Preview by John Nepolitan with contributions by Rob Murry and Bill Guider
Some of the many complaints about high school invitationals are that they are too long, too many sections of races/flights, not very fan friendly, and in some cases even boring. Well there are a few meets out there that go against this trend and provide a compact schedule, limited sections of races/flights, events set up for quality performances and run in a way that the fans are kept informed and made to feel part of the event. Two such events in the Metro Region highlight the end of the season schedule. There is the Warwick (NY) Fast Times Relays (set for June 1), being staged this year for the 15th time, which features an always sure fast 4 x 800 and the new kid on the block the Danbury Dream Invite. The Danbury meet will once again be up first this coming weekend and although it is only in its 3rd year, the previous 2 editions Connecticut state records were set in the distance medley relay and the 2 mile. This year’s affair once again could threaten the state records is sure to make an impact on the national lists. Here is a brief look at this year’s Danbury Dream Invite.
Time Schedule: 7:00pm – Hammer 8:00 PM – 2k Steeple Chase 800m DMR Open “Legends Mile”
One heat for all track events One flight plus finals for hammer throw
Spectators may line the track from lanes four and back but stay away from marked off finish line area
Hammer Throw
If you have never seen the hammer throw then this is a great opportunity to witness one of the most exciting and graceful events of track and field. The speed and explosion by these athletes is sure to get the crowd primed for the track events that follow, but with the quality of the field the hammer could steal the show.
Alec Faldemeyer - Jr - Minisink Valley, NY currently ranked 3rd in the USA this year and 25th all time with a throw of 222' 6". He absolutely has the potential to throw 240'. A throw of 230' 2" would move him into the top 10 all time.
Robert Guider - Sr - Danbury, CT currently ranked 9th in the USA this year with a throw of 204-8. That is the Connecticut state record. This meet represents one of only two or three opportunities to push the record out further. Will attend the University of Virginia next year.
Will Janes - Sr - Rogers HS, Newport, RI, 11th, 197-10.
Evan Palmer - Sr - Shenendehowa HS, Clifton Park, NY, 14th, 185-2
Mike Levine - Sr - Commack, NY 17th, 181-2 A few weeks ago won both the Loucks Games and Hartford Public Schools Invite discus on back to back days
Tyler Prendergast - Jr - Shenendehowa HS, Clifton Park, NY, 33rd, 167-10
2000 meter steeple Ryan King - 2008 NON All-American 2k steepler heads a field that could see someone break six minutes. If it is a CT athlete that would be a state record. At present there is only one runner from the USA who has broken the 6:00 barrier, but the event is not run that often. Sub 6:04.7 would give the winner a new Metro #1
800 meters The 800 meters could be the best track match up of the meet. The best from New York Terrance Livingston (Great Neck South) will face off against the best from Connecticut Cas Loxsom (Wilbur Cross). Livingston so far this season has run 1:52.16 and 1:52.50 to win both the St Anthony’s Invite and the Loucks Games. The defending New York champion also has 47.7 speed in the 400. Loxsom, who led the nation after his 1:01.05 win at Arcadia, now stands at #3 in the USA following his 1:50.45 win at the Hartford Public Schools Invite. Both runners are looking to dip under the 1:50 barrier, if Loxsom was to do it he would be sure to threaten the 1;49.95 state mark of Michael Remigino from 1987. Not to be overlooked in the field will be Chris Fitzsimmons who recently anchored Hamden’s 7:52.19 4 x 800 team in winning the Hartford Public Schools Invitational. Entered in the field is a name that should sound familiar with old timers and that is Kevin Byrne (Red Bank Catholic, NJ) whose father still holds the Millrose Games high school mile record.
DMR Danbury has already posted a time of 10:15.57 which puts them at #17 on the national list. A time of sub 10:10 might be needed to get in the seeded section at the Nike Outdoor Nationals and that is sure to be the goal of the host school. Others in the field will be looking to dip under the 10:20 qualifying standard for the National meet.
