Pine Plains senior Violet Bliss finished second in the girls Class C 1,500-meter run and third in the 3,000, headlining several impressive performances at the New York State Outdoor Track & Field Championships on June 13 and 14 at Webster Schroeder High School.
Bliss, the school record holder in both distances, ran a 4:38.68 in the 1,500 and a 10:00.01 in the 3,000.
Daniel McPherson, a senior, came in sixth in the boys 3,200 meters (9:30.09) and ninth in the 1,600 (4:17.60), while sophomore Madison Williams finished 10th in the girls 200-meter dash (26.21). McPherson also received the New York State Sportsmanship Award, which is presented to athletes who demonstrate outstanding character and integrity both on and off the track.
“Daniel, Violet, and Michelle have been part of this program since 2020, before school had even reopened, when we were holding online practices during COVID,” coach Michael Cooper said in an email to the Herald. “They were not simply participants in the program; they helped shape it.”
In addition, the girls 4×400-meter relay team placed 12th in 4:13.51. Along with Bliss and Williams, the squad included senior Michelle Blackburn and junior Izzy Montoya.
“I am immensely proud of all of our athletes who worked to better themselves throughout the season, those who showed up every day and spent countless hours at practice just to be one second faster, throw an inch farther, or jump a little higher,” Cooper added. “Their effort over the past eight years helped our program break nearly every school record, compete consistently at the state level, and send athletes to some of the best collegiate track and field programs in the country, despite being one of the smallest schools in the region.”
