Since 2000, there have been plenty of worth challengers to the States Freshman State Record for the 2 Mile. In that time, the same record over the mile was broken five times by two challengers. But the closest we've gotten to the 9:27.50 set by Brian Dalpiaz (Sayville) in 2000 was a glancing blow just a year before, when Ryan Tuohy (North Rockland) ran for 9:35.41c at the Section 1 Class Champs.
One year later, and there is a new freshman of note. And he not only beat Tuohy at the Qualifier, but he took down that same Freshman State Record in the process.
Ryan Sykes (Horace Greeley) has been a known entity. As a Middle Schooler, he placed third in the Mile at Indoor Nationals in 2023. He then went on Outdoors to win the Middle School 2 Mile at New Balance Nationals with a 9:38.47. That mark was just shy of the unofficial 8th Grade State Record of 9:35.26.
In Cross Country, he ended his season with a Speed Rating best of 179, leading to a 23rd place finish at States.
Indoors, his schedule has been more modest, staying within the Section 1 Invitational Season, his biggest Invite coming from the Coach Saint Invite back in December. But he had been averaging 9:30 for the 3200m until this past weekend, when, with a States bid on the line, he unleashed a monster mark.
Sykes took second place in the 3200m, behind Ethan Green of Arlington, with a 9:15.02. That mark is converted up to 9:18.24, and stands as the new State Record. Not only that, but it is also ranked NY #4 for the year so far, which will surely get him into the fast heat at the State Meet. The record can only improve from that point.