|
|
|
National Leaders Outdoor Track 2008
2,000m SC Nick Hughes 6:16.20 4th
NYS Leaders Outdoor Track 2008
2,000m SC Nick Hughes 6:16.20 3rd 3,000m SC Nick Hughes 9:46.77
Final National Leaders Indoor Track 2007-08
Final NYS Leaders Indoor Track 2007-08
1600m Chris Carrington 4:22.36 13th
alumni@nrxc.net North Rockland Cross Country and Track and Field alumni, do we have your name? Check our alumni directory and find out! Not on there? E-mail Coach Baloga with your info. We'd like to hear from you!
e-mail@nrxc.net
VARSITY HEAD BOYS CROSS COUNTRY VARSITY BOYS DISTANCE COACH T&F
VARSITY HEAD BOYS TRACK AND FIELD MEET DIRECTOR RED RAIDER RELAYS RACE DIRECTOR RED RAIDER RUN
VARSITY HEAD GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY VARSITY HEAD COACH GIRLS T&F
MODIFIED HEAD COACHES CROSS COUNTRY
WANT TO JOIN OR SUPPORT NRXC?
|
Rockland Overall Athlete of the Season award: North Rockland's Reyes
By JEFF MONTEZ They call it "the sawhorse," — a 4x4 balanced across two A-frames — because it looks like something a carpenter would use. North Rockland track and field coach Gene Dall has used that makeshift hurdle for many years now — a piece of equipment as legendary as the coach himself. Dall has used it to stand in for the barriers he doesn't have to train his stable of steeplechase runners.
A quiet, serious Haverstraw senior was able to use that sawhorse to craft his own destiny on the track. Miguel Reyes spent nearly his entire high school career leaping over that extra-high hurdle as he honed his skills in the 3,000- and 2,000-meter steeplechase events. It was at 3,000 meters that Reyes earlier this month won North Rockland's first state Federation championship since 1993, clocking 9 minutes, 31.88 seconds. At 2,000 meters, Reyes punctuated his magical season by earning all-America status by finishing third at the adidas Outdoor Championships in 6:04.38, a career-best time. Reyes has shown an inner strength and determination throughout his career. His steely persistence and sheer physical talent reached their peak this season with his success in one of the most difficult individual events in all of track and field. It is for these reasons Reyes is The Journal News' performer of the year in his sport and Rockland's spring athlete of the season. The steeplechase is an uncommon test of strength and endurance — a distance race with large barriers: hurdles spread throughout the track, including one along the turn that has a water pit at its base. The event doesn't have the flash of the 100 or the cachet of the mile. It is, however, a strong test. "It's hard to train for it," said Reyes, who ran the nation's second-fastest 3,000 steeplechase of the season — 9:29.7 — to win the Section 1 Class A title. "We didn't have the right materials for it. But I'm happy to know that (the sawhorse) really works." Reyes stands 5-foot-10, and has a breezy stride and quiet demeanor that would at first suggest a similarly relaxed attitude toward his sport. That couldn't be further from the truth. His serious approach is well suited to the demands of the steeplechase. "You have to work hard if you want to be a state champion," said Reyes, who is of Dominican descent. "I'm always focused. I always go and give it 100 percent." Reyes is moving on to college at Alfred, a SUNY school. Distance coach Barry Baloga, who has been instrumental in Reyes' development, said the graduation of Reyes and the rest of the team's strong group of seniors marks the end of a generation of Red Raiders runners. However, Reyes' work ethic and attitude will leave an impression for years to come. "He's a living testament to what one can achieve if they believe in themselves and what they are capable of," Baloga said. "His actions will speak volumes." |
|
© 2008 NRXC |
