The New York Relays see a full return in 2022, and the meet is loaded. We'll be capturing all the events this weekend live on MileSplit, and winners will get their interviews right on the in-field. Here are the events we're most looking forward too.
Girls 4x1600m
The National Record lineup of Saratoga is back at it again. They broke the National Record outdoors for the full 4xMile, and then did so again Indoors at Nike. Well, both records were erased one day later, as Flower Mound surpassed both the Indoor and Outdoor mark at New Balance. Saratoga could retake the throne here, as the 4x1600m converts up on the All-Time lists, and even better, could put two teams under 19mins.
Note: Their 19:40 mile-mark converts roughly to 19:33.81, the mark to beat for a National Record.
Boys Hammer
The marquee event in a loaded boys meet, the Hammer Throw see's three athletes well over 200-ft, in what are their signature events. Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan (Woonsocket) took home the National Title indoors in the Weight Throw, and carries a seed of 236-9 into the meet here. New York's Indoor Weight State Champ Michael Pinckney (HS For Construction) is right behind, chasing with a seed of 218-8.75. And rounding out the field is Gary Moore JR (Hillhouse) at 213-6.5.
While the Hammer will be the highlight, the boys will all be back for Disc and Shot, where Indoor State Shot Champ Jack Foster (Saratoga) will join them.
Girls 4x100m
New York had two teams place All-American in the 4x200m at Indoor Nationals, and both are ready to display their true speed at Icahn Stadium. Elmont Memorial and Paul Robeson are your top two seeds in the short relay, and both cracked the All-Time lists Indoors. With weather looking good, we could see some very fast early-season times.
Boys 100m
Carter Cukerstein (Shenendehowa) was the breakout sprinter of the Indoor Season, setting the State Record for both 55m and the 60m. He's only seeded third in the field here, which should give you the indication that he's about to run much faster than he's ever had before over the 100m distance. While the temps may be a little cold to be on true State Record watch, the Meet Record was set last year by his Indoor foe, Nyckoles Harbor of DC, at 10.43, which is right in that territory.
Girls 200m
While there may not be a breakout athlete in this race, there is strong parity at the top, and that creates a race just as exciting. The PSAL looks to hold the line at the top, with Kaela Swift (Medgar Evers) at 25.33 and Anissa Moore (Paul Robeson) at 25.34. Then the Public Schools come in at 25.36 with Ashley Fulton (Elmont). The Catholics get their entry at 25.39 with Logan Daley (Holy Trinity). And then Section 8 rounds out the field with Yashima Mitchell (Uniondale) at 25.50. It's going to be one tight finish.
Boys 400m
Two boys seeded under 48-seconds makes this race one to watch. Wesley Noble (Bishop Loughlin) leads the field at 47.79, but will be facing off with Yougendy Mauricette of Delaware, who comes in at 47.88, although it might be an FAT split. The pair are just ramping up their Indoor campaigns after success seasons indoors, but it could create a strong parity hitting the final straightaway.
Girls 400m
Just like the boys, the girls have plenty of talent looking to breakout in the 400m. Alanna Smith (Danbury, CT) ran 38.22 to win New England's over the 300m, which would indicate her personal best of 55.49 is in serious jeopardy. The Meet Record is held by Claudia Francis at 54.49, so that provides a clear target on the horizon.
Boys Steeple
Fresh off a trip to Arcadia, where he put down a State Leading 8:57 in the 3200m, Gavin Ehlers (Westhampton Beach) is looking to take that speed into the pits. This is one of the few times the event is contested over 2000m rather than the full 3000m, so it's a good time to grab a seed time for Outdoor Nationals. We know he has the speed, but can he break 6mins? Tune in to find out.
Meanwhile, he'll be watching that 3200m here, as Nathan Brimhall (Shenendehowa) and Ryan Bush (Saratoga) will be both chasing after his State Lead.
