Oceanside's Addison Vice sets school record, qualifies for state championships in 400-meter hurdles
Addison Vice of Oceanside races to victory in the Division 1 girls 400 meter hurdles during Day 1 of the Nassau track and field state qualifiers on Thursday. Credit: James Escher
Oceanside’s Addison Vice had one thing on her mind going into state qualifying week: redemption.
Last season, she finished just short of a trip to the outdoor track and field state championships after finishing second in the qualifier. This time, she won the 400-meter hurdles in 1 minute 3.77 seconds on the first day of the Nassau state qualifier Thursday afternoon at North Shore High School in Glen Head.
The win came with more than just a spot in the state championships, scheduled for June 13-14 in Middletown. Vice shattered Oceanside’s 400 hurdle record by over two seconds, previously 1:05.87, set in 2017.
“Last year, I was seeded first but finished second, so I didn’t make [the state championships],” Vice said. “That’s what was playing in my mind the whole race.”
“I am amazed at her performance today,” coach Michael Howley said. “She’s been so focused in practice, and it’s been such a pleasure to coach her.”
Vice now has the opportunity to compete at the state level for the first time, in her final season as a Sailor.
“This feels really, really special because I’m a senior and it’s one of my last races,” Vice said. “I’m really excited for states, and hopefully, I can get one more [personal record] out of me.”
Elsewhere, Malverne standout Nicea Jones won the Division II 400 meters in 54.52. Garden City’s Kyra Lekanides’ second-place finish in 56.79 also secured her spot in the state championships because she already had the state standard. Lekanides left the North Shore track with a new personal best, shedding her previous time by 1.47 seconds.
“I was nervous all week, honestly,” she said. “I knew I needed to run as fast as I possibly could; those last 100 meters, I gave it everything I had.”
Lekanides was supposed to compete at March's indoor state championships on Staten Island, but was not able to race after getting the flu.
“It was really heartbreaking not being able to compete,” Lekanides said. “But it makes this feeling even better.”
Baldwin’s Jahzara Emeli is taking her first outdoor track and field season since eighth grade by storm. The senior’s first-place finish in the Division I 400 meters (57.38) secured a bid in a third event at the state championships. She's also qualified to compete in the 200 and 4x100 relay.
“It’s super exciting,” Emeli said. “...I was a little nervous since indoor is so different. I definitely want to go out with a bang, and I’m excited to share these moments with my teammates.”
In the field, Freeport’s Angel Omokeni qualified in triple jump (36-7) and Massapequa’s Riahanna Kuhns qualified in shot put (35-11.5).
