Margey's win in 1,500 fastest in nation
1500 meter dream race with winner Kelsey Margey (4:26.54) from Harborfields, who turned 17 during the St. Anthony's High School track and field invitational. (May 7, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Kelsey Margey figured she'd be in for a very competitive 1,500-meter race at the St. Anthony's Invitational Saturday, especially with many of Long Island's top distance runners lining up with her.
North Shore's Samantha Nadel, Ward Melville's Mary Kate Anselmini and Holy Trinity's Colleen Schmidt joined the Harborfields junior for what was a loaded field.
With that much firepower, her finishing time wasn't going to be an issue, according to Margey.
"The time always matters," Margey said. "But when you're in a race with that much competition it's almost like the time is definitely going to be fast."
Margey turned out to be the fastest of the bunch as she ran away from the field on the final lap to a first-place finish in a personal-best time of 4:26.54, ahead of Nadel (4:30.65).
Margey's time is currently the fastest in the country this season.
It was a tight race most of the way between Margey, Nadel, Anselmini and Schmidt.
"With the last lap I definitely felt strong, so I decided to go," said Margey, who pulled away with 300 meters left.
Michelle Gaye, the other half of Harborfields' distance duo, won the 3,000 in 10:04.94.
St. Anthony's Katie Gallagher, unlike Margey, had it in her mind to set a personal mark.
The versatile senior did so in two events with a first-place finish in the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches) and a fourth-place finish in the long jump (18-1/2).
Gallagher said she would've liked a better finish in the long jump, but was still satisfied.
"I had a really good day in general because now I know I can make those heights and build more confidence," Gallagher said.
Gallagher was joined by her teammate Olicia Williams, who won the 400 in a state-best time of 54.27.
Copiague's Janel Francis won the long jump in 19-11/4.
North Shore's Brianna Nerud won the 2,000 steeplechase in a Nassau County-record time of 6:47.7, while Carle Place's Joanna Koronios stood tall as she won the discus with a state-best throw of 145 feet.
Other winners include Longwood's Olivia Hallstein in the 100 (12.34), Garden City's Emma Gallagher in the 800 (2:12.40) and Bay Shore's Jessica Gelibert in the 400 hurdles (61.04).
St. John the Baptist's Emma Cleary won the pole vault (10 feet), Riverhead's Melodee Riley took the triple jump in 39-51/2 and Northport's Suzy Farber won the 1,500 walk in 6:58.85.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
