Farmer paces St. Anthony's boys and Friars girls win, too

It seemed almost preordained that the St. Anthony's boys team, with its reservoir of sprinting and distance talent, would cruise to victory Sunday in the NSCHSAA Track & Field Championships at Mitchel Athletic Complex.

The Friars outpaced the nearest competitor, St. John the Baptist, by 54 points to win their second straight NSCHSAA title.

Since anything less than the title would have been a huge disappointment, the post-meet celebration felt more like a book club meeting.

"I think we felt relief more than anything," coach Tim Dearie said. "We were big favorites coming in based on seasonal performances, and sometimes you can take things for granted."

The Friars dominated because their standout performers ran to form. Patrick Farmer, the senior sprinter in his first outdoor campaign, dominated both of his individual events.

In the 100 meters, he led from the blocks and cruised home in 10.69 seconds, nearly a half-second ahead of runner-up Taj Webb (11.09) of Holy Trinity. Farmer also won the 400 in 48.89, seemingly jogging.

"I wasn't going for a time, otherwise it could have been almost two seconds faster," Farmer said. "I just wanted to get the team points. I know if I'm out in front at any point in the race, I'll come out with the win."

Though quick to defer to his teammates, Farmer appears to be acutely aware of his abilities. "I know where I stand in the Catholic league," Farmer said. "I know what I should be able to do."

In the second individual event, St. Anthony's Kenneth Walshak won the 3,000 steeplechase in 9:48.97. The Friars' Warner Cooley and Michael Mastanduno took first and second in the 200. Friars distance specialist Patrick Murphy won the 1,600 (4:31.94) and ran on the winning 4X800 relay team. St. Anthony's swept the relay events.

"We have the quality up front and those role players who will scratch for one or two points," Dearie said.

In the 800, Holy Trinity's Austin Mituniewicz (2:00.92) nipped St. Anthony's Payton Hazzard (2:00.93) at the tape.

St. John the Baptist's Matt Perrelli won the high jump with a leap of 6-4.

Friars girls also win

The St. Anthony's girls also came through yesterday, and it took the concluding relay events to provide the margin of victory on a confusing afternoon where a clerical error that combined the boys and girls scores left coaches and athletes in the dark as to who was leading until the meet was over.

St. Anthony's, St. John the Baptist and Kellenberg all believed the title was within their reach. "It's not that you would make a lot of changes, but it's kind of frustrating not knowing where you stand, especially headed into the last events," St. John the Baptist head coach Dorsey Spencer said.

In the first relay event, the 4X800, St. Anthony's took charge. The St. Anthony's "A" won in 9:38. 30. Their "B" and "C" teams earned fourth and fifth place. Kellenberg came in second, followed by St. John the Baptist.

After the Friars' took first and third in the 4X100 and second (behind Baptist) in the 4x400, most assumed St. Anthony's had clinched the title.

After a conference between the officials and coaches, the Friars prevailed. The official score had yet to be tabulated, but after the relays, everyone was in agreement: the St. Anthony's girls would join the boys as NSCHSAA champions.

"Our depth goes from freshmen to seniors," St. Anthony's coach Oliver St. Aude said. "We just keep better every meet."

In the individual events, St. Anthony's Olivia Abbate won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.45.

Colleen Schmidt of Holy Trinity won both the 3,000 and 1,500 and was named the girls outstanding athlete of the meet.

Kellenberg's Natalie Jean won the shot put (32-6) and Kylie Pearce won the 2,000 meter steeplechase (7:44.02). St. John the Baptist's Victoria Lundin won the 200 in 25.45.