"The field was very deep," said Shoreham senior Bobby Andrews, the defending state champion in the 3,200 from the indoor season. "It's probably one of the best two-mile races New York has had in a long time."

Andrews had his sights set on breaking nine minutes at the New York state outdoor championship, but he had to settle for 9:09.62 as his tank hit empty down the final lap. Jeff Martinez of Johnson City was the only runner to crack nine minutes with a phenomenal final lap to finish in 8:57.6.

Chris Stogsdill of Marcellus sprinted out to a quick lead over the pack and maintained about a 25-meter edge going into the final lap. As he ran out of steam, the pack behind him, which included Martinez, John Muller and Scott Anderson in addition to Andrews, made its move.

"My last quarter mile I just tightened up," Andrews said. "I had nothing left the last 200 meters. They just took off and I had nothing left."

Andrews held on for fifth to secure an all-state finish and he still ran a faster time than at the state qualifier. It didn't help that Andrews had to spend an extra hour in the clerking room because the meet was running behind schedule.

Andrew said he normally begins his warm-up routine an hour before the race. This time, it ended up being two hours before the race.

"Everyone was in the same boat for the most part," he said. "But I had a hard time keeping loose a little bit."

While that race was frustrating, Andrews came back the next day to place third in the 1,600 with a personal record of 4:12.83. Alex Hatz of Fayetteville-Manlius High School won the event in 4:06.11.

After running the 3,200 Andrews said he didn't know what to expect when he woke up the next morning.

"I went on a warm-up and didn't feel good," he said. "I was like, 'I don't know what's going to happen.'ââ"

Andrews discussed a strategy with coach Bob Szymanski before the race and the first plan was to go out hard and try to hold on as best he could. They later settled on a more conservative approach, which worked out well.

After the first quarter-mile, which he ran in :63, Andrews said he was feeling OK. At the halfway mark he was at 2:07.

"I think I was in fifth place with a lap to go," he said. "I closed in 60 seconds the last lap to get third so I was definitely happy with a [personal record]."

Andrews was one of only two runners to compete in both the 3,200 and 1,600. Anderson was seventh in the 1,600 and third in the 3,200.

Andrews will continue his season Friday at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in North Carolina, where he'll run the 3,200. Depending on how he feels, he may also run the 1,600 on Saturday afternoon.

"I'm excited for my last high school races," he said.

Other highlights from the outdoor championship included Rocky Point junior Brandon Loomis, who was competing for the first time at states in the high jump. He cleared 6 feet, 3 inches, which was three inches shy of the mark he cleared at the state qualifier. The top jump was 6-08 by Eric Fontanez of Hilton.

Longwood junior Dannie Holland did not place in the triple jump after fouling his attempts.

Shoreham senior Brian Nill ran 2:01.06 in the 800.

joew@northshoresun.com

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