Notes and Quotes from the NY Armory

Boys DMR - Kevin Tschirhart has grown as a runner.

Taking the stick for the anchor leg of the DMR, the Northport NY senior had a lot of ground to make up on Shenendehowa NY, which led from the opening lap of the 20-lap race. "I think I've grown as a runner.," Tschirhart said after the race. "Two years ago I would have tried to run him down on the first lap." Instead, the 2-time Foot Locker national finalist bided his time until Shen came back to the field and it was a 3-team race between Northport, Shen and Christian Brothers Academy NJ. The three anchors were side by side after four laps of the 8-lap anchor leg. Then, Tschirhart surged between the other two, opened daylight in half a lap and pulled away to win by 5 seconds with a very sharp 4:13 split. Northport teammates were Andrew Miller, Andrew Sanchez, and Sean Quinn. Tschirhart is targeting the New Balance Games mile Jan 22, an automatic qualifier for the Millrose Games mile. Between now and then, he will run the 2-mile at Hispanic Games Jan 8 and the 1000m at Stanner Jan 15.
Tschirhart plans to make his college choice soon. He has visited Georgetown and Villanova and will visit American University before deciding.

Girls DMR - Aislinn Ryan's goal is still the same despite winning national cross country crown

After w inning the Foot Locker cross country national championship, Aislinn Ryan's high school career goal is still the same. "I still haven't won the New York state championship," Ryan said after anchoring Warwick Valley NY's win in the DMR here. Spotting Boys and Girls NY a 10-meter lead, Ryan took command after two laps and cruised home with a 5:00.1 split for the 1600-meter anchor leg. It was Ryan's first race since Foot Locker finals in San Diego Dec. 11. "That race boosts my confidence," Ryan said.

Ryan's teammates in the DMR were Amanda Robotti, Jackie Young, and Melissa Mark.

Sprint relays - Simon Gratz gets a triple

Simon Gratz Philadelphia PA staked an early claim as the nation's best in sprint relays by sweeping the 4x200 (1:28.25), SMR (3:38.36), and 4x400 (3:20.14), all in US#1 season times. The Gratz crew is all underclassmen and remarkably balanced. In the 4x200, posting the US#13 all time best mark, the team consisted of Kenneth Talley 22.1, Khaliff Featherstone 22.1, Kevin Talley 22.0 and Raishine Turner 22.1 (splits by Walt Murphy).

Boys 800 - Bryan Scotland all the way

With a court injunction bypassing New York state sanctioning barriers, private school star Bryan Scotland bolted in front on the first lap and never looked back. The St. Benedict's NJ senior split 28.2 and 56.2 en route to a US#1 season best of 1:53.32. St. Peter's NY super-soph Lionel Williams was second in 1:55.37.

Girls 4x200 - Woodrow Wilson NJ

Freshmen Samantha Sharper and Shaterri Alston set the stage for seniors Sable Loper and Ciara Blue.