Anselmini wins 2,000-meter steeplechase

CALEDONIA, N.Y. -- It's rare to find a track and field athlete completely satisfied after a meet, even if they turned in a near record-breaking performance. That wasn't the case with Ward Melville's Mary Kate Anselmini.

The senior was pleased with herself Saturday after winning the 2,000-meter steeplechase Federation championship in 6 minutes, 33.14 seconds at the state track and field championships at Caledonia-Mumford High School.

Sure, Anselmini could've been disappointed that she didn't beat her national record of 6:33.01 that she set last week at the Suffolk state qualifier.

"I'm very happy," said Anselmini. "The way I approached this race was, if I run faster, that's great, if not, I can't ask for more."

It wasn't the easiest task, though. Anselmini had to really push herself to hold off North Shore's Brianna Nerud, who finished second in a career-best time of 6:38.27.

Nerud was the previous Long Island steeplechase record-holder (6:40.7) until Anselmini bested it last week.

"She's very good," Anselmini said of Nerud. "I went into the race thinking she was the competition. Today was my day, but she ran great."

Anselmini wasn't the only athlete pleased with her day. Elmont's Valencia Hannon was at her peak as she took home the 100-meter dash Federation crown in 11.87 seconds. It was the second straight 100 Federation title for the junior, who has set personal marks in the event in each of her last three races.

Hannon could've taken a shot in the 200, but she said she had injured her groin. With both events only 40 minutes apart, Hannon opted not to run the 200. Not doubling didn't bother her.

"This means so much, because I had to make up for the indoor [championships]," said Hannon, who took third in the 55 at the indoor championships last March. "I stayed focused, relaxed and didn't pay attention to anything outside of my lane."

Riverhead's Melodee Riley was also a big winner as she took home the Federation title in the triple jump (39 feet, 3 inches) and the Division I long jump (18-9 ¾).

The girl's high jump came down to a battle between Suffolk and Nassau.

Suffolk ended up on top as Glenn's Kaitlin Whitehorn won the Federation title with a leap of 5 feet, 7 inches. Whitehorn edged 2010 outdoor Federation champion Joanne Imbert of Valley Stream Central, who cleared 5-6.

Carle Place's Joanna Koronios continued her strong season as she took home the Federation title in the discus (135-7), while Garden City's Michelle Rotondo won the 400 hurdle Federation championship (1:00.62).

Bay Shore's Jessica Gelibert won the 400 hurdle Division I public school title in 1:00.72 and Valley Stream North's Uzoamaka Aniagba took first in the Division II shot put (41- ¼).

In the relays, Garden City's 4x400 team of Laura Jaeger, Emma Gallagher, Taylor Hennig and Rotondo won the Division I title in 3:47.88, while Mercy's 4x400 crew of Kayleigh Macchirole, Olivia Schumann, Sasa Vann, Lauren Woodhull won the Division II championship in 3:57.43.