MileSplit HQ - As another Tuesday rolls around here in New York, another Top Ten does as well. Our subject matter was influenced by the recent tidbit released that junior Mary Cain will be making an attempt on the National Record in the Mile at the New Balance Games this weekend. As a state record would fall in the process, we thought it prudent to look at the Top Ten Indoor State Records Hardest To Break. We give you a blast from the past, as we take a look at some of the marks that may shock you. We had so many, that we may have cheated a little, and added in an honorable mention section. And, just for fun, we've also included the Top Five Records That May Be Next To Go. So let the bug of anticipation rise up, as we check out some of our past greats.
Let's start with....
1. Boy's 400m Dash
State Record: Elzie Coleman (Newburgh Free Academy) - 45.92
Date Set: February 21st, 2004
Current Ranking: US #1 All-Time
National Record: Same as above
Breakdown: As the technology of track continues on the upswing, faster times begin to come easier. Tracks with more bounce, shoes with more push prove that anything is possible. However, Elzie Coleman did what many thought was improbable, if not impossible. He broke the 46-second barrier indoors, and still remains as the only high schooler in history to do so. The record has withstood some recent attacks by capable candidates. Najee Glass of St. Peter's Prep was the closest contender, going 46.06 last year, but Coleman held strong. Despite drama on and off the track, including a will they-won't they duel between himself and Xavier Carter at Nationals, this mark still stays strong. No one has broken 48 seconds in the past five years, leaving this one right where it sits.
2. Girl's Long Jump
State Record: Keyon Soley (Uniondale) - 21' 1.25"
Date Set: March 1st, 1997
Current Ranking: US #5 All-Time
National Record: Carol Lewis (Willingboro, NJ) - 21' 7.5"
Breakdown: The 21-foot barrier has only been broken 5 times in high school history, and Keyon Soley was the last girl to do so. Earning her record as only a junior, Soley would go on to be a Gator, but her mark would remain in New York. Then, in 2010, the first real threat to the title came to light. Jen Clayton of Suffern was on a roll, a steadily increasing personal best saw threat to the crown. Clayton would go 20-5.75 to take away Soley's senior class record, but the state overall record would remain. 15 years later, and we'd be surprised if this one didn't stick around for another 15.
3. Boy's 1000m
State Record: Miles Irish (Burnt Hills-Balston Lake) - 2:24.1
Date Set: January 22nd, 1983
Current Ranking: US #5 All-Time
National Record: Robby Andrews (Manalpan, NJ) - 2:22.28
Breakdown: It's the oldest record on our list, as well as the oldest record on the books. Run at the Yale Invite, in it's inaugural year, the mark has stood the test of time. And it is hard to speak of Miles Irish without bringing up Mike Stahr of Carmel. The two distance titans battled it out throughout their high school careers, exchanging record runs and Invitational wins. They met at the Millrose Games, State Championships and more. The two would go on to be teammates in college, but their famous battles are still saved in history. The person closest to getting the record in the past 5 years was Zavon Watkins of Liverpool, who still ran over 2 seconds above the state record. This looks to be one with staying power.
4. Girl's High Jump
State Record: Alison Smith (Central, Clarence) - 6' 1"
Date Set: March 7th, 1987
Current Ranking: US #3 All-Time
National Record: Lisa Bernhagen (Wood River HS, ID) - 6' 3"
Breakdown: It is very rare for a high school athlete to nab an Olympic A standard. Only a handful in state history ever have. Alison Smith would have grabbed the contemporary B Standard with her record setting jump, more than 20 years ago. Had she jumped in the 1988 Olympic Trials, she would have placed thirteenth. 4 years ago, Brigetta Barrett of Roy C Ketchum gave her all trying to attack the record, only coming so close as 5-9. Why does that name sound familiar? Barrett won a silver medal at this years London Olympics, clearing 6-8 in the high jump. This mark has withstood that test, and stands as one of our hardest records to break.
5. Boy's High Jump
State Record: Dan Olsen (Albany Academy) - 7'4"
Date Set: December 29th, 2000
Current Ranking: US #8 All-Time
National Record: Scott Sellers (Cinco Ranch, Tx) - 7'5.25"
Breakdown: The boys record isn't any easier. Numerous attempts have been made at the record, but the bar was raised, pun intended, back in 2000 to some pretty impressive heights. The only person to even break 7 feet in the last 5 years was that of Adam Bergo of Westfield, who leveled off at 7 feet even. While we do have some impressive jumpers going at it in the state currently, I think it is safe to say this one is going anywhere fast.
