MileSplit HQ - Today's Top Ten is all about the new athletes to hit the top. To qualify, you must have been flying "under the radar", either not competing in XC, or showing big improvements over the last year. The following are our picks for the Top Ten New Faces To Make The Headlines.
Boys
1 – Ayo Obadare (Elmont)
Notice the green flash that's hit the Armory? That would be Obadare, whose hit the sprinting scene this season, and quickly became the one to look out for. Having limited competition time last spring, Obadare's presence has been felt this season in the leaderboards. He holds the US #2 mark in the 300m dash, at 34.40 FAT. He has a knack of making up incredible staggers in lightning speed. A race that typified Obadare's talent, he anchored his relay to the win this past Saturday at the Molloy Stanner Games, after the baton was knocked out of his teammate's hands. Grabbing the baton in last, Abodare tore up the track, splitting 47.82 to overtake the leader, and secure the win. The relay he runs with are no slouches either, each comprising some of the best sprinters at any distance, no wonder they are US #1 in that as well. It is quickly becoming clear, hand off the baton to anchor Obadare anywhere near the lead, and the race may very well be over.
2 - Keith Pease (Greece-Athena)
Running out of Section 5, Pease had a lot to contend with in XC. Local rivals Rush-Henrietta were on a roll in the fall. Now that Indoor Season has come around, Pease is out to prove Greece-Athena is more than just a sprinting powerhouse. His NY #15 mark has shown he has the speed endurance you need to possess the proper kick, but it is his 4:18 full mile that catapulted Pease onto the scene. Running on a flat track in mid-season, that mark makes Pease a contender for the state meet, and gives him NY #2 for that distance.
3 - Justin Farrenkopf (Ellenville)
Farrenkopf has always been a good Pole Vaulter. He had hit 14-7 Indoors last year, making his way to the state meet, where he would place 16th. He came back in the spring season, and went 14-3 outdoors, overshadowed by the dueling catholic high school pair over 16'. This year, another trip to "The Barn", and another season working with PV-Guru Tim St. Lawrence has done the senior much good, as Farrenkopf cleared 15-7, and followed it up with a 15-footer the following week. Farrenkopf now finds himself the state leader, and casts a shadow of his own.
4 - The Smithtown 3
A field event trifecta, the Smithtown 3 consists of Mike McCann (High Jump), Benjamin Bonhurst (Shot Put), and Devin Mirenda (Long Jump). What makes them so special? How about McCann is NY#1, US #2, Bonhurst is US #4, NY #2, and Mirenda is NY #5. That makes the team deadly in state rankings (which will be released this Friday for the first time this season). Each athlete has taken to their respective discipline, and swept up early season competition. Look for their names at the state qualifiers, and sit back and watch the show.
5 - Justin Alleyne (New Rochelle)
NY #8 in the 300m, and NY # 6 in the 600m, senior Alleyne has been able to put some serious speed on the track. His 800m relay leg helped New Rochelle go NY #3 in the SMR in early season, and Alleyne finds himself the sectional leader in both his individual events. With a state berth more than possible, it looks like the southern part of Westchester has a real shot at a state title.
Honorable Mention - Jonathan Greenwood (Freeport), Pier Berkmans (Bronx Science), Sidgie Greene (Jefferson)
Girls
1 – Shayla Broughton (Medger Evers)
Although this is not Broughton's first season, (she competed in youth events in middle school), she has brought a new finesse to her event. Clearing 5'8" early season put her as the national leader for a full month, and now rests as US #3. As only a freshmen, she has gone undefeated in the event all season. Broughton is also not afraid to try her hand at the running events, competing in 300m dash's and 55hh. Still state leading by a whole 2-inches, it is hard to argue that this freshmen can only improve.
2 – Kristianne Width (UNis)
This senior finds herself in a unique situation. She flies under the radar for much of the season, running amongst the AIS. She attends UNIS, which stands for United Nations International School. An international student, typically for children of dignitaries, Width's racing schedule is lighter than most. However, when she finds the track, watch out. Her two mile time, the only race she has run this season, still stands as the state leader. She is scheduled to run the Millrose Mile qualifier tomorrow, and may very well be the dark horse in the bunch.
3 – Jazmine Fray (Kellenberg)
To those looking in her direction early, it was hard to miss Jazmine Fray. She was picking up a lot of freshmen division championship, including national champs in the Outdoor freshmen mile at NBON. However, now that Fray has made the jump to varsity, her season has been spectacular. She is US #1 in the 800m run, going 2:10.96. That kind of speed has led her 4x800m relay to NY #1 as well. For the longer distances, Fray is US #4 in the 1000m. Running with an incredible kick, this sophomore looks like the next big thing to come out of Long Island.
4 – Sabrina Southerland (Benjamin Cardozo)
Maybe the most recognizable on this list, Southerland had a very good XC season in PSAL. But it has been on the track in 2013 where she has really taken off. She opened up the season with a US #1 in the 1000m, a mark that stands until now. Two weeks later, she was back on the track to run the full mile, grabbing a Millrose auto-qualifier in the process, and going US #1 as well, a mark that has only been reduced to US #6 in the month since. Southerland also has the speed in her legs as well, providing a much appreciated leg in their US #6 4x400m squad. With the way the athletes of Cardozo has peaked in the past, the future looks bright for senior Southerland.
5 - Sarah Adler (Suffern)
With a range from the 300m to the 1000m, its hard to miss Adler. US #5 in the 600m and NY #12 in the 1000m, Adler also adds some distinction to their relays squads as well. With all the rumors flying around that Rockland County may be moving to Section 9, Adler may find herself against new competition soon, but it seems with her speed, it shouldn't be a worry.
Honorable Mention - Imani McGhee (Bay Shore), Holly Lindoe (Sachem East), Oreoluwa Akinpelu (Liverpool)