Jen Gerland started her county championship defense on the right foot, winning the girls open 2,000 steeplechase in a personal-best time of 7:14.90 in yesterday's Steeplefest Invitational at Port Jefferson.

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Port Jefferson's Andrew Keresztes (10:14.70) beats out Sachem North's Colin Eberhardt (10:15.10) for second place in the boys open 3,000m steeplechase. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Garden City's Jen Gerland clears a hurdle in the last last lap of the girls open 2,000m steeplechase. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Runners in the boys open 2,000m steeplechase clear the water hazard during the event. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Kellenberg's Ashlin Conroy leads Eastport's Briana Hayes on the last lap of the girls open 2,000m steeplechase. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Smithtown East's Rob Calamia finished first in the boys open 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 10:04.70. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Port Jefferson's James Burke finishes second in the boys open 2,000m steeplechase with a time of 6:23.54. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Garden City's Jen Gerland finishes first in the girls open 2,000m steeplechase with a time of 7:14.90. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Chaminade's Thomas Award led for the entire 2,000m boys open steeplechase and won the event in his first ever entry in the race. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

Chaminade's Thomas Award led for the entire 2,000m boys open steeplechase and won the event in his first ever entry in the race. (April 11, 2012)

Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan

A Sayville runner jumps over a fallen Bayport runner in the boys novice 2,000m steeplechase event. (April 11, 2012)

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