There was no team scoring at the Big 8, but the competition was excellent. Familiar opponents such as Bethlehem, Colonie, and Saratoga provided for some great races on a cold night.
In the field events, which started at 4:00, the Plainsmen had two winners and two new meet records. Ammon Nelson won the high jump with a 5-10 jump that set a new meet record for the three year old meet. Chris Cooper vaulted 13-0, also a new meet record. In a weird entry, John Lynch was entered in the long jump. After a quick insructional session, he managed to jump 16-9.
In the running events, Shen finished second in the 4x800, losing to Bethelehem, who ran a 8:28.6. In the 1600, Darrell Andruski was 4th (4:34). Averill Park's Tyson Evenson won the race with a 4:31.2. In somewhat of a surprise, the Plainsmen won the 4x100 with a 46.2. Shen had three medal winners in the second to last event of the night, the 2000m steeple chase. John Lynch won the event with a 6:38.9. Mark Gaedje was second and Jeremy Relyea was 5th. The 4x400 team just missed victory as they finished second to Guilderland.
This was the first meet at which the Shen boys and girls competed together. The girls had some strong performances, especially in the field events. Senior Kelly Hagner won the shot put (33-5) and the discus (126-2). She was the only female to win two field events. In the triple jump, Kristen Risch finished first with a 34-3.75 jump.
One of the many meet records set on the girls side was set by the Shen 4x100 team who won the event with at time of 51.6.
