1. WHAT’S THE BIGGEST MATCHUP TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SEASON?
The 800 meters seems to be the hottest event in the state this season on the boys and girls side. The boys don’t have the depth of talent the girls do, but there are certainly high rollers. Look no further than Liverpool junior Zavon Watkins.
He won the indoor national championship in a state record 1:50.84, making him the sixth-fastest performer in nation history. Watkins could become just the third New Yorker to crack the 1:50 barrier outdoors. He also has a 1:47 relay leg to his credit, which means that the state record of 1:48.56 set by Suffern’s Jeff Van Wie in 1983.
Then there’s Columbus junior Strymar Livingston, the national record-holder at 600 meters. Livingston has yet to produce the type of 800-meter race that many believe him capable of. But as long as Watkins is there, neither will be running alone.
Livingston is probably the best 400-800 combination in the ...