Track

Golden boy

Colin Seidl crowned state champ in steeplechase; first gold medal in Sullivan West history

By RICHARD A. ROSS

BUFFALO, NY— You could call his story, “A Leap of Faith.” Mind over matter has been the greatest challenge for Sullivan West junior Colin Seidl as he has ridden the roller coaster of dizzying heights and gut-wrenching drops during his three-season tour-de-force journey as Sullivan West’s top long-distance runner and spring steeplechase contender.

There have been moments of ecstatic joy, such as the day he won the Cornwall 3000 steeplechase in a personal best, school-record-setting time of 9:42. A subsequent meltdown at the OCIAA championship was the low point for the runner whose talent has never been in question, but whose psyche has shown its fragility during times of great pressure.

But all of that is past as Seidl turned in his lifetime best performance at the NYS Track and Field Championships on June 14 with a stunning 9:33.62 to take the gold medal in Division II, the first gold track and field medal in Sullivan West history.

Seidl, the number one seed in Division II (schools under 600 from grades 9-11), got out to a strong start and held on for the Division II crown. He finished third over all in the 3000 steeplechase final. The fast pace of the race and an overcast cool day were a big help.

Seidl runs better when not beset by daunting heat.

Federation winner Pat Dupont of Fairport set the pace and went on to win the race in 9:07.02. Joe Whelen of Hamburg, another Division I school, ran second. Seidl knew the Division II gold was his if he could only hold on.

Having undergone the brutal experiences of seeing his early leads disappear at times from physical and psychological collapse, Seidl used all of his staying power to overcome immense fatigue to beat out Ethan Clary of Schuylerville, who tried to out kick Seidl. But the stalwart Sullivan West veteran of cross-country, indoor track and this grueling track season would not be outdone.

He beat Clary by three seconds as he crossed the finish line in a moment that will forever be imprinted in his memory and in that of his family, coach and teammates who looked on with pride and jubilation.

This was the dream of a lifetime, the reward for all the dues paid and the endless soul-searching.

Seidl’s recent wins in the Section Nine Class C championships and the state qualifier were gratifying, but being crowned the top small-school steeplechase runner in the state has been Seidl’s greatest dream. A year ago, Seidl finished ninth in Division II and 24th overall in 10:18.06.

He’s come a long way since then, applying himself to the rigorous workouts that led to a Section Nine Class C cross-country championship in the fall. He finished seventh in the state at the NYSPHSAA cross-country championships in early November. During indoor track season, he was crowned the Section Nine Class C champion in the 1600 and 3200 but he did not qualify for states. But always, Seidl looked ahead to the ultimate test, the spring season and the dream of winning the steeplechase.

With that dream fulfilled, it’s on to the Nationals in Greensboro, NC to see how he stacks up against other greats from other states. With a newfound confidence that he does indeed have what it takes to win the big race, Seidl is apt to be a force to be reckoned with in his upcoming senior year.

No doubt, this win will garner the attention of many colleges who will look to add such a valuable asset to their running programs.

In a preview article setting the stage for the spring season, this writer/photographer reprinted a picture of Seidl clearing the water barrier on his way to winning last year’s Monticello Games. With arms outstretched and feet poised midair, his friends teased him that he looked like the Karate Kid.

The comparison may have been an apt one. Reckoning with the tough tutelage of his coach Ron Bauer and listening to the sage advice of his dad, Joe, who coached the Sullivan West girls to their first-ever Division IV title over perennial winner Tri-Valley and the 1600 relay team to states, Seidl overcame the humiliation and agony of prior defeats, silenced the naysayers and emerged a champion.

In the ultimate battle of battles, Seidl vanquished his tough competitors and won over his prior demons of self-doubt. It’s not just a state title he won; it’s a lifetime lesson in his own sense of personal power and will, the capacity to do great things when he marshals every fiber of his being to do so.

His story would make a great movie. With further exploits to come, it could spawn at least as many sequels as The Karate Kid.

Even better, Seidl’s story is truth, not fiction.

Khan takes second in Division II shot put; SW girls 1600 relay takes eighth

Tanzeel Khan took second place in the Division II shot put and fourth overall with his throw of 52-7.25. Sullivan West’s 1600 relay team of Kasi Pilny, Morgan Hawkins, Katie Manzi and Liz Peters took eighth place with a time of 4:14.64. Liberty’s Kim McKay took eighth among Division II competitors in the pentathlon with a total of 2278 points. Monticello’s Jessica Fingers was 11th in Division I in the 3000 with a time of 10:15.74. She finished eighth in Division I in the 1500 with a time of 4:43.64. Liberty freshman Jessica Dunnigan finished eighth in the Division II triple jump with a mark of 33-8. Tri-Valley’s Emma Tingley was 15th in the Division II 400 hurdles preliminary with a time of 1:13.96. She did not advance to the finals.