Shen, Saratoga take titles
Brimhall, Bush lead teams to the victories; Cusato double winner
As the Section II indoor track season works its way toward the final few events, three of the area’s premier Division I competitors are grateful they are getting to compete again after the 202021 season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Guilderland senior Will Cusato, Shenendehowa senior Nate Brimhall and Saratoga Springs sophomore Emily Bush all won two events at Union College on Saturday at the Section II Division I championships. All three standouts showed fine form as each geared up to compete next in the state qualifier meet Feb. 5 at Hudson Valley Community College.
The Shenendehowa boys’ team captured its sixth straight title in convincing fashion with 182 points, winning eight of the 16 events and finishing second in seven events, and the Saratoga Springs girls’ team took home top honors with 1521⁄2 points.
Cusato, who prevailed in both the 600 and 1,000 meter runs, said being able to compete again for the indoor season is something he truly appreciates after losing his junior season.
“It was very tough,” Cusato said. “One, we lacked the competition that helps you improve. Two, we were outside in a mask every day, which was not fun. Our school prohibited us from running indoors, so we were outside in the cold every day. It was grating physically, but it was tougher mentally. To get indoors and to have a mostly normal season means a lot to me.
“I will take this over running outside on a 20-degree day any day.”
Cusato, who brought home top honors last week in the 600 in a meet-record time of 1 min
ute, 23.85 seconds at the Frank DiMasi Invitational in Utica, breezed to wins Saturday in the 600 (1:29.97) and 1,000 (2:49.05).
“Today was more about place than anything, so I wasn’t going out there for a time,” Cusato said. “Winning both of my races pretty comfortably gives me a lot of confidence for my races next weekend.”
Like Cusato, Brimhall talked with gratitude Saturday on getting the chance to compete again indoors.
“It feels really nice to have this opportunity,” Brimhall said. “During cross country, I was out for a month. That was rough and it set me back a bit.”
Brimhall has not decided which events he will focus on at the state qualifier. Saturday, he posted times of 4:35.21 in the 1,600 and 9:48.10 in the 3,200. After each race, the senior was high-fiving the remaining competitors as they crossed the finish line.
“Sectionals is all tactical. It is not about time. It is about place,” Brimhall said. “Running in the 1,600, I knew I had a 3,200 double with less than an hour in between, so I knew I had to be as conservative as possible. Coming off the 1,600, I knew I wasn’t fresh. I had to again be conservative and make my move.”
Shenendehowa recorded wins in the 800 and 3,200 relays, and finished second in the 1,600 relay. Other winners for the Plainsmen were Rayyan Abdul-Rahman (50 hurdles, state’s No. 1 time in 7.47 seconds), Jason Colindres (300), Nate Decker (pole vault) and Tate Lehman (weight throw, which was held Thursday).
The scoring day for Shenendehowa actually could have been even more impressive had senior sprinter Carter Cukerstein competed. He instead raced at the prestigious Millrose Games, finishing second in the 60 dash as he tied the state record in 6.77.
Paced by Cusato’s two victories, plus a win from Joshua Jerome in the triple jump, Guilderland finished second in the team standings with 85 points. Shaker, led by triumphs from Edward Yu (high jump) and Sean Gilday (long jump), came in third with 70 points.
Bush excelled during the cross country season in the fall and continues to impress indoors. The sophomore earned victories Saturday in the 1,000 (3:02.02) and 1,500 (4:41.54). She also teamed with Alycia Hart, Mackenzie Hart and Anya Belisle to earn the Blue Streaks the win in the 3,200 relay.
“I feel really good about them. I just wanted to do everything I could for my team,” Bush said. “My goal was to get the most points I could for them and give it my all.”
Ella Kurto captured the 3,000 for the Blue Streaks with a time of 10:19.62. Saratoga Springs, the nation’s No. 1 ranked squad during the cross country season, swept the top three slots in the 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000 to rack up 72 points.
Guilderland finished second in the girls’ team standings with 132 points, Senior Maeghan Hickey established the state’s top time in the 50 hurdles (7.95) and joined Kate Scanlan (300), Lilyan Humphrey (45), Elizabeth Liu (triple jump) and Cadence Brewer (weight throw) as winners for the Lady Dutch.