6. Girl's Distance Medley Relay
State Record: Suffern - 11:35.74
Date Set: March 10th, 2006
Current Ranking: US #2 All-Time
National Record: Mountain View, UT - 11:35.43
Breakdown: Milliseconds mean everything to runners. Just ask Suffern, who was only .29 seconds off the coveted national record. Anchored in 4:51.3 by Kara McKenna, the Armory was brought to its feet as they raced the clock. All-Stater Shelby Greeny had gotten them out front early on, and it was all about the clock. The mark has withstood some of the best names in distance running over the past few years, as Saratoga (US #3 AT), Fayetteville Manlius (US#5 AT) and North Shore (US#7 AT) had set their sights on the record, to no avail. It is hard enough to nab one girl who can stand out in the distance events in NY State, but when you have four, you have a mark that can stand the test of time.
7. Boy's Weight Throw
State Record: Walter Henning (St. Anthony's) - 86'-5.5"
Date Set: March 11th, 2007
Current Ranking: US #10 All-Time, US #2 All-Time Weight Thrower
National Record: Conor McCullough (Chaminade, Ca) - 93'3.25"
Breakdown: Walter Henning of St. Anthony's was a force to be reckoned with in the late 2000's. It became a guessing game of just how far can he actually throw. Fun fact: he began to throw so proficiently, the Armory throwing cage was no longer long enough to measure his attempts. The facility had to elongate the cage to facilitate the long throws Henning could pull off. And the rest is history, as Walter has claimed every state class record in the event, from sophomore on up. There was one name, who came close in 2010. Minisink Valley's Alec Faldermeyer chucked the weight 86-3.5, just two inches short of the record. It would make him US #3 thrower All-Time, but it would not grant him a state record. That still remains with the man who shaped the Armory.
8. Girl's Pole Vault
State Record: Mary Saxer (Lancaster) - 14' 2"
Date Set: March 13th, 2005
Current Ranking: US #2 All-Time
National Record: Tori Anthony (Castilleja, CA) - 14'2.5"
Breakdown: To put this in perspective, only 9 boys this year so far have cleared higher than fourteen feet. Saxer could very well win many sectional meets competing on the boys team. That simply how good she was. Only half an inch off the National Record, Saxer showed that upstate Lancaster knows how to produce champions in the field events. While she never cleared that high again outdoors, only nabbing 13-9, there is a happy ending to this story. Saxer is still competing today after attending Notre Dame. She has gone pro, and now holds true to a PR of 15-1.5, truly incredible. In fact, she could be recently found at the Pole Vault Clinic in Reno, featured below.
9. Boy's Pole Vault
State Record: Jordan Yamoah (Arlington) - 17' 1"
Date Set: January 15th, 2011
Current Ranking: US #25 All-Time
National Record: Andrew Irwin (Mt. Ida, AR) - 17'9.25"
Breakdown: It would seem like New York excels at the vertical jumps. Jordan Yamoah just kept going, higher and higher over the bar. Coached by vaulting-guru Tim St. Lawrence, Yamoah pulled off something spectacular. Ever since his junior year began, he got all the way to graduation, winning every in-state meet he ever competed in. At Nationals, he would take 3rd indoors, and 2nd outdoors, but he was meant to fly. Not many have come close to the Admiral of the Sky since his graduation, and Yamoah recently got back on the pole for the first time since his silver medal at NBON. Now at Texas A&M, he improved to 17-3 in his first collegiate competition ever, and is only looking up.
10. Girl's Shot Put
State Record: Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster) - 50' 6"
Date Set: February 13th, 2010
Current Ranking: US #14 All-Time
National Record: Michelle Carter (Red Oak, TX) - 54'-9.5"
Breakdown: Lancaster pulls in two on this list, the only team to do so. This time, the shot put gets some light. The only throw over 50 feet Indoors or Outdoors ever, Kurzdorfer has thrown herself into history at her Section 6 Varsity Select Meet. A favorite for the State Meet going into the competition, Kurfdozer let it fly, her coach stating, "As soon as it left her hand, I knew it was over 50 feet." Over it was, by about half a foot, and the shot put has not come near ever since. This season's Briyah Brown has been making some progress on catching up, 45 feet an inevitable outcome, but this mark looks like it would be a lofty goal for most this year.
