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…
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