While it may have been quiet in the Empire state over the holiday weekend, that didn't stop several teams from traveling the country in search of the best competition track and field has to offer. Teams will be returning today, bringing back with them some of the current state leading times in the early season.
Saratoga springs to victory
Pepsi Florida Relays, Gainsville, FL - With their first race after their 2nd place finish at Indoor Nationals in the 4xMile, Saratoga decided to seek the Sunshine state to return to the event.
"We came down here to do our best, and go for the meet record," junior Taylor Driscoll said.
Each girl averaged about 5:03, to produce that new meet record of 20:12.28. With Saratoga's eyes on the event at Nationals, Suffern's state record from 2006 of 19:56.75 looks to be challenged later in the season. Saratoga's time is the current state leader, as well as the fastest time run at that distance since the state record had been established.
Warmer Weather Doesn't Throw Off Ellenville's Borriello
Beach Run Invitational, Myrtle Beach, SC - The Borriello's siblings, Rob and Danielle, traveled to sunny South Carolina, to test their strength against stiff competition. Both throwers from Section 9's Ellenville flew down to compete in the shot, discus, and hammer throws over the weekend. Danielle found her success in the hammer throw, both winning the competition as well as throwing a new NY #1 throw of 137-8. That performance would have put Borriello at NY #3 in 2011.
Arcadia Brings Big Teams, Big Times
Arcadia Invitational, Arcadia, CA - With several teams traveling out to one of California's biggest meets, they were ready to face big names in the likes of Long Beach Poly and Wakefield NC. While the venture west didn't yield any individual wins, several NY#1 times were produced. For the boys, it was Steven Gayle's 22.07 performance in the 200 that gained him the top spot. Gayle came back to lead the Mount Vernon boys to three state leading relays, which include 4x100 (42.72), 4x400 (3:21.78), and the 800m SMR (1:31.65). For the longer relays, it was the Pearl River boys in the 4x800 (7:54.69) and the Monsignor Farrell boys in the DMR (10:10.75).
For the girls, who saw similar success, it was all Saint Anthony's, as Olicia Williams took the 800m run in 2:10.66. Williams returned for the 1600m SMR, to nab NY #1 in 4:06.25.
Courtesy of Tom Cuffe
Nerud Runs With The Collegians
Sam Howell Invitational, Princeton, NJ - North Shore's Brianna Nerud was one of only a handful of high school athletes who competed in the collegiate event at Princeton this weekend, but her endeavors saw great success. Nerud finished 4th overall in the 3000m Steeplechase, beating numerous collegiate athletes. Her time of 10:24.95 also puts her at #2 US All-Time for that distance for a high schooler.