Feature Race
It's clear this race was set up to run fast. And boy does New York need it. Some backstory here. Since 2012, only two athletes have broken onto the Top 50 All-Time list for 800m in New York State. Kyle Barber (Fayetteville-Manlius) ran 1:51.40 to win the State Title in 2015, while Ben Bulkeley (Fairport) did the same as a junior when he ran 1:50.96 in 2017. Yes, even though Northport took down the 4x800m State Record last year, and the 4xMile Record back in 2014, no athlete living below Syracuse has been able to break in.
The number to beat is 1:51.6, a converted hand-time run by Ken Schappert of the now defunct Bishop Dubois back in 1970. He is currently the 50th best 800m in State History, and his mark is in serious jeopardy.
The credentials of the top seeds look to bolster those claims. Hometown favorite Matthew Payamps (Saint Anthony's) ran the 2nd fastest Indoor 1000m of All-Time at the USATF Indoor Champs, among Professionals. His mark of 2:23.46 converts to right around that 1:50 mark, or even lower. Matt Rizzo (Bronxville) was equally as fast, soloing 2:24.06 at the Indoor State Meet for the 1000m. The marks could almost be considered a wash given the differing race conditions. Matt's twin brother, Alex Rizzo, is also entered, and he has plenty of race chops for himself. He led off the Indoor DMR with a 2:59.44 for the 1200m leg, the only athlete to do so in the field, and one of the few in meet history. Rounding out the Empire State is Sean Ryan (Northport), who was a part of the Northport 4x800m inventory when they set the State Record last year.
Splitting the Top New York guys are a duo from Connecticut. Malcolm Going (Danbury) is a huge threat for the win at this race. He took home 3rd at Indoor Nationals with a 1:52.63, and actually ran faster in a Pro race in Boston earlier in the year, when he hit 1:50.85. Those are some serious wheels, and unlike others, his seed isn't just speculative. Likewise, you have Miller Anderson (Hall), who brings a best of 1:51.54 from that same Pro meet in Boston. They could even set up for a CT 1-2 sweep.
Event 51 Boys 800 Meter Run (73)
===============================================================================
Name Year School Seed
===============================================================================
1 Matthew Payamps 12 St. Anthony' 1:50.24
2 Malcom Going 12 Danbury (Con 1:50.91
3 Miller Anderson 12 Hall,Conn 1:51.54
4 Alex Rizzo 12 Bronxville 1:53.40
5 Matt Rizzo 12 Bronxville 1:53.40
6 Sean Ryan 12 Northport 1:54.24
7 Timmy Weber 11 MacArthur 1:56.24
8 Matthew Reda 12 St. Anthony' 1:56.31
9 Jay Santana 12 West Babylon 1:56.49
10 Constantinos Athanailos 12 St. Francis 1:57.24 Back To Front