Manhattan NY - This past weekend brought some of the best competition to NYC for the New Balance Indoor Nationals at the The New Balance Armory. New York performed quite well at the meet, bringing in 4 new state records. Judging based on Olympic medal count (Gold-Silver-Bronze), NY brought home the hardware as we had 5 golds, 13 silvers, and 13 bronze medalists. Of those, the boys attributed to 4 golds, 4 silvers, and 4 bronze medals. All-American status goes to the top 6 competitors in each elite event, which saw even more NY talent shine, as we had All-Americans in every running event besides the mile and the 60m hurdles. We're here to break down all the events with top NY finishers, and recap how they played out.
60m
The 60 meters is a strange event for high schoolers, as the more natural 55m is more readily contested. Although Nationals didn't bring the likes of FL's Marvin Bracy to New York, (who has ran an unbelievable 6.08 over 55m) the finals field was stacked with quality talent. Sweet Home's own Wayne Gordon nabbed 6th place overall, by 8 thousandths of a second, in 6.92, splitting a 6.44 over 55m.
200
Wayne Gordon returns as NY's top short sprinter, this time going up against several sub-21 second runnners. Gordon ran very well, representing NY well with a strong 21.56, NY #1 and US #7
400
Going into the 400 meter dash, all competitors were aware of the trio who had been approaching sub-46 seconds all season. However, that didn't phase Mount Vernon's Steven Gayle, who proved to run his best race yet, in an already very impressive season. Gayle ended up with a very strong 48.04, good enough for US #9 for 2012.
800m
With Zavon Watkins splitting a 1:49.09 in the SMR, spectators were expecting a huge race. With 200 meters to go, Watkins initiated his patented kick that had brought him victory in his mile endeavors earlier in the season. However, the kick may have been delayed just a little too long, as the superfast junior Ben Malone proved to get the best of Watkins. Zavon still ran exceptionally well, placing second in 1:50.11, a NY State Record and US #2 for 2012. Behind Watkins was Cory McCarty of Elmira in 5th at 1:52.68, and Pearl River's Kieran Brennan at 1:52.96 at 6th place.
2 Mile
While junior Edward Cheserek ran virtually unchallenged, it didn't mean New York was off the medal stand. On the contrary, 4 of the top 7 competitors stemmed from NY. Following up his stellar 5k performance, Dan Lennon came in 4th overall, with a US #10 time of 9:06.16, followed directly by Thomas Awad of Chaminade in 5th at 9:06.18, Eric Holt of Carmel in 6th, and Kris Moran of North Babylon in 7th.
5000m
Standout senior Daniel Lennon of Peru, New York, again proved why he had such a breakout XC season. As NY's only Foot Locker Qualifier, Lennon finished XC as the bronze medalist in the States' merge. Here, he transferred over that speed to the track, and produced an outstanding performance. Trading places with Dallin Farsnworth of Idaho the entire race, Lennon's kick proved to be stronger, as Dan came across first in 14:37.25.
4x200m
A close race the whole way through, Mount Vernon fought for third after a strong second leg. Their time of 1:29.35 is NY #6, with South Shore nabbing 6th for the medal stand in 1:31.01.
4x400m
Boys and Girls finished off the competition with a huge win, maintaining their US #1 status with an All-American title. They may have not ran their season best, but a 3:16.78 is nothing short of impressive. Also exciting was Newburgh taking 3rd overall, in a strong 3:19.10.
4x800m
With some of the best relays in recent years all entered in the competition, Boys and Girls were far from favorites. Their previous season best resided around the 7:50 mark, and the then-seeded CBA had ran around a 7:43. That all changed as Boys and Girls took the track, and swiftly took the pace out hard. Freshmen Richard Rose led off the relay in a strong 1:55, proving his will be a name to remember next year. B&G clocked in a very fast 7:41.10, nabbing the NY State Record (their second of the season), and running US #1 for 2012. Also very fast was Kellenberg, picking up third in 7:43.84, which is US #4.
4xMile
Coming into the meet, the boys from Shaker made it clear they were here to break the national record. Their first three legs put their anchor, Christian Delago, in excellent first-place posiion. However, the boys of Chariho RI were getting the baton right behind him, and anchor Mike Marsella took out fast after Delago. Ultimately, Shaker achieved their goals, but fell short of first, as Chariho won the race. Shaker, getting 2nd, did break the old National Record by running 17:21.56, a US #2 All-Time. Also nabbing All-American mention was St. Anthony's, who came in 6th with a 17:47.90.
SMR
The SMR on friday looked to be a huge battle of the anchors. The 800m leg would be contested between Edward Cheserek, Zavon Watkins, Ben Malone, and Allen Eke. And the race didn't dissappoint, as St. Benedict's Prep handed off in first on the last leg, trailed by Liverpool. It was there that we saw the first sign of fatigue from Cheserek, as Zavon Watkins was running down the junior on the back stretch. Cheserek eventually did end up winning the relay for his team, with Watkins in tow, but given 50 more meters, and it would have been a real challenge. Cheserek's final split was 1:51, to Watkins' 1:49.1, with Liverpool finishing in US #2 3:26.41
DMR
The distance medley relay had a great showing from the boys of NYC, as an impressive Stuyvesant took 4th. The splits come to about 3:08.1, 52.9, 1:59.9, and a blazing fast 4:10 anchor by Konrad Surkont. The overall time was 10:12.24, with Arlington taking 6th for All-American, and Monsignor Farrell just missing in 7th.
WT
Rudy Winkler, Averill Park
LJ
Ben Ezike of Susan Wagner grabbed 5th overall, with a jump of 23 feet, .75 inches.
HJ
Desmond Mobley of Greece-Olympia hit a very high 6 foot 7 inch jump, to take 6th overall.
TJ
Thomas Johnson of White Plains soared to a 48-2.75 jump on his first attempt, solidifying 4th place overall.
