Wheatley shot putter Haghighi tosses himself to states
Wheatley's Joshua Haghighi won a ticket to the state championships for the third straight year by winning the boys' shot put event at the Nassau state qualifying meet. (Feb. 24, 2010) Credit: Richard Slattery
The goals for Wheatley star shot putter Josh Haghighi go beyond winning a county championship or even qualifying for a state title these days.
The University of Maryland-bound senior qualified for the state meet a third straight year with a toss of 53 feet, 9 inches at the Nassau state qualifier at St. Anthony's last night.
Winning the qualifier was a satisfying moment for Haghighi, but at this point in his career he's looking for a lot more.
The NYSPHSAA state track and field championships take place March 6 at Cornell University and Haghighi has good reason to expect more from himself. He set a personal record with a toss of 61-91/2 at the Armory in December. At the time it was the second- longest toss in the country. Now it is seventh.
"I'm looking for anything over 60 feet, hopefully 63 feet," Haghighi said. "I'm hoping to do well at the Nationals in Boston and make All-American."
Another shot putter hoping to make waves at the state meet is Oceanside's Greg Gromling. Gromling took second to Haghighi with a throw of 48-2. It was just two inches off his career best.
Other qualifiers for the boys include Westbury's Owen Skeete, Massapequa's Andrew Valenski and Kevin Harvey of Calhoun. They were one through three in the 3,200-meter run, respectively.
Uniondale's Glen Forsythe (21-33/4), Joe Carciolo of Massapequa (21-21/2) and Westbury's Jair Edwards (21-1½) qualified in the long jump and Syosset twins Jon and Brandon Locke each qualified for the pole vault (12 feet).
Forsythe (45-101/2) and Edwards (45-2) also qualified in the triple jump, with Manhasset's Kyle Howell (43-7 1/2).
Elmont's Jaquan Smith (6.63) and Darnelle Mickens (6.7) of Westbury each qualified in the 55-meter dash.
For Garden City middle distance runner Emily Menges, it was all about getting in shape. After taking time off earlier this season, Menges is looking to get back in the flow of things.
She took a big step last night with a first-place finish in the 1,000-meter run. Teammates Emma Gallagher and Michelle Rotondo took second and third, respectively.
"I feel 100 percent, but I'm not in as good as shape as I was last year," Menges said.
Roslyn's Emily Lipari (9:59.67), Samantha Nadel (10:01.34) from North Shore and Friends Academy's Kira Garry (10:16.14) joined the list of qualifiers as they took first through third in the 3,000.
Valley Stream Central's Joanne Imbert (5-7) and Kelly Clifford of MacArthur (5-2) each qualified for the high jump, and Hewlett's Samantha Locke (8-6) and Caroline McManus of Cold Spring Harbor each made the grade in the pole vault.
Elmont sophomore Valencia Hannon qualified in the 55, taking first in 7.22.
Hochul to sign Aid in Dying bill ... Woman struck by car dies ... MTA plans fare, toll hikes ... Let's Go: Williamsburg winter village
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