As promised here is the second edition of the state quals recap. There were some surprises and some athletes stepping up. But it’s always tough when an athlete who has been one of the best in their event all season doesn’t have the performance they needed to have to get to Ithaca.

I guess one of the positive things about track is that there’s always the spring season. So, if you didn’t achieve your goals in the winter there’s still another season to do it. Anyway, here are some of my thoughts from Sunday:

55

I think it was a bit of an upset that Shilesha Johnson ended up winning the event in 7.15 seconds. You figured she would qualify, but I would have put Tanaya Yarde as the favorite. She came in second and will still be going up to states. Johnson ran a great race and has a great shot to win a state title. Sunday’s race really cemented her as one of the top sprinters in the state. And obviously you can’t count out Yarde. She’s only a freshman, but her speed is undeniable.

55 hurdlers

Again, not that much of a surprise in first as the section’s best hurdler – Brittany Brown - ended up winning the event. The surprise came with the second place finish of Nicole Cummings from Peekskill. The junior has quickly become an athlete on the rise and someone who we definitely need to take seriously. Unfortunately Christi Marraccini of Harrison took third, but fell just short of the standard. That’s why it’s tough to have a qualifier meet at a place like West Point. It’s not the greatest track, and if you come in needing a state standard it’s going to be tough to get.

300

Some surprises in this event. I did not expect Kaitlin Mallinson to end up winning. So, congratulations to her. There was some doubts as to whether or no Ohia-Enyia Ihiechi would compete. She had a tight hamstring, but was able to fight through it to take second. Now with nearly two weeks to heal she should be close to 100 percent for states. It was a little surprising not to see Alexis Easterling in this event.

600

While they have run faster in the past, Sunday was still an impressive race. Breanda Crump looked very impressive. There definitely doesn’t seem to be any problems with her knee that got infected last week. She dominated that field on Sunday. Brie Roller took second again to Crump. I’m sure she won’t be too upset to see her graduate. Roller has come closer to beating Crump, and she had a lead halfway through the race, but Crump proved to be too strong. Nina Sarmiento of Harrison continues to come on strong as the freshman took third.

1,000

Christy Goldmann qualified in her first individual event. She won the 1,000 pretty soundly. It will be interesting to see how she does up at Ithaca. There’s really been no one to challenge her in the section this season. And again yesterday, she has a slight lead heading into the third lap, then picks it up and no one can stay with her. Caile Kohlbrenner had a solid second place finish in 3:05.70. Jessica Kendzor ended up taking third after Katherine Hekker was dq’ed.

1,500

I really don’t know what else to say about this race. It looks as though Jackie Gamboli is a different runner. She again set the section record. And at a slower track, which is really impressive. She says she just started having fun running, but whatever she’s done it’s working. I was curious to see if she could have that performance two straight weeks and she did. Shelby Greany was right on her the whole time, and had a lead on Gamboli, but as was the case last week, Gamboli had another gear and looked very impressive in taking first.

3,000

I don’t think there was any doubt that Shelby Greany wouldn’t win this event. She’s been the best in this event all season. She’ll have some competition at the state level, but Greany’s been running great lately. It will be interesting to see how she’ll do competing in both the 1,500 and 3,000 at states. I mean she’s run 9:51 and 4:35 at the same meet, so you know she can do it. That would be an impressive feat – state champ in both the 1,500 and 3,000.

1,500 racewalk

This is always an event that I feel like you have to wait to see what happens. Until the results are printed you never know who’s going to be disqualified. It wasn’t the leaders this time. Catie Davis continue to prove she’s the best walker in the section. She’ll have some competition at states. Crosby Tillman of Somers had a nice race taking second in 7:22 to qualify.

High jump

I think Janelle Clayton is still the one to beat at states, but with Nyack’s Sally Gale taking first, clearing 5-7 for the first time, this will be a highly competitive event. Gale has definitely proven to be one of the best jumpers in the state. And being a sophomore she’s going to be competing up at Ithaca for a while. Brittany Brown took third as she cleared 5-4.

Pole vault

Sunday wasn’t the greatest day for the pole vaulters as three of the best in the section have all jumped higher. But Section 1 will be sending its three best pole vaulters to Cornell. Angelica Gilsennan (Pearl River), Kaitlynn Cross (Suffern) and Fiona Nugent (Ursuline) all cleared 10 feet in the event. They have all done better throughout the season, but at least the section will have a strong turnout in that event.

Long jump

I don’t think it was that surprising that Jen Clayton took first in the event. Although, the distance is pretty impressive – 19-3 1/4. And without spikes. We knew going in the next two spots would be tough to get. But there’s Nicole Cummings again qualifying in her second event. Then there’s Alexis Easterling who just took third with a jump of 17-1 1/4. The Woodlands senior admittedly  hasn’t jumped that great this season, but she can always get off a good one. She hit the standard earlier this season.

Triple jump

It was going to be interesting to see Clayton compete in the triple jump. She rarely competes in the event at meets, but then there she was jumping 37 feet. New Rochelle’s Christina Hamilton took third with a jump of 35-3 1/2, but fell short of the standard.

Shot put

The best shot-putter in the section ended up winning the event as New Rochelle’s Charlotte Pope took first with a throw of 37-7. She has a throw of over two feet better, but making the state meet is all that matters on Sunday. It will be tough for her to win a state title as two others in the state have thrown 47 feet. But she could definitely place at Cornell. Woodlands’ Lexia Robinson ended up taking the second spot with a throw of 35-8 1/2.

I’ll talk about the relays probably once I get to the armory since I’ll be there for tonight’s Eastern States meet.