Hutchinson bests Williams for state triple jump title

VESTAL, N.Y. - Anything you can do, I can do better.

It may sound like an overused cliche, but Bay Shore's Brandon Hutchinson and Longwood's Justin Williams put on exactly that type of show in the triple jump at the state track and field championships at Vestal High School on Friday.

After jumping 50 feet on his final attempt on the last flight, most of the large crowd gathered around the jump pit figured Williams had the state public schools Division I title locked up.

Williams said he wasn't so sure, especially with Hutchinson preparing for his final attempt. Williams' hunch was right as Hutchinson set the crowd on fire by clearing a career-best 50-21/2, taking the title right out of his friend's hands.

"Justin and I are jumping each other all the time," Hutchinson said. "Whenever one of us goes right after the other, it's always a great competition. When he jumped 50, I just knew I had to beat it."

Hutchinson's previous best outdoor jump was 48-93/4. Hutchinson said he didn't change anything in his approach despite the improvement of nearly two feet.

"I just like to feed off the crowd," Hutchinson said. "Whatever energy they feed me, I just go with it."

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Williams said seeing his friend beat him was bittersweet. "We're still cool. That's my boy," Williams said. "We drive each other."

The two will have one more chance to go at it Saturday in the triple jump Federation championship. "I'm going off tomorrow, no more [40-foot] jumps," Williams joked. "All in the 50s."

Hutchinson said he hopes to see the best out of Williams. "I couldn't be mad if he won ," Hutchinson said. "I know he has that ability."

Bayport-Blue Point's Mark Castilletti won the state public schools Division II 400-meter hurdles title in 53.52. Castilletti will compete for a Federation title against the top Division I and CHSAA hurdlers Saturday.

The day didn't end there for Castilletti as he joined Zach Flood, Evan Haun and Mario Buscemi to lead the Phantoms to the 4 x 400 Division II title in 3:21.36.