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Thomas jumps to nation-leading 20-2.50 at Marine Corps Classic

Published by
DyeStat.com   Dec 30th 2017, 6:50am
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Thomas, Watson shine at Marine Corps Holiday Classic

By Brian Towey for DyeStat

NEW YORK --  To supplement their regular training, Rush-Henrietta NY senior Lanae-Tava Thomas and Spencerport NY junior Vanessa Watson participate in extra work sessions at the Rochester Institute of Technology that Watson says brings out their true character.

"That's my training partner," Watson said of Thomas. "Every time, every workout, we're pushing it to the max. It's like, 'I bet you can't beat me.'"

On Friday at the Marine Corps Holiday Classic at The Armory, Thomas shined, with US#1s in the long jump (20-2.50) and 200 meters (23.87), with Watson adding wins in the 400 (55.61) and 300 (39.26).

"After today, I think I'm going to set my goals a little bit higher," said Watson, a former soccer player on Spencerport's 2016 state championship team. "Originally, I wanted to be an All-American at Nationals. (Now) I think I can win it."

Thomas, who has committed to USC, showed a versatility that's been her calling card, even running the leadoff leg on Rush-Henrietta's 4x400 relay, which finished eighth in 4:07.87.

"For me, it's about being a flexible athlete," Thomas said. "At the high school level, it's about doing as many events as you can to see what you're best at."

Dock Mennonite Academy PA senior Austin Kratz, coming off a 33.93 win in the 300 meters Dec. 17 at the Bishop Loughlin Games, hit with a US#1 21.38 in the 200 meters, chasing down Bullis School MD senior Eric Allen, Jr., (second, 21.51) for the win.

"This year I feel like I've been stronger than any other year," said Kratz, who ran 21.17 at the AAU Junior Olympic Games this summer. "I just feel really good."

Pittston Area PA senior Abby Norwillo set a meet and personal best in the pole vault with a clearance of 13-0.50 (3.98m).

"My goals are always changing and changing," said an emotional Norwillo, who trains under coach Tim St. Lawrence of the Hudson Valley Flying Circus in Warwick, N.Y.

"I would like to reach four meters. I think by the end of the season 14 feet is the way to go."

Paul Robeson NY won the girls 4x200 in 1:40.62. The quartet of junior Toshel Goffe, sophomore Qunizel Bazilia, sophomore Lailah White and junior Shawnakay Pert held off Western Branch VA (1:41.42) and Highland Springs VA (1:42.63).

"It was great because last year we ran with (Western Branch) and didn't do so well," said Goffe, who also finished first in the 55 meters (7.17).

"Coming out on top was really excellent."

Harry Sharp, a 15-year-old from St. Patrick's College in Ballarat, Melbourne, Australia, won the boys mile in 4:25.02. Running in his first indoor race (Australia does not have an indoor season), Sharp eased past Somers NY senior Matt Fusco for the win.

"I've been watching RunnerSpace and Milesplit," said Sharp, who finished third in the Australian All Schools Championship in the 3,000 meters (8:57) and 2,000-meter steeplechase (5:55) in November.

"I'd seen photos of it. ... The crowd was amazing."

Perkiomen Valley PA junior Christina Warren won the triple jump in 39-10.

Sullivan West NY senior Mike Mullaly won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.48.

"He's probably going to go to West Point," Sullivan West coach Ron Bauer said. "They sent four coaches to watch him at nationals. He has an appointment there."

Bullis School MD, demonstrating the reach in geography of this event (which featured teams from Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Delaware), performed admirably. The school's powerful girls sprint corps took second through sixth in the 200 meters.

Bullis and Western Branch locked horns in a high stakes 4x55 shuttle hurdles relay, producing two of the three fastest times in prep history. Bullis' girls clocked 31.13 seconds and Western Branch, the reigning NBNI champion and national record holder (30.63), was timed in 31.14.

Ducking his head into the media room, Bullis coach Joe Lee joked about the one athlete his kids couldn't catch.

"(Thomas) makes me not want to come back to New York," said Lee, offering Thomas a smile and a hug.

 



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