NEW YORK STATE MEET

Nikhil DeNatale Edges Julian Franjieh For Steeplechase Title And US#1

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It was a welcomed return for the New York state outdoor track and field championships this Friday and Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. For the first time since 2019, due to the pandemic canceling the meet the previous two years, athletes across the Empire State were able to put a final bow on the season, June 10-11. 

The boys 3,000-meter steeplechase provided one of the most thrilling races of the day as Trinity School senior Nikhil DeNatale edged out fellow friend and fellow senior Julian Franjieh of Niskayuna by 0.01 seconds at the line to win the event in 9:01.18, a facility record. Franjieh, who will attend Syracuse in the fall, finished runner-up in 9:01.19. The previous facilities record of 9:05.67 was set in 2018 by Maine-Endwell’s Parker Stokes. Both DeNatale’s and Franjieh’s times were US#1 and #2. Third place finisher, Colton Kempney of Beaver River Central was also under the previous record, running US#3 time of 9:04.79.

Shenendehowa’s Carter Cukerstein won the Division I 100 (10.59) and finished second in the 200 (21.42) and was part of the first-place 4x100 relay ( 42.33). He went on to win the 100 Federation title, clocking 10.76. 

In the boys 400, Bishop Laughlin’s Wesley Noble, a junior, won the Division 2 400 title (49.53), and then lowered his time to set a facility record, running 47.38 to win the Federation crown.  

Washingtonville’s Elijah Mallard won the Federation 400 hurdles in a U.S. #4 time of 52.72. Earlier, he won the Division 1 title in 52.80.

In the distance event, Fordham Prep senior Myles Hogan tied the meet record in the 3,2000, running 8:52.42, which was established in 2016 by Liverpool’s Ben Petrella. 

LaSalle’s Gitch Hayes won the Federation 800 (1:53.69), 1,600 (4:09.94) and placed third in the 3,200 (8:59.88). 

Senior Ryan John of Valley Stream North-claimed the triple jump in a US#13 mark of 49-8.75 and long jump (23-3.00). He went on to win the triple jump Federation title in 48-1.50. 

Nicholas Lourenco of St. Anthony's won the pole vault Federation title in a meet and facilities record vault of 16-7.50. He’s currently ranked US#8.

In Division 2, Fonda-Fultonville Alessandro Saltsma won the disc (176-1) and shot put (53-8.75). He went on to win the Federation discus title in 182-5. 

Team wise, LaSalle Institute and Shenendehowa tied for the boys title with 26 points. 

In girls action, the steeplechase was equally as exciting as the top three times in the country were produced as junior Angelina Napoleon of Allegany-Lime won the 2K event in a meet record time of 6:30.59. Junior Karrie Baloga of Cornwall was right behind in 6:32.58. The previous record was held by Sarah Trainor of 6:31.59 set in 2019. Third place went to Saratoga’s Sheridan Wheeler in 6:39.92. 

Napolean’s day wasn’t over as she won the 800 Federation title in 2:08.58, just missing the facilities record of 208.57 set by Sage Hurta. 

Baloga came back to win the 3K title on the track in 9:37.50.

In the field, Alexandra Kelly of Rocky Point put down a U.S. #4 mark of 42-05 in the triple jump, breaking the meet record of 41-09.75 to win the Federation title. 

Stillwater’s Gianna Locci won the Division 2 long jump title in a U.S #6 leap of 20-6.25. She won the Federation title with a mark of 20-3.

Junior Kamoy Campbell helped Paul Robeson win the team title with 40 points and she won the 400 hurdles in 1:01.17, while teammate Anissa Moore  won the 400 dash in 54.53.

Teammates Hannah Boyle (4:22.48) and Kate Putman (4:26.66) of Cicero-North went 1-2 in the 1,500.  

In the sprint, Elmont sophomore Ashley Fulton won the 100 and 200 Division 1 titles, and later claimed the 200 title in 24.68 and finished in third in the 100 (12.18).

Team Champions

Boys: LaSalle Institute and Shenendehowa 26 points - RESULTS

Girls: Paul Robeson girls 40 points - RESULTS