ENTRIES
Event: 800m
Name
School
Seed
Notes
Terrance Livingston
Great Neck South, NY
1:50.00
Confirmed
Cas Loxom
Wilbur Cross, CT
1:50.00
Confirmed
Chris Fitzsimons
Hamden HS, CT
1:53.00
Confirmed
Tom Waterman
Germantown Friends
1:55.00
Confirmed
Kevin Byrne
Red Bank Catholic, NJ
1:56.00
Confirmed
Isiah Whiting
Hamden HS, CT
1:56.00
Confirmed
Steven Lotti
Great Neck South, NY
1:57.00
Confirmed
Reed Bractches
New Canaan HS, CT
1:59.00
Confirmed
Event: 2k Steeple Chase
Name
School
Seed
Notes
Tucker Schaefer
Danbury HS, CT
6:10.0
Confirmed
Ryan King
Tolland HS, CT
6:10.0
Confirmed
Alex Long
Newtown South, MA
6:11.0
Confirmed
Nick Wade
North Attleboro HS, MA
6:15.0
Confirmed
Chris Pristouris
Danbury HS, CT
6:20.0
Confirmed
Parker Bowles
OK
6:23.0
Confirmed
Richard Stoliker
Shelton HS, CT
6:25.0
Gus Mckenzie
Germantown Friends
6:28.1
Confirmed
Evan Caldwell
Germantown Friends
6:33.9
Confirmed
Alex Levine
Danbury, CT
6:39.9
Confirmed
Craig Zgraggen
Seymour
6:45.0
?
Event: DMR
Name
School
Seed
Notes
Danbury HS, CT
Danbury HS, CT
10:14.00
Confirmed
Amity HS, CT
Amity HS, CT
10:20.00
Confirmed
Weston HS, CT
Weston HS, CT
10:28.00
Confirmed
New Fairfield HS, CT
New Fairfield HS, CT
10:29.00
Confirmed
New Milford, CT
New Milford HS, CT
10:30.00
Confirmed
Germantown Friends
Germantown Friends, PA
10:35.00
Confirmed
Ridgefield, CT
Ridgefield HS, CT
10:35.00
Event: Hammer Throw
Name
School
Seed
Notes
Alec Faldermeyer
Minisink Valley HS, NY
222-06
Confirmed
Robert Guider
Danbury HS, CT
204-08
Confirmed
Will Janes
Rodgers HS, RI
197-10
confirmed
Evan Palmer
Shenendehowa HS, NY
185-02
confirmed
Mike Levine
Commack HS, HY
181-02
confirmed
Tyler Prendergast
Shenendehowa HS, NY
167-10
confirmed
Event: Open Mile “The Legends”
Name
Club
Seed
Notes
Michael Packella
George Mason
4:06.00
Confirmed
Anthony LaMastro
George Mason
4:06.00
Confirmed
Ryan Murphy
George Mason
4:09.00
Confirmed
Unknown Name
Providence
4:12.00
confirmed
Matt Terry
Providence
4:14.00
Confirmed
James Wyper
Yale
4:15.00
Confirmed
Matt Casey
4:15.00
Confirmed - Rabbit
Danbury HS Stadium Directions
From the West: Take I-84E to Exit 5. After the stop sign, get in left lane and take a left at the light at the bottom of the hill onto Rt. 39. When you get to the next light, get into the right lane and go straight onto Clapboard Ridge Rd. and up the hill. Danbury High School will be on your right. Go just past the high school and you will come to a light. Take a right at that light onto East Gate Road. Take the first right into the stadium parking lot.
From the East: Take I-84W to Exit 5. Once you get off the exit, get in the left lane and go left at the traffic light onto Clapboard Ridge Rd. Go up the hill. Danbury High School will be on your right. Go just past the high school and you will come to a light. Take a right at that light onto East Gate Road. Take the first right into the stadium parking lot.