Honorable Mentions
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With so much going on this year, it was hard to narrow down the Top 5 Boys and Girls Moments of the Year. We had plenty of overflow, and the competition for those top spots was fierce. Here were the next best, in order. Some may be superior performances but came in lower key meets, others may be victim to the flood of strong marks all around, but all are worthy to be recognized.
1. Sarah Trainor Smashes Steeple National Record
Our first moment off the list is the one of only two National Records set this year by New Yorkers. Sarah Trainor (FDR) opened her season in a remarkable effort, in the very early season. Steepling 6:29.08 for the new Record, breaking Brianna Nerud's (North Shore) previous, the race was run on her home track. She didn't quite go that fast again until the State Meet, where she broke the Meet Record with a 6:31.59. She opted to not compete at Nationals, and comes back next year as a favorite to lower her own record.
2. Jaheim Jones Sweeps States
It was a big year for the small school sprinter, as Jaheim Jones (Lourdes) swept the sprints at the State Meet. In addition, he would head to New Balance Nationals and medal in both championship sections as well, the first time a NY Sprinter has done so against the boys of Texas and Florida for quite some time.
3. Kaeli Thompson Grabs Indoor National Title
The Senior from Warwick not only earned her first State Title this Spring, but she preceded that with a National Title this Winter. With a 13-6.5 clearance, Kaeli Thompson is now NY #3 All-Time Indoors, heading to Duke.
4. Ryler Gould Grabs Gold At Penn
Running against the Jamaican's, as well as plenty of local talent, Junior Ryler Gould (Newburgh) dropped the field in the 400H at Penn Relays, running away to his first Gold Watch. He would run a National Leader of 51.81 at the State Meet Prelims, which was later broken.
5. Fayetteville-Manlius Wins 4x800m
The perennial powers might have missed out on their usual XC Team Title, but managed to pick up a team-based distance title on the track. Averaging 2:16 a leg, they utilized the most balanced splits in the field, giving their anchor a lead in a crowded field, to which she held off the fast closing anchors for the win.
6. Christopher Columbus Rules The 300m
In-Season, it was hard to argue that Columbus had the depth in the sprints. Anthony Brodie ruled the 400m, while Rashaun Stewart had the fastest 200m of the year. Pull the two distances together indoors over 300m, and never before had a single team gone 1-2 in a sprinting event.
7. Monique Hardy Takes Weight Throw Title
The upstate Junior is closing in on the State Record for the Weight Throw, now just two feet off after winning the National Title. Monique Hardy (Webster Thomas) threw 64-7.25 at New Balance, and has plenty more to throw in her Senior Year.
8. Kwamere White Hits New Heights
The City of Syracuse Junior had a breakout season, first gaining headlines with a 6-8 clearance Indoors. Kwamere White (Henninger) would then improve to 6-9 Outdoors, grabbing the Spring State Title in the process.
9. Paul Robeson Dominates The Relays
Despite no individual State Titles this year, Paul Robeson still managed to dominate the relays. State Leaders both Indoors and Outdoors, their 4x100m and 4x400m had a big gap on the State when they were running on full strength, with no signs of slowing down.
10. Section 6 Rules The Shot Put
Putting a shot over 60-ft is always the magic number, and the Buffalo area laid claim to two athletes with that distinction. John Surdej (Lancaster) swept the Shot Indoors and Out, culminating with a 64-10.25, while Tyler Doty (St. Joseph Collegiate) went out to 62-11.75. To boot, Doty's teammate, William Gross, ruled the Weight Throw, with a State Winning toss of 70-0.5.
Bonus...
... Colonie Challenges 4x100m Record, Vanessa Watson Repeats Under 60sec For 400H, Sean Hewitt Wins Jamaican Champs, Chibugo Obichere In/Out Hurdle Leaders, Boys 4x400m Battles At Spring States, Ciara Durcan Captures National Gold, Scarsdale/Arlington 4x800m Rivalry
