No. 9 - Fending For Family In The 4xMIle
For the Catholic High Schools of New York State, there is history behind every race run. In cross country, you win an Intersectional Title, you join a list of champions dating back to the 1920's. On the track, names like Matt Centrowitz, John Gregorek, and Vince Draddy echo in history as State and National Champions. The sense of pride is unrivaled across the state.
It was clear Saint Anthony's was a strong contender in the 4xMile. With two members of the relay Top 10 in the state for the Mile, and two more Top 10 in the 2-Mile, you could say they were ready to roll. And yet, it would be hard to call them the favorites, with Drew Hunter (3:57 for the mile) on anchor for Loudon Valley, VA, and the early season favorites for an NXN-Title in Sandburg, IL in the field. The task would not be easy.
Right from the gun, Saint Anthony's knew what had to be done. Get to the front, and separate from Loudoun Valley. The entire field knew that was the only key to success in a race with a Sub-4 anchor. Sandburg was like minded, and saw Saint A's move, and responded. Sandburg leadoff Dylan Jacobs matched Chris Langer stride for stride, before pulling away by 2meters into the exchange.
Ryan Kutch saw the move, and began to respond. He put significant distance ahead of Sandburg's second leg, closing with a 4:16 to their 4:21. Saint Anthony's had the lead, but their biggest test was now ahead of them. Sandburg had backloaded their relay, their fastest legs being brothers Sean and Chris Torpy. Freddy Buckholtz got the baton with a strong lead, and ran alone for most of his leg. He had a strong personal best of 4:17.50, and despite Chris Torpy's quicker 4:15.6, they still maintained a healthy lead.
The anchor legs came down to Ryan Dearie, and Sean Torpy. Both had something to prove. For Torpy, his team had finished 4th at NXN, well off their trajectory from the early season. Another National Title were in the XC Team's grips, and he wasn't ready to let it go. For Dearie, the motives struck closer to home. As strong as the history of the CHSAA is in New York State, the family ties run even deeper. Dearie's father was the Saint Anthony's head coach, on top of which he was once the Catholic State Record Holder of the 4xMile in his own HS running days. The pressure was mounting, and Sandburg was closing. Dearie sensed the danger and let him pass, expecting to let him do the work, and kick down the homestretch. Unfortunately, Torpy showcased why he would go on to be National Leader in the 800m outdoors, where he would run 1:47 for the event. Torpy pushed, and Dearie responded, coming on the shoulder in the final straightaway. Torpy would see the danger, and hold him off, pushing St. A's to second.
The Number 9 moment of the season wouldn't come with finishing place of the 4xMile, it would come with the time. The runner up placing would be a new New York State Record, smashing the record set by Shaker in 2010 by five full seconds. Dearie would now be able to bring home some bragging rights of his own, while the team goes down in history as well.
17:16.45 ST. ANTHONY'S (New Balance Nationals, Armory, Mar 12, 2016)
Chistopher Langer 4:27.06 (1600 + 18.688 meters)
Ryan Kutch 4:16.07 (1600 meters)
Frederick Buckholtz 4:17.50 (1600 meters)
Ryan Dearie 4:15.82 (1600 + 18.688 meters)
