Bay Shore's McGhee wins 100, triple jump
Bay Shore's Imani McGhee placed first in the girls 100m dash. The annual Smithtown West High School Boys and Girls Outdoor Track and Field "Bob Pratt Invitational." (April 24, 2010) Credit: Photo by Joseph D. Sullivan
The Bay Shore track youth movement appears to be in full swing.
And eighth-grade sensation Imani McGhee is the latest in a long line of quality Bay Shore athletes.
McGhee had a banner day at the Bob Pratt Invitational at Smithtown West Saturday, taking first in the 100 meters (12.82 seconds) and the triple jump with a leap of 36 feet, 5 inches.
She nearly pulled off the triple play, taking second in the long jump (17-41/2) to Connetquot's Nicole Stanko (18-31/4).
"I was very happy with everything today," McGhee said.
McGhee's performance was accentuated by the fact that she has very little experience in the sprints.
"We started running her in the sprints last week," Bay Shore coach Steve Borbet said. "She has that kind of ability.
With four-plus years of varsity track still ahead of her, Borbet is convinced that McGhee could be on her way to greatness.
"She picks up things so fast," Borbet said in reference to her mastering the triple and long jumps. "And the best thing is that she is very coachable."
For McGhee, the challenge of carrying on the Bay Shore tradition is what drives her.
"I love it," she said of the program. "Everyone is so competitive here and I feel very comfortable with the coaches."
Bay Shore, which took home the team championship, had several other winners, including Destiny Lalane in the 1,500 walk (7:22.76), Darlene Eiermann in the 400 hurdles (1:06.2) and sophomore Danielle Rowe in the 800 (2:16.21.)
The Marauders 4 x 800 relay team of Rowe, Regina Peattie, Karina Gonzalez and Giselle Guzman took first in 9:58.09.
Longwood was represented in the winner's circle by Olivia Hallstein, who took the 200 in 25.71, Jordyn Holt in the 100 hurdles in 15.48.
Longwood's day continued as Jaelisa Rehal won the shot put (36-7) and Qiyana Hill the discus (120-2).
The Lions capped the day on a high note as their 4 x 100 team of Hallstein, Holt, Ashley Adams and Nikki Mosby took first in 50.53.
Commack had two individual winners in Allison Stapleton (3,000) and Colby Lubman, who took the 400 in 56.2 seconds. Commack's 4 x 400 team of Lubman, Stapleton, Cassie Raguso and Mary-Kate Griffin also placed first in 4:05.44.
Northport's Brigid Brennan won the 1,500 in 4:50.33, and teammate Lianne Farber was second (4:51.67).
Smithtown East's Cara Hallahan won the high jump with a leap of 5-3.
