WIZARDS RUN THEIR WAY TO STATES

By MELISSA NOLAN

This past Saturday, the Washingtonville track and field team went to the Section IX State Qualifying Meet.  Multiple teams from all over the area were given the chance to compete for spots in the NYSPHSAA State Championship meet at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Saturday, March 3rd.  Here, many Wizards will be competing in events such as; high jump, triple jump, long jump, 600 meter dash, 1600, 600, 300, and 4x400 meter relay. 

Many people are under the assumption that track consist mainly of running events; they may not realize that the field events are just as important.   These field events include jumping events and throwing events.  

This week, Kristen Boerke, a senior at WHS and captain of the track team placed second overall at the State Qualifying meet for high jump.  This event is defined as, “An athletic event in which competitors jump over a bar that is raised until only one competitor can jump over it without dislodging it.”  She matched her personal record of 5’2” securing her spot in the high jump for the team’s next meet. 

MELISSA NOLAN FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Additionally, junior Emily Gerdin made it to states, not only in one event, but two.  Emily has been one of the Wizards’ top jumpers for years.  This year, Emily placed third at the State Qualifier meet in triple jump with a jump of 36’3”.  Gerdin previously hit the state standard, therefore, advancing her to the State Championship meet.  Gerdin placed 2nd in long jump with a jump of 16’11”½, also advancing her to Saturday. 

As for the boys, the 4x400 meter relay team consisting of Joshua Mallard, Cameron Aviles, Dillon Kane, and Tony Dallman took the arena by storm.  In the “so-called” relay finals third leg, Dillon Kane was tripped and had a devastating fall, setting the Wizards back from reaching their full potential time.  Soon after, it could not be decided whether a disqualification should take place or if all teams would need to run the race again. 

The final decision was made: the Wizards alone would have a chance to re-do their relay.  After hearing about their second chance, senior Joshua Mallard expressed, “I knew what I had to do; I had to run fast, but I was feeling really tired and I didn’t think I could run it.  So I prayed to God to let us get this one more time, and we did it.”  As the rest of the team lined the track to cheer for their teammates, the boys not only hit the qualifying time of 3:28, but their time also surpassed 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place. 

After running the relay three times in the same day, they accomplished their goal.  The boys are said to be one of the top 10 teams in the state.  Joshua Mallard will be going to states in not only the 4x400 meter relay but also the 300 meter dash.  Tony Dallman will also be competing in the 4x400 meter relay as well as the 600 meter dash.  

Three more hardworking Wizards are Thomas Garrison and Liam Gildea who will both be running the 1600.  Thomas will be running the open event while Liam will be competing in the intersectional relay.  The third is Maanasa Hanubal, who will be running the 600 meter dash.  Congratulations and good luck to all of the athletes!