On June 11th and 12th, the finest track and field athletes in New York participated in the New York State Federation Championships held at Vestal High School. It was a terrific weekend for some Long Island runners. Kim Mackay, a junior at
Kellenberg Memorial (Uniondale, N.Y.) High School won the 800 meters, and
Roslyn (Roslyn Heights, N.Y.) High senior Emily Lipari capped off her tremendous high school career by winning the 1500 meters.
Mackay won in upset fashion, finishing in 2:07.75, nearly two seconds ahead of second place finished Emily Menges of
Garden City (Garden City, N.Y.) High School. Heading into the race, Mackay was ranked seventh in the field. Kellenberg coach Marty Brown was confident after Mackay’s strong week at practice. “Kim gave me a feeling the whole week before states that she was locked into believing that she could win,” Brown said. “Thus, I knew she could win, and would not lose.”
Mackay was able to get out fast, which was one of her goals heading into the race. “My race plan was to run it smart, and get out with the leaders,” Mackay said. “This was something different for me, but obviously it paid off. I've gotten very used to coming in second and third in the past in big meets, and I was perfectly happy with that.”
Mackay came through her first split in fourth place. She was able to turn it on, and passed three runners in the final 400 meters to earn the victory. Her winning time ranks her fifth in the nation and first in New York State for 2010.
After the race Mackay was surprised she was able to win the state title. “It feels great finally coming out on top,” she said. “I'm still in shock from it all. There were so many talented runners in my heat and everyone ran great times overall.”
Lipari again showed why she is considered one of the best distance runners in the nation. She won the 1500 meters in 4:24.37, and exacted a little revenge on Cornwall’s Aisling Cuffe who beat Lipari a day earlier in the 3000 meters. Lipari’s time was the best in the nation for 2010.
Lipari and Cuffe ran together for nearly the entire race. Going into the final lap, Lipari was able to pull away from Cuffe, who finished a distant second at 4:26.41. Lipari was grateful that she was able to win another state title in the 1500. “To win another 1500 title feels great,” Lipari said. “It’s nice to end my last state meet with a win and a PR. I am typically known as a distance runner, but I have had better luck with the 1500 then I ever have had with the 3000. Winning the 1500 feels great, especially since it was in a strong field of girls. It could have been anyone’s race.”
Both Lipari and Mackay will be running in the national meet, next weekend, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Lipari is excited to get another opportunity to run in another national meet,” she said. “I’m very excited about the race at nationals, because I know the field is going to be fast.”
