Cross Country, Make Way

The PSAL took over The Armory this weekend with its annual Jim McKay Games - signifying the dawn of what promises to be another great year here at The Armory.

The sprinters and jumpers who have had to read all about the distance runners for the last few months finally got their chance to shine and Sheepshead Bay's Jose Farley, Jr., made the most of it with a fine start, winning the 55-meter hurdles in 7.83.

Jason Tomlinson of Harry S Truman won the 300-meter dash in 35.45, nearly a second slower than the 34.59 he ran at last year's PSAL Championships to take third. Tomlinson looks primed to try and win his first City Championship this season.

Teammates Robert Rhodes and Javuan Grant of Boys & Girls went 1-2 in the 600-meter dash - running 1:22.68 and 1:23.49 respectively. Those two were half of a 3:15.75 4x400 last spring which placed third at the NY State Championships. Boys & Girls also went 1-2 in the 4x400 Sunday in 3:29.41 and 3:31.36.

The highlight in the field events was Truman's Michael Hall, Jr., winning the long jump with a leap of 21-5 over Benjamin Ezike of Susan Wagner, who leapt 21-3. Ezike did get the win in the triple jump though as he cleared 45-6 1/4.

The Armory already has seen a girl break 40 seconds in the 300-meter dash. Kadecia Baird of Medgar Evers ran 39.95 in the final to beat a very good Kimberly Baily of Taft, who had run 40.35. Baird, a junior, ran 11.98 in the 100-meter last spring and 39.40 in the 300-meter last winter when she placed second at the PSAL City Championships. She also helped her team win the 4x400 in 4:04.77 over Benjamin Cardozo and Boys & Girls.

Sabrina Southerland of Cardozo won the 1,000-meter in 3:00.52. Her teammate and training partner - Alexis Panisse - will be heading to Foot Locker Nationals in cross this Saturday. Dewitt Clinton teammates Ethanity Dunn and Patrice High went 1-2 in the triple jump with leaps of 35-0 and 33-7 1/2. Sophia Mahin of Townsend Harris won the 1500-meter racewalk by more than a minute when she crossed the line in 7:32.59, an outstaning early season time.