Katelyn Tuohy Wins Third Straight 1,500 Title With 4:20.81

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Katelyn Tuohy closed her account on the New York indoor state meet with a track record in the 1,500 meters, Monique Hardy won her third consecutive title in the weight throw and Brandon Smith became someone to keep a sharp eye on New Balance Nationals Indoor next week. 

All three were among those crowned champions Saturday at the New York NYSPHSAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island. 

PHOTOS by John Nepolitan

Tuohy, of North Rockland, competed in the state indoor meet for the sixth time and made it memorable by winning the 1,500 meters in 4:20.81 -- an 11-second victory over future North Carolina State teammate Jenna Schulz of Liverpool. 

Tuohy competed in the 1,500 meters at the state indoor all six years, finishing fourth as a seventh grader, second as an eighth and ninth grader, and then winning three times. 

Hardy, of Webster Thomas, threw 63-10.50 (19.46m) to win her indoor state title. She'll be the favorite to win the event at New Balance Nationals Indoor next weekend at The Amory. 

Smith, of South Shore, ran 7.37 seconds in the 55-meter hurdles to upset recent state-record breaker Emanuel Joseph of North Rockland, who was second in 7.48. Smith then returned to win the 55-meter dash in a PR time of 6.27 seconds, good for US#4.

Nadia Saunders of North Rockland won the girls 55-meter hurdles final in 7.89 seconds. She also won the triple jump by less than an inch, with 40-4.50 (12.30m).

The girls 55 dash was decided by a photo finish. Mia D'Ambrosio of Schalmont was timed in 7.942 seconds to Lockport's Kahniya James' 7.950. 

Freshman Karrie Baloga of Corning won a very close race with Saratoga Springs sophomore Ella Kurto in the girls 3,000 meters, 9:34.52 to 9:34.61. 

Reheem Hayles of Springfield Gardens lowered his US#1 time in 600 meters and ran 1:18.48. He is No. 6 all-time in the event. Junior Joshua Peron of Frontier ran US#2 1:19.47.

Warwick Valley senior Hailu Bekele-Arcuri won the boys 3,200 meters in 9:13.20. 

Michael Danzi of Smithtown West scooted up the rankings and into the U.S. top 15 with a victory in 1,000 meters in 2:29.96. It was a personal best by more than three seconds. 

Sierra Dineen of Notre Dame Academy edged Sarah Trainor in the girls 1,000 meters, 2:51.39 to 2:51.43 -- the Nos. 5 and 6 performances in the country this winter. 

Jasmin Muhammad Graham from Medgar Evers won the 600 meters in a US#4 time of 1:31.37. 

The Shenendehowa girls ran US#2 9:05.27 to win the 4x4800 title -- beating Fayetteville-Manlius by seven seconds. Tuohy split 2:12.2 for North Rockland in a sixth-place finish. 

Syosset ran 7:55.53 to win the boys 4x800. 

Huntington pulled away from the field in the boys 4x400 and won it in 3:19.91. 

Bishop Loughlin overcame strong efforts from Warwick Valley and Bronxville to win the girls 4x400 in 3:51.46.

Nicholas Pisciotta of Commack won the boys weight throw with a personal best throw of 75-6 (23.01m).

Orchard Park standout Leah Pasqualetti won the pole vault with a clearance at 13 feet (3.96m).