After watching Strymar Livingston break the national record today I couldn't help but think about the last time I saw the record go down. Hard to believe it's been 6 years. - Tim Fulton
2 /07/07 - NJ Varsity Classic - The Armory
1:17.9! US National HS Record
Shaquan Brown
story and photos by Tim Fulton
The DMR's are often the highlight of this meet, but the story tonight was NJ's Shaquan Brown (JFK) running 1:17.9 to break the National record of 1:18.88 set by Damion Drummond (Robeson, NY) at the Armory in 2000.
Brown hit the 200m mark in 24.6 and the 400m mark in 50.6 before closing in 27.3 to shatter the record by 8 tenths of a second. After seemingly throwing himself across the line, Brown collapsed on the track for a few minutes before the final word came that he had indeed achieved his goal of a new National Record
Mike Pachella (Wallkill Valley, NJ) and NY soph Lionel Williams, the National Soph. Class record holder at 600m, challenged Brown early, but from 350m on, it was all Brown.
Once the time was announced, the near capacity crowd went crazy, giving Brown the ovation he so deserved. And while Brown was clearly happy with the result, it was obvious he ran as fast as he could go since nearly 45 minutes after the race, he was still struggling to move around.
A late charge by Rob Novak from Bordentown, NJ gave him 2nd at 1:19.6, good for US #6 all time, nothing to overlook. Williams time would rank him pretty high as well if he hadn't already run a few tenths faster at the Stanner Games on January 15th.
Janine Davis (Queen of Peace, NJ) won the girls race in 1:30.4 and Tappan Zee, NY thrower John Hickey tossed the shot put 64+ for the win.