Track Notes: Chariho sets national 4x1-mile relay record at New Balance

By Dave Krider Mar 12, 2012, 1:45pm

Also, Dior Hall upsets Trinity Wilson to win 60-meter hurdles with national sophomore record.

Edward Cheserek had a spectacular day at the New Balance Nationals, but was also upstaged in the mile by Brad Nye of Davis High.
Edward Cheserek had a spectacular day at the New Balance Nationals, but was also upstaged in the mile by Brad Nye of Davis High.
Photo courtesy of Mike Scanlon
Chariho (Wood River Junction, R.I.) made national headlines over the weekend during the prestigious New Balance Nationals indoor track meet at the Armory in New York City.

The foursome of Dan Kilcoyne, Bryce Kelley, Jake Kilcoyne and Mike Marsella won the 4x1-mile relay in a national-record time of 17 minutes, 20.2 seconds. The previous record was 17:21.58 from the 2009 season. The first three runners had personal-best times, but anchorman Marsella still had to come from behind with an outstanding 4:11.7 clocking to nail down the record.

Shaker (Latham, N.Y.) also broke the record with a second-place time of 17:21.56.

Brilliant junior Edward Cheserek anchored St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) to victories in the boys sprint medley relay (3:25.88) and the distance medley relay (10:10.08). During his ironman weekend he also won the 2-mile in 8:50.53, but he finished second in the mile with a time of 4:09.07. He was upstaged by Brad Nye of Davis (Kaysville, Utah), who used a powerful finishing kick to post an upset victory in 4:08.67.



Dior Hall of George Washington (Denver) upset Trinity Wilson of St. Mary's (Berkeley, Calif.), but it took a national sophomore record time of 8.19 seconds to win the 60-meter hurdles. Her time also is No. 2 overall.

Ben Malone of Pascack Valley (Hillsdale, N.J.) set a national junior class record when he won the 800 in 1:49.94, which also is No. 2 all-time.

In the boys 4x800 relay, Boys & Girls (Brooklyn, N.Y.) turned in the all-time No. 2 clocking (7:41.1), thanks to a superb 1:51.2 anchor by Robert Rhodes.

Najee Glass, a senior from St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.), defeated a strong field to win the 400 in 46.57 seconds. Aldrich Bailey of Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas) was on his heels in 46:59.

In another great duel, senior Ajee Wilson of Neptune (N.J.) won the 800 in 2:06.58. Bronxville (N.Y.) sophomore Mary Cain was a very close second in 2:07.26.

Berea (Ohio) senior Donovan Robertson won the 60 hurdles in 7.7 seconds despite falling and barely getting over the finish line.
Kendell Williams, Kell
Kendell Williams, Kell
Photo courtesy of Blane Williams




Junior Kendell Williams of Kell (Marietta, Ga.) captured the girls high jump at 5 feet, 11 1/4 inches and the pentathlon with 3,740 points.

Jacob Blankenship of Lincoln (Gahanna, Ohio) won the pole vault at 17 feet before missing three times at 17-8 1/2.

Sydney Conley of Fayetteville (Ark.) captured the girls long jump on her final leap, which was 20 feet, 1.5 inches. It must have brought back memories to her father, Olympic triple jump champion Mike Conley, who was famous for winning big meets on his final attempt.

The boys long jump crown went to De Soto (Texas) star Devin Field, who overcame back pain and cramps to soar 24 feet.
 
* Justin Fondren of Oxford (Miss.) won the high jump with a 7-foot leap during the Oxford Invitational.

* Keep an eye on freshman Nia Britt, who broke her own school record at Alemany (Mission Hills, Calif.) with a shot put toss of 48-9.