With state qualifiers coming up at the end of the week, I figured we could take a look at some of the more surprising stars of the season. I tried to limit my number to five athletes, so if there is anyone you think should be mentioned, feel free to write them down.

Before I go down my list I want to go over the ground rules of how I picked them. Anyone who was hurt for any part of the season, but was a big time athlete in the winter or the fall does not qualify. Anyone who was on the all county or all star first team for individual events does not qualify. I hope that helps.

This list is in no particular order (first I’ll do the boys):

The Class A meet stamped a few very impressive athletes. First there was Jesse Drinks from Ossining. He was having a very solid season heading into sectionals at White Plains. The junior, had times of 22.63 in the 200 and 10.99 in the 100, both at Loucks. Then in the 100, running against some of the top sprinters in the state, Drinks rattled off a 10.5 hand time, which converts to 10.74, the fastest time in the state, as he took home the title. It was a very impressive win and he just threw his name in for someone to watch out for at state quals and hopefully at the state meet.

Also at the Class A meet, Zach Curtin of Yorktown came away with the sectional title in the 200, as he finished in 21.9 hand or 22.14. Again, another impressive race. He has won a lot of sprinting events at duel meets, but this was his first real big victory. He ran against some of the top competition in the state and the junior came away with the title.

I’m going to try and talk about a pole vaulter, but it’ll be tough, since apparently I don’t know anything about the event. That being said, Jesse Sarka deserves some recognition for his achievements this season. The Suffern sophomore has made clearing 13 feet a routine. He’s pretty young and will have two more years to really improve. Hopefully he’ll decide to compete in the winter as well because I think that will really help him get better in the event.

Again, I’m going to take a chance here and talk about a Catholic school kid. Maurice Easterling from Stepinac is only a sophomore and has taken to the long jump quite well. He has only competed in the event four times and jumps 21 feet routinely. He won the county meet, leaping 21-10.5 and has qualified for states this season.

Another sophomore and a field athlete, Alex Kleber has had an outstanding season. I know I already mentioned Suffern, but he has jumped 22-1 at the Class A meet. That jump is the best in the section, and he should be one of the favorites to qualify for states this week.

Those are my five athletes who have had very good season, but flew under the radar as the season began.

Here are some other athletes that I think have had exceptional seasons: Eric Chacko (Suffern) Marvin Payen (Ramapo), Todd Apgar (Somers), Chris Rones (New Rochelle), Zach Weisbrot (Hen Hud), Wayne Seaton (Fordham Prep).

Any others that you think I left off?

After state qualifiers we’ll talk about who I think has had the best season so far. Good luck at the qualifiers, which is actually my least favorite meet of the season. I get nervous that someone who has a chance to win the state title or just qualify for state, slips and falls or the team drops the baton. But hopefully I didn’t jinx anybody…