Staten Island, NY - This weekend is the Bishop Loughlin Games, two days of action at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility. The Indoor Season is only starting to defrost, but we've got plenty of action heating up the ovals as we head into the new year. Here's what to look out for.
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Boys 300m
The State Leader Aidan Peterkin (Elmont) will look to defend that ranking against a slew of talent. Peterkin is the Class B Outdoor Champion over 400m, and has already clocked 34.39 this year. Newburgh is throwing together some strong challengers, as are the Catholic schools from New Jersey, but Peterkin's debut is just a tenth of a second off where he finished the Season last year. Expect him to get faster each week.
Girls 55m
A good battle is brewing in the shortest sprint. The State's top returner in Alexa Jacobs (Port Jefferson) will be toeing the line against the current State Leader Janelia Williams (Robeson). Both girls will be trying to crack the 7-second barrier first for the Empire State. Olivia Okaro (Winslow Twp) will be trying to play the spoiler, across the border from New Jersey. She ran 7.08 at Eastern's last year and comes in with the fastest seed.
Boys Throws
The Indoor Runner-Up in the Shot Put will be looking to crack that 60-foot barrier once again. Jonathan Szymanski (Chaminade) took home that honor in 2025, and will want to do it again before the year is out. Interestingly, he has some closer competition in the Weight Throw, where he trails Roman D'Alfonso (Newburgh) 66-2.75 to 6-8. It should produce a good competition for both.
Girls High Jump
Senior Kate Voelker (Manhasset) had a breakthrough performance at the Nassau Coaches Invitational just a week ago here, clearing 6-10 for the first time. That mark is higher than anyone jumped last year, indoors or out, and sets herself up as the name to beat in the early season. Doing it once at the facility that will host States is great, but doing it twice just boosts confidence, and Bishop Loughlin will be a great place to repeat.
Boys 3200m
We saw it in the NCAA, where the top XC athletes took to the track one week later to use that fitness and drop some serious times. Well, the top two athletes from Ward Melville are looking to follow in those footsteps, fresh off their trip West for Nike Cross Nationals. Andrew Senf and Anthony Anatol are both entered, chasing the XC local in Edwin Alleva (Monsignor Farrell). Seeded around 9:20, we could see this competition push them faster, as the fitness hasn't left their legs in only two weeks time.
Staten Island, NY - This weekend is the Bishop Loughlin Games, two days of action at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility. The Indoor Season is only starting to defrost, but we've got plenty of action heating up the ovals as we head into the new year. Here's what to look out for.
- - -
Boys 300m
The State Leader Aidan Peterkin (Elmont) will look to defend that ranking against a slew of talent. Peterkin is the Class B Outdoor Champion over 400m, and has already clocked 34.39 this year. Newburgh is throwing together some strong challengers, as are the Catholic schools from New Jersey, but Peterkin's debut is just a tenth of a second off where he finished the Season last year. Expect him to get faster each week.
