Huntington High School sophomores Erika Varady and Keily Rivas are splendid race walk athletes for the Blue Devil track team. The two teenagers stepped onto a much bigger stage at the New Balance Nationals at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro on Friday morning.
The Huntington duo performed well in the 3000m race, which is double the distance they are accustomed to walking, “but they did great,” said Shawn Anderson, the Blue Devils’ head coach.
Huntington sophomores Erika Varady and Keily Rivas
at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor.
Varady placed 11th and Rivas wasn’t far behind in time, finishing in 12th. Varady’s time of 16:03.19 set a new Huntington school record in the event. Rivas completed the race in 16:11.91.
“What’s exciting is that they are sophomores and can have shots at the Penn Relays and the nationals next year, as well as possibilities in USA Track & Field and even international meets, assuming they keep focused and keep improving,” Anderson said.
Freshman Taylor Ewert of Beavercreek, Ohio took first place in the event in 14:24.63. The next five finishers were all from New York with the third through sixth placers coming from Long Island. All told, 12 of the top 15 finishers were from New York high schools, reinforcing the state as epicenter of the race walk event.