"The Inside Track"
Sunday March 7, 2010: The NYS Championships Meet was held this past Saturday at Cornell University. 
In the 600M, Matt Conti set a new Shaker Indoor Track School Record in 1:21.79 finishing 3rd overall, followed close behind by Chris Herman in 1:23.61. Ryan Egan ran 4:29.10 in the 1600M and Dave Marthy, who was moved up from the 1000M to the 1600M in the Intersectional Relay completed his leg in 4:33.xx. All six eligible members of Shaker’s 4x400M relay team contributed to the relay team’s top three finish in the New York State Championships on Saturday. In the preliminary heat, Matt Dustin, JQ Chandler, Brendan Dolan and Matt Conti earned a spot in the finals. In the finals, Rueben Feinman, Chris Herman, Dolan and Conti captured third place, even after three of the four had also competed in an individual race. Results
Matt Conti not only broke Joe Belokopitsky’s 600M school record, he also moved to #4 on the All-Time list in Section 2 history in that event. Chris Herman, despite getting boxed in early in his heat, finished strong and managed a new PR in the 600M while moving to the #18 spot in Section 2 history in that event.
Looking into the Distance: A year ago, Kyle Foster (4:46.3) was one of two Shaker underclassmen (Ryan Egan was the other), who ran the 1600M during the Indoor season in under 4:47. This year eight Shaker underclassmen ran under that time during the NY State Qualifier Meet at UAlbany on February 27th. They were Kyle Foster, Mike Libruk, Jon Vallecorsa, Casey Gilboy, Ethan Haussaman, Christian Delago, Caleb Mellon and Jeff Heim. The next day at a USATF meet on the same track, two more sophomores, Ryan Recchia and Brian Hickey ran the 1500M in 4:26-4:27 which converts to a 1600M time under 4:47. At yesterday’s NY State Championships, Dave Marthy ran a 1600M relay leg in which he beat his previous best 1600 time of about 4:43 by 10 seconds. Many of these 11 athletes, who all run Outdoor Track, form the core group of Cross Country runners for whom expectations are already high for the fall season. Add in a few more young runners who also have a good chance of moving under that time and the outlook for the Shaker distance program is very positive for the next couple years.
The highlight of the coming week is the Nike Indoor Nationals the weekend of March 12-14th in Boston. Shaker Boys Coach Dave Stadtlander is expected to enter five relay teams along with a limited number of individual events. Coach will announce the relay teams to the athletes this week at practice. Stay tuned for updates and results.
Spring Sports Information Night is scheduled for Thursday March 25, 2010 at 7PM at Shaker High School. It is mandatory that parents attend this program before athletes can compete.
The NYS Championships Photo Gallery has been posted. To view photo galleries from any other meets from this Indoor Track season please visit the Indoor Track Photos Page.
The Outdoor Track Season is fast approaching. The first practice will be Monday March 8, 2010. Boys should meet in the H Gym at 3:00PM. Check out the 2010 Outdoor Track Page for upated boys and girls schedules for the upcoming season, as well as necessary health forms.
Boys Indoor Track Banquet Information:
2010 Indoor Track & Field Year End Awards Banquet
When: Wed. March 24th 6:00-8:00 pm
Where: Taft Hall Dining Room
Cost: $7 Per Person Check Made out to “Shaker All-Sports Booster Club”. There will also be a 50/50 drawing with all proceeds going to help support the team.
Who: Any indoor track and field athlete, their friends and families.
Why: To recognize everyone's achievements throughout the season and to give special recognition to those athletes who have earned it.
What to Bring: Bring your own refreshments and all food and dessert will be provided.
**If you are not doing outdoor track you must turn in your complete uniform by the night of the banquet or you will be fined $65 to cover replacement costs.**
Food: Catered by “Testo's” with foods such as pizza, wings, baked ziti, veggies, and salad.
R.S.V.P.: Mail or drop off in mailbox in the High School Athletic office. Shaker High School c/o Coach Stadtlander 445 Watervliet Shaker Rd. 12110 with number attending and check made out to Shaker All-Sports Booster Club ASAP.
Dress: Casual.
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This column is published regularly on www.shakerrunning.com to provide readers with timely updates on student athletes, events and interesting news involving the Shaker running programs. Your comments, suggestions, questions and news items are welcome and should be sent to bhickey@shakerrunning.com