Honorable Mention
Girls 4xOne Mile: Saratoga - 19:59.24 - 2005 - US #1 All-Time
Boys 500-600m: Strymar Livingston (Christopher Columbus) - 1:01.68, 1:17.58 - 2012 - US #1 All-Time
Boys 800m: Zavon Watkins (Liverpool) - 1:50.11 - 2012 - US #2 All-Time
Top 5 Records Most Likely Next To Go Next
1. Girl's Sprint Medley Relay
State Record: Randolph - 3:54.31
Date Set: March 8, 2002
Current Ranking: US #2 All-Time
National Record: Wilson, CA - 3:53.17
Breakdown: This is no record to scoff at, as US #2 All-Time is something impressive. But when you break down the splits, 24.9, 24.7, 54.3, and 2:10.4, you begin to piece together a team that is very capable of those kinds of times. Benjamin Cardozo of the PSAL has bettered those splits, and has the legs to take it down. Sabrina Southerland has run 2:08 in the open, while Deejah Stevens is more than capable of a relay split in the 54 second flat range. Add in the trio of Akayla Anderson, Ayele Townsend, and Kesha Medas-King, and the record no longer looks untouchable.
2 Boy's Distance Medley Relay
State Record: Warwick Valley - 10:02.74
Date Set: March 11th, 2011
Current Ranking: US #3 All-Time
National Record: Glouchester, MA - 9:59.94
Breakdown: Warwick may have attacks on their record from both directions, North and South. While all legs are important, the key to a killer DMR are your two longer distance legs. This XC season, anticipation began to rise for the time we may be able to see Carmel and Fayetteville-Manlius field a loaded DMR. Both teams have killer milers on anchor, with Nick Ryan and Eric Holt both well capable of under 4:10. Add into the mix the almost equal showing of their sophomore teammates, Bryce Millar of Manlius and Benito Muniz of Carmel, and the 1200m leg becomes a wash. It would almost come down to the 400-800m legs, a rarity in the event. With the standard splits to beat at 3:03.85, 51.09, 1:59.15, and 4:08.65, this record could be in some major jeopardy.
3. Girl's 600m
State Record: Phyllis Francis (Catherine McAuley) - 1:29.90
Date Set: February 14th, 2009
Current Ranking: US #2 All-Time
National Record: Janine Davis (Queen of Peace HS, NJ) - 1:29.27
Breakdown: This is again, no record to scoff at. Not only that, but the state record also has US #3 by Stacey-Ann Livingston blocking the way as well. But Garden City's Emma Gallagher seems poised to be on the right track, that these fantastic times are well within reason. Gallagher did not come out of nowhere. She holds the 7th and 8th grade class records for the event in New York State. Her first foray into the event this season produced a US #17 All-Time mark with a 1:30.97, running essentially unopposed. She has to drop almost exactly one second from her time to get the record, and she still has three years to do so. This talent is one to watch.
4. Boy's Mile/ 2 Mile
State Records: Alex Hatz (Fayetteville Manlius) - 4:05.50 / Josh McDougal (Homeschooled, Peru) - 8:50.40
Dates Set: March 14th, 2010 / January 24th, 2004
Current Rankings: US #5 All-Time / US #13 All-Time
National Record: Alan Webb (South Lakes, VA) - 3:59.86 / Gerry Lindgren (Rogers HS, WA) - 8:40.0
Breakdown: The mile and 2 mile are events like no other on the track. Winning the race, and running a fast time are not mutually exclusive. The state meet usually turns into a kickers paradise, eliminating fast times from the docket. That limits your opportunities for fast competition to bigger invitationals. Last year, we saw junior Nick Ryan take down Mike Stahr's, who we mentioned earlier, state class record outdoors. Whether or not Ryan can grab the indoor record from his former teammate Alex Hatz is a question with many factors to consider. Doubling at the state meet can slow you down, as can focusing on a relay as we previously mentioned. However, neither of these hampered the junior outdoors, as Coach Aris trains for that very situation. But as FM typically utilizes Winter as a training period, it will be nothing short of interesting to see how this season may play out.
5. Girl's Mile
State Record: Emily Lipari (Roslyn) - 4:42.64
Dates Set: March 14th, 2010
Current Standing: US #6 All-Time
National Record: Debbie Heald (Neff HS, CA) - 4:38.5
Breakdown: We end where we began. Mary Cain may very well be the person most likely to break the next state record. She will be shooting for the national record in the Mile in less than 4 days from now. The current state record holder Lipari, running for Villanova, just ran a personal best of 9:20 over 3000m at the Armory this weekend. Cain, running on an obtuse track in Washington, went 9:02 in that same event one weekend prior. Cain's fitness is there, and we'll be on scene to bring you the action as it plays out on Saturday.
Photo Credits: 1,6 - John Dye, 2 -T&FNews, 3 - Schenectady Gazette, 4 - Sports Illustrated, 5,8 - Bill Meylan, 7,9 - Don Rich, 10 - Bill Wende
