Garden City's Emma Gallagher wins two state titles

ITHACA -- Like it was for most races this season, Garden City's Emma Gallagher's closest opponent was the wind at her back. The sophomore won the 600 in one minute, 33.17 seconds at yesterday's state track and field championship, held at Cornell.

"I already have a good time in [this event], so I just wanted to win it," Gallagher said. "I took the race out fast because I knew [Tappan Zee's] Erin Jaskot has a good kick. I just tried to play off everyone and what they do in a race. It worked."

Gallagher has winning down to a science. She won the same event at the state meet last year.

"It feels great to know that I can come back and be just as good," she said.

Her teammate, Katie O'Neill finished third in 1:35.10.

Later in the meet, Gallagher would come up golden again, this time as the anchor on Garden City's 4 x 400 relay team. She came from behind to help her team, which included O'Neill, Laura Jaeger, and Kelly Lawkins, take the title in 3:54.95. Gallagher ran her 400-meter leg in 56.3 seconds.

"Coming down the last straight away, I really wanted my team to experience a state championship again," she said.

SEE PHOTOSNYS State and Federation Track and Field Championship

Miller Place's Tiana Guevara finished the 1,500 in 4:39.88, winning the public school championship and placing second overall. The race was a battle for placement as the runners approached the final straightaway.

"It was really fast and a little more aggressive than I'm used to," Guevara said. "I'm not used to having to nudge and push a lot. We jostled a lot. I'm surprised no one got bruised. We were really going at it."

Glenn's Alexa Kluepfel won the public school championship in the walk, finishing second overall in 7:06.26.

Manhasset's Tara Belinsky placed second in the shot put, throwing 42 feet, 101/2 -- a personal best.

"I was fast across the circle," Belinsky said.

Glenn's Sarah Hardie placed third in the 1,000, clocking a 2:54.98.