Wilson tops big SP competition at Eastern States

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Alyssa Wilson of Monsignor Donovan NJ passed Michelle Carter on the all-time list in the indoor shot put on Tuesday night at the Eastern States Championships with a big mark of 54 feet, 11 inches. 

But Wilson's improvement is only one piece of a puzzle in New Jersey, which is in the midst of never-seen-before power in this event. 

Second place Nickolette Dunbar of Whippany Park, who beat Wilson three days earlier at the New Jersey Meet of Champions, was unsatisfied with her second place mark of 51-8. 

Third-place thrower Jessica Molina threw a lifetime best of 49-8 and surpassed her own meet record by a foot -- and still lost by five feet. 

"Everyone wants to go out there and win," Molina said. "I'm pretty good friends with Alyssa and Nicky and I think they're the nicest girls ever."

Dunbar is ranked No. 7 all-time indoors with her 53-2 from Saturdy and Molina is now four inches away from cracking the top 20. 

"That doesn't just happen," Molina said. "It's a product of hard work. We have three girls who are really dedicated to this."

Eastern States catches New Jersey athletes three days post-Meet of Champions and New York athletes four days before the state meet at Cornell. Many athletes are focused on tuning up or improving seeding for the upcoming New Balance Nationals Indoor, March 11-13 at The Armory. 

Ronel Forde of Shaker NY produced a massive personal best on his sixth and final attempt in the triple jump, stretching the tape to 51 feet, 6 inches. That's a New York state record and No. 14 all-time. It also came within an inch and a half of Ja'Mari Ward's Armory record. 

In the girls 4x200 relay, Paul Robeson NY refused to yield to Union Catholic NJ and won a major showdown in that event. Paul Robeson ran 1:38.40, a little bit short of its US#1 but a strong effort against a team that features star Sydney McLaughlin. It was also a meet record, taking down a 2011 standard by Medgar Evers NY.

In an entertaining boys 4x800 relay, Christian Brothers NJ ran 7:50.44 and was able to overtake River Dell (7:52.26) despite a 1:51.8 leg from Colin Daly and a 1:53.1 from twin brother William.

Conor Lundy split 4:09.5 on the end of Fordham Prep's winning distance medley relay (10:10.23), which is moving into position for a chance to compete at nationals.

After surrendering a lead, Shenendehowa NY came on late to overtake Southern Regional NJ in the girls DMR, 12:08.41 to 12:08.62.

Halle Hazzard, a junior from St. Anthony's, swept the 55 (6.94 seconds) and the 200 (24.60). The final of the 200 was reduced to just two runners in the second of the two-section final after a couple of top athletes, including McLaughlin, opted out. McLaughlin had earlier run the fastest prelim time with US#8 24.00 seconds.

Benjamin Cardozo NY trio Paris Peoples, D'Jai Baker and Tatianna Martinez went first, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 400 meters. Peoples' winning time was 55.27 seconds.

The long jumps produced good marks. Justes Nance of Blair Academy NJ won the boys event with 24-0.25 for US#5. In the girls competition, Adja Sackor from Worcester Vo Tech MA jumped US#6 19-7.75.

Jordan West from Rahway NJ won the boys shot put with 63-2.75. West is ranked fourth nationally.