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 | NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cicero North Syracuse HS, Cicero, NY
June 12 & 13, 2009
Dyestat Metro on site with John Nepolitan
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10 big stories at this weekend’s New York State Championships
There are sure to be many stories coming out of the upcoming New York State Championships, but here are 10 that fans should keep an eye on.
1- Will Shelby Greany (Suffern, NY) lower her national record? – At the Cornwall Steeplefest in May defending NON champion Shelby Greany lowered the national record in the 2000 meter steeplechase to 6:33.7. This weekend’s state meet is scheduled to be the final 2000 steeple by the Providence bound runner and her final chance to take the record under 6:30. At the Section 1 Qualifier two weeks ago Greany was on pace with 1 lap to go before she showed coming up short of her national mark. Dead legs may have been the cause of missing the national mark having run numerous races over the previous weeks to score points for her Suffern team in winning the Rockland County and Section 1 Championship. After two weeks of no racing Greany should be rested and ready – don’t be late on Saturday or you may miss a new National Record!
2- Will it take sub 9:00 to win the boys 3200? – Back at the Arcadia Invite in early April Bobby Andrews (Shoreham Wading River) ran a fast 9:07.52 3200. Since then Chris Stogsdill (Marcellus) has thrown down a 9:06.78 as well as a 4:07.93 mile. Add to these two Jeff Martinez( Johnson City) who ran 9:07.86 and the #1 3000 steeplechaser in the nation Joe Whelan (Hamburg), NY Federation XC Champ Alex Leuchanka (Shenendehowa) and 5 others who have run under 9:20 this season and it may take sub 9:00 to win the state title.
3- Girls 1500 - With 11 girls are seeded under 4:40 this could be the race to see on Saturday. Heading the list of entries is US #3 and Metro #1 Megan Patrignelli (Monroe Woodbury). Patrignelli had been known as an 800 meter runner before this season and has gone on a tear lowering her best each time she steps to the line. With a killer kick the pack will need to put distance between themselves and her if they want to win. Heading the list of chasers is the always in the running for the money Emily Lipari (Roslyn) – this is one runner nobody should ever count out of it. Molly Malone (Fayetteville Manlius) if close can kick with just about anybody based on her 2:09 800 posted this spring. Knowing that they cannot kick with the others runners such as Aisling Cuffe (Corwall) and Samanatha Nadal will be sure to get the pace moving. Win a dyestat Metro T - shirt
4- NY vs NJ – When the dust settles on Saturday afternoon many will start comparing the results of the NY and NJ State meets to see how the two match up. New York will have a difficult time matching the 4 US #1, 12 Metro #1's, 160 Dyestate elites, 386 Metro elites that the New Jersey Meet of Champs produced.
5- Girls 800 – Charlene Lipsey (Hempstead) was the national leader until Jillian Smith took that honor away at the NJ Meet of Champs, but Lipsey still holds onto the #1 Metro spot. There is no doubt that Lipsey will go to reclaim the national leading mark and retain her state championship, but it will be far from a solo time trial. Phyllis Francis (McAuley) is ALWAYS in the mix and will not just let the race get away from her. Francis won the NSIC 800 title this past indoor season out kicking Lipsey. Each week it seems that Emily Menges (Garden City) has been getting closer and closer to Lipsey and if anybody is off their game the Garden City junior will be right there to pounce.
6- Boys 800 – Not to be outdone the boys 800 could be a classic as well. New York defending champion Terrance Livingston (Great Neck South), Sean Halpin (Iona Prep) and Zavior Brown (Pine Bush) are likely to face each other twice in two days. First on Friday the three will square off in the Divisional final and then if they qualify again on Saturday for the Federation title. Livingston’s best came in winning the Danbury Dream Invite, being pushed all the way to the line. Halpin defeated Livingston this past indoor season at the Eastern States and recently won the Outdoor Easterns by 2 seconds. Brown ran his seasonal best at the Section 9 Class A meet winning by 7 seconds. With the three of them and four other runners seeded under 1:55 it could take sub 1:50 to leave Cicero with the a gold medal
7- Boys 4 x 800 – 5 teams have run under 7:50 heading to Cicero with Liverpool’s 7:45.91 leading the way. The lead of this race is sure to change a number of times with a possible sub 7:40 clocking needed to win.
8- Can Alex Hatz reclaim the Metro #1 in the 1600? – Laim Tansey (Morris Hills, NJ) took control of the #1 spot on the Metro 1600 list with his 4:08.11 win at the NJ Meet of Champs. Alex Hatz (Fayetteville Manlius) had held the top place with his 4:08.18 at the Section 3 AA Champs and could need to run faster just to win. 10 other runners have seeds under 4:20 with Chris Carrington (North Rockland) leading the way based on his 4;11.64 this spring. Carrington has something to prove to all – at the Indoor State meet the George Mason bound runner crossed the finish line 1st only be later be disqualified for stepping on the line before cutting in from the staggered start on the opening lap.
9- Boys sprint relays – Sheepshead Bay was flying at the Reebok Grand Prix 4 x 100 placed right on the heels of Calabar (Jamaica), who went onto win in 40.21, before dropping the stick at the last hand off. It is sure that Sheepshead Bay wants to erase that memory and close the season with a win and a big time. Ramapo leads qualifiers in the 4 x 400 with a 3;16.50, but is far from a clear favorite as it may take sub 3:20 to make the final with 7 other teams entered already under 3:20 this season.
10- Upstate vs Downstate in the girls shot – Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster) and Vanessa Stewart (North Babylon) head the shot put seeds with Kuzdorfer having the best throw of the season with a 48’ 4” performance. Stewart has thrown 47’ 0” and is sure to challenge. Kuzdorfer win the indoor state title, but Stewart won the last meeting between the two at the NSIC Championships this winter. With both being juniors if you miss the showdown this year you will get a chance next year to catch them. Kuzdorfer is also top seed in the discus
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