It was only a matter of time before the steeple state record was going to be challenged again at the state meet, but junior Angelina Napoleon (Allegany-Limestone) went ahead and got the national record out of the way at the state qualifier one week earlier.
Napoleon ran an astounding 6:24.32 for the 2,000m steeple distance, bettering the New York state record mark set by Sarah Trainor (FDR) in 2019 at 6:29.08.
At the time, that mark was also the high school national record in the event -- and the same for the junior class. However, in 2021 Sydney Masciarelli of Marianapolis Prep (CT) upped that performance, becoming the first non-New Yorker to capture the national record when she ran 6:25.35 at the New York State Showcase.
That mark has now been eclipsed.
It shouldn't be a surprise.
Napoleon clocked 6:31.49 at the beginning of May, which was good for NY No. 3 all-time. Much was expected of Napoleon in the event at the Loucks Games, but she opted to run the mile instead, cruising to a new personal best in 4:49.30.
The state leader in the steeple, it was expected she would make a return to the event at the state meet, and return she did.
Napoleon, only a junior, also takes the high school junior class record in the event, with another year to chase Masciarelli's senior class record.
Full results of the race can be seen below.
