Loudoun Valley VA Makes Presence Felt at Loucks Games

By Brian Towey of DyeStat

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Loudoun Valley VA  made its first appearance at the Glenn D. Loucks Games.

Following a strong performance May 4 at the Dogwood Track Classic in Charlottesville, Va., that saw the boys run 10:06.33 in the distance medley relay, Loudoun Valley had a chance to attack some fast, individual races in New York.

In the boys 3,200 meters Friday night, senior Colton Bogucki finished fifth in 8:58.78. In Saturday's boys mile, despite cool, wet conditions, Bogucki, Sam Affolder and Jacob Hunter took a whack at a quality field.

RESULTS | SATURDAY PHOTO GALLERY

"There were a bunch of guys with sub-4:10 times going in, so we wanted to run in it," Affolder said.

Through opening splits of 65 and 2:10, Bogucki, Affolder and Somers NY's Greg Fusco packed it in. Despite surges from Fusco at 600 meters and farther in, Bogucki, remained close along with Walt Whitman NY senior Aiden Smyth. Bogucki closed feverishly over the last 150 meters, with Affolder on his tail, when Fairfield Warde CT's Alex Mocarski materializing seemingly out of nowhere.

Bogucki fended off Mocarski over the final 40 meters for a close 4:14.64 to 4:14.69 win. Affolder was third in 4:15.29 and Hunter seventh in 4:18.98.

"We went out in 2:10 in the 3,200 (Friday) but this felt harder," Bogucki lamented afterwards. The slick track from a morning rain shower didn't help with traction, either.

For Loudoun Valley, whose focus and training is on national events, Loucks presented a good "last chance" meet, according to coach Marc Hunter. He's hopeful that his athletes can run some strong performances heading into the most important part of the season. 

"We didn't run well this weekend," Hunter said. "But we ran really well last weekend.

"The competition (at Loucks) is fantastic. Especially for this group of kids. If they're winning they're typically not running their fastest."

Katelyn Tuohy, following her national record 9:47.88 in the 3,200 meters Friday night, showed some pop in the girls individual mile in a 4:45.06 finish, slightly behind the pace of her nation-leading 4:43.66.

"My legs felt really good," said Tuohy, who split 2:22 in the opening 800 meters. "I was using this as a practice run for the 3K/1,500-meter double at the state meet. It's definitely a confidence-booster because I know I can handle it."

Carlon Hosten of Taft Educational Academy NY was named the meet's most outstanding performer following 21.19/10.82 wins in the 200 and 100 meters.

The meet drew a diverse mix of athletes from from New England, Virginia and even Montreal, Québec, Canada.

Daniel St-Hilaire, a coach whose previous exploits included working with Olympian Bruny Surin and the Canadian Olympic team, brought a team of six athletes from the Vainqueurs Track Club in Montreal.

"It's because of events like this and competitions like this that get our athletes experience in the international spirit," said Andree Belanger, a media contact with the club.

Winnacunnet NH hurdler Billy Powers, the defending New England Champion in the 110 hurdles, made the four-hour trip from New Hampshire's seacoast at meet director Fred Singleton's behest. Powers was aware of the event's reputation as well as it's finicky weather.

"I was ready for (the weather)," Powers said. He ran 14.31 in the damp conditions. 

"I pretty much stay in New Hampshire," said Powers, who'll run at Cornell. "It's definitely competitive. Last year I went down to New Balance Nationals."

Valhalla NY senior Samantha Morillo earned wins in the discus (in a meet record 145-7), shot put (44-3.25) and javelin (117-3) to win Most Outstanding Field Performer Honors.

Gill St. Bernard's NJ senior C.J. Licata picked up dual wins in the discus 184-3 (over Madison OH junior Nolan Landis- 183-05) and shot put (63-2.50).

Patchogue-Medford NY senior Carlos Santos won the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase in a US#1 9:26.91. Tully NY freshman Brooke Rauber won the women's 2,000-meter steeplechase in a US#2 6:51.03, as three runners dipped under seven minutes.

"(The steeplechase) is definitely my favorite event," Rauber said. "My goal is to become an All-American at Nationals."

Pinkerton Academy NH senior John King, in only his second year in the event, won the men's javelin in 190-5.

Coventry CT senior Nicholas Pronovost, according to his coach Bill Vanderrest, was poised to break the pentathlon meet record of 3,349 points set by Sean Berg of Fitch CT (2003) if he could run a 5:03 in the final event, the 1,500 meters. However, Pronovost, who'll compete at the University of Connecticut next year, had to leave the meet early to attend a prom. Thomas Cannon of Lowell MA won with 3,141 points.

New Rochelle NY senior Olivia Morgan set the women's pentathlon record with 3,341 points. It was her third win in a row.

The Northport NY 4x800 relay composed of Thomas Fodor, Dan O'Connor, Elijah Claiborne and Isaiah Claiborne held off St. Anthony's NY 7:48.28 to 7:49.77.

Ward-Melville NY's women's 4x800 relay composed of Samantha Rutt, Samantha Sturgess, Elizabeth Radka and Allyson Gaedje held off Ursuline School NY for a 9:48.47 to 9:20.25 win.

Cardinal Hayes NY's Jahsira Dunbar won the boys' triple jump in 48-05.75.

Singleton explained how he has tried to expand the meet's reach. After extending an invite in the girls 3,200 meters to Hannah Schupansky of Oakland Catholic PA, in a moment of panic, both parties realized that the junior's paper work wasn't done.

No matter. Singleton, who sends invite letters to standout athetes all over the Northeast, put Schupansky in the competition, where she finished fifth in 10:47.08.