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Everybody has lost something in the year that could have been, but maybe no school more so than that of Cardinal Hayes. Way back in January of 2020, Hayes threw down a NY #6 All-Time Performance in the 4x200m, clocking a 1:28.10, and demonstrating they were gearing up for what could have been a State Record Breaking Season. Not only that, but they did so with a team entirely comprised of underclassmen.
However, misfortune piled on. At the State Meet, a botched handoff in the trials knocked the favorites out of the Finals. Even with a missed handoff, they came back and dominated their heat, crossing the line a good two seconds ahead of the next squad. However, all would be fixed when they had another shot at Indoor Nationals the following week. That is, until the meet was cancelled just four days later.
The cancelations continued through the Spring Season, not even the chance of putting together a four by one to keep the quartet in the running. Fast forward one year later, and Winter Track 2021 was once again threatened by the pandemic. However, luck would finally fall their way. Utilizing Ocean Breeze, the CHSAA is the only Section within New York State with anything closely related to a regular indoor campaign. And with the culminating CHSAA Intersectional Relays happening on the morn of the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Hayes saw a chance to get back after those records.
Putting together a clean relay, Hayes stormed back to the top of the rankings, clocking a 1:27.87, nearly four seconds faster than the next best team. The mark shaved off a quarter of a second off their School Record, and took down the Ocean Breeze HS Facility Record set by Christopher Columbus at the State Meet in 2018. It is currently ranked US #2 for the 2021 Season, again teams from the Southern parts of the country who have been running full steam since December.
The mark also moves them to NY #4 All-Time for the event, and betters their own CHSAA Record. Hopefully, this isn't the last time we see the Relay come together, as Indoor Nationals is on the horizon down in Virginia, and with some head-to-head competition, the Bronx-based High School could bring home a National Title to the sports-starved center of New York City!
