Hasty takes 'learning experience' out of 4:03.26 mile

By Brian Towey for DyeStat

NEW YORK -- Brodey Hasty knew the conditions would need to be favorable for him to break the four-minute barrier against a field of professionals Saturday in the NYRR Invitational Mile at the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge. As it turns out, those conditions didn't quite line up. 

Contained by a tightly packed field, and subdued by a slightly too-slow pace (2:02 at 800 meters), the high school senior from Brentwood, Tenn., settled for a 4:03.26 in a race that saw five runners break the four-minute barrier.

"It was a completely different experience than in a high school race," Hasty said. "It was definitely a learning experience.

"There were a lot of people in the second lane halfway through. Whenever I tried to sink into the rail I got shoved or tripped."

Hasty's coach, Guy Avery, agreed.

"I told him 3:58 to 4:03 with a great pace," Avery said. "The race was too slow and crunched in. ... He's a guy that benefits from racing. It's a great experience. It's awesome that they let him in."

According to Avery, there is a spot open to Hasty in the second professional mile race at the NYRR Millrose Games next week.

"He'll run faster, I think," Avery said. 

Loudoun Valley VA doesn't appear at the Armory very often, save for March's New Balance Nationals Indoor. Yet, at the Dr. Sander Invitational Armory Challenge, a terrific lead-in to next weekend's NYRR Millrose Games, Loudon Valley came with force, popping a nation-leading 7:45.70 in the 4x800 relay to secure a big win over Northport NY (7:56.22).

"I could hear coach say, 'We're going for time,'" said junior Sam Affolder, who ran 1:54.12 on the anchor leg. "It makes me excited to see what's to come."

Affolder combined with junior Jacob Hunter, senior Colton Bogucki, and senior Connor Wells for the win. Loudoun Valley, which owns a US#1 in the DMR as well (10:02.58), will target the distance medley and 4xMile relays at New Balance Nationals Indoor.

"I think it really all started with Drew Hunter inspiring a younger generation of runners (at Loudoun Valley)," Bogucki said. "That attracted a lot of good talent and we've built on what he did."

The girls from Padua Academy DE came into Saturday looking to crack 9:20 in the 4x800 relay. But with a fast, competitive race, the First Staters ran 9:09.56.

"We've surprised ourselves in the DMR and the 4x800," said senior anchor Lydia Olivere, who ran a 2:12.26 closer. "Next week is our state meet. We'll prepare for states and nationals and see what we can do."

Freshman Judy McLaughlin, senior Amber Owens and junior Lizzy Bader teamed with Olivere for the win. Padua held off Notre Dame Academy NY (second, 9:15.25), Greenwich CT (third, 9:16.57) and Niskayuna NY,  (fourth, 9:19.15).

DeMatha Catholic MD scored a 1:28.35 win in the boys 4x200 relay over East Orange NJ (1:28.84) and Cardinal Hayes NY (1:29.96). The quartet of senior Brenden Stewart, junior Nicholas Cross, junior Damon Green and junior Deion Green combined for the win for the athletic rich, D C.-area school.

"The tradition is great," sprint coach Chris Paul said. "If you like basketball, last year's No. 1 pick was from DeMatha. In football, three players in the last Super Bowl were from DeMatha. And in track, when I was at Good Counsel, they were our chief rival. A lot of football players are starting to come out (for track). We're starting to see the results from that."

Franklin NJ junior Mario Heslop posted a 33.26 win in the 300 meters over Carlon Hosten of Taft Education Academy NY (33.83).

"He's a gamer," Franklin coach Dashaun Gourdine said. "When I told him about this, we took a couple of days off and did some speed work. As soon as he got off the bus today he said, 'Coach, I'm ready.'"

Bullis School MD proved masterful in the sprints again this weekend, taking 1-2-3 in the girls 300 meters as Leah Phillips (38.67), Masai Russell (38.74) and Shaniya Hall (38.95) swept.

"The most important thing (at Bullis) is the mindset," Phillips said. "Even if things are difficult, we overcome it."

East Greenwich RI senior Cebastian Gentil scored a US#1 in the 600 meters in 1:19.92, securing the win over St. Benedict's NJ juniors Alfred Chawonza (1:20.37) and Lewis Ngwenya (1:20.53).

Paul Robeson NY won the girls 4x200 relay in 1:40.86 over Elizabeth Seton MD (1:41.99). Robeson's quartet of Toshel Goffee (fourth in the 300 meters in 39.17), Quinizel Bazilia, Lailah White and Shawnakay Peart took the win.