Huntington, NY - It's been a strong year for Kaitlyn Chandrika (Mt. Sinai), one of NY's best up-and-coming runners. We warned you to keep an eye out for her Indoors, and then we explained why after the season was done. After finding strong performances in the middle-distances on the track, Chandrika may have found her perfect event: the Steeplechase.
In only her second attempt at the event in a HS Sanctioned meet, Kaitlyn Chandrika set a new National Freshman Record in the event, clocking 6:48.12 for the 2000m distance. The mark erases the previous National Record of 6:48.64 held by Hannah Davidson of Saratoga back in 2005. That also puts her at NY #15 All-Time in the event, with presumably much more left in the tank.
This year sees Steeple races going to the Youth. Brooke Rauber, another freshman, is also already under the 7min barrier, hitting 6:59.49, while the State Leader Sarah Trainor, who leads with 6:47.64, is only a Sophomore. Rounding out the Top 5 in the State are fellow Sophomores Molly Ramirez and Haleigh Morales, both under 7:03.00.
