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This past weekend, two of North Shore's finest competed in the NY State Track and Field Championship. This competition comprises the best track and field athletes in NY State.

On Friday June 3 at the New York State High School Championship Meet in Cicero, NY, Chris Bauer, a senior athlete, ran the race of his life and became an "All State Athlete". Chris, a senior, placed third in the 400m hurdles, ending a wonderful career at North Shore High School. He had been running the 400 meter intermediate hurdles as one of his events for the Vikings all season. As the regular season wound down, and post season competition drew closer, Chris focused his efforts on the 400 M IH. And what a right choice that turned out to be. Chris was seeded ninth out of twelve runners in Division II. All the runners were the best of the small schools of the entire state of New York. Chris finished third, obliterating his fastest time in the regular season by 1.1 seconds. This may seem like a small difference, but it is not a small thing in track and field. In order for an athlete to make such a dramatic drop in time, either the clocks used to track time are all broken or the athlete is of exceptional quality. In Chris' case all the clocks were working perfectly on Friday, and so was Chris. Finishing third in Division II, six tenths of a second from the first place time, Chris showed his powerful athletic ability and the mental toughness needed to be a top athlete. Standing with his mother as he stood on the third step for the commemorative photo, his red hair framed by an azure blue sky, we knew what this meant for Chris. His proud, broad smile said it all.

Congratulations, Chris! All of us on the 2005 Vikings Men's Track and Field Team are proud of you.

Seventh Grader Brianna Welch, who has won many competitions in the past, ran just as impressively by also placing third in both the 800m and 1500m races. She also ran her best time of the season, and will compete in the Girls Easton States Championships this week. Good Luck Brianna!