New York Section I Indoor State Qualifier Rundown

By Chris Lotsbom, ArmoryTrack.com

NEW YORK (19-Feb) -- The New York Section I Indoor State Qualifier high school meet took center stage at The New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory today, producing fast times and a number of meet records. Here's a rundown of the best performances, led by a pair of wins for Arlington's Zola Golden.

-- Arlington junior Zola Golden won a two sprint events in epic fashion. First she'd claim the top spot in the 55m dash with ease in 7.18 seconds, then placed first in the 300 meters. The latter was won in a duel with New Rochelle standout sophomore Symone Darius. 

"It feels really good, I feel like my training is really paying off," said Golden, whose final time of 37.91 was a meet record, US#1 this season, and the ninth fastest 300 meters of all-time. "I just wanted to qualify for the State meet today, that's what my main focus was."

Runner-up Darius clocked in at 38.01, tenth best all-time. Both have pushed each other all season long.

"I feel like we always have each other to motivate, like I can't slack off in a race 'cause I know I always have somebody on me," said Darius, whose eyes are on the sophomore class record of 37.77 by Olympian Natasha Hastings.

-- Another national leading time was set in the Boys 1000m, as North Rockland's Liam Purdy was first in 2:25.80. The senior's time ranks third all-time in New York state high school history.

"Honestly, I had know idea I could run 2:25," he said. "I've been finding for indoors that I've had a lot of success in the 1000m."

-- Pearl River senior Brian Cook timed a new meet record of 9:05.14 for the 3200m. Cook, who participated in the NYRR Millrose Games New Balance High School Mile last weekend, also broke his school record. The time ranks second among high schoolers this year.

"It means a lot. I was trying to run a fast time," said Cook. Lapping nearly the entire field, Cook said he used each athlete he passed as motivation. "I was trying to run them down. It helped me go faster I think."

-- Fellow NYRR Millrose Games milers Bella Burda of Arlington, Luke Gavigan of Tappan Zee, and Kelly Hayes of Pearl River won their respective races. Burda took the Girls 3000m in 9:59.98, while Gavigan --the NYRR Millrose Games mile champion-- claimed the 1600m in 4:18.65. Hayes was champion of the Girls 1500m, 4:37.33 her final time.

-- A pair of meet records fell in the Boys sprint events. Mount Vernon's Rai Benjamin clocked a blistering 34.06 seconds, a time that ranks in the top ten among American high schoolers this year. Arlington's Trenten Beram bettered the 55m dash meet best, finishing in 6.40 for the win.

-- New Rochelle's Girls 4x200m team also set a meet record, timing 1:42.29. That dips under Mount Vernon's previous meet best of 1:42.35, set in 2012.

-- Suffern defended their Girls 4x800m title, running a US#2 time of 9:10.14.

-- New Rochelle swept the top two spots in the women's 55m hurdles. Ashley Wiggins was first in 8.21, while Alicia Donaldson took second in 8.47.  

Photo: Kyle Brazeil