DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS - Patrignelli runs 2:10.08, Carrington doubles up with 800m win, Drinks doubles 100-200.

Story and photos by Timothy Fulton

North Rockland HS, Thiels, NY - The sun was shining for most of the day, something that most area track and field teams haven't seen most of the season.

Megan Patrignelli of Monroe Woodbury showed up to run fast. That was clear from the gun as the junior bolted to the lead, gapped the field instantly, and won in a new meet record 2:10.08. Patrignelli, who was 3rd at NSIC this year, made it look easy. The message was obvious - she can run fast with or without competition.

Jesse Drinks of Ossining won double gold on the day as the senior swept the 100m and 200m finals. The field was stacked with top runners from Ramapo, Lincoln, Monroe Woodbury, and North Babylon, but Drinks beat all of them, taking the 100m in 10.74 and the 200m in 22.10, winning both by at least 2 tenths.

North Rockland's Chris Carrington had a heck of a weekend. After winning the 1600m on Friday night the senior won the 800m on Saturday in 1:56.38. Carrington overcame a slow first lap (59 seconds) and powered away from the field to win by almost a whole second and lead 4 runners under 2 minutes. Carrington also anchored the SMR to the win.

The New Rochelle boys looked good in the 800m though as Aki Bajulaiye (1:57.32), Ruben Barajas (1:59.60), and Harrison Quamily (2:01.82) placed 2nd, 4th, and 7th, respectively. Clearly they'll be a 4x800m to watch out for this year.

The Fox Lane boys proved they are ready for Penn Relays with a very impressive 8:08.68 win. After a 2:05 leadoff that had them behind, the team went 2:02, 2:01, 1:58 for the win. With a better day they should be able to make a run at sub 8:00 at Penn.

The Cornwall girls won the DMR in 12:36.55. Aisling Cuffe led off the relay. Bay Shore's girls 4x800m relay ran a very good 9:28.87. Considering the windy conditions and how much they won by (40 seconds) look for good things next weekend at Penn Relays.

Horace Mann's Annie Lynch won the 200m in 26.26 while Lakeland/Panas Sophomore Brie Roller won the 400m in 59.05.

The Ramapo boys showed the are ready for The Penn Relays with a 42.84 4x100m relay win. Last year a mid race hamtring pull cost the team a shot at making the Championship of America.

FULL GALLERY COMING SUNDAY MORNING

DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS - Carrington, Greany win titles

Spring track has finally arrived as the first nice weather helped athletes run some fast early times at The Red Raider Relays. Chris Carrington of North Rockland won the 1600m over Mike Hickey of Pearl River while Shelby Greany of Suffern beat Aisling Cuffe of Cornwall 10:27.33 to 10:28.33 in the 3200m run, both under the old meet record.

It was a day filled with mostly trials on the track, as the 100m, 200m, and 400m trials all were contested, along with the 1600m and 3200m runs.

The girls 1600m run was won by Mamaroneck's Gina Talt in 5:12.79.

The boys 3200m run was run for the first time. The boys 5000m was dropped due to state sanctioning issues, and the race turned out to be a good. After Nick Hughes of North Rockland pushed the middle of the race, Suffern's Kevin McKenna opened up a nice lead on the field, which he held until the final straight away. That's when Ward Mellville's Quin Raseman snuck by McKenna to win 9:30.64 to 9:31.09.

Top qualifiers in the 400m were Lakeland/Panas' Brie Roller in 58.11 (pictured left) and Chid Ezemma of Ramapo in 49.96.

Brothers Kem and Tobe Ogbuaugu of Lincoln in Yonkers both qualified for the 100m dash final on Saturday.

Vanessa Stewart of North Babylon set a new meet record in the shot put with her 46-03.5 foot toss.

More pictures and highlights to come....

all pics by Tim Fulton