Track

Iatauro is state champ in steeplechase

By RICHARD A. ROSS

SYRACUSE, NY – Tri-Valley’s Heather Iatauro captured the Division II 2000 steeplechase for the fourth year in a row. On June 5, Iatauro traversed the course in a time of 6:52.45, giving her second place overall to Division II’s Lindsey Ferguson of Saratoga Springs, who ran the course in 6:45.49. Both girls eclipsed the former state record of 6:53.54. Ferguson is the new state record holder.

Eldred’s Kyle Anthony finished fifth in the Division II triple jump with a leap of 43-9. Tri-Valley’s Travis Wolfe finished 11th in the 3000 steeplechase with a time of 9:52.57. The event was won by Millbrook’s Bryce Wilk in 9:25.95.

Jamie Clifford of Sullivan West was on her way to her fastest ever 800 time when she got tangled up in another girl’s legs and took a brutal fall just after completing the first lap in 68 seconds.

“She was on pace to run a 2:16,” said coach George Shakelton. Clifford suffered lacerations and bruises as a result of the fall, which occurred when she looked up at the clock after the first lap.

Latoya Shippy of Middletown took first place in Division I in the 200. She posted a time of 24:26. Marlboro’s Merlon Pinnock won the Division II title in the 400 in 49.91 seconds and the 400-relay along with teammates Joel Pleasant, Kelechi Baxton and Matt Johnson. The Iron Dukes posted a time of 43.44. Newburgh Free Academy’s 400-relay won the Division I title in 42.35. The team was comprised of Terrius McMillan, John Bowden, Ed Jack and Kevin Loadholt.

Garrett Huyler finished second overall in the high jump with a leap of 6-8. He won the Division II title and took silver in the Federation meet. Sarah Thornton of Saugerties won the discus with a throw of 137-10. Liberty’s Andrea Kavleski took second in Division II with a fling of 121-01. David Weart of James I. O’Neill finished fourth in the 3200 with a time of 9:15.08. Warwick’s Aislinn Ryan took second in the 1500 with a time of 4:30.81, and second place in the 3000 went to Nicole Blood of Saratoga Springs with a time of 9:42.50. Blood ran a blistering 9:24.03.