Somers NY - Festivities have just about wrapped up here in Somers, New York, as the 36th Annual Joe Wynne Lions Club Invitational has just finished. And what a weekend it was, as the state is beginning to ramp up, heading into championship season. There were several highlights of the weekend, but as for team scoring, it was all about Mt. Vernon.
The first signs of success came on Day 1, as their second place finish for the boys in the SMR tied the then state leading time of 3:31.1. On day 2, the titles at T-shirts began to flow ever freely, beginning with 4x200 wins for both the boys and the girls. For the boys, that 4x200 time of 1:28.5 is both state leading. That time is the fastest time from Section 1 since Ramapo went 1:27.03 in 2008.
Next event on the track was the 400m dash, which saw Mt. Vernon go 1-2, with senior Steven Gayle hitting 48.3 for the win. As for the girls, it was Mt. Vernon's Tanaya Yarde to take the win, in a very fast 57.3.
Returning to the track in the 100m dash, Mt. Vernon took 1st on the girls side when Shanice Cameron ran 12.4, and 2nd for the boys on a lean behind Kwane Hayle of Poughkeepsie was the Huguenots' Kareem Campbell, as they both hit 10.5.
Shanice Cameron and Steven Gayle returned to the track in the 200m, winning with 25.2 and 21.4 respectively. Also on the track for Mt. Vernon in the boys and girls 400m Hurdles, was Tanaya Yarde for the girls and Raheem Austin for the boys. Yarde ran a quick 62.0 to win, while Austin hit 56.3. Mt. Vernon finished their more than impressive weekend with wins in both the boys and girls 4x400m relay, with a 3:26.1 and a 4:07.1 respectively.
In non-Mt.Vernon news, Mary Cain ran impressively as usual. Her hunt for the Olympic "B" standard has been well documented, and this race is the first of a few that will provide that qualifier. Running alone, Cain crossed the line as all eyes,including hers below, were on the clock.
The Olympic standard is 4:17.0, the time that Cain had crossed the line at. With 2 of 3 watches at 4:17.03, the handtime conversion brought both good and bad news. The bad news is that, essentially running a time trial, Cain had missed her qualifier on her first attempt. In more rewarding news, Cain had broken her own PR, setting a state record in the process. Her time also stands as US #2 All-Time for a sophomore, behind Jordan Hasay's 4:16.58. Watch below for an interview with Cain, who plans to return the 800m at next weeks Loucks Games.
Besides the impressive distance relays run the night before, Marc Violone of Byram Hills had put in a solid mile effort, finishing first in 4:19.6. For some of the other results, you can find full results right here.
