Shaker and Shenendehowa Shine at Section 2 Indoor Track Meet

The indoor track and field season commenced successfully at the Section 2 1A meet held at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) on March 2, 2024. Shaker High School and Shenendehowa High School demonstrated their athletic prowess, with Shaker leading the girls’ team standings and Shenendehowa taking the top spot for the boys.

Girls’ Competition Highlights

In a commanding performance, the Shaker girls amassed a total of 122 points, showcasing their depth and talent across various events. Shenendehowa followed closely with 105 points, but Shaker’s consistent scoring in jumps and sprints made the difference. Junior Ruby Miracle stood out in the pole vault, clearing 10 feet 6 inches to win the event decisively.

Shaker’s Ella Majeran also impressed, securing third place finishes in the long jump with a distance of 15 feet 4.25 inches and in the high jump at 4 feet 3 inches. Senior Meaghan Lynch from Schuylerville made a notable impact as well, winning both the long jump with a distance of 16 feet 1.50 inches and the triple jump at 35 feet 9.25 inches.

Shenendehowa’s balanced team effort included strong performances from senior Jordan Schidzick, who finished second in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet 9.50 inches, as well as contributions from teammates Leah Menton and Olivia Johnson, who scored valuable points in the same event.

Boys’ Competition Highlights

The boys’ competition featured a different narrative, with Shenendehowa clinching first place with 94 points. Shaker followed in second with 79 points, while Albany High School and Amsterdam High School tied for third, each earning 47 points.

Distance events highlighted the endurance and strategy of the competitors. In the 1600-meter run, William Brooks from Ballston Spa finished strong, clocking in at 4 minutes 52 seconds. LaSalle Institute’s Holden McLean set the pace in the 3200-meter run, finishing in 11 minutes 30.6 seconds. Shenendehowa’s Leo Christopher excelled in the 1000-meter run with a time of 2 minutes 56.4 seconds, while teammate Jonas Vinciquerra captured the 600-meter event in 1 minute 33.3 seconds.

Sprints and relays were dominated by Shaker athletes. Gerardo Lopez took first in the 300-meter dash with a time of 38.5 seconds, and the Shaker 4×200 relay team secured victory in 1 minute 39.5 seconds, demonstrating flawless baton exchanges. Additionally, Walid Adjei continued Shaker’s success in the 55-meter hurdles, finishing in 8.2 seconds, while Leon Nickson tied for second in the high jump at 5 feet.

Field events were equally exciting, with standout performances from Amsterdam’s Bryce Greco, who triumphed in the triple jump at 44 feet 0.75 inches and claimed second in the long jump with a distance of 19 feet 10.75 inches. Albany High’s Nasief Smith won the long jump with a leap of 20 feet 4.75 inches, while Damian Roennpagel from Cobleskill-Richmondville electrified the crowd by clearing 11 feet in the pole vault, the highest mark of the boys’ meet.

The final team standings reflect the depth and versatility of the competing squads, with Shaker and Shenendehowa emerging as dominant forces in their respective categories.

Girls Team Standings: Shaker – 122 points, Shenendehowa – 105 points, Ballston Spa – 42 points, Albany High – 31 points.

Boys Team Standings: Shenendehowa – 94 points, Shaker – 79 points, Albany High – 47 points, Amsterdam – 47 points.