Track team first in five county events

jumping hurdles
(Contributed photo) - Conner Russell (middle) finished second in the 55-meter hurdles in the OCIAA meet on Feb. 14.

Jillian Decker thought she had set a school record in the 600-meter run. But after some research, she realized that the record was a half second faster than she thought.

The Cornwall senior wasn’t unhappy. She won the race against a county-wide field, and her teammate Gabby Fanning finished second. The Dragons did well in the meet that was held at West Point on Feb 13 and 14.

In addition to Jill’s victory, the girls finished first in four other events. Dara Cuffe won the 1,000 meter race with a strong finish. Katie Murphy cleared 5-1 to lead the field in the high jump. And the Lady Dragons captured two of the three relays.

On the boys’ side, Conner Russell, Kevin Gangemi and A.J. Mathelier scored in individual races. Frankie Orlando broke 50 feet in the weight throw to place third. He has bettered the state qualifying standard, which is impressive because the weight throw is a new event for Cornwall athletes.

In other noteworthy performances, Christa Sidoti surpassed 16 feet for the first time in the indoor long jump; Hannah Mellino had a personal best time for 3000 meters, and freshman Kayla Meade was the runner-up in the 55-meter dash.

As for Jill Decker, she’ll have a few more chances to break the indoor record.

BOYS — 55 m: Kevin Gangemi (6) 6.95; 55 hurdles: Conner Russell (2) 7.98; A.J. Mathelier (4) 8.09. 300 m: Gangemi (3) 36.17. 1600 relay: Russell, Jaron Wallace, Gangemi, Alex Vega (3) 3:35.76. 3200 relay: Andy Lujan, Matt Moran, Christian Scileppi, Francisco Rivera (6) 8:53.53. Weight throw: Frank Orlando (3) 50-2.

GIRLS — 55 m: Kayla Meade (2) 7.61. 55 hurdles: Katie Murphy (5) 9.48. 300 m: Jillian Decker (4) 43.13. 600 m: Decker (1) 1:36.86, Gabryelle Fanning (2) 1:38.31. 1000 m: Dara Cuffe (1) 3:01.19, Bea Boylan (3) 3:02.29. 1500 m: Ashley Wallace (4) 4:56.83. 1500 racewalk: Athena Blair (3) 8:23.91. 3000 m: Boylan (3) 10:31.26, Hannah Mellino (5) 10:42.52, Wallace (6) 10:45.83. 800 relay: Meade, Katarina Van Ledtje, Lesley Nicosia, Fanning (4) 1:54.40. 1600 relay: Decker, Fanning, Christa Sidoti, Nicosia (1) 4:13.49. 3200 relay: Boylan, Wallace, Cuffe, Hannah Mellino (1) 9:47.97. High jump: Murphy (1) 5-1. Long jump: Sidoti (3) 16-1.5.