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Recap - 2015 Loucks Games Saturday - Mary Albl

Published by
DyeStat.com   May 10th 2015, 5:00pm
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Heffernan dashes to plane, runs off with mile

 

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

 

WHITE PLAINS – Annie Heffernan didn’t arrive in New York until 1 a.m. Saturday from Cincinnati, Ohio. She was set to compete in the Glenn D. Loucks Games’ mile just before noon. 

 

“Our original flight got cancelled, so my dad waited three hours in line to get a new ticket for another flight,” Heffernan explained.  “And that flight was leaving in two minutes. So we had to sprint...thank God we just made it before it took off. I’m just so glad I could get here.”

 

Heffernan’s complex and unique journey to New York was well worth it though. The senior from St. Ursula Academy won the mile in a U.S. No. 10 time of four minutes and 49.47 seconds. 

 

“Definitely (well worth it); I’m so glad we came,” Heffernan said.

 

The reason for choosing a meet more than 500 miles from home was the competition and to get in a good race before championships takes full flight in her home state. 

 

“Yeah, I just heard this was one of the premier meets of this part of the season,” Heffernan said. “I was definitely really excited to get the invitation.”

 

Heffernan received a stiff challenge from a number of runners, as defending champion Danae Rivers of Wilbur Cross, Connecticut and Sage Hurta of Hamilton stuck with her for a majority of the race.

 

“I just wanted to get a quick start and get out so I wouldn’t get trapped behind people,” Heffernan said. “But that ended up happening anyway, so I just had to run around and make sure I ran my own race.”

 

Heffernan’s own race included a strong final 400 meters as she broke up the pack taking a lead over Rivers down the backstretch. 

 

“Well I feel pretty good at where I’m at right now,” she said. “I didn’t run my hardest today; I feel like I’m in a good place.”

 

Rivers finished in second (4:51.78) and Hurta was third (4:52.74). 

 

Heffernan, who graduates this coming week, said this race was a good indicator of where she’s at. She said she’s still deciding between New Balance Nationals or the Brooks PR Meet in June.  

 

Meanwhile, Heffernan flew back to Ohio Saturday night.

 

Benjamin, local celebrity

 

If there was a title for local celebrity at the meet, Mount Vernon’s Rai Benjamin would win hands down. 

 

In between a busy day of competing in the 400-meter dash and 400 hurdles, the nationally ranked senior sprinter posed for multiple photos, snapped selfies with fans and took a photo with former Olympian and 400 hurdle meet record holder Derrick Adkins, who was on hand. 

 

“It’s fun, but you come here to run, so at the same time you have to stay focused,” Benjamin said of all the attention. “I try and take pictures with everyone.”

 

The attention was well warranted, as Benjamin, who finished second in the 100 dash Friday, won the 400 hurdles (51.71) and 400 (46.67).  A week ago, he led off a relay for Antigua at the World Relays in the Bahamas.

 

“Nothing really I can complain about,” Benjamin said of his times. “The 400 it wasn’t too far off my personal best.”

 

Benjamin, who holds the top time in the hurdles this season (51.29), said it’s been a hectic last few months of traveling and competing, as he’s looking forward to a chance to hopefully back off a tad. 

 

Also on the track, Rush-Henrietta’s Sammy Watson added a 400 title and anchored the winning 4x400 (3:47.65), as she won the 800 Friday. 

 

Watson claimed the 400 in a U.S. No. 4 time of 53.59, a career personal best for the sophomore.“I knew girls would be coming for me, and I couldn’t get too relaxed about it,” Watsons said.

 

Marie-Josee Ebwea-Bile of Benjamin Cardozo won the triple (40-9), while Jack Jibb of Monroe Woodbury won the 3,00 steeplechase in 9:16.47, and Alex Harris of North Rockland (7:00.41) both produced U.S. No.1 times.



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