At State Sectional championship, the Red Hawks advanced several runners to the Group 2 Championship with exciting performances on Sunday. Overall the Lady Red Hawks finished 2nd with 42 points but came up short against Ramapo who was too dominate in the field events. Although the Boys were not in contention for the title their goal of advancing several runners to group was definitely achieved. Overall the Boys finished 7th with 23 points.
On to the highlights!
Bria Saunders kicked off the meet in record form with a new meet record in the 400m! Bria took down the former record 58.96 with a time of 58.09. Bria ran a sizzling 25 second split in the first 200m that allow her to distance herself from the pack. In the 1600m run Ally Schlosser ran 5:18.31 for 2nd place while freshmen Haley Pignatelli finished 4th in a time of 5:25.65. What at 1-2 combo with these underclassmen! The surprised of the meet was Jen Mlynar qualifying for the finals in the 55m hurdles and then finishing 5th in 9.28. The only person not surprised was Coach Bleuler who during the week practice told the other coaches that Jen could make the finals. I think Coach Bleuler has a little psychic in him…lol.
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Next up was the 55m dash where Bria captured her third 55m title; and her second title of the day. In the 800m run Ally Schlosser finished 5th in 2:26.98 with a personal best. Haley dubbed, “the Comet” by Coach Bleuler stepped on the track for the 3200m and finished 4th with a time of 12:02.08. Finishing up on the track for the Lady Red Hawks was the 4x400m relay of Jen, Meghan, Bria and Gabby. The relay placed 5th with a time of 4:17.69.
Off the track the Lady Red Hawks didn’t crack the top 6 but had notable performances. Kelly Higinbotham finished tied for 7th in the high jump with a height of 4-06.00 and 8th place finish by Emily Fales in shot put. Emily is coming off a 5th place finished in the Randolph Shot Put Invitational that took place last Monday.
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Top 6th Finishers advances to State Group Championship
- 400m 1st - Bria Saunders 58.09 – New meet record. Former record 58.96
- 1600m 2nd - Allyson Schlosser 5:18.31 **personal best**, 4th Haley Pignatelli 5:25.65
- 55m Hurdles - 5th Jen Mlynar 9.28 **personal best**
- 800m 5th - Ally Schlosser 2:26.98 **personal best**
- 55m - 1st Bria Saunders 7.30
- 3200m- 4th Haley Pignatelli 12:02.08
- 4x400 Relay - 5th Jen Mlynar, Meghan Wisniewski, Bria Saunders, Gabby Rachmaciej 4:17.69
Overall the Boys had a very good meet with exciting performances. The coaches were pleased with several making it to the finals as well those who were in the seeded heat with a chance to break into the top 6. Starting off for the Red Hawks in the 400m was Senior Peter Hernandez who finished 3rd in a fast 53.01 followed by Junior Malik Francis in 53.99 for 6th. The awesome part of their top 6 finishes was that they did it from an unseeded heat!
Going into the 55m hurdles Malik was expected to contend for his first title and was just shy of that goal with a 2nd place finish in 8.19. Another top 6 finish for the Boys was Josh Crawford who ran 6.87 for a 5th place finish in the 55m dash.
Ending the day for the team was the relay of Josh, Aaron, Malik and Peter who finished 3rd in 3:37.34. The exciting part of the race was when Peter took the lead with 200m to go; the entire team went crazy and cheered Peter on! It was great as I got caught up in the moment as well. Way to go Red Hawks!!!
Top 6th Finishers advances to State Group Championship
- 400m - 3rd Peter Hernandez 53.13 **personal best** and Malik Francis 6th 53.99 **personal best**
- 55m Hurdles - 2nd Malik Francis 8.19
- 55m 5th - Josh Crawford 6.87
- 4x400 Relay - 3rd Josh Crawford, Aaron Wood, Malik Francis, Peter Hernandez 3:37.34
Other notable performances with personal best:
- 55 hurdles - Gabby Rachmaciej 10.72
- 800m - Jen Mlynar 2:32.03, Katie Hsu 2:34.62Peter Hernandez 2:07.72 and Aaron Wood 2:09.32.
- 400m - Christian Hulse-Carr 54.41
- 1600m - Samantha Pignatelli 5:29.48, Bhargav Tarpara 4:59.16, Steven Patracuolla 5:01.40 and Jonathan DiPippa 5:02.55
- 3200m - Samantha Pignatelli 12:32.50
