Seniors' last stand wins for Friars

There was a sense of finality for several of St. Anthony's seniors Saturday at the CHSAA Intersectional championships at Icahn Stadium.

The school's graduation is June 11, which happens to be the same day as the state championships. Middle distance standout Payton Hazzard said he felt a little "teary eyed" knowing Saturday would be the last time he would compete in a Friars' uniform.

He showed his affinity for his school and teammates in a big way, winning the 800-meter Intersectional title in 1 minute, 55.30 seconds.

"I wanted to win that 800 more than anything, because I knew it would be my last [individual] race," said Hazzard, who also ran the anchor of the Friars 4 x 800 relay. "I also won it last year, so I felt a little obligated to win it."

Hazzard acknowledged it would've been fun to go to the state meet again, but he has his priorities in order.

"You only have one high school graduation," he said.

You can add Warner Cooley III to the list of St. Anthony's seniors who ran their last races as Friars. Cooley edged Xavier's Edward Wagner (49.93) for a first-place finish in the 400 (49.69).

SEE PHOTOSCHSAA track and field intersectional championships

"I couldn't even think about it at the starting line. I kind of zoned out," Cooley said of realizing the 400 was his last St. Anthony's race. "But when I hit the last 100 meters, heard everyone screaming and felt somebody next to me, I knew there was no way I was going to lose this race."

Other first-place finishers for St. Anthony's, which won the Intersectional championship with 62 points, were Michael Brunoforte in the pole vault (14 feet, 6 inches), Thomas Diliberto in the 3,000 steeplechase (9:39.09) and Cameron Black in the 110 hurdles (15.37).

Cooley and Black were also part of the Friars' winning 4 x 400 relay team.

Chaminade finished second with 35 points, thanks to a strong day by Thomas Awad, who won the 3,200 (9:34.36), senior distance man Matt Woop in the 1,600 (4:21.51) and Mike Rufrano with a first-place finish in the high jump (6-2).

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Awad ran the 1,600 and finished fifth, but still made the grade for the state meet because he met the qualifying standard earlier this season.

St. John the Baptist's foursome of Sean Ferguson, Hunter Burrell, Seitu Solomon and Brandon Camenzuli dominated the 4 x 800 from start to finish, taking the event in 7:55.49, ahead of Kellenberg's crew of James Agati, David Bransfield, Raul McGee and Dylan Murphy.