Sports
WM's Anselmini Wins State Title in Steeplechase
Senior nearly eclipses own national record time in winning second outdoor steeple championship.
In Suffolk County, Ward Melville senior Mary Kate Anselmini had few peers that were able to challenge her in the 2,000 meter steeplechase. At the NYSPHSAA Girls Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday, she knew that would be different as the best from New York State arrived to pick her off.
The Stanford-bound senior didn't disappoint in her final race within state boundaries. Anselmini outkicked a talented field, including former state record holder Brianna Nerud of North Shore, to win the steeplechase in a time of 6:33.14.
The time was 13 one-hundredths of a second off her national-record mark of 6:33.01 set at last weekend's state qualifier in Port Jefferson. It was the second straight state title for Anselmini in the event. She ran a 6:44.50 to win it last spring; two years ago, she clocked a 6:57.00 in finishing fourth.
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While no one other than her finished under seven minutes at qualifiers, five competitors eclipsed that mark on Saturday. Nerud came in second with a time of 6:38.27.
Anselmini also helped the Patriots' 4x800 meter relay team that also included Kayla Monahan, Julianna Marcucci and Caroline O'Hea finish seventh (9:13.39). Anselmini's the only senior in the group.
