Strong Performances Aplenty at N.Y. Indoor State Championships
---
The New York State Indoor Championships delivered an unforgettable weekend of competition, with athletes setting new personal bests, earning state titles, and climbing the national rankings. From blazing sprints to tactical distance races and record-setting field performances, the state's top talent rose to the occasion on one of the biggest stages of the season.
Boys Recap
Nicholos Sealey delivered one of the standout performances of the meet, storming to victory in the 300m with a personal best time of 33.65. His effort not only secured his first-ever state title but also ranked as the 10th fastest time in the nation this season. The 600m final saw two more national-caliber performances as Ryan Temistokle and Donald McDonough battled down the home stretch, clocking 1:19.93 and 1:20.34, respectively. Their times ranked them U.S. #12 and U.S. #14, solidifying New York's strength in the mid-distance events.
In the 3200m, Benjamin Berman made a statement with a massive six-second personal best, finishing in 9:05.54 to break the 9:10 barrier for the first time. His performance not only earned him a spot on the podium but also placed him at U.S. #12 this season. The relay events saw equally impressive performances, with North Rockland's 4x200m squad of Javon Lawrence, Darwin Almonte, Naji Mosley, and Jaquan Johnson flying to a time of 1:27.22, good for U.S. #6. Meanwhile, in the 4x800m, Manhasset's team of Ryan Boldi, John Hogan, Nicolas Katsoulis, and Cole Thalheimer also clocked a U.S. #6 mark, crossing the line in 7:48.32 and showcasing their strength in one of the most grueling relay events.
The field events were highlighted by an outstanding performance from Charles Sullivan, who launched the weight throw to a mark of 73' 9.25", ranking him U.S. #7 this season. His throw capped off an impressive showing across all disciplines, as New York's best continued to prove themselves on the big stage.
Girls Recap
Sariah Doresca left no doubt in the 55m dash, proving her dominance by running sub-7 seconds in both the prelims and finals. She claimed the state title in 6.86, ranking her U.S. #6 and cementing her status as one of the fastest sprinters in the country. The 300m final was another showcase of raw speed, as Breanne Barnett surged away from the competition to win by a commanding 0.60-second margin, crossing the line in 37.74. Her performance ranked her U.S. #4, making her one of the top short sprinters in the nation this season.
The 600m final was one of the most exciting races of the day, with three athletes clocking U.S. top-10 times in a thrilling finish. Dylan McElhinney emerged as the state champion in 1:30.62, ranking her U.S. #5, while Jane Hickey (1:31.43) and Addison Vellekoop (1:31.56) weren't far behind, finishing with U.S. #7 and U.S. #8 times, respectively. Meanwhile, in the 1000m, Sophia McInnes stole the show with a breathtaking performance, dominating the race with a U.S. #1 time of 2:44.18. Her effort wasn't just the fastest in the nation this year-it also ranked as the eighth-fastest time in U.S. history and the second-fastest ever by a New York athlete.
The distance races continued to produce national-level times, with Ava Pennachio and Maggie McCormick engaging in a thrilling battle in the 1500m. Pennachio ultimately took the victory in 4:26.32, a U.S. #5 mark, while McCormick finished close behind in 4:27.88, good for U.S. #7. The 3000m was equally stacked, headlined by a triumphant return to competition for Zariel Macchia. After recently regaining her eligibility, the BYU-bound senior made her mark with a state title in 9:21.73, securing her seventh career championship. She wasn't done there- Macchia also placed third in the 1000m (2:46.95) and ran a crucial leg on her team's title-winning DMR squad. Behind her in the 3000m, Tsadia Bercuvitz (9:23.18) and Izzie Sullivan (9:33.24) finished with U.S. #3 and U.S. #10 marks, respectively, closing out a race filled with elite-level depth.
With multiple national-leading times, personal bests, and thrilling finishes, the New York Indoor State Meet proved once again why it remains one of the most competitive state championships in the country. As these athletes set their sights on the national stage, their performances here solidified their status as some of the best in high school track and field.