A large southern Saratoga County contingent is heading to Kingston this weekend for the New York State Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Several Shenendehowa boys will compete in long-distance races at states. Steve Murdock and Zach Predmore took the top two places in the large school 3,200-meter race at last week’s state qualifier in Johnstown, with Murdock winning in a time of 9:18.49 and Predmore placing second in a time of 9:25.69. Adam Quinn won the 3,000 steeplechase with a time of 9:48.46.
Josh Vale, Kyle Jacobs and James Schwendtner are also competing in individual events at states for Shen. Vale won the pentathlon with a total of 3,199 points, while Jacobs (pole vault) and Schwendtner (discus) placed second in their events.
Ballston Spa’s Drew Fitzgerald is a double qualifier for states. Fitzgerald won the pole vault by clearing 14 feet, 9 inches and placed second in the high jump by clearing 5 feet, 10 inches.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake’s Ryan Pezzulo earned a spot on the Section II team after placing third in the 1,600 with a time of 4:18.73.
Three area relay teams will also compete at states. Shen’s 1,600 relay team of Tyler Fogarty, Chris Campoli, Tyler Riberdy and Seth Whitaker claimed the Section II title with a time of 3:19.68, while BH-BL’s 3,200 relay team of Cody Buell, Zach Goodrich, Andrew Jess and Drew Houghtalen finished first in a time of 7:48.40. Shen’s 3,200 relay team of Murdock, Corey Clavet, Ryan Jones and Zac Suriano was second to BH-BL in a time of 7:50.18.
Saratoga, Shen, Ballston Spa and BH-BL all have multiple individuals going to states in the girls large school division.
Saratoga’s contingent is led by Madalayne Smith, who won the 100 hurdles in a time of 14.96 seconds and finished first in the long jump with a distance of 16 feet, 9.25 inches. Melissa James won the discus with a throw of 126 feet, 8 inches, while Brianne Bellon placed second in the 800 with a time of 2:11.67.
Shen’s Michelle Quimby also was a double winner at the state qualifier. Quimby took first place in the high jump after clearing 5 feet, 3 inches and won the pole vault by clearing 10 feet, 9 inches. Laura Morehouse (100 dash) and Kelsey Hanson (pentathlon) qualified for states by placing second in their events.
Ballston Spa had three individual champions at the state qualifier. Jenn Stodgell took first place in the 200 dash with a time of 26.07 seconds, Jacqueline Cinella won the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:02.83 and Nicole Laiacona finished first in the shot put with a throw of 35 feet, 9 inches. Kaitlyn Staulters was second to James in the discus with a throw of 117 feet, but is going to states based on her season-best throw of 126 feet, 5 inches.
BH-BL is represented by Meaghan Gregory and Sam Roecker. Gregory won the 3,000 with a time of 9:49.06, and Roecker claimed the 2,000 steeplechase title with a time of 7:04.77.
BH-BL will also have two relay teams at states. The 1,600 relay team of Nicole DeCrescente, Meghan Smith, Kristen Cooper and Madeline Gardiner placed second to Colonie in a time of 4:08.80, and the 3,200 relay team of Roecker, Gregory, Lauren Cameron and Molly Pezzulo finished second to Saratoga with a time of 9:17.51. Saratoga’s team of Bellon, Hannah Davidson, Michelle Riley and Cassie Goutos won with a time of 9:08.52.
Shen’s 400 relay team of Morehouse, Illisa DiNuzzo, Julia Urban and Kathleen Klein won the large school division title with a time of 49,79 seconds.
The state track and field meet begins Friday at Dietz Stadium with the public school championships. Federation races take place Saturday.`