Moving On Up The All-Time List
Junior Lanae-Tava Thomas (Rush-Henrietta) was unsure about her season mid-January. She had been nursing a tender hamstring from the Marine Corps Classic, but made a jump back into the limelight at Sectionals and State Quals. On February 10th, she clocked the State Leading 55m at 6.92, also a US #4. Thomas is the 2-Time defending State Champion in the 55m, and is capable of another title this Winter. With two more years left, she could become the first 4-Time State Champion in a single event we've had in quite awhile.
But it was her other premiere event, the Long Jump, that took center stage at the State Qualifier last night. There, Thomas moved up to NY #2 All-Time, with her Sectional Record breaking jump of 20-11. That is now just two inches shy of the state record, set by Keyon Soley of Uniondale, who leapt 21-1.25 in 1997. Thomas will compete in both events at the State Meet.
Watson Conquers Another
It's the one event we really haven't seen Watson attack this year. Yes, she did have a 4:38 season's best, but it was done at a local league meet, and her speed was indicative of much more.
But Sammy Watson (Rush-Herietta) took home the Section Record in the 1500m at the State Qualifiers, running 4:31.65 for a new US #4. The mark broke one of the only Section 5 Records didn't have over the middle distances, a 4:36.5 from 1985, by Brighton's Stacy Prey. The move was unexpected, as Watson has competed quite successfully at the 1000m and 300m distances the past two years at the State Meet. Last night, she ran the 1500m, as well as aiding on the 4x200m and 4x800m relays.
Watson, who would be the clear favorite at States in either the 600m (National Record Holder) or the 1000m (800m National Record Holder), is now a contender for the 1500m title. She is only NY #3 in the event, and a co-favorite. In fact, Katelyn Tuohy (North Rockland), who is ranked behind her, challenged Watson at the 1500m distance last spring.
That being said, Watson hasn't lost a race since her Junior year, where she eased up at the line in Boston, and was outleaned by .01 of a second. It'll be interesting to see her in the competitive field.