New Balance Track & field Center at The Armory – New York City’s brightest up-and-coming track and field athletes traveled to the world’s premier indoor track and field facility to compete in the first meet of the new year – the PSAL Distance Night.

One of the first events of the night was the preliminary round of the boys 55m. Paul Clarke of Samuel J. Tilden HS recorded the fastest time there, finishing in 6.60. But it was Stanley Pilorge of James Madison HS who as able to pull off the win in the final, crossing the finish line in 6.58 with Kevon White of Springfield HS following closely behind in 6.61.

“I’m happy with the win because we’re still lifting heavy,” said Pilorge after the race. “I’m trying to go sub 6.04 before the end of the season.”

In the boys 55m hurdles Divaughn Dixon of John F. Kennedy HS was able to secure a 8.01 victory. Denzel Villaman of Franklin K Lane HS and Kyle Pierre of Medgar Evers HS took second and third, running 8.06 and 8.10, respectively.

The PSAL Distance Night’s 600m proved to be Gairy Springer’s third victory at The Armory this season. The Thomas Jefferson HS representative took the lead during the final lap from Marlon Smith of Springfield HS to finish in 1:27.85. Smith was able to finish in 1:28.62 with Joshua Beausil of Curtis HS closing well in 1:28.83.

Abdoulaye Diallo of Townsend Harris HS battled with Jacob Zolotarevsky and Ikechukwu Egbunam of Midwood HS in the boys 1000m. Each of the three entered the final lap in position for the win, but Diallo was able to narrowly outkick the field for the 2:39.22 win. Zolotarevsky and Egbunam took second and third in 2:40.61 and 2:41.60.

Rising distance star Tomas Reimer recorded yet another Armory victory in the boys 1600m. The Fiorello H LaGuardia athlete led the field with an easy 4:27.47 win.

Pocesta Lufti of Susan Wagner HS led the boys weight throw with an impressive mark of 57-03.00.

Medgar Evers HS speedsters Brenessa Thompson and Karimah Senior took the girls 55m in 7.22 and 7.25, respectively.

Eboni Birch of Campus Magnet HS ran away with girls 55m hurdles. The up-and-coming athlete was able to coolly take the preliminary and final rounds in 8.70 and 8.66, respectively.

Cardozo claimed a one-two finish in the girls 600m. Alana Williams made it look easy with a 1:38.63 win. Elizabeth Perez Bossut finished second in 1:42.97.

There was a close race in the girls 1000m between Abbigale Butler of Thomas Jefferson HS and Latoya Stewart of Paul Robeson HS. The two battled throughout the entire race, both dipping hard at the finish line, but it was Butler who’s name showed up first on the scoreboard with a time of 3:12.47 over Stewart’s 3:12.97 effort.

Aaliyah Regg-Wajid of Dewitt Clinton took the girls 3000m in 10:42.88.

“The race was good. I’m trying to get into the 10:30s,” said Wajid after the race. “A lot of people cheer you on and motivate you. That’s what I like about The Armory,”

Marie-Jose Ebweabile recorded an impressive mark in the girls long jump, soaring to 18-09.50.

You can find full results and photos here:

http://www.armorytrack.com/gprofile.php?do=view_event&event_id=8132&mgroup_id=45586&year=2015

Photos by Karthik Adimula