Boys Winter Track: SWR’s Wright blazes path to state meet
SECTION XI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jordan Wright is known for his fast starts in the 55-meter dash. It is because of them, perhaps, that he is headed toward a fine finish to his final high school boys winter track season.
Wright is returning to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships.
The Shoreham-Wading River High School senior advanced to the state indoor meet last year as a fourth-place finisher in Suffolk County. This time around, he will be going as a county champion.
Running the fastest time he ever ran on the track at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, the top-seeded Wright lived up to his billing Saturday, coming in first place in the Section XI Championships. He clocked a time of 6.62 seconds. The second-place finisher was Longwood senior Dayshaun Taylor in 6.67.
With his triumph, Wright earned a spot in the state meet, which will be run at Cornell University in Ithaca on March 1.
Riverhead junior Jacob Robinson will also be making the trip upstate. His fourth-place finish in the 300 meters in 37.60 was good enough for him to be placed on Section XI’s intersectional relay team.
Robinson was preceded at the finish line by Commack’s Avery Walas (36.62), Half Hollow Hills West’s Bryce Johnson (36.66) and Huntington’s Y’Majesty Allen (37.11).
Robinson, who posted a personal record of 37.11 in the semifinals, seemed thrilled upon receiving the news from Riverhead coach Sal Loverde that he will compete in the state meet.
Another Riverheader, senior Davion Porter, was the subject of excitement in the high jump area. Porter enjoyed a career day, clearing the highest height he has ever reached, 6 feet 1 inch. It was good for fourth place, which brings with it All-County status. Porter made 6-1 on his third and final attempt at that height. He grazed the bar, which shook but didn’t fall. On Porter’s final two attempts at 6-2, he barely touched the bar and it fell.
Jordan Sullivan of Miller Place took first place at 6-4 and was followed by Alexander Ladouceu of Smithtown West (6-2) and Cordell Nix of Bay Shore (6-1). Maxwell Maritato, a Shoreham-Wading River senior, was sixth at 5-10.
Riverhead senior Marcus Moore was fifth in the triple jump at 43-4 1/2. Bay Shore senior Omari Buckmire won the event with a distance of 46-6 1/4.
Shoreham-Wading River’s standout long-distance runner, Ryan Udvadia, will not compete in the state meet. The senior took fourth in the 3,200 in 9:37.95 and fifth in the 1,600 in 4:31.53.
