Bardabelias wins 1,000 at state qualifier

After he won the 1,000 meters last week at the Nassau Class B championships with a well-timed lean at the finish line, Tom Bardabelias decided he didn't want any drama this week.

So he changed his strategy Wednesday night and ran the opposite of his usual race.

It worked.

The Valley Stream North senior led from start to finish to take the 1,000 in the boys state qualifier at St. Anthony's. Bardabelias won in 2:41.44, Danny DeLuna of Massapequa finished second in 2:42.08, and Mineola's Fredric Lang took third in 2:42.45.

Bardabelias, who is known for dramatic come-from-behind victories, won last week's county championship in the 1,000 by .02 seconds over Lynbrook's Luke Germanakos. This time, however, he was hoping that it wouldn't come down to another photo finish.

"I didn't want to have to come from the back," he said. "It's too dramatic."

Bardabelias, who started the race in the outside "California" starting position, took an early lead at the opening gun. The senior stayed in front of a tight seven-man lead pack for the first four laps, with Lang flanking him to his right.

SEE PHOTOSBoys track state qualifier

"I didn't want to give up first, especially with what was at stake," he said. "There were a lot of good people in this one, so I knew it would be tough."

Bardabelias opened up his stride and got a lead as the pack took the bell lap, which was just enough for him to take the victory.

"It was sort of an elongated kick this time," he said. "But it definitely was a kick."

Bardabelias and DeLuna will compete in the 1,000 at Cornell University on March 3, while Lang will run the 1,000-meter leg of the intersectional medley relay.

Earlier in the evening, Manhasset's Stephen Bourguet took the 3,200 in 9:38.32. Plainedge's James Sommer finished second (9:39.45), and Taylor Titcomb of Port Washington placed third in 9:45.13. All three advanced to their first state meet.

"The distance community is pretty close off the track," Titcomb said. "It'll be cool that we'll all be there."