Solomon Holden-Betts clears the water jump barrier at the 2023 NYSPHSAA state meet
NYSPHSAA NY State Meet Coverage:
2023 NYSPHSAA 3,000 steeplechase heat 2
Cross country state champion Solomon Holden-Betts (Baldwinsville) had a lot of barriers in his way as he was trying to win his first NYSPHSAA track and field state title. He had to train indoors the past week due to poor air quality and bouncing back from a fifth place finish in the 3200m Friday night.
This morning, he handled the seven and a half laps of barriers as well as anyone could have expected. The Baldwinsville senior got off the starting line and opened up through the first 200n at a 0.33.89 clip. From the first steps of the race, he was determined not to let the 3,000 steeplechase title slip through his fingers.
After a 1:10.29 first lap split, he would drop 74, 75 laps with apparent ease. Jess Joe Augustine (Mount Sinai) was on Holden-Betts' hip throughout most of the race. He also dropped 74 and 75 laps until two consecutive 76 laps giving Holden Betts some breathing room.
The two lowered the boom on their final lap as Holden-Betts was able to capture his first NYSPHSAA state title on the track as he finished in a NY No. 1 9:07.53 PR and Augustine was second in a 9:17.42 PR.
