The Inside Track
Sunday June 27, 2010

Sunday June 27, 2010: It's over! The Shaker Boys wrapped up the Outdoor Track Season with New Balance Outdoor Nationals in North Carolina just over a week ago. The Boys 4X800M Relay got things off to an exciting start Thursday night. Running under the lights, late in the evening the Boys 4X800M team of Chris Herman, Ryan Egan, Christian Delago, and Matt Conti clocked in at 7:39.69, earning All-American status in the second fastest time ever in Section 2 History, just over a second off the remarkable Shaker team from 2005 which currently holds the school and Section 2 record. With their 5th place finish in the National Championship race, the Boys 4X800M took the podium and brought home some nice medals, All-American certificates, and a big PR. All three seniors split 1:54.x while Christian Delago, who is only a sophomore split 1:55.x. As Coach Couture exclaimed after the race, "They couldn't have done anything better." Be sure to check out the race video below.

Coming off an outstanding 4X800M performance the night before, the Shaker Boys 4XMile Relay Team of Eric Young, Ryan Egan, Christian Delago, and Casey Gilboy finished 24th in the nation at New Balance Nationals. For Casey and Christian this was a great opportunity to gain valuable experience, while for Ryan and Eric it was an amazing opportunity on which to end their high school running careers. Ryan will be running cross country for Siena College in the fall, while Eric will be competing for Hudson Valley.

Congratulations to the Suburban Council All-Stars who were recently recognized by the Times Union! Shaker Athletes recognized included Jaquell Chandler (400M Hurdles), Brian Gallagher (Pentathlon), Casey Gilboy (3000M Steeplechase), 4X400M Relay (Reuben Feinman, Chris Herman, Brendan Dolan, Jaquell Chandler), 4X800M Relay (Ryan Egan, Chris Herman, Matt Conti, Christian Delago), Naquan Lewis (Shot Put), and the Girls 4X100M Relay (Carly Brundige, Madison Rowland, Kristi Hayes, Emily Vandenburgh.

Look for an exciting expansion of the website this summer and for increased coverage of the much anticipated cross country season.

Hundreds of photos from the outdoor track meets have been posted on the Outdoor Track Photos Page. Thank you to everyone who sent in photos this past season!

Several Shaker athletes and alumni were also spotted competing at the Empire State Games Adirondack Trials this past week. Top boys scholastic finishers included Carlos Mendez (1st-100M, 3rd-Shot Put, and 3rd-200M), Franklin Abban (1st-Triple Jump and 5th-100M), Reuben Feinman (1st-400M), Ryan Recchia (3rd-1500M), and Adam Schwenzfeier (2nd-3000M Steeplechase). On the girls side, top performers were Emily Vandenburgh (1st Long Jump, 1st-Triple Jump, 2nd-200M and 2nd-100M), Kristi Hayes (1st-400M and 3rd-100M), In the open division, Carly Brundige took 1st in the 100M, Ashley Gansle took 1st in the Shot Put and Javelin, Ebube Abara and JQ Chandler went 1-2 in the 400M Hurdles and Prince Abban was 2nd in the long jump and 4th in the triple jump.

An updated list to include all new school and grade records for the Girls and Boys teams for all three seasons will be posted early this summer. The Girls Outdoor Track Records have already been updated and grade records have been added, so be sure to check them out.

Cross Country mode has begun! Check out the 2010 Cross Country Season Page for preliminary schedules, announcements, and more. The first day of practice is scheduled for Monday, August 23rd.

In keeping with past practices, the Inside Track will be published every 2 weeks during the summer. Upcoming publication dates 7/11, and 7/25.