Pearl River boys, Ursuline girls win DMRs

By Brian Towey of DyeStat

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- After a disappointing Penn Relays that saw it drop out of the boys DMR Championship of America, Pearl River NY sought redemption Thursday night at the 51st Glenn D. Loucks Games. 

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The quartet of Pat McCann, Thomas Wilson, Brian Flaherty and Matt Politis put out a much better effort, running 10:17.51 to win easily over Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake NY (10:24.01) and Riverdale Country Day School NY (10:24.95).

"In other races we'd have at least one guy who didn't run well," Politis said of the group, which was aiming for the 10:17 NBNO DMR qualifier. "That messed us up.

"When I got the baton I wasn't thinking about time. At the bell I glanced up and realized (the NBNO time) was in reach. So I went for it."

Over the years, the Loucks Games have taken on a strong New England flavor. St. John's Shrewsbury MA finished fourth in 10:29.63, with Marshfield MA (sixth at NBNO last year) 12th. 

"You come to New Jersey, New York in the indoor season and it's like, 'Wow, look at these guys,'" Marshfield coach Dennis Sheppard said. "These last couple of years, Massachusetts has shown it can hold its own with the Pembrokes, Wachusetts and St. John's Shrewsburys running well."

Ursuline School NY junior Lily Flynn, on the anchor leg of the girls DMR, trailed Notre Dame Academy NY by 15 meters at the bell. Flynn, who finished fifth in the NBNI Championship mile in 4:48.26, made up the difference for a 12:13.80 to 12:15.46 win.

"I think we'll definitely improve on that time," said Lily Flynn, who combined with Sarah Flynn, Meaghan Grogan and Lily Sheahan.

Added Sheahan: "We had a lot of hard workouts this week."

Carmel NY, with a 3:35 1,200-meter leg from Jade Sessions, finished third in 12:21.19.