Indoor track wrap-up

A fitting coda to indoor track

By RICHARD A. ROSS

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Bracketed between its well-known siblings, cross-country and outdoor track, indoor track is the often overshadowed middle child of the school year’s running family.

Lacking the crisp and colorful setting of fall that serves as a backdrop for cross-country harriers’ trips over hill and dale, or the bright green, airy freshness of the outdoor season, indoor is consigned to the barren interior of large sports facilities.

Pretty it’s not, but indoor track is an extremely vital sport.

Those who understand the nature of running as a continuous venture know that indoor’s role is just as important as either of its more visible alter egos. If you take serious runners out of the mix in the winter, the viability of the other two seasons diminishes.

This year’s indoor season, now concluded, was a great one for local athletes. While some of the times and distances referred to here are new school records, most are personal bests, accomplished by countless hours of practice and engagement in the slipstream of meets that pack the winter season.

Eldred’s Anthony finishes second in the state, sixth in nationals in triple jump

Kyle Anthony became the poster child for Eldred’s indoor season with his long- and triple-jump season. Anthony took second in the triple jump at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) Championships held on March 4. Anthony’s leap of 48-1¾ was a personal best and a school record. He finished sixth in the National Scholastic Indoor Track and Field Championships held at the Armory in New York City with a leap of 46-8.

Anthony’s sixth-place finish at the nationals will earn him the designation as an All-American in his event. Anthony’s long jump of 22-8¾, recorded at the state qualifier, was his personal best and a new school record. Anthony also ran the 300 in a personal best 38.0 this year. He also lowered his 400m time to 51.7.

Other Eldred boys’ personal bests included Tyler Laput, 55H (7.9), 55m(6.7), PV (11-0), HJ (5-8) LJ (18-10 ½); Matt Campanella, 55H (9.8), 200m (26.4) 300m (41.9); Coyote Anderson, 55m (6.9); Joey Counts: (55H) 11.3, 220m (31.1), 400m (1:13); Dave Venturini, 55m (7.2), 200m (27.7) 400m (59.6); Nick Gottlieb, 200m (25.5), 300m (39.0); Max Gunther, 1000m (2:48.3), PV (11-0); Jon Ranne, 55m (7.5); Greg Fotieades, SP (34-8), WT (43-2¾); and Kweku Williams, SP (37-2).

Eldred girls personal bests included Rachel Doran, 55H (11.2), 200m (31.6); April Ferry, 55m (8.4), 300m (55.2); Ashley Vicari, 55m (8.5) 1500m (6:01.25); Lindsay Warden, 600m (2:07.5); Jamie Schombs, 55 H (10.7), 200m (31.9), PV (7-6), WT (29-7½); Gracie Babula, 600m (1:58.7), 1000m (3:38.08), 1600 (6:18); Kristina Brown, 200m (35.3), 1000m (3:54); Ashley Tice, 400m (1:17.2), LJ 12-3 ½); and Annie Babula, 400m (1:18.2), HJ (4-4).

Sullivan West indoor bests

Sullivan West personal bests included Jessica Wagner, 1600m (5.54), 1000 (3:15), 400m (6:57); Chelsea Schadt 1500m (5.22) a school indoor record; Eleanor Bryan, 1500m racewalk (5:43), Charlotte Peters, 400m (69.8) joins the under-70.0 elite quarter-miler club), 1500m (5:33); Amanda Ward, 400m (68.9); Rianne Erlwein, 1500m (5:37); Sara Alsdorf, 55H (9.9 school indoor record); Jessica Armstrong, 400m (69.3); Brittany Reddish, SP (25-9); Morgan Hawkins, 55H (10.7); Ashley Murphy, 55H (10.0); Mike VanWagenen, 3200m (10:05 school indoor record); Colin Seidl, 1600m (4:42 ) school indoor record); and Donald Cooper, high jump (6-2).

Tri-Valley leaders (organized by event)

55m, Meghan Drown (7.8), Sean Messenger (6.8); 55H Brandy Carroll (11.9), and Messenger (8.2); 300m, Drown (45.2); 200m, Drown (29.1), Messenger (24.4); 400m, Drown (63.2), Messenger (53.4); 600m, Max Fieldler (1:27.6), Drown (1:49); 300m, Fiedler (38.5); SP, Ryan Loughney (42-9½), Katrina James (27-1); triple jump, James (30-8); 1000m, Courtney Roosa (3:13.6), Jon Huppke (2:52.7); 1500m, Roosa (5:09.8), Nick Denman (5:18); 1600m, Rachel Sanborn (5:49.9); 800m, Drown (2:28.8), Fiedler (2:04.9); and 3000m Huppke (10:02.2).

Liberty’s Schwartz has great pole vault season

Liberty’s Jacob Schwartz won the OCIAA championship with a pole vault of 13-0. It was a personal best and a school record. He topped that with a jump of 13-6 at the NYSPHAA championships on March 4 and finished 11th in the state.