North Babylon's Stewart wins state title in shot put

VESTAL, N.Y. - Vanessa Stewart had all the motivation she needed to compete at the New York State track and field championships at Vestal High School this weekend.

And it wasn't because she'd never won a Federation or public school championship despite six previous trips to the state meet (indoor and outdoor). The North Babylon senior pointed to her late grandmother, Delfis Reid, known to family and friends as "Sister Girly," as her inspiration.

"I didn't do it for me this time. I did it for my grandmother," Stewart said. "She died two months ago and she asked me to win before she died. She said, 'Can you do me one favor and win the states. You never did before and I know you've always wanted it, so do me that favor and win it.' "

Stewart answered her grandmother's request Friday when she won the NYSPHSAA Division I shot put championship with a toss of 45 feet, 3¾ inches in the final flight.

Adding to her victory was that she finally defeated Lancaster High School's Melissa Kurzdorfer.

Stewart finished second to Kurzdorfer in the shot put at the five previous state meets.

Stewart's best toss of 46 feet, 2½ inches came in the preliminary flight. Her best throw in the final flight was 45-3¾. Kurzdorfer fouled on all three attempts in the final flight.

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It's not over for Stewart. She'll have to square off against Kurzdorfer one more time for the Federation shot put title Saturday.

"[Saturday's] going to be even better," Stewart said. "I'm going to go to the hotel, work out out a little bit and keep my strength up."

Stewart was joined on winner's row by Kellenberg's Kim MacKay, who won the 800-meter run in a personal-best time of 2:07.75. MacKay overcame Garden City's Emily Menges over the final 100 meters.

Although MacKay didn't win a state title in the race because Kellenberg is not a public school, her time could serve as motivation for what should be an exciting Federation 800 championship Saturday. Menges emerged as the NYSPHSAA state champion, finishing second in 2:09.11.

"At the I knew I got out slow. So my whole plan was to come out hard," MacKay said. "The last 200 meters I tried to go for it."

Other state champions included Westbury's Marlene Ricketts, who won the triple jump Division I title in 40-9½. Elmont continued its strong season in the relay as its 4 x 100 team of Valencia Hannon, Ashley McCarthy, Kyla Ridley and Deon Phillips won the Division I championship in 47.68.

Garden City made its presence felt again when it won the 4 x 400 Division I title in a school-record time of 3:44.8. Taylor Hennig, Michelle Rotondo, Catherine Cafaro and Menges finished ahead of Brentwood's Donna Jeanty, Stefanny Laureano, Briana Reid and Andrea Aberdeen.