Cuthbertson NC, Union Catholic NJ Both Run 8:48 To Go Under National Record Time

By David Woods for DyeStat

BOSTON – There were too many fast boys, girls and teams not to finish off New Balance Nationals Indoor  without a relay record.

Cuthbertson NC was aiming for a sweep of three distance relays, but was gratified to smash the national prep record in the girls 4x800-meter relay Sunday.

“Heading into today, we kind of geared up our entire season for this 4x8,” Alyssa Preisano said. “And when it came down to it, it worked in our favor.”

Cuthbertson, running as Carolina Cavaliers, held off Union Catholic NJ. They became the two fastest indoor teams ever: 8:48.02 and 8:48.86, respectively.

NEW BALANCE NATIONALS INDOOR BIG BOARD | MEET PAGE/VIDEOS

Pioneer of Ann Arbor MI (Purple TC) set the previous record of 8:51.93 in last year’s New Balance Nationals Indoor in New York. Cuthbertson prefaced this victory by winning last year’s Nike Indoor Nationals in 8:59.85 at Staten Island, N.Y.

Cuthbertson legs were by Justine Preisano (2:14.17), Stella Kermes (2:12.10), Alyssa Preisano (2:13.30) and Charlotte Bell (2:08.47).

Bell held off Union Catholic’s Kaleigh Gunsiorowski, a Notre Dame signee who anchored in 2:08.75. Pace lights were set to the national record.

“I knew we’d be racing the light,” Bell said. “Then I looked up on the scoreboard and saw a girl right behind me. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ “

The same four girls won Friday’s distance medley relay and were narrowly second in Saturday’s 4xMile relay. Cuthbertson climbed to No. 4 all-time in the 4xMile.

“They’re versatile. They can all do it all,” said Dustin Allen, coach of both high school and club teams. “It’s kind of crazy to have all four of them together right now.”

Cuthbertson burnished a resume that includes 18 state team titles over seven years for boys and girls across cross country, indoor and outdoor track.

Montverde girls take 4x400

Elsewhere in relays:

>> With 200-meter record-holder Adaejah Hodge leading off in 56.84, Montverde FL won the 4x400 in 3:45.69, a US#1. Despite a dropped baton, Bullis FL was second in 3:47.75.

>> Montverde fared worse in the boys 4x400, in which a collision on the third leg knocked the Eagles out of contention. Seton Hall NJ was initially disqualified but was reinstated and finished first in 3:14.53. Fastest of 400 legs among 50 teams was a 46.57 anchor by freshman Quincy Wilson for Bullis MD, which was fifth in 3:17.23.

>> Hinsdale Central IL won the boys 4x800 in 7:43.82, just off a state record.

Avery Lewis, Abdoul Sy-Savanne thrive in double duty

Specialists are desirable in this sport. For college recruiters, the versatile are more special -- they score more points.

That is why Avery Lewis of Friends’ Central PA and Abdoul Sy-Savanne of Atlanta Zoom Athletics were attracting attention.

Not only did Lewis win the long jump (20-5/6.22m), but she had earlier finished third in the 60 in 7.39. Bringing that much speed to the runway inevitably will result in longer marks for the 5-10 junior.

“I think I could have executed better,” she said of the 60. “But my start is getting better.”

She exchanged information with a coach from a Big Ten school. Another weekend highlight was meeting Trayvon Bromell, a two-time world bronze medalist at 100m.

If Lewis is attracting recruiters, the uncommitted Sy-Savante should be.

“Hey, I’m just happy. Happy to be here,” he said.

He won the 60 hurdles in 7.59, a US#1 and No. 4 on the all-time high school list. Before that, he was fourth in the 200 in 21.06.

He has won national age-group titles in the 110 and 400 hurdles, but those only expanded his vision. He is aiming at low 13s in the hurdles, sub-21 in the 200 and a spot on the USA under-20 team.

“I got a lot more in store,” Sy-Savane said.

He is coached by his father, Amadou Sy-Savane, an Olympic sprinter/hurdler for Guinea.

Another sprint/hurdles champion was Aleesa Samuel, an unattached sophomore from Florida. She won the 60 hurdles in 8.27, a US#2, after finishing sixth in the 60m in 7.47 (7.43 in semifinals).

Contact David Woods at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.