By Laura Stabbert
SULLIVAN COUNTY — Colin Seidl, a Sullivan West junior, performed under pressure Saturday at the New York State track and field championship, which was held in the football stadium on the University at Buffalo campus in Amherst.
This was Seidl’s second year running in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at states, and he came to compete. Last year, Seidl came in 10th in Division II (small school) and 24th overall.
But that was a whole year ago, and Seidl has been training hard to improve.
“Colin has been averaging 50 miles a week and runs everyday, sometimes getting up at 5 a.m. to run if he knows he is going to have a busy day,” said Joe Seidl, who is Colin’s father and the coach of the SW girls’ track and field team.
Colin Seidl’s self-discipline and hard work paid off on Saturday as he shaved 45 seconds off his 2007 state time to win a gold medal in the boys’ Division II 3,000-meter steeplechase. His winning time was 9 minutes, 33.62 seconds.
“Though he does have natural talent, he would have never been as successful as he was without the hard work and pain he put his body through,” Joe Seidl said of his son. “He is always pushing himself, that is where I give him full credit.”
In becoming the first SW runner to bring home a gold medal from the state meet, Colin Seidl broke his own 3,000-meter steeplechase school record time of 9:42.
Seidl is hoping to continue his competitive running career in college and major in sports management.
On Friday, he will make the trip to Greensboro, N.C. to compete in the national scholastic championship meet.
Then it’s back to the track, where he will train to beat his own newly established record.
Other county athletes compete in Buffalo
Several other athletes from Sullivan County high schools competed at the state meet in Amherst.
Saeed Robinson of Liberty placed eighth in the boys’ Division II 400 meters with a time of 51.26 seconds.
Tanzeel Khan of Tri-Valley placed second in the boys’ Division II shot put (52 feet, 7.25 inches).
Emma Tingley of T-V placed 14th in the girls’ division II 400 hurdles with a time of 1:13.96.
The SW quartet of Kasi Pilny, Morgan Hawkins, Katie Manzi and Liz Peters placed eighth in the girls’ Division II 1,600-meter relay (4:14.64).
Monticello’s Jessica Fingers finished 11th in the girls’ Division I 3,000-meter run (10:15.74) and eighth in the girls’ Division I 1,500-meter run (4:43.64).
Garrett Grey of T-V placed 12th in the boys’ Division II discus (113 feet, 10 inches).
Kim McKay of Liberty finished eighth in the girls’ Division II pentathlon by compiling 2,278 points.