Cukerstein collects titles
Shen sprinter captured 4 crowns at state meet
As much as he wanted to win a state title in the 100-meter sprint this spring, Carter Cukerstein’s desire to lead the Plainsmen to a 400-meter relay title was even more pronounced.
After two years without spring outdoor state championships, Cukerstein made his presence felt in a big way both Friday and Saturday at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association event at Ciceronorth Syracuse High School.
Not only did Cukerstein fulfill his event wishes in both the Division I 100 and 400 relay state championships, he also led the Plainsmen to another 400 relay title in the Federation event Saturday — his final race of a busy weekend — then added a 100meter Federation title and finished second in the
state 200 race and fifth in the 200 Federation final.
“This is pretty good. It is something I didn’t think I would ever do,” Cukerstein said after winning the Division I state title in the 100. “Accomplishing it is really nice.”
For his efforts, Cukerstein has been selected as the Times Union’s Boys’ Athlete of the Week for June 6-11.
In teaming with Tyler Dedrick, Jason Gillan and Michael Mcelrath, Cukerstein’s
anchor leg began with his team in third but he quickly gained the lead and completed a 42.33 clocking in the Division I event Friday.
Saturday, Cukerstein ran in five finals (both 100s, both 200s) capped by the 400 Federation relay. Again, he blazed his way to an impressive anchor leg as Shen prevailed in 41.89. All day Saturday, sprinters ran into the wind.
“It doesn’t really impact me until the end of the race. Then, it starts to hit me,” Cukerstein said.
Headed to continue his running career at the University of Oklahoma, Cukerstein completed his lone full scholastic year of track competition having captured the 55-meter state indoor title, both 100-meter titles and a pair of 400-meter relay crowns with Dedrick, Gillan and Mcelrath. The senior holds Section II record times in the 55 and 100.