Steeple/Hurdles
Boys
While the Girls Steeple has known entities, the Boys Steeple has a big unknown. Devan Kipyego (St. Raphael Academy, RI) may be new to Steeplechase (he raced the 2000m distance to some acclaim last year), his exploits on the track are no secret. He had the fastest 1600m split in the DMR at Penn Relays with a 4:04.35, as well as success in both the 3000m and 1000m distances. We'll see how he fares over the barriers in the longer distance, but will see competition from the locals. Julian Franjieh (Niskayuna) and Evan Waterton (Monticello) both hold PR's in the 9:30's, which will be competitive in the field.
In the short hurdles, the pair from ESM that lit up the Indoor scene is back to take on the 110's, while Elijah Mallard (Washingtonville) and Shane Ashton (Franklin K Lane) get their rematch over the 400H.
Girls
Only a week ago, Angelina Napoleon (Allegany-Limestone) and Karrie Baloga (Cornwall) duked it out on Baloga's home track, producing two All-Time great marks. The rematch is set, and we are on both a State and National Record watch. However, the matchup may not be as even as before. Napoleon is racing in the 800m the night before, while Baloga is going in fresh. Could that change the outcome, or will the States' biggest stage so far encourage some courageous racing? We will see come Saturday.
Brinesha Derrick-Bain (Bishop Loughlin) is the leader by over half a second in the 100m hurdles, while she is doing the chasing in the 400H. We'll see if the 60-second barrier get broken for the first time this Season.