NEW YORK STATE MEET

Angelina Napoleon Lowers National 2,000-Meter Steeplechase Record and Runs US#3 2:03.97 800

By Mary Albl and John Nepolitan 

PHOTOS By John Nepolitan

Angelina Napoleon (Allegany-Limestone) returned to the Middletown High track after winning the 800 meters on Friday in a US#3 2:03.97, a new meet record, to toe the line in the 2,000-meter steeplechase.

Going right to the front from the gun, the national record holder faced the second fastest in the event, Karrie Baloga (Cornwall Central) right behind her. Napoleon fended off Baloga each time she tried to take the lead and over the last lap started to pull away. 

Running hard all the way through the line, Napoleon stopped the clock with a new national record of 6:18.41. Her time is not only a new prep record, it is also a new American U20 record and the second-fastest ever run by an American woman.

Only Stephanie Garcia, a New Balance pro, has run the 2K steeplechase faster (2014).

Napoleon's time is also No. 16 on the all time world U20 list. Baloga improved upon her earlier record time of 6:21.31. Saratoga Springs’ Sheridan Wheeler was third (6:22.13).

Next up for Napoleon was the high jump where she cleared 5-3 to finish tied for 14th overall and tied for fourth in Division 2 (small schools). The North Carolina State recruit ended her weekend running 2:06.64 to bring her Allegany Limestone 4x800 to a 9:25.06 good enough for 10th overall and second in Division 2. 

Baloga, who will attend Colorado this fall, won the 3,000 in a time of 9:24.86.  

Soloman Holden-Betts (Baldwinsville) placed fifth in the 3,200 on Friday evening in 9:10.23 and then returned Saturday to take the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9:07.53 for US#1. He also split 152.63 to help Baldwinsville win the 4x800 relay in 7:48.72.

In the field Matthew Auble (Warsaw) claimed Federation gold in the shot throwing 59-0.25 after throwing a state-leading 59-3.50 to win the Division 2 crown on Friday. Auble added gold in the discus with a throw of 183-6. 

Kate Putman (Cicero-North Syracuse) took second in the 800 on Friday and then came back on Saturday to claim the Federation 1,500 crown in a US#3 4:19.27. 

Pole Vault champion Neil Howard of Taconic Hills also posted the fastest 400 hurdles time to win the Division 2 title on Friday in 53.21 a NY#1. He had also posted the best time in the Division 2 110 prelims. On Saturday Howard first won the Division 2 hurdles title in 14.86 then ran 14:89 to place fifth in the Federation final. In his final race of the weekend Howard lowered his state-leading time in the 400 hurdles to 52.41, also US#5.

Logan Daley (Holy Trinity) and Ashley Fulton (Elmont) traded sprint wins. Daley took the 100 in 11.73 to Fulton's 11.83. Fulton came back to win gold in the 200 in 24.05 to Daley’s 24.79.

Indoor 55-meter dash champ Jadon Spain (O’Neill), who led the state list with a 10.40 from early May took the 100 in 10.47. Dayzin Legare (Johnson City) ran 21.39 to win the 200 title.

OJ Singletary (U Prep) ran a state-leading 47.07 to win the 400 just ahead of Jaylin Santiago (Fordham Prep) 47.69.  Santiago returned to anchor his Fordham Prep team to 3:16.70 win in the 4x400, second-fastest in New York in 2023.  

Camryn Cole (Webster Schroeder) and Dami Modupe (North Rockland) provided some fireworks for the fans in the girls 100 hurdles. Modupe just nipped Cole to win the Division 1 title 14.36 to 14.38. Then in the Federation final, Cole had to lean hard coming to the finish and tumbled head over heels over the line but won, 14.31 to 14.38.

Cole added first place in the long jump with 19-8, NY#2 for 2023. Cole’s teammate Corintia Griffith jumped 40-11.75 to win the triple jump. 

Anissa Moore (Hempstead) defended her 400 title in 55.09.

West Homestead senior Gloria Guerrier won the 400 hurdles crown in a U.S. #3 time of 59.76.

In the girls relays North Babylon took the 4x100 in 47.57. State leaders went to Burnt Hills 3:50.50 and Saratoga Springs 9:05.05 in the 4x400 and 4x800. In the boys 4x100 Iona Prep posted a state-leading 41.55 with U Prep in second in 41.82 and Waverly third in 42.03.  

Team Champions - Federation

Albany Academy boys 26 points; Cornwall girls 36 points - RESULTS