Kristina Sumfleth | Democrat Sullivan West’s Reed Scott led the 3,200 meter run for a few laps in the state championships Saturday at Middletown. He finished 21st, falling to the ground in exhaustion and resignment as his high school running career came to a close.

Final seconds

Story by Kristina Sumfleth
MIDDLETOWN — June 11, 2013 — On Saturday athletes from across New York State competed in the Track and Field Championship Meet held at the Middletown High School Track. The meet was originally scheduled to begin on Friday but excessive rain forced officials to change the order of events and begin the next morning at 8:30 a.m.
Even with the shift in events, spectators filled the stands and athletes came out to compete in the last track meet of the spring season.
Multiple local athletes who met the state qualifying standard appeared at Middletown, including the Monticello 4 x 100 meter relay team who ran the fastest time of the season in the state at the State Qualifying Meet with a 42.69 (which was later beat by two other teams the following weekend).
“We were in the fastest heat of the day and seeded third for public high schools,” said Monticello head track coach Matt Buddenhagen. Unfortunately the relay team, comprised of Terry Duncan, Mistah Alli, Rahzel Smith and Shane Jackson, did not finish the race after the baton was dropped during a handoff from the second to third leg.
“They were right there to medal and place. It was definitely in the cards,” said Buddenhagen. “Basically, it was the worst possible thing that could have happened.”
The State Championship held good results for Candhace Forrest, the speedy sophomore from Fallsburg, who won the state qualifying race for the 100 meters with ease. Forrest finished second with a time of 12.39 in Division 2 and eighth in the federation race.
With a throw of 51’08.5,” senior Aric Boyes of Tri-Valley finished his final track and field meet with a second place win in the Division 2 shot put, placing 10th overall in the federation. Tri-Valley senior Mareena DiMilia also ended her season well taking seventh place in the Division 2 shot put throwing 35’06.25” as her fan club of family members and coaches looked on. Junior Kate Greffrath placed 15th in the Division 2 high jump at the height of 4’08.”
Reed Scott laid down on the track in exhaustion after finishing his 3200 meter race, the last one of his high school career. The Sullivan West senior held the leading position for a few laps before being passed, completing the eight laps in a time of 9:42.32.
Sullivan West’s junior high jumper Mitchel Paciga did not compete, instead attending the funeral for the mother of his girlfriend.