New York state champions earn Readers' and Editors' choice awards

Track and field fans voiced their choices in this week’s DyeStat’s Performance of the Week poll, while DyeStat’s editors made their own selection.

Readers’ Choice: Katelyn Tuohy

With 37.96 percent of the vote, Katelyn Tuohy won our Readers’ Choice vote, ahead of Caleb Brown and his second-place tally of 27.01 percent.

The North Rockland senior won her third consecutive New York indoor state title in the 1,500 meters with a dominant US#2 4:20.81 effort to prevail by more than 11 seconds over future North Carolina State teammate Jenna Schulz of Liverpool at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island.

Tuohy, who clocked 4:19.72 last season in the 1,500 en route to the full mile at the NYRR Millrose Games Trials, joined Mary Cain, Alexa Efraimson, Lynn Jennings and Marlee Starliper as the only prep athletes to run under 4:21 multiple times during their careers. Tuohy’s personal-best effort from last season ranks her as the No. 6 all-time indoor 1,500 performer.

It also marked the final individual race of Tuohy’s stellar high school indoor career, since she is only scheduled to compete for North Rockland in the 4x800 and distance medley relays at New Balance Nationals Indoor.

Editors’ Choice: Reheem Hayles

In his final New York indoor state championship, Springfield Gardens senior Reheem Hayles not only captured his first title, but also improved on his national-leading mark in the 600 meters by clocking 1:18.48.

Hayles improved on his own performance that ranks No. 3 all-time in New York and No. 6 in indoor prep history.

Hayles had run 1:18.59 on Feb. 8 at the 113th NYRR Millrose Games, the first high school athlete to run under 1:19 since 2017.

Since there is no 600 on the schedule at New Balance Nationals Indoor, Hayles won’t have another opportunity to challenge the all-time prep best of 1:17.58 run by Strymar Livingston of Columbus NY in 2012.

But his consistency this season of running under 1:20 on four occasions was impressive, considering the rest of the country combined to do it only three times overall during the winter.

Hayles is entered in the 400 meters at New Balance Nationals Indoor, looking to improve on his personal-best 47.64.