MileSplit HQ - We hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season, and are ready to get back into the thick of things. As always, your gift from us is to again waive the $36 yearly fee to use MileSplit NY, and some meet previews on the side. That said, let's get to it.
The Marine Corps. Classic is a mainstay at the Armory, and this year will kick off a three-weekend marathon of packed events. Mainly composed of relays, there are several key individual invitationals to look forward to, and a some potential relay roundups as well.
Boys
Ever since Evan Jager set the American Record this summer, Steeplechase has began an reemergence in the distance running scene. Aiding in that plight, the Armory has added an indoor steeplechase to its lineup. And New York is up for the challenge. Two athletes from Section 2 will be making the plunge first; Jordan Pantalone (picture above) and Nick Przekurat of Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbbons. In-state competition will be highlighted by Curtis' Ronaldo Ball and St. Anthony's Jake Hensler. One thing is for sure, as the first event on the track, all eyes will be on the steeple.
The only other individual invitational of the day will be the 800m run. Top seeds, both under 1:53, will the be the Clark Twins of Pleasantville NJ. But they are not without out challenge, as Jonathan Greenwood of Freeport has a 1:53.5 mark to his name from the Loucks Games. Also taking 2nd in the 600m last week at Bishop Loughlin (pictured above), he could be a medal threat. Dylan Murphy of Kellenberg has split right around those times, and his entry puts another threat to the leaders. All-in-all, it looks equally balanced between in-state and out-of-state talent for the field, with the top 11 runners, all under 1:58.
The relays, a highlight of the meet, also looks to hold some key matchups. Look for NY #2 for XC All State Mickey Burke, as he may lead his Rush Henrietta team in the Distance Medley Relay. St. Anthony's is also entered, and provides a well balanced team. Both squads will need all the speed they can get, as standout XC squad CBA Lincroft has two full relays entered, and are very capable of pulling away from the field. As for the other distance relay, the 4x800m, we have 6 teams seeded under the magic-8 mark. Only Kellenberg has achieved that so far this year, but NY's Warwick and Monsignor Farrell looked prime to challenge the notion that only the Firebirds can do it.
And that is not to forget about the quicker relays. For the Sprint Medley Relay, one name should stick out. St. Benedict's Prep is entered in the event, insinuating that senior Edward Cheserek may open his season with an 800m leg. CBA NJ is entered as well, but look out for Elmont Memorial of NY, very capable of a fast time after their display at Bishop Loughlin. As for the 4x400m, there are 5 teams seeded under 3:25, highlighted by a matchup of Boys and Girls and Newburgh Free Academy. Looks to be a key race.
Girls
The girls competition in the steeplechase looks to be just as competitive. Running her first steeple race since New Balance Outdoor Nationals, Jen Gerland of Garden City looks to be the top seed. Against her will be the ever improving Kalleigh Forrester of Newburgh Free Academy (pictured above). It is hard to pick a favorite in such a unique event, and there are definitely more to watch in the field.
For the Invitational 800m, another lady of Garden City will be attempting to make some waves. Emma Gallagher has a 2:09.8 to her name, and headlines the New Yorkers in the field. However, she will have to contend with two girls of Hillhouse High, Kellie Davis and Precious Holmes. The prior has run 2:11 for the half mile, but the latter is even more dangerous. This will be Holmes' first 800m ever, but she has gone 53.1 for the quarter mile, and 1:30.7 for the 600m. Estimating a rate of time increase, Holmes is very capable of going sub-2:10, and putting a fast early season mark on the board. This could be the key race of the girls' meet.
In the sprint relays, Hillhouse High returns their top guns from the 800m, to have a very strong Sprint Medley Relay to face off against Port Richmond. However, the key matchup will be in the 4x55m Hurdles, where the always powerful Kellenberg girls (pictured) look very evenly matched with three out-of-state squads.
For another New York standout, simply head over to the shotput circle, where New Rochelle's Briyah Brown (left) will be competing. She is the state leader in the event, and currently US #5 for 2013. Charlene Kearns of Gates-Chili will also be heading down for the Pole Vault, where she is very capable of clearing 11 feet.
