones is back again as the top seed, after Rubin Owens was sidelined this championship season.  However, Devon Willis has already proven he knows how to win a state title, and is nipping at the heels of Jones' top mark.  A deep field means tough competition, and some big marks have already  been thrown down.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
2. 48-5 Darrell Jones Monroe-Woodbury 2014 The Varsity Classic
3. 48-4 Devon Willis Schalmont 2014      80th Eastern States Championships
4. 48-1.75 Jared Lovelace Archbishop Molloy 2015 80th Eastern States Championships
5. 47-2 Omari Buckmire Bay Shore 2014 Bishop Loughlin Games
7. 46-2 Nickino Allwood Medgar Evers College Preparatory School 2014 New Balance Games
8. 46-1.5 Pascal Bastien Baldwin 2014 Long Island Elite Meet
9. 46-1.25 Jimmy Shih Webster Schroeder 2015 Section 5 State Qualifier
10. 46-0.75     Brian Greenberg Bethlehem Central 2014 80th Eastern States Championships
11. 46-0.5 Darius Dillard Edison Tech 2015 Section 5 Sectional Champs
12. 45-11.5 Nigel Riley Longwood 2014 Section 11 State Qualifier
13. 45-10 Micah Assiby-bonsu Central Islip 2014 Section 11 State Qualifier
14. 45-6.75 Ron Forde Shaker 2016 Section 2 Division Championships
 
   
High Jump
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Mike McCann (Smithtown West) 6-10, State Record: 7-4, Meet Record (2000s): 6-10, State Qualifier Mark: 6-4
 
State of the Action:  While it looks to be a three person conversation for the title, the High Jump is one of those events where an athlete can hit a rough patch early.  Meet record is 6-10, and there are several who could approach that.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 6-9 D.j Ohlson Alexander Central 2014 Trent Jackson Invite
2. 6-8.25     Justin Sicari Monsignor Farrell 2014 Molloy Stanner Games
4. 6-8 Brandon Richardson Monroe-Woodbury 2014 The Varsity Classic
5. 6-6 Teddy Okon Clarence 2014 Section 6 Groups #3
7. 6-6 James Brown Beacon 2014     Rockland / Northern County Championships
8. 6-6 Tyquan Hightower Nottingham 2014 Section 3 State Qualifier
10. 6-4 Najee Taylor Clarkstown South 2014 Section 1 Kick Off #1
12. 6-4 Alexander Ladouceur Smithtown West 2014 Jim Mitchell Invitational
14. 6-4 Riley Synenki West Canada Valley 2014 MVITA Association Championships
15. 6-4 Abe Gravell Franklin Academy 2014 Section 10 NAC #3
16. 6-4 Charles Stokes Corcoran 2014 Section 3 Class AA & A Champ
17. 6-4 Jordan Sullivan Miller Place 2014 Section 11 State Qualifier
19. 6-4 Tyler Rivera Chatham Central 2014 Section 2 State Qualifier
20. 6-4 Bryan Short Greece Arcadia 2014 Section 5 State Qualifier
 
   
Pole vault
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: James Steck (Shaker) 15-0, State Record: 17-1, Meet Record (2000s): 16-1, State Qualifier Mark: 13-0
 
State of the Action:  How high will he go?  Todd Uckermark has been itching for a 17-footer all season, winning week after week in the event.  There are plenty of people who could challenge the senior, including his own teammate Derek DiBona.  Watch the bar keep heading up, and some Warwick athletes going with it.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 16-9 Todd Uckermark Warwick Valley 2014     Andy Wasnik Holiday Classic
2. 16-0 James Deutmeyer Fordham Prep 2014 80th Eastern States Championships
3. 15-10    Derek Dibona Warwick Valley 2015 Reno Pole Vault Summit
5. 15-3 Charles Villa Riverhead 2014 The Hispanic Games
6. 15-0 Joe Crispi Monsignor Farrell 2014 Bishop Loughlin Games
7. 15-0 Travis Fountain Monroe-Woodbury 2014 The Varsity Classic
8. 14-7 Max Curran Williamson Central 2014 Section 5 RWTL #7
9. 14-0 Zach Liebmann Jamesville-Dewitt (JD) 2014 Oscar Jensen Relays
10. 14-0 Nick Faber Greece-Olympia 2014 Section 5 RWTL #6
11. 14-0 Jahkeem Wheatley Iona Preparatory School 2015 CHSAA NY/BQ Sectionals
12. 14-0 Max Jordan Lansing 2015 Section 4 Showcase
14. 14-0 Dylan Bland Lansing 2014 Section 4 State Qualifier
15. 14-0 Charlie Kollmer Mt. Sinai 2014 Long Island Elite Meet
 
