| 01/17 |
Archbishop Molloy |
New York, NY |
Invitational Meet Entries - Click Here
Boys 3200m
The boys double looks like a stacked event. Mikey Brannigan (Northport) looks to be the race favorite in the event, his first crack at the distance since hitting 8:52 last year. He'll be facing off against a slew of post-season XC athletes, including NXN-NE race champion Austin Gilbert (Ridgefield, CT) and Foot Locker Finalist Jack Jibb (Monroe-Woodbury). GIlbert's teammate Gabe Altopp was 11th at NXN-NE, and will look to be a major player as well. Throw in Josh Hadity (Commack), who beat Brannigan in XC, plus Thor Trowbridge (Kingston) and Kevin Hazelwood (Brewster), and you have a very open race.
Boys Mile
The boys mile looks to be a solid dual, between NXN finalist Marco Pompilj (Collegiate) and Gunnar Nolan (Chaminade). Pompilj has hit sub-4:20 as relay split this year, while Nolan is a returning All-American in the 4x800m. Luke Holtzman (New Rochelle) and Luciano Fiore (Bay Shore) will also be looking to have a say in the matter, as they've both been within striking distance over the mile event.
Girls 3000m
In a race that should rival Yale's winning time, Bella Burda (Arlington) enters as the heavy favorite. Looking to be in the same shape she was when she hit a remarkable 9:33 in her sophomore year, this race could be a runaway. However, Monroe-Woodbury's Katie Munks will be trying to not let that happen. Munks excelled this year in XC, and could come out with a very strong time. Stephanie Gerland (Garden City) made the trip to Portland with Burda two years ago, and could be a threat to the title as well. Finally, Kaitlyn Neal (Skaneateles) will be making the trip from up north, and could come away with the win.
Girls Mile
Fresh off a strong 2:13. 800, split at the Millrose Trials, Jazmine Fray (Kellenberg) is the top seed in the longer distance. As the top seed, Fray is circling around her main event, the 1000m, which she came in second by a fraction of a second at last year's state championship. Doubled entered in the Yale mile is Alex DeCicco (Sachem East) who looks to be the biggest threat. The Long Island rivalry will prove strong in this race. Megan Reilly (Warwick) is coming off XC-season taken off, and is racing back to shape. Should she return to form, she would catapult to race favorite. Another double entry is Julia Stevenson (Hackley), who also is down for the 3000m. Whichever she chooses, she will be competitive. Finally, Lisa Farjado (Bishop Kearney) has some big attempts at a fast mile this season, and could be the most race ready of the bunch. This is anybody's race.