Track and field

Tri-Valley stages a stellar meet

By RICHARD A. ROSS

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — On April 17, a clear and mild spring day, 34 schools competed in the Tri-Valley Invitational, a track and field meet that could only be orchestrated by an experienced athletic director.

Joe Iatauro, Tri-Valley’s track coach and the Section Nine boys’ outdoor track chairman, never missed a beat. Athletes from both large and small schools from Section Nine and beyond competed against each other in a non-stop series of events that ran throughout the day. As one onlooker noted, “Look at all these people here. This is like Woodstock.”

Twenty-six track officials handled the starts and finishes, measuring and recording while runners, jumpers and throwers went head to head in each event. Team scoring was broken down into larger and smaller divisions.

In the girls large school Division I, Warwick finished first with 144 points, followed by Mount Vernon (135) and Onteora (55). In Division II, host Tri-Valley (31) edged out Milbrook (29) and Pine Plains (20).

In the boys team competition in Divison I, Mount Vernon (107) topped Pine Bush (65) and Marlboro (57). In Division II, Tri-Valley (40) finished ahead of Eldred (35) and Rhinebeck (24).

For coaches, the day was a priceless opportunity to get their kids into the competitive spirit of the young season. Many of the athletes were just coming off spring break hiatus and adjusting to the rigors and routines of training.

Missing from the competition was standout distance runner Heather Iatauro, who has been sidelined with tendonitis in her toe. X-rays taken a week ago revealed no stress fracture, but the tireless senior had to make the best of her day by helping out officials while she waited for a recent cortisone injection to take effect.

As this was one of the first meets of the year, times and distances were significantly off what they will be as the season progresses. That said, there were some great races.

In the girls events, Aislinn Ryan showed her dominance in the 3000, the 1500 and the 800. Latoya Shippy of Middletown took the 100, the 200 and the 400. Shippy was named as the meet’s Outstanding Female Track Athlete. With defending state champion Iatauro sidelined, Carly Magin of Bethlehem easily won the 2000 steeplechase.

In field events, Andrea Kavleski of Liberty continued her great senior-year run by capturing the discus and the hammer throw. Kavleski, a national standout in throwing, was named the meet’s Outstanding Female Field Athlete.

The boys competition highlights featured a great race in the 3200 as David Weart of James I. O’Neill edged out Bryce Wilk of Milbrook in a photo finish. Weart was named the meet’s Outstanding Track Athlete. Wilk came back later in the meet to take first in the 2000 steeplechase.

In the field events, Patrick Branning of Livingston Manor won the triple jump, finishing ahead of Eldred’s Kyle Anthony. Tim Hallock of Eldred won the discus and took third in the shot put. John Slegona of Ellenville won the hammer throw and was named the meet’s Outstanding Track Athlete.

Sullivan West and Eldred get fine performances from their athletes at Tri-Valley Invitational

By the time you read this column, Sullivan West and Tri-Valley will have met each other on April 20 at a dual meet that may well determine the division champion.

This past weekend, Sullivan West coach George Shakelton was happy with his girls’ 4x800 relay team, which came in third behind Warwick and Mt. Vernon. Amanda Ward ran an impressive 2:37 in the opening leg of the race. She also came in seventh in the 1500 (5:37), three seconds shy of her best time. Ward’s time of 8:30 in the steeplechase was her best since last spring. April Ackermann came in fifth in the open 300 (11:49). Jamie Clifford took fourth place in the 800 (2:32.6). She tied her best time of last year. The 4x400 team of Ackermann, Jessica Wagner, Clifford and Ward came in sixth.

Shakelton noted, “They looked really competitive.” Wagner shocked herself and everyone else by taking second in the long jump with a leap of 14-3. It was the first time she competed in this event. Mike VanWagenen ran 10:28 in the 3200. “He did well,” said Shakelton, “but he has to work on improving his stride.” Steve Musso took fifth in the hammer (134-5).

Eldred’s boys finished just behind Tri-Valley. “We were right with them the whole meet,” said Yellowjackets’ coach Frank Schorling. In addition to Hallock and Anthony’s fine performances, Schorling noted Nic Olcott’s hammer throw, which broke a school record. Katie Hanson, coming off of a great indoor season, also broke a school record in the hammer. Tyler Laput pole-vaulted nine feet. He is working on improving his turning technique. Currently, he is turning too soon and hitting the bar.

Jonathan Counts accomplished an impressive long jump, as did Jeremy DeForge. Eldred has a dual meet against Chapel Field at Liberty on April 21.

Boys’ winners 330 shuttle hurdles (Mount Vernon) 47.5; 3200 David Weart (O’Neill) 9:30; 400 Michael Clay (Mt. Vernon) 50.5; 100 Amaan Siddeeq (Goshen) 10.9; 3200 relay (Washingtonville) 8:43.6; 2000 steeplechase Bryce Wilk (Milbrook) 6:30.2; 200 LeWitt Boyd (Mt. Vernon) 22.1; 400 hurdles Adam Wilson (Tri-Valley) 55.7; 1600 Weart (O’Neill) 4:36.2; 1600 relay (Mt. Vernon) 3:28.6; Javelin Herb Mann (Middletown) 135-0; Shot put Larry Skea (Lourdes) 46-7; Triple jump Patrick Branning (Manor) 42-8½; Discus Tim Hallock (Eldred) 128-1; Pole vault Stephen Bingenheimer (Pine Plains) 12-6; High jump Garrett Huyler (Marlboro) 6-4; Long jump Anthony Basile (Chester) 20-7.5; Hammer John Slegona (Ellenville) 172-10.