SCHENECTADY — Competing in the 400-meter hurdles is relatively new to Harriet Healey, though on Saturday, the Ballston Spa junior ran the event like a skilled veteran.
Given just 15 minutes to cool off following her win in the 400 meter race, Healey rallied in the closing stages of the hurdles and posted a microscopic win over Ava Weiss of Columbia to help earn Athlete of the Meet honors at the 80th William F. Eddy Meet at Schenectady High.
Healey crossed the line in 1 minute, 3.672 seconds, edging out Weiss, who ran 1:03.678.
“Ava Weiss is a freshman and she runs like crazy. She has been my target this year to chase and makes me better,” Healey said. “I really wanted to beat her today because I lost to her at Colonie Relays. This past week, I just got down my steps for the 400 hurdles because I used to stutter really bad. In the race, I just had to focus, count the steps and don’t focus on what is around you.”
The meet, complete with the large trophies that go to the winners, was being held for the first time since 2019, due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic, so many of the athletes had never been in the meet before.
“It is great with these huge trophies,” Healey said. “I’ve never been to a meet like this. I’m excited.”
Albany Academy senior Bashir Praileau was driven to pick up a few trophies of his own and did just that.
Praileau, selected as boys’ Athlete of the Meet, got his day started with a win in the 110 hurdles in 14.75 seconds and later took top honors in the long jump as he set the tone with a jump of 21 feet, 3 3/4 inches on his first attempt. His effort held up against 14 other jumpers.
“It feels good. I’ve seen the meet coming up through the years but COVID happened so it is the first time in a long time they’ve held the meet,” Praileau said. “Just finally, seeing everyone compete and be able to come back, especially taking home two trophies, is an unreal feeling.”
The meet exceeded Praileau’s expectations but winning a pair of titles was special as he nears the completion of his high school career before moving on to Northeastern University.
“The hardware, the prestige of the meet for everyone that works really hard, it gives them a sense of accomplishment,” Praileau said. “All the practice that really counts and the performance is what matters. This is a nice bonus.”
Twins Sheridan and McKinley Wheeler had a big day on the track, a day before their 18th birthday.
The pair teamed up with Anya Belisle and Emily Bush for Saratoga Springs’ meet-record performance of 9:02.30 in the 3,200 relay before Sheridan won the 1,500 title and McKinley took the 3,000.
The Blue Streaks quartet shaved 13 seconds off the prior 3,200 relay time set by Shenendehowa in 2014.
Running mostly alone in their individual events, both Wheelers drew on experience to push themselves against the clock.
“I’ve been running a while, I’ve learned what works for me and when I should kick in,” Sheridan Wheeler said.
McKinley Wheeler was one of the few athletes who had competed at the Eddy Meet before, finishing fourth in the 3,000 as an eighth-grader in 2019.
“It definitely feels different. I think the track and infield isn’t the same so visually it is different,” McKinley Wheeler said.
Colonie won the boys’ team championship over runner-up Albany Academy and Guilderland claimed the girls’ team title with Saratoga finishing second.
Senior Megan Swan won the 200 for Guilderland, one of five wins on the day for the Lady Dutch as the team eyes next week’s Section II championship in its bid to win its first outdoor track and field championship.
“I’ve been working really hard on trying to keep my head down, watch the line at the start but sometimes I look up too quick,” Swan said. “I trusted myself, tried to stay relaxed and run all the way through the line. We are all ready for sectionals and looking forward to states and nationals.”