STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— The storied Millrose Games—one of the longest-running and most prestigious meets in the country—once again delivered blazing-fast performances across the national track and field circuit, and Staten Island natives Abigail Robisky and Kaeden Herbert rose to the occasion in front of a broadcast TV audience.
Robisky, a Staten Island native competing for New Jersey powerhouse Union Catholic, played a key role in a monstrous national-record performance in the 4×800 relay with the freshman clocking a 2:11.53 leadoff split as part of the team’s blistering 8:40.07 showing at the Armory.
The quartet didn’t just break the old national record held by Florida’s IMG Academy (8:46.04), either—they shattered it, slicing nearly six seconds off the previous mark to produce one of the greatest relays in prep history to date.
The historic showing further underscored a dominant stretch for the Union Catholic program that produced Olympian Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, as the school’s boys’ 4×800 relay also made history at Millrose by posting the No. 4 all-time mark in high school history with a time of 7:37.96.
Adding to the excitement, Susan Wagner’s Kaeden Herbert once again etched his name into Island T&F history by setting another borough record, this time in the 60-meter dash with a 6.91 second posting.
“It’s always tough to PR in a high pressure situation like Millrose; Kaeden did a great job of maintain composure and running a PR,” Susan Wagner head coach John Padula said when assessing his senior’s performance.
“It’s his fourth Island record and our sixth as a team this season; we now have 24 boys’ records and 18 girls’ Island records,” he added. “We are hoping to build on this success at City Champs, States and Nationals. Kaedan will also be competing for Trinidad at the CARIFTA Games and World Juniors this year.”
The Falcons’ day at Millrose was further highlighted by strong performances from both relay squads, as the boys’ 4×400 posted a time of 3:27.52 to place second among PSAL schools, while the girls’ 4×400 followed with a 4:06.06 silver-medal public school finish.
Empire Elite track member and Staten Islander Will Cuthbertson posted an admirable race at Millrose.Staten Island Running Association
Additionally, Will Cuthbertson, a Susan Wagner and Wagner College alum who has steadily established himself on the professional circuit in recent years, competed in the pro 600 field at Millrose, finishing sixth in 1:20.55.
It may not have been Will the Thrill’s best outing, but it should serve as added motivation as he soon returns to his hometown track, where he is set to compete in the 800 trials at the USATF Championships at Ocean Breeze later this month.
“I loved competing at Millrose,” said Cuthbertson. “It’s a meet I’ve grown up watching and competing in with Wagner High School so being able to race there as a professional was a really special, full-circle experience.”
“Even though the race didn’t quite come together for me this time, it was still an awesome opportunity to compete on that stage and be part of such a historic event. I’m grateful for the experience and I’m excited to keep building from there towards USAs,” he added.
Lastly, in the George T. Eastment 4×800 for CHSAA schools, Staten Islander Jayden Falcon closed out Xavier’s gold-medal winning relay (7:53.20) with a swift 1:57.01 anchor leg. Farrell placed fifth in 8:02.12, with St. Joseph by-the-Sea close behind in sixth at 8:03.10.
Ocean Breeze Invitational
Notre Dame Academy’s Coryn Nestor-Hubert set an Island No. 2 mark in the 200 meters this weekend.Michael O’Brien
It may not carry the glamour of the Millrose Games, but the Ocean Breeze Invitational still delivered plenty of fast times this past weekend as well, highlighted by Notre Dame Academy’s Coryn Nestor-Hubert, who posted a blazing double effort.
Fresh off her No. 3 all-time Island mark in the 300 earlier this January, the versatile sprinter moved up to No. 2 in the borough’s all-time indoor 200 rankings, with her 25.27 finish also earning seventh place at the highly competitive meet.
If that wasn’t enough, she doubled back to set the Island’s No. 11 all-time mark in the indoor 400, clocking 58.17 for fourth place, amounting to an outstanding day for the Gators senior.
“It’s been incredible to see Coryn’s hard work over the past few years really come to life this season. Coming into the year, Coryn shared with me that she wanted to leave her mark as one of Staten Island’s greatest [high school] sprinters,” said NDA head coach James Walker.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure watching Coryn grow. I also want to credit Coach Stephen McClean of Ocean Breeze, who has worked with her this past year and helped bring something truly special out of her. I’m excited to see what the rest of the season holds as we head into the Intersectional and State meets,” he concluded.
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For full meet results from Millrose and Ocean Breeze, visit ny.milesplit.com.