Wheatley's Kiran Gabbur breaks school record, qualifies for state championships in 110-meter hurdles
Kiran Gabbur of Wheatley races to victory in the Division 2 boys 110 meter hurdles during Day 2 of the Nassau County track and field state qualifiers at North Shore High School on Friday, June 6, 2025. He posted a time of 14.99. Credit: James Escher
Giving up was never an option for Wheatley’s Kiran Gabbur.
For the past three years, Gabbur was unable to qualify for states. He wasn’t about to let another opportunity slip away.
Gabbur won the Division 2 110-meter hurdles in 14.99 seconds Friday at North Shore High School in Glen Head during the second day of the Nassau outdoor track and field state qualifier meet. Gabbur broke the Wheatley record of 15 seconds flat, set by Kieran Lang in 2010. The junior also punched his ticket to the state championships, June 13-14 in Middletown.
“I have been working for three years for this,” Gabbur said. “I have been working to get sub-15 [seconds] all season, and to get a 14.99 was the perfect way to end it.
“I have been trying to break this record all season; it’s been a long time coming, and I’m so happy to finally see it happen.”
After crossing the finish line, Gabbur ran over to his coaches to enjoy the moment.
“All my coaches are amazing,” Gabbur said. “My passion truly lies in hurdles. It means so much to me that I have been able to accomplish this.”
After watching the Olympics when he was younger, Gabbur knew that the hurdles was meant for him. Being of Jamaican descent, Gabbur drew inspiration from all-time great Usain Bolt, though he was not a hurdler.
“Seeing them jump over the hurdles on the TV, I thought it would be the most fun track event to run,” Gabbur said. “Usain Bolt is a national icon for us, but my coaches taught me so much about hurdles and what I need to do to improve.”
Elsewhere, Floral Park’s Max Krapf won the 1,600 in 4:19.09, breaking his previous personal best of 4:22.87.
Krapf knew he had the chance to break his own record. He capitalized on that knowledge as soon as he got the lead.
“I made a big move with 800 meters left because I wanted to hit the super standard,” Krapf said. “I wanted to push myself.”
Krapf, who has never been to a state championship meet, is relieved to have finally accomplished the longtime goal.
“I think going to states is going to be a good experience,” he said. “I’m going to have more competition so I can run at a higher level. I’m hopefully going to [set a personal record] again.”
Baldwin’s Paul Fleck also qualified for the 1,600 in Class A, running 4:19.44.
“I hit a [personal best] in the 3,200 [Thursday], so I thought I was going to be a little tired,” Fleck said. “The key is my consistency. I have been looking back at my previous races outdoors, and I never had a more consistent season than this year.”
Fleck is no stranger to the state meet. After placing 26th in the 1,600 last year, the senior knows what it will take to compete with the best.
“Last year, when I made it to states, my inconsistencies in mileage and workouts are what held me back,” Fleck said. “This year, I’m going for another [personal best]. Learning more about the sport, I realized consistency is one of the most important aspects of it.”
Roosevelt’s Leroy Barrett won both the 100 and 200 on Friday. He completed the 100 in 10.91 seconds and the 200 in 22.29 seconds.
“It feels great,” Barrett said. “I always say in my head, I’m going to win this race.”
After failing to qualify last year in the 100, Barrett is excited to show what he is capable of in Middletown.
“I have to stay calm,” Barrett said. “The 200 is my favorite race, and last year I ran a 22, but this year I’m confident I can run a 20.”
In the high jump, Jonathan Maggio of MacArthur, Calvin Chang of Great Neck South, Jacob Kim of Herricks and Edward Rodriguez of South Side each cleared six feet, two inches to finish in a four-way tie for first.
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
