The Inside Track
Sunday January 29, 2012

Sunday January 29, 2012: The Shaker Boys do it again! The Boys team defended their Varsity Suburban Council Championship after another undefeated Indoor Track league season this year.

Suburban Council Championships: The Shaker Boys kept alive their streak of Suburban Council Championship titles, this time by over 30 points to second place Bethlehem. The Shaker Girls took third in the team scoring within eight points of runner-up Colonie.

First place finishers for the Shaker teams were Franklin Abban (Triple & Long Jump), Girls 4X200M Relay (Hayes, Lavender, McLean, Lavender), and Cheila Diao (Shot Put). Other top six scorers for the Boys included Rob Smith (3rd-300M), Dan Phillips (2nd-600M), John O'Connor (6th-600M), Ethan Hausamann (2nd-1000M), Jon Vallecorsa (3rd-1000M), Max Morgan (5th-1600M), Adam Schwenzfeier (6th-1600M), Jackson Ciavardoni (5th-3200M), Tubo Akangbou (4th-55M Hurdles), Nate Bassett (5th-High Jump), Connor Brant (3rd-Pole Vault), Dan Gavin (5th-Pole Vault), Justice Ramsay (2nd-Long Jump), Jim David (4th-Long Jump), Jordan Crump (2nd-Triple Jump), Ryan Griffin (5th-Shot Put), Andrew Brochu (6th-Shot Put), 4X800M Relay-6th, 4X200M Relay-3rd, and 4X400M Relay-2nd.

Top finishers for the Girls were Kristi Hayes (2nd-300M), Kayleigh Lavender (2nd-600M), Hannah Madison (2nd-High Jump and 6th-600M), 4X400M Relay-2nd, Suzanne Zoufaly (5h-Pole Vault), Emily Vandenburgh (2nd-Long Jump), and Danielle McLean (3rd-Triple Jump).

MSG US Open

Madison Square Gardens US Open
(Photo: US Open, Runnerspace.com)
US Open at Madison Square Gardens: Shaker's Mike Libruk competed in the US Open at the famous Madison Square Garden on Saturday night in the High School Boys Invitational Mile. While the small track with its tight turns is not known for producing the fastest times, the Boys Mile went out slower than expected and turned into a race more for place than time. Shaker Senior Mike Libruk finished in 6th place in the competitive field, gaining great experience and the opportunity to race at MSG. The meet will be broadcast Sunday, January 29th from 7-9pm on ESPN 2 for those looking to watch the action.

Record Book Updates: Hannah Madison jumped 5'2" to match her school record in the High Jump at the Suburban Council Championships. Expect more records to fall with the upcoming invitational and championship meets in the weeks ahead.

Cheila DiaoCongrats to Cheila Diao for being named a Shaker HS Athlete of the Week!
From North Colonie Athletics Website:

Cheila Diao
Varisty Indoor Track & Field
This junior has been very consistent this year, placing in every meet. At the prestigious Yale Track Classic, she took 2nd place. Her throw of 35’ 8 ½” set a new school shot put record.

The Week Ahead: The Shaker Boys will be sending select Varsity athletes to the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Friday (Feb. 3rd) and Saturday (Feb. 4). Shaker runners Christian Delago and Mike Libruk are scheduled to compete in the Junior Boys 1000M on Friday at 6:42pm and Shaker will have a team Saturday in the HS 4X800M at 3:08pm. Stay tuned for coverage and details. The Shaker Girls do not have any meets scheduled this week.

Shaker Headed to the Millrose Games: The 2012 Millrose Games Qualifiers have been announced, and Christian Delago along with a Shaker 4X800M Relay team are scheduled to compete in this prestigious meet on Saturday, February 11th hosted at the NYC Armory this year. Delago has been seeded 4th in the 12 team field for the High School Boys Championship Mile. His seed of 4:16 puts him just over a second away from the top seeded runner, which is sure to make for an exciting and competitive race. The race is scheduled for 9:14pm on February 11th. The Shaker Boys also qualified a team for the Metropolitan HS Boys 4X800M Relay which is scheduled for 5:37pm the same evening. Broadcast information will be posted when the event gets closer. Millrose Games

HS Boys Millrose Mile Entered Athletes:
1. Zavon Watkins — Liverpool (N.Y.), 4:14.52
2. Mike Marsella — Chariho (R.I.), 4:15.27
3. Ned Willig — Great Valley (Pa.), 4:15.61
4. Christian Delago — Shaker (N.Y.), 4:16.00
5. Everett Price — New Providence (N.J.), 4:16.22
6. Konrad Surkont — Stuyvessant (N.Y.), 4:16.31
7. Stephen Lewandowski — Mountan Lakes (N.J.), 4:16.66
8. Adam McIe — Brewster (N.Y.), 4:17.10
9. Eric Holt — Carmel (N.Y.), 4:17.42
10. Tim Gorman — CBA (N.J.), 4:17.67
11. Rob Napolitano — Red Bank Catholic (N.J.), 4:19.67
12. Connor Rog — Fairfield Prep (Conn.), 4:20.08

Metropolitan Boys HS 4X800M Relay Entered Teams:
Boys and Girls (NY), Christian Brothers Academy (NJ), Colonie (NY), Arlington (NY), Collegiate (NY), Strath Haven (PA), Bronxville (NY), Shaker (NY), Bellport (NY), and Bronx Science (NY).

Shaker Indoor Track Banquets: The Shaker Girls Indoor Track End of Season Awards Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, February 29th at 6:15pm in the Shaker HS Taft Cafeteria. The cost is $9 per person (Checks made out to: Shaker Booster Club) and Banquet forms (below) are due by Fenruary 8th. The Boys Team banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 at 6:00pm with more details and form to be posted when they are made available.

Shaker Outdoor Track & Field Interest Meetings:
Shaker Girls will meet at 2:30pm on Wednesday 2/1 in Taft Cafeteria. Shaker Boys will meet on Thursday 2/2 at 3:00pm. All interested athletes should attend.

Spring Sports Physicals: SJHS & SHS's sports physical date for spring sports is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2012. Athletes needing the annual sports physical must plan on attending to receive a physical from the school doctor. The physicals will be given at the Capital Region Health Park, 711 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham (South Side Door - Suite 101). Boys physicals will be from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. and girls from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Peppertree Rescue Furry Fun Run 5K: Looking to run a 5K this Spring? Check out the Peppertree Furry Fun Run 5K. Information Form