   
Shot Put
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Devon Patterson (Williamsville South) 60-1.0, State Record: 64-11.5, Meet Record (2000s): 64-11.5, State Qualifier Mark: 52-0
 
State of the Action:  As deep as the field is on the girls side of the competition, the boys look to be equally as impressive.  Benjamin Bonhurst started out strong, but for a while there, he looked to be struggling.  That is, until he set a new New York State Record last weeked at 65-0.  Devon Patterson is the reigning state champion, and has been improving just as well.  If either of the pair have an off day, it may be over before it begins.
 
Tracking Shot
Top Athletes - Overall
Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Meet
1. 65-0 Benjamin Bonhurst Smithtown West 2014    Long Island Elite Meet
2. 63-10.75     Devon Patterson Williamsville South 2014 Section 6 State Qualifier
3. 62-1 Dennis Russel Longwood 2014 Section 11 State Qualifier
4. 61-1 Eric Favors North Rockland 2015 Section 1 Class AA/C Champs
5. 59-9 Oghenakpob Efekoro Forest Hills 2014 PSAL Holiday Classic
6. 59-1.5 Corey Murphy Longwood 2014 80th Eastern States Championships
7. 57-11.5 Tony Deyoung Lancaster 2014 Section 6 Team Championships
9. 56-4 Dawson Hillis Orchard Park 2014 Section 6 State Qualifier
10. 56-3 Bamidill Akinniki Webster Schroeder 2014 Section 5 State Qualifier
12. 55-5.25 Robert Alder Rome Free Academy (RFA) 2014 Section 3 State Qualifier
 
   
4x200m relay
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Mt. St. Michael 1:34.30, State Record: 1:27.67, Meet Record (2000s): 1:30.58
 
State of the Action: As is the case in the relays this year, the defending State Champs in the relays didn't make it back to Cornell.  In their place, their is a full heat of some of the quickest around, who are concentrated solely on the short relay.  The meet record may be safe, but the road to the gold definitely isn't for any one team.
 
Tracking Shot
Rank Time Team Meet
4. 1:29.51p      Medgar Evers College Preparatory School                              PSAL City Championships
5. 1:29.55 Monroe-Woodbury 80th Eastern States Championships
6. 1:29.90 Farmingdale Molloy Stanner Games
10. 1:31.53 Holy Trinity CHSAA Championships
16. 1:31.95 Spring Valley Rockland / Northern County Championships
19. 1:32.23 Greece-Olympia Section 5 RWTL #6
 
   
4x400m relay
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Elmont  3:26.66, State Record: 3:13.96, Meet Record (2000s): 3:21.12
 
State of the Action: Something went wrong here in the qualification process, as only three of the top 20 teams in the state are entered in the meet.  Still, the winner will be decided on how many runners Warwick has repeating from the 4x800m, the event before.
 
Tracking Shot
Rank Time Team Meet
2. 3:19.67 Warwick Valley Millrose Games
3. 3:22.19 Samuel J. Tilden Millrose Games
19. 3:26.95 North Rockland Section 1 State Qualifier
 
   
4x800m relay
 
Event Info: 2013 Winner: Northport 7:56.52, State Record: 7:41.10, Meet Record (2000s): 7:50.52
 
State of the Action:  The first relay in the lineup looks to be the most exciting, as several teams are in the hunt.  Chaminade will be running tired, but tough legs, while Syosset may be more fresh.  Still, Chaminade has a slew of eight runners that can go sub-2 a piece, and it will be about finding the four fastest from that pack.  Warwick and Arlington can also challenge, and keep this race interesting.
 
Tracking Shot
Rank Time Team Meet
1. 7:49.87 Syosset Millrose Games
2. 7:50.44 Chaminade CHSAA Championships
3. 7:52.57 Warwick Valley Millrose Games
5. 7:53.79 Arlington Millrose Games
10. 8:00.14 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake New Balance Armory Collegiate Invitational
12. 8:04.63 Northport Molloy Stanner Games
13. 8:04.84 Fayetteville-Manlius (FM) Section 3 State Qualifier
19. 8:07.07 Midwood PSAL City Championships
21. 8:08.65          Collegiate School Jaron McBride HS Winter Classic