Full Race Above
It was nearly the fastest time run since the future Olympic Champion Dalilah Muhammad (Cardozo) had set the State Record back in 2007. That should give you some perspective on Vanessa Watson's (Spencerport) shiny new personal best in the 400H, set Saturday amidst other PR's. Watson won the Section 5 Class Champs race in a new best of 58.57, good for US #2 this year. That mark is also NY #4 All-Time, and the fastest sine 2008. It's also circling around US #30 All-Time, and there is still more left in the tank.
Muhammad set the State Record at 57.09 back in 2007, while a junior. That's the only thing keeping Watson from claiming the Junior State Record. But Watson also came away with a 12.38 in the 100m, and a 25.06 in the 200m, proving her 400H time can go down when she will focus on the event at States and Nationals. The mark also broke the former Section 5 Record held by Karen Elliot (Penfield '93) set at 60.13.
The mark also jumpstarts NY's sub-60 Hurdle Streak once again. Since 2010, a girl had broken 60-seconds for the 400H every year - except last year. Then, a sophomore Watson led the state at 60.81. Leave it to her to kick off another long streak. For now, the reward for her efforts would have to be a Sectional Record, with more on the horizon.
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And guess who just happened to be on scene to watch it all happen.....