New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory, January 18, 2015 – This year’s Molloy Stanner Games were truly one to remember. The full-day event was packed with high-ranking national marks and great performances.

All eyes were on The Armory oval as Northpoint’s Mike Brannigan toed the starting line for the 3200m. Brannigan, the reigning New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2-mile champion, looked focused while waiting for the gun and began the first half of the race with a conservative pace. He followed closely behind Xavier’s John Rice for the majority of the race and began to make his move during the final laps, eventually taking the lead toward a 9:09.77 victory (US number one ranked time). Rice took second in 9:11.59 and Don Bosco Prep’s Pat Sullivan third in 9:15.17.

“I’m in better track shape,” Brannigan said after being asked to compare his fitness level during cross country season to now. “A lot stronger than last year.”

Arlington’s Bella Burda topped the girls 3k field with a big 10:03.63 victory. Burda also competed in last week's EmblemHealth Hispanic Games, where she won the mile in 5:01.25. That mile victory automatically qualified Burda for the New Balance Mile at the NYRR Millrose Games on February 14^th.

“I’m trying to get a PR in the 3,000,” said Burda. “I’m also looking to win states and be competitive at nationals. I was looking to qualify for Millrose and I did that, so I want to do well at Millrose.”

Chaminade and Xavier’s boys teams exchanged the lead multiple times during the 1600m sprint medley relay. It was too hard for most onlookers to determine who took the win, but the results showed Chaminade’s name first (4:00.59) and Xavier’s second (4:00.63).

There was another close finish in the girls 1000m. Texas A&M bound Jazmine Fray was able to fend off her Kellenberg teammate, Deirdre Lewin and McGann HS’s Megan Tuthill. Fray finished in 2:59.67, Tuthill in 2:59.90 and Lewin in 2:59.93.

“Today’s race felt good,” said Jazmine. “I’m really looking forward to breaking my best time if I can at the Armory Track Invitational. I really want to run 2:54 or faster. I heard it’s going to be a really competitive race and I love that.”

Newburgh’s boys team had another impressive relay performance at The Armory.  They ran 1:28.89 in the 4x200m (just over the US number one time of 1:28.29 they ran at last week’s EmblemHealth Hispanic Games).

“We’re around each other 24/7. We trust each other to do what we’re supposed to do and it’s a bond,” said Zack Warden, who ran a leg of the relay and also won the 55m dash in 6.42.

“We’re just enjoying the moment. Being number one is an accomplishment that’s once in a lifetime. We’re just enjoying the journey,” added team member Mark Bellamour.

Newburgh also took the boys 4x400m in 3:25.68 ahead of Ridgefield’s 3:31.60 effort.

Port Jefferson’s James Burke won the Bishop Loughlin Games mile at The Armory last month (4:17.51). He returned to run the Molloy Stanner Games 1000m and did so like a man on a mission, finishing in an impressive time of 2:26.75. The time ranks first in the nation, bumping Sam Ritz of Germantown Academy’s 2:28.81 clocking at the Bishop Loughlin Games to second in the nation. Burke will be a favorite to win the 1000m at the Armory Track Invitational on January 30-31^st.

Bay Shore’s Aviana Goode just missed breaking into the nation’s top 10, 55m hurdle rankings. She won the event’s prelim in 8.29 and came back to win the final in 8.19. Crystal Henderson of Longwood was second in 8.23.

Walter O’Connell HS’s Aaron McFadden just missed breaking into the nation’s top 10 as well. He closed well in the 55m hurdles to finish in 7.50. Longwood’s Spencer Payton was second in 7.64 and Farmingdale’s Michael Outing was third in 7.68.

Sarah Kowpak of Archbishop Molloy soared over the high jump bar with a final clearing of 5’ 7.25”. Dan Claxton of Smithtown East’s 6’ 7” effort landed him in first place for the boys event.

Jared Lovelace of Archbishop Molloy had a great day in the triple jump, launching himself into a big time mark of 50’ 1.75”.  Longwood’s Crystal Henderson scored an impressive mark of 38’ 7.50” in the girls triple jump.

North Rockland’s Eric Favors, one of New York’s best high school defensive linemen, took the boys shot put with a huge throw of 61’ 0”.  Holy Trinity’s Kristina Insingo was impressive in the ring as well, reaching a final mark of 45’ 3.50” in the girls shot put.

Along with Jazmine Frey and James Burke, The Armory Track Invitational on January 30-31^st will feature global track and field stars Mary Cain, Galan Rupp, Matt Centrowitz and more. In addition to Bella Burda, The NYRR Millrose Games on February 14th will feature reigning Olympic champions Sanya Richards-Ross, Ashton Eaton and Jenn Suhr. Both meets will be televised on NBCSN.

You can purchase Armory Track Invitational tickets here: http://tickets.armorytrack.com

You can purchase NYRR Millrose Games tickets here: http://tickets.nyrrmillrosegames.org

You can find results, videos and photos from the 2015 Molloy Stanner Games here:

http://www.armorytrack.com/gprofile.php?do=view_event&mgroup_id=45586&event_id=5480&year=2015

By Justin Gaymon // Photos by Karthik Adimula