Storm can't stop 3-event champ Lanae-Tava Thomas

By Brian Towey for DyeStat

STATEN ISLAND -- A powerful Nor'easter hit upstate New York and derailed the travel plans of many Rochester, N.Y. area athletes from attending the New York State Indoor Championships on Saturday at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. 

However, Rush-Henrietta senior Lanae-Tava Thomas would not be denied.

John Nepolitan Photos - BOYS | GIRLS 

RESULTS

Thomas won the 55 meters in 6.86, tying Halle Hazzard's 2017 meet record, and won the 300 meters (38.63) and long jump (20-4.50), making the trip with her parents after school officials delayed the bus for Rochester athletes due to inclement weather.

"It was a terrible journey," Thomas said. "Horrible because of the snow. I was trying to do the best I can to represent my section. The bus didn't leave until Saturday (morning) and a lot of people missed their races."

Katelyn Tuohy of North Rockland won the 1,500 meters, lowering her US#1 time and sophomore class record to 4:23.38.

"I thought the race went prettyu well," she said. "I didn't hit the time I wanted to, but at big meets like states, time doesn't matter, only place."

Tuohy won by 15 seconds.

"She's at the point where she's running as fast as she can running alone," said North Rockland coach Brian Diglio, who also had Tuohy penciled in as an alternate for the 4x400 relay. "She's more of a strength runner than speed. That's how we've trained her. In the spring we'll do more speed work."

St. Anthony's won the boys 4x800 relay in a US#1 and meet-record time of 7:45.30. The quartet of Brendan Dearie, Mike Barbaro-Barnett, Matthew Payamps and Mason Gatewood earned a decisive victory over Northport (7:56.52), keyed by Gatewood's 1:52.8 anchor leg.

"We wanted to get into the first heat for nationals," Gatewood said. "That was one of our goals. And also, this is a big meet for us. We finished fourth here last year."

Ursuline Academy's Lily Flynn won the 1,000 meters in a US#1 and meet-record time of 2:45.83. Flynn held off Shoreham-Wading River's Katherine Lee (2:46.91) for the win.

"My goal was to not let the gap get too big (from the leaders), to use my kick and go for it," Flynn said. "That's what happened."

Saratoga Springs star Kelsey Chmiel won the 3,000 meters in 9:27.88, pulling away from Tully freshman Brooke Rauber (9:44.71), Syosset senior Reilly Siebert (9:45.23) and Fayetteville-Manlius senior Sophie Ryan (9:47.32).

"I ran a lot of miles this year," Chmiel said. "I wanted to run a fast mile and a fast 3,000 this winter. And I think I've done that."

Averill Park's Alana Carroll won the pole vault in 13-6.

Jeremiah Willis of Cicero-North Syracuse won the triple jump with 49-5.75 and the long jump at 23-4.

"At sectionals I had the same type of jump (as the 49-05.75 in the triple jump), but I tripped and fell," Willis said. "This time, I made sure I got it."

Northport senior Isaiah Claiborne, eschewing his usual, come-from-behind racing strategy, won the 1,000 in 2:26.95, outrunning Fairport's Ben Bulkeley (2:27.60), a fellow Penn State commit, in the last 50 meters.

Webster Thomas' Monique Hardy won the girls weight throw with a 54-2.75 effort. The New York state sophomore class record holder (56-1) will shoot for the national sophomore class record (58-8.75) at New Balance Nationals Indoor next weekend.

The boys 3,200 was one of the day's most exciting races. With 300 meters to go, five runners, including Saratoga Springs Shea Weilbaker, Pittsford-Mendon's Nathan Lawler and Corning's Quinn Nicholson, were all vying for the win. 

"It went out pretty slow," Weilbaker said. "I knew we had to pick it up. After Lawler took the lead at 800 meters (to go), at the 600-meter (mark), I knew I had to go."

Weilbaker used a 60-second last 400 to capture the win in 9:13.72 over Nicholson 9:15.11 and East Aurora's Ian Russ (9:15.60).

Spencerport's Vanessa Watson won the 600 in 1:30.09, running down Benjamin Cardozo's Paris Peoples (1:30.59).

"I just had to stay calm, run my race, keep up with the leaders," Watson said. "Visually, for the first or second lap I was definitely behind (Peoples). But in my mind, I was in control."

Sullivan West's Michael Mullally won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.38, outleaning Midwood senior Tai Brown (7.38).

"My prelims were a little shaky," Mullally said. "I ran a 7.65. I had a bad start. I cleared my (mind) and focused on what I had to do."

Fayetteville-Manlius won the girls 4x800 meter relay in 9:10.89 over Niskayuna (9:14.99). The team composed of cross country national champions Phoebe White, Claire Walters, Rebecca Walters and Sophie Ryan ran to a convincing win.

"I was very pleased with their effort," Fayetteville-Manlius coach Bill Aris said. "Three of the four had doubled, medaling in the 1,000 and the 3,000. Coming into this, I wasn't sure how strong we'd be against a high-caliber field.

"It was a nice way to end an ordeal of winter travel."