Blue Devils at State Track Championships
Huntington High School track stars Y'Majesty Allen and Shaheem Lewis will compete in the state indoor track and field championships this weekend at Barton Hall on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca.
The Blue Devil duo will participate in warm-up activities Friday night from 6-8 p.m. The state meet's opening ceremonies are set for 8:45 a.m. on Saturday with competition beginning 15 minutes later and continuing for the next four hours.
Allen has qualified for the state meet in the 300m dash and Lewis will participate in the shot put competition. Huntington head coach Ron Wilson is excited is hopeful his two stars will fare well among the best in the state.
"Cornell has not been nice to Huntington," Wilson said. "Two years in a row, injuries have cost us a chance for a state title." Former Blue Devil great Tyriek Johnson reached the state finals in 2011 and 2012 and tore hamstring muscles both years. In 2011, his injury prevented him from even competing. In 2012 he had run the fastest time in the 55m hurdles before a second hamstring injury knocked him out prior to the finals.
Allen and Lewis both earned All-Long Island honors last week in their respective events and have been working hard in the days leading up to the state championships. "Both athletes have expressed their appreciation for just making it this far," Wilson said. "However, I told them to believe in themselves and continue giving their best efforts. At the end of the day, that's all you can ask for."
Allen is expected to have his hands full in the 300m dash. The junior's best time this winter has been 35.77 seconds and several athletes in the state have already been clocked at 34 seconds. "The competition is very tough this year," Wilson said. "Y'Majesty will need a herculean effort win a crown."
Lewis, a senior, faces an equally talented shot put field. "The shot put hasn't seen 59-foot throwers in a few years," Wilson said about some of the opponents Lewis will have to outdistance if he is to challenge for the title.
"I'm sure Allen and Lewis will give their best efforts in the meet," Wilson said. "It's their first time ever competing at this level. Of course, we're hoping that Cornell is a bit nicer to us [than in the past] and allows us to return home injury free."