It was a busy weekend both at home and abroad. We caught several performances that were worth noting, and just provide a launching point as we head into Championship Season in the Empire State.
Boys 55m
Who: Noah Collins-Howard (Rush-Henrietta)
What: 6.33 - NY-10 All-Time
Where: Jack Reed Invitational (Nazareth, NY)
Why: It's been a loaded year for the 55m. Last year, the 55m final came down to two juniors going 6.34 and 6.35, respectively. They were primed to be the next great rematch at States, but injury and transfer has sidelined those hopes. However, the next crop of athletes have stepped in. A downstate athlete has transferred into the State from overseas, while Noah Collins-Howard hopped across town from Aquinas over to Rush. He now takes over Rhoan Kaulder's (McQuaid, now IMG Academy) spot as Section 5 #2 All-Time, and is the new State Leader. He only raced twice last year, but carried a 6.50 best. It's a big jump, but much welcomed in the short sprints.
Boys 1000m
Who: Jayden Lloyd McKenna (Pearl River)
What: 2:26.87 - NY-13 All-Time
Where: Steve Borbet Invite (Armory, NYC)
Why: The breakout season for the Senior continues. He's twice dipped under 4:20 in the mile, hitting 4:16 and 4:15, which constitutes a 15-second improvement over last indoor Season. But it's the 1K, where he took third at States in 2:29.03, that is catching the headlines. At Borbet, he won by almost five full seconds, dropping a huge personal best of 2:26. That mark is #5 All-Time for Section 1, and #3 All-Time for a non-Class A school. It's also US-4 this year.
Girls 1000m
Who: Jane Hickey (Ursuline) & Zaria Hall (East Meadow)
What: 2:47.73 (NY-11) & 2:47.99 (NY-13)
Where: VA Showcase (VA Beach) & Steve Borbet Invite (Armory, NYC)
Why: They may have been far apart in distance, but they are coming together real close on the All-Time lists. One week after her stellar showing in the 600m, Jane Hickey bumped up the distance to take second at the VA Showcase. Back at home, Zaria Hall was bouncing back from a silver in the Millrose Trials over the Mile, to hit a near identical time as Hickey for the 1000m. They now stand as US 4 and US 5 this year, and both can find themselves in the mix for a State Title.