Bayport-Blue Point's Sophia McInnes wins 800 meters at Suffolk track and field state qualifier
Sophia McInnes of Bayport-Blue Point wins the 800 meters at the Suffolk track and field state qualifiers and individual championships on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Sophia McInnes had taken on the challenge headfirst.
The Bayport-Blue Point senior attempted to qualify for the 800 meters at the state championships for the first time in her high school career, not quite sure how her long-distance skills would translate to the event.
But as the bright blue and gold glitter shined in her hair, McInnes stunned on the track, winning the event in a personal-best 2 minutes, 7.18 seconds on the first day of the Suffolk girls track and field state qualifier at Comsewogue High School on Thursday.
“I knew I wanted to get experience for the state meet. I wanted to run it like a 600 and I feel like that tactic worked out really well,” McInnes said. “I was a little bummed I didn’t have someone try to get ahead of me, but I just continued to push myself and I used emotion inside of me to give it all I had.”
The time was also a state qualifier meet record and the second-fastest time in county history, Bayport-Blue Point coach Vin Ungaro said. Both Ungaro and McInnes were surprised by the record-setting mark.
“I ran over to see the board on the infield, and I was shocked,” Ungaro said. “I thought maybe she’d have a chance at states to do something like that. I wasn’t expecting it today.”
“I was very shocked to see the outcome,” McInnes added. “This was definitely one of my goals this season and I’m just so excited that I was able to do it. Having my teammates run with me helped, too. I do everything for my team.”
The win qualified McInnes for the state championships, scheduled for June 7-8 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
Last year, McInnes won Division II state titles in the 1,500 (4:25.95) and the 3,000 (9:43.85). This year, she forwent the 3,000 and ran the 800 instead for a chance to participate in both the 4x400 and 4x800 meters relays.
“She is much stronger than last year, the way she runs races is impressive,” Ungaro said. “Last year we weren’t able to run her on the 4x400 because it was the same time as the 3,000. This year, she decided to run the 800 in order to help her team.”
Northport’s Mia Wickard took the top spot in the 3,000 with a personal-best 9:52.53, which was also a school record.
“I thought they were going to out-kick me, but it was no pain and all adrenaline,” Wickard said. “I’ve never felt so great in a race.”
The freshman placed third at last year’s state qualifier and had been waiting for the chance to redeem herself.
“I didn’t want to make my move until the last 100, instead of the last 800, which is where I gave up my spot last year. I gave up too early so I knew what to do this year,” Wickard said. “I’m just very proud of myself. I not only got the job done, but I won, which to me is the best part.”
Westhampton's Lily Strebel also qualified for the state championships in the 3,000, finishing second in 9:52.98. Floyd’s Zariel Macchia, who finished third (9:54.35), had qualified for the event earlier in the season.
“It’s going to be really great to have them all again with me next week,” Wickard said. “This is a very fast race with a lot of talented runners, and we all push each other to do better.”
Other qualifiers included junior Jillian Scully of Miller Place, who won the discus (159 feet, 8 inches) and Connetquot’s Chloe Young, who won the long jump (18